WR Stefon Diggs Chose Patriots Over Broncos In Free Agency
Stefon Diggs has been a key factor in the Patriots’ 2025 success so far. The free agent addition drew interest from other suitors, with one finalist emerging before his ultimate decision to join New England. 
Diggs’ decision came down to the Patriots over the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports (video link). Denver was known to be in the market for a veteran addition at the receiver spot this past spring, but no major moves took place on that front. The Broncos would have been interested in Diggs (along with Cooper Kupp) on a low-cost deal, but in both cases a lucrative pact wound up being signed.
Indeed, Diggs secured $16.6MM in full guarantees on his three-year, $63.5MM Patriots contract. Further locked-in money exists in the form of injury guarantees, a sign of New England’s confidence a full recovery from Diggs’ 2024 ACL tear would take place. The soon-to-be 32-year-old has played every game so far this season, comfortably leading the team in receiving yards (659) and scoring three touchdowns.
Continued production will help the Patriots maintain their chase for the AFC’s top seed and move all parties further away from the uncertainty which surrounded Diggs in the offseason. Questions about New England cutting the four-time Pro Bowler were initially raised in the wake of the “unidentified pink substance” video and head coach Mike Vrabel‘s reaction to it. In the end, the team elected to proceed with Diggs in the fold.
That decision has certainly paid off to date. On the other hand, though, Denver’s hesitation to make a big free agent splash has not prevented the team from enjoying a strong campaign as well. The Broncos sit atop the AFC West with an 8-2 record (albeit with questions about their consistency in the passing game) and offseason signings like safety Talanoa Hufanga have played a critical role in their success.
The Broncos did not wind up making any receiver additions at the trade deadline, so their performances at the position down the stretch will be worth watching. In the meantime, Diggs will aim to continue operating as a central figure in New England’s offense for the closing stages of 2025 and beyond.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/13/25
Here are the latest minor moves from around the NFL…
Arizona Cardinals
- Practice window opened: OL Hayden Conner
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed from practice squad: OLB Khalid Kareem
- Placed on IR: LB DeAngelo Malone
Denver Broncos
- Signed off Giants’ practice squad: WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey (story)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed from practice squad: LB Branson Combs
New England Patriots
- Elevated: RB D’Ernest Johnson, LB Darius Harris
New York Giants
- Signed off Steelers’ practice squad: WR Isaiah Hodgins (story)
Conner, a sixth-round pick from Texas, has yet to debut as a rookie after suffering a knee injury in the preseason. The Cardinals placed Conner on IR with a return designation when they trimmed their roster to 53 players on Aug. 26. Now that Conner’s back at practice, the Cardinals will have 21 days to activate him.
Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson will miss Thursday’s game against the Jets with a toe injury, leading the Pats to elevate Johnson. He’ll work behind TreVeyon Henderson and Terrell Jennings, though the latter is playing through a knee issue. It’s the third and final standard elevation of the year for Johnson, meaning the Patriots will have to sign him to their active roster if they want to promote him again. The 29-year-old has totaled just 15 snaps (nine on special teams, six on offense) this season.
Connor Byrne contributed to this post.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/12/25
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad transactions:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DE Morgan Fox
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Michael Bandy, DE Garrett Nelson
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: G Lecitus Smith
Houston Texans
- Signed: TE Layne Pryor, S K’Von Wallace
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: S Darrick Forrest
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Michael Reid, DT Bubba Thomas
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: OLB Benton Whitley
Wallace was one of three defensive backs to work out in Houston today alongside nickelback Beanie Bishop and safety Brandon Hill. Though Bishop showed promise in parts of his rookie campaign last year, Wallace boasts the most experience of the three and has been added to the fold as the Texans attempt to make up for the absences of M.J. Stewart and Jalen Pitre.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/12/25
Here are today’s midweek NFL minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Waived (with injury settlement): P Cameron Johnston
Cleveland Browns
- Signed from practice squad: WR Kaden Davis
Denver Broncos
- Designated for return from IR: LB Garret Wallow
Houston Texans
- Signed from practice squad: CB Myles Bryant
- Designated for return from IR: TE Cade Stover
- Placed on IR: S M.J. Stewart (story)
Johnston’s injuries have seemingly led to him looking for a new team yet again, assuming he clears waivers. The veteran punter signed with Pittsburgh last year, following two three-year stints in Philadelphia and Houston. In his first game as a Steeler, though, Johnston suffered a season-ending knee injury on his kicking leg. He’d been given a chance to win the job back from Corliss Waitman, who had filled in during his absence, but lost the job and a spot on the team’s initial 53-man roster.
Rebounding quickly, Johnston signed with the Bills after they made a quick decision to move on from Brad Robbins following their season opener. Johnston got through three games with his new team before suffered an injury on his planting foot that would lead him to injured reserve. Now, the veteran heads to the waiver wire before he’ll have the ability to shop himself out for new opportunities.
Broncos To Bring Back Lil’Jordan Humphrey
A day after adding tackle Geron Christian off the Cowboys’ practice squad, the Broncos are raiding another NFC East team’s P-squad to add more offensive help.
The team is bringing back Lil’Jordan Humphrey, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, adding him off the Giants’ taxi squad. Humphrey, who played for Sean Payton in New Orleans and Denver, is likely to play against the Chiefs on Sunday.
Joining the Giants this offseason (before yoyoing on and off their roster), Humphrey has played in three games. Although he has only seen action in a fraction of New York’s contests, the journeyman wideout started two of those and logged an 81% snap share in the game he has played. The Broncos used Humphrey regularly last season and are making an update to their receiving depth chart ahead of a crucial contest.
The Giants had used the maximum of three gameday elevations on Humphrey this season. With the team needing to give him a spot on its 53-man roster in order to give him a game uniform again this season, Mike Kafka‘s operation will instead see him depart. Humphrey joins a Broncos team loosely linked to wide receiver trades before this year’s deadline, but like the Bills and Steelers, the AFC contender stood pat.
Payton used Humphrey on 50% of the Broncos’ offensive plays last season, giving him the most run of anyone besides Courtland Sutton and Devaughn Vele at the position in 2024. Second-year cog Troy Franklin has seized Denver’s No. 2 wideout role this year, and the team has increasingly used Pat Bryant more as the season has progressed. Bryant’s blocking has appealed to Denver’s coaching staff, but Humphrey was viewed as a plus blocker previously. The Broncos have also missed Marvin Mims for the past two games due to a concussion. With Trent Sherfield rounding out the group, Humphrey will give Denver six WRs on its 53-man roster.
Humphrey, 28, played for Payton from 2019-21 with the Saints. After spending the 2022 season in New England, the big-bodied backup followed Payton to Denver in 2023. Humphrey made 15 starts from 2023-24 and posted a career-high 293 receiving yards last season, doing so after catching three touchdown passes in 2023. He caught four passes for 55 yards with the Giants, who are letting him go despite losing Malik Nabers for the season and having seen Darius Slayton miss time this year.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/11/25
Tuesday’s minor moves from around the NFL…
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: CB Tre Avery
Denver Broncos
- Signed off Cowboys’ practice squad: OT Geron Christian
- Waived: WR/KR Michael Bandy
- Placed on IR: LB Karene Reid
Green Bay Packers
- Signed from practice squad: LB Kristian Welch
- Placed on IR: C Elgton Jenkins (story)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Suspended: RB Josh Williams
Washington Commanders
- Signed from practice squad: WR Robbie Chosen, WR Jacoby Jones
- Placed on IR: CB Trey Amos (story)
The NFL issued Williams a six-game ban without pay for violating its policy on performance-enhancing substances, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Williams will be eligible for reinstatement after Week 16. The undrafted rookie from LSU has picked up four carries for 11 yards in three games this year.
Broncos LB Alex Singleton Recovering From Testicular Cancer Surgery
Alex Singleton announced to his teammates today that he recently underwent surgery for testicular cancer. The veteran linebacker will be absent from the Broncos for the time being but offered an encouraging statement on his status.
“I shared with my teammates and coaches that I underwent successful surgery on Friday for testicular cancer after being diagnosed last week,” Singleton posted on X. “Thankfully, we believe the cancer was caught early… While we are still awaiting some test results, I fully expect to return to the field in the coming weeks.”
Singleton was selected for random drug testing by the NFL recently. His results indicated the presence of the hormone hcG, which prompted the seventh-year veteran to consult a urologist. The diagnosis was confirmed shortly thereafter. Singleton still managed to play in the Broncos’ Week 10 game on Thursday night; his surgery took place the following day.
The 31-year-old confirmed (via Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post) he will miss at least this week’s matchup with the Chiefs. Singleton is hopeful he will be back in action relatively soon, though. Provided that takes place, his return will give the Broncos’ elite defense a boost.
Singleton has been a core part of a unit that ranks third in both points allowed and total defense. His 89 tackles lead the Broncos and rank fifth in the NFL, putting him on pace for similar production as his stellar 2022 and 2023 seasons. Those were his first two years in Denver; his third was cut short by a torn ACL in Week 3, though Singleton played the whole game despite suffering the injury in the first quarter.
Singleton’s professional career technically started in the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2015, but he never rose above the practice squad as a rookie. Instead, he made his name in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders, earning a Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in 2017, a Grey Cup championship in 2018, and a CFL All-Star nod in each year. That drew him plenty of NFL interest, and Singleton opted to join the Eagles in 2019. He played for three years in Philadelphia, starting out as a special teams contributor and quickly growing into their starting No. 2 linebacker.
Hopefully, Singleton can quickly put this health scare behind him and return to leading the Broncos defense as they look to continue their excellent start and make a deep playoff run.
Nikhil Mehta contributed to this story.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/6/25
Here are Thursday’s minor transactions:
Chicago Bears
- Waived: LB Carl Jones Jr.
Denver Broncos
- Signed from practice squad: WR Michael Bandy
- Elevated: TE Marcedes Lewis, CB Reese Taylor
Houston Texans
- Waived: CB Alijah Huzzie
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from IR: S Lonnie Johnson
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: TE Tanner Conner
Philadelphia Eagles
- Designated for return from IR: G Willie Lampkin
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: DE DeMarvin Leal
Leal, a third-round pick out of Texas A&M in 2022, has failed to live up to his draft stock thus far in the NFL. After only seeing game time in three games this year, he’s been waived to make room for the defensive tackle Pittsburgh signed off of the Chiefs’ practice squad yesterday.
Huzzie, after spending much of his rookie season on the reserve/non-football injury list, is being sent to waivers. Should he clear them, it’s expected that he’ll return to Houston on a practice squad deal.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/4/25
Here are Tuesday’s minor transactions after a busy trade deadline:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: TE Josiah Deguara
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: G Andrew Stueber
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed from practice squad: S Keondre Jackson
- Waived: S Sanoussi Kane
Chicago Bears
- Placed on IR: DE Dayo Odeyingbo (story)
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: RB Malik Davis
Denver Broncos
- Waived (with injury designation): S J.T. Gray
Detroit Lions
- Released (with injury settlement): TE Kenny Yeboah
- Released: OL Justin Herron
Green Bay Packers
- Signed from practice squad: DT Arron Mosby, TE Josh Whyle
- Placed on IR: TE Tucker Kraft (story)
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on reserve/retired list: LS Rick Lovato
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: OLB Patrick Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: S Jerrick Reed II
Washington Commanders
- Placed on IR: CB Marshon Lattimore, WR Luke McCaffrey (story)
Usually when a player retires in the middle of the season, it’s a free agent who hoped they’d find a home due to the attrition of the regular season but never do. Rarely do we see active players like Lovato retiring partway through a campaign like this. Lovato is choosing to go out on his own terms, though, as it appears he was close to being released. Los Angeles only signed Lovato just before the season because its regular long snapper, Josh Harris, got hurt and placed on the team’s injured reserve with a designation to return. Harris returned to practice last week, so seeing the writing on the wall, Lovato is saving the Chargers the trouble of releasing him.
Kane had been a core special teamer for the Ravens since getting drafted out of the seventh round last year but had been made a healthy scratch in each of the team’s past two games. Jackson, though, has emerged as a standout on the unit over three practice squad elevations. The Ravens wanted Jackson to keep playing, so he’ll take Kane’s spot on the 53-man roster.
Reed’s time on Seattle’s active roster was short-lived. They’ll likely plan for him to sign back to the practice squad, but he’ll have to clear waivers before they can bring him back. The same is expected of Davis in Dallas.
Dolphins Took Calls On Jaylen Waddle; Broncos Showed Interest
Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle came up as a trade candidate in advance of Tuesday’s deadline. Ultimately, no deal came together for the 26-year-old, who will finish the season in Miami.
The Dolphins took calls on Waddle, but their asking price of a first-round pick and more was too high for other clubs, according to Connor Hughes of SNY.
With the Broncos in the market for a receiver, they were among a few teams to reach out to the Dolphins regarding Waddle’s availability, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. In the end, though, the AFC West leaders didn’t add Waddle or any other wideout on Tuesday. Head coach Sean Payton said the Broncos weren’t close to a trade, adding they’re content with their roster (via Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette).
Depending on how the rest of the campaign unfolds, it’s possible the Broncos (and other teams) will circle back to Waddle during the offseason. By then, the Dolphins will have a new general manager who could be amenable to moving Waddle. Even if the Dolphins promote interim GM Champ Kelly, who took over for the ousted Chris Grier last week, a deal may not be out of the question. Unlike Grier, Kelly was at least willing to listen to offers for Waddle.
If Waddle does stay with the Dolphins in 2026, which will be his sixth season, the former Alabama standout is likely to function as their No. 1 wideout again. Tyreek Hill was Miami’s leading receiver in each of the previous three years, but after suffering a season-ending knee injury in late September, he may have played his last game with the team. The Dolphins are expected to release Hill before the new league year begins in March.
Despite subpar quarterback play this season from Tua Tagovailoa, who may be playing for his job, Waddle is on pace for his fourth 1,000-yard showing. Nine games into 2025, Waddle has racked up 41 catches, 586 yards, and four touchdowns. With Waddle continuing to excel and under team control through 2028, Miami isn’t in any hurry to part with him.