NFL’s Rehearing Request In Brian Flores Suit Denied
The NFL is currently reeling in its active, high-profile legal battles. In a post on X earlier this month, Wigdor LLP – one of the firms representing Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores in his class-action suit against the league and six of its teams – said the NFL’s petition for a rehearing of a recent Second Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Flores’ favor was denied.
In August, a three-judge panel of the Second Circuit affirmed a lower court holding that Flores’ claims against the league and three teams – the Broncos, Giants, and Texans – were allowed to proceed to court rather than remain in arbitration. The appellate court reasoned that Flores never signed contracts containing mandatory arbitration language with those clubs (the basis for his claims against those three outfits is that they allegedly conducted sham head coaching interviews to comply with the Rooney Rule). As such, the Defendants could not force those particular claims to arbitration.
The NFL subsequently sought a rehearing before the Second Circuit’s full 13-judge panel, but as noted by Wigdor LLP, that attempt was unsuccessful. It is unclear whether the league will appeal to the United States Supreme Court, but even if it does, the odds of any party securing a review before the highest court in the nation are quite slim.
So for now, Flores – whose suit includes as co-Plaintiffs current Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and former NFL staffer Ray Horton, who worked as a DC for three different clubs – will have the opportunity to air a portion of his claims in the forum of an open court instead of the sheltered, league-friendly arbitration setting. The motion he recently filed in a renewed effort to remove his and his co-Plaintiffs’ claims against the Dolphins, Cardinals, and Titans from arbitration to open court is still pending.
This decision comes on the heels of another failed arbitration-related attempt on the league’s part. The Nevada Supreme Court recently held that former Bucs and Raiders head coach Jon Gruden’s suit against the NFL could proceed to open court, and the league’s motion to have a rehearing of that ruling was also denied.
Given these recent developments, there soon may be some substantive movement in both matters. Gruden’s suit was filed in November 2021, and Flores filed his action just a few months later, in February 2022. As of yet, however, neither proceeding has moved to a trial on the merits of the disputes.
Broncos Activate LB Dre Greenlaw From IR
OCTOBER 18: As expected, Greenlaw is indeed back in the fold. The Broncos officially activated him on Saturday, per a team announcement. Today’s move leaves Denver with five IR activations for the remainder of the campaign.
OCTOBER 15: The Broncos’ defense smothered the Jets in London, covering for an inconsistent offense. Denver sacked Justin Fields nine times and holds a runaway lead in that category this season, also seeing its secondary provide a considerable boost to open the year.
Denver, though, has shown a vulnerability on its defensive second level. The team has Alex Singleton back, but the aging linebacker is coming off an ACL tear. Dre Greenlaw has also been out. The latter issue may be resolved soon. Greenlaw returned to practice Wednesday, per 9News’ Mike Klis, officially opening his 21-day IR-return window.
[RELATED: 2025 Injured Reserve Return Tracker]
Given a three-year, $31.5MM deal to leave San Francisco for Colorado, Greenlaw only secured $11.5MM guaranteed at signing. The standout linebacker having missed almost all of the 2024 season — due to a historically ill-timed (for the 49ers) Achilles tear suffered during Super Bowl LVIII — significantly impacted his market. But Greenlaw still drew extensive interest. He opted to reaffirm his Broncos commitment despite an 11th-hour push from the 49ers for him to return. Though, Denver has seen next to nothing from its investment thus far.
Following the deal, Greenlaw sustained multiple quad-related setbacks. He sustained a strained quad while training on his own this offseason, and while a training camp return commenced, a separate quad issue surfaced in July. Greenlaw encountered a recovery setback, per the Denver Post’s Luca Evans, leading to an IR placement before Week 3. It represents a good sign for the Broncos that Greenlaw is practicing when first eligible, but he has certainly proven unreliable over the past two seasons.
Singleton has struggled in coverage, though he has not missed any time since returning from the ACL tear. Greenlaw was set to begin the season on a pitch count before his setback, so it would stand to reason the Broncos ease him into action. They may need to see a lot from Greenlaw in his truncated season, as a $2MM guarantee is due on Day 5 of the 2026 league year. Otherwise, the Broncos can escape this contract fairly easily after one season.
PFR’s No. 40 free agent, Greenlaw was one of the NFL’s better all-around linebackers when healthy as a 49er. Before his injury significantly impacted the 49ers in their Chiefs Super Bowl rematch, he worked as a dynamic Fred Warner wingman. Pro Football Focus graded Greenlaw ninth among non-rush ‘backers in 2022 and 23rd in ’23, viewing him as a plus coverage player. The former fifth-round pick made 247 tackles in that span. That skillset would benefit a Broncos team that does not have many weaknesses on defense. Vance Joseph‘s unit enters Week 7 ranked second in points and yardage.
Greenlaw fill-in Justin Strnad has contributed to the Broncos’ NFL-leading sack total (30), registering 3.5 despite his role as an off-ball LB. It will be interesting to see how much time the re-signed backup/spot starter receives once Greenlaw returns. Having traveled to Philadelphia and London with the team, Greenlaw would appear close to debuting. But his recent past will assuredly keep Strnad on call.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/18/25
Here are Saturday’s practice squad moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
Denver Broncos
- Signed: QB Sam Ehlinger
- Released: CB AJ Woods
- Released (with injury settlement): WR Thayer Thomas
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released: WR Jalen Reagor
When Ehlinger was released yesterday to make room for linebacker Dre Greenlaw to come off injured reserve, it was announced that Ehlinger was expected to remain in Denver on a practice squad contract. Both sides followed through on that report today.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/17/25
Here are today’s minor moves as we head into the seventh weekend of the regular season:
Chicago Bears
- Released: DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
Denver Broncos
- Released: QB Sam Ehlinger
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released: LS Rick Lovato
The Broncos designated veteran linebacker Dre Greenlaw for his eventual return to the active roster on Wednesday. It looks like one week of practice may have been all Denver needed to see. According to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette, Ehlinger’s release is designed to clear a spot for Greenlaw on the 53-man roster as he comes back from injured reserve. Ehlinger is expected to sign back with the team’s practice squad.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/14/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: NT Josh Tupou
Buffalo Bills
- Released: CB Jalen Kimber
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB Eugene Asante, DL Simeon Barrow
- Released: OT Joshua Miles
Denver Broncos
- Signed: G Karsen Barnhart, LB Garrett Nelson
Green Bay Packers
- Released: K Mark McNamee
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: OT Bayron Matos, QB Brett Rypien
- Released: OT Marcellus Johnson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: G McClendon Curtis
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: RB Jaret Patterson
- Released: LB Clelin Ferrell
New England Patriots
- Signed: TE Marshall Lang
- Released: DB Tyron Herring, TE Gee Scott Jr.
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: WR Javon Baker, RB Audric Estime
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: OL Isaac Alarcon, DL Robert Beal Jr.
- Released: OL Bruce Hector
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: RB Michael Wiley
- Released: TE Caden Prieskorn
Washington Commanders
- Released: G Tyler Cooper
With Anthony Richardson heading to injured reserve with an eye injury, the Colts are set to add some QB depth in veteran Brett Rypien, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The 29-year-old brings four games of starting experience to Indy, with his most recent start coming with the Rams in 2023. In total, Rypien has completed 58.3 percent of his career passes for 950 yards, four touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Riley Leonard will temporarily be the QB2 behind Daniel Jones, but there’s a chance Rypien eventually works his way up to the active roster.
The Chargers moved on from a notable edge defender today in Clelin Ferrell. The former Raiders first-round pick started all 17 games for the 49ers just two years ago, with the edge rusher finishing that campaign with 3.5 sacks and 13 QB hits. He started 10 of his 14 appearances with the Commanders in 2024, adding another 3.5 sacks to his resume. After being among Washington’s final preseason cuts, Ferrell caught on with the Chargers practice squad and ended up getting into one game with the big-league club.
The Eagles moved on from a pair of skill players today. Audric Estime was a fifth-round pick by the Broncos last year, with the running back compiling 337 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 81 touches. He was waived by Denver back in August and landed on Philly’s practice squad. Javon Baker was a fourth-round pick by the Patriots in last year’s draft, but he was limited to a single catch in 11 games.
Broncos Place OL Matt Peart On IR, Promote OL Calvin Throckmorton
For a second straight week, the Broncos will move their starting left guard to IR. After placing Ben Powers on the injured list with a biceps injury, the Broncos are sliding Matt Peart off the 53-man roster.
A knee malady will send Peart to IR, according to 9News’ Mike Klis. They are moving veteran O-lineman Calvin Throckmorton to the 53-man roster from the practice squad in a corresponding move, Klis adds. Denver will also bump special-teamer J.T. Gray to the roster from the Ravens’ P-squad, with Klis adding linebacker Garret Wallow is heading to IR.
Peart is believed to have suffered the injury on the third play of the Broncos’ London-based matchup against the Jets, per Klis. Peart struggled in the game, committing three penalties (including two holding infractions), but was playing hurt. An otherwise healthy Broncos O-line will need to make another adjustment at left guard.
Re-signed this offseason, Peart became the next man up for Powers — who had not missed a game during his Broncos tenure until the London trip. The team still has some options here, including Throckmorton. A former Saints spot starter, Throckmorton lined up with New Orleans’ first-stringers in 20 games from 2021-22. This included 14 starts during Sean Payton‘s 2021 New Orleans finale. Throckmorton, however, has played in only three games since joining the Broncos in 2024.
Denver uses former UDFA Alex Palczewski as its sixth O-lineman in jumbo packages, but he is a swingman as well. The team also has backup center Alex Forsyth, who lost the 2024 center competition to Luke Wattenberg, as an option now that Peart is out of the picture for at least four games. The Broncos hope Powers will be back before the regular season ends, but they will need to make another switch for the foreseeable future.
A former Giants third-round pick, Peart worked mostly as a backup during his New York rookie-deal stay. He has started at both guard and tackle in Denver, having re-signed on a two-year, $7MM deal. None of Peart’s 2026 money is guaranteed.
Although Gray comes via the Baltimore taxi squad, he played for Payton in New Orleans. Obtained as a 2018 UDFA, Gray soared to three All-Pro teams in seven years as a Saints special-teamer. This included four seasons with Payton at the helm. Technically a DB, Gray earned first-team All-Pro acclaim as a special-teamer in Payton’s final Saints season (2021). Gray and Throckmorton add more ex-Saints to Payton’s third Broncos roster, which includes tight ends Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull, fullback Adam Prentice, defensive linemen Malcolm Roach and Jordan Jackson and kicker Wil Lutz as ex-New Orleans presences on Denver’s 53.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/13/25
Here are the latest moves from around the NFL,including practice squad elevations for all four teams playing on Monday Night Football:
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: CB Keith Taylor, WR Deven Thompkins
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: S Jordan Poyer, DT Jordan Phillips
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: DT Jonathan Ford, K Jake Moody
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: OT Thayer Munford Jr.
Denver Broncos
- Signed off Ravens’ practice squad: S J.T. Gray
Indianapolis Colts
- Claimed off waivers (from Ravens): S Reuben Lowery
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: CB Jason Brownlee
New England Patriots
- Waived from IR: G Layden Robinson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on reserve/retired list: DE Za’Darius Smith (story)
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: OL Isaac Alarcon
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: WR Ja’Corey Brooks, WR Tay Martin
The Bears elevated Moody to kick in their Monday night matchup with the Commanders with Cairo Santos sidelined by a quad injury.
Broncos Activate Malcolm Roach, Place Ben Powers On IR
Malcolm Roach returned to practice recently, a development suggesting he could be available to the Broncos for Week 6. That will indeed be the case. 
The veteran defensive tackle was activated from injured reserve on Saturday, per a team announcement. Given the timing of when Roach had his 21-day practice window opened, it was expected Denver would make this move. He is now in line to make his season debut during the Broncos’ matchup with the Jets in London.
Roach is one of several former Saints who reunited with Sean Payton upon arrival in Denver. The 27-year-old logged a full campaign last year, setting new career highs in tackles (43) and sacks (2.5) along the way. Roach also recorded a personal best in terms of usage rate with a 42% snap share. A similar workload could be in store upon his return.
The Broncos’ defensive line also includes Zach Allen, D.J. Jones and John Franklin-Myers, of course. That trio has remained healthy through the early stages of the 2025 campaign and as long as that continues, each of its members will handle a large workload. Even in that case, Roach will be counted on to fill in on a part-time basis moving forward. As a pending free agent, his performance upon retuning to action will be key in determining his market value.
To make room on the roster, the Broncos moved starting left guard Ben Powers to injured reserve. The 2023 free agent signing suffered a biceps injury in Week 5, and shortly after that game it became clear an IR stint would be necessary. Powers has not missed a game to date in his Denver tenure, but that will now change. A return to action in December is the team’s target in his case.
With Powers sidelined for at least the next four games (but quite probably more), depth up front will be something to monitor. The Broncos have elevated Calvin Throckmorton from the practice squad for tomorrow’s game. The former UDFA played two games last season with Denver, and he is now in position to make his season debut on Sunday.
AFC Workout Rumors: Burks, Simmons, Ravens
The Titans finally gave up on their 2022 first-round pick earlier this month when they waived wide receiver Treylon Burks with an injury settlement. Burks cleared waivers without getting claimed, but now that teams have an opportunity to kick his tires, there’s been plenty of interest in the 25-year-old. 
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Broncos appear to be the first team that will host the Arkansas product, whom Rapoport calls one of the top free agents available. Burks first jumped on NFL radars during a COVID-shortened season in his sophomore campaign with the Razorbacks. In only nine games, Burks caught 51 passes for 820 yards and seven touchdowns. He took another step forward in his junior year with a stat line of 66-1,104-11 and heard his name called on the first night of the draft as the 18th player off the board.
Injuries limited Burks in his rookie season, holding him out for six games, but he still showed a ton of promise in the games he did play. He boasted a stat line of 33-444-1 with six starts in 11 games. He missed six games again in Year 2, and though he earned more starts (9), his effectiveness plummeted. He caught barely over half his targets for a 16-221-0 stat line. The start of Year 3 saw him falling down the depth chart, only seeing eight targets in five games before being placed on injured reserve needing ACL surgery.
Burks was recovering well and starting to turn heads in training camp before a diving catch led to a fractured collarbone and placement on IR. Burks received his medical clearance, got released, and will now follow up on all the reported interest. If his visit with the Broncos goes well, he could join a Denver receiving corps that lacks depth behind Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, and Marvin Mims.
Here are a few other workout reports from around the NFL:
- The Steelers worked out former first-round pick Isaiah Simmons earlier this week, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. A versatile defender at Clemson with projections at both safety and linebacker, Simmons was utilized as a linebacker after Arizona drafted him eighth overall in 2020. He started 37 games over his first three years with the team, often showing impressive pass defense but struggling to stop the run. He even requested a move back to the secondary, and though it was announced, his usage remained largely the same. After declining his fifth-year option, the Cardinals traded him to the Giants, who rotated him in at linebacker and played him on special teams. He signed with the Packers in the 2025 offseason but failed to make the initial 53-man roster. Simmons looked to earn an opportunity in Pittsburgh, where Malik Harrison‘s placement on IR has thinned out the linebacking corps a bit, but no deal appears to have resulted from the visit.
- Cashing in on reported interest from earlier in the week, the Ravens hosted cornerback Tre Hawkins for a workout yesterday, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Currently on track to give up the most points in NFL history with an extremely injury-riddled defense, Baltimore has recently made three veteran additions to their secondary, trading for former Chargers safety Alohi Gilman, signing cornerback Amani Oruwariye, and adding safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to their practice squad over the last two weeks. Hawkins could be next to join Baltimore’s ailing defense. After getting significant run as a sixth-round rookie for the Giants, earning three starts while appearing in every game of the 2023 season, Hawkins’ sophomore campaign was hampered by injuries, most notably a spine injury that ended his season. New York let him go with an injury settlement shortly after the start of the season, and after clearing waivers, multiple teams have expressed interest. No deal immediately resulted from the Baltimore workout, but his situation is worth keeping an eye on.
Broncos Designate DT Malcolm Roach For Return
Malcolm Roach began the season on the Broncos’ active roster, but before Denver’s opening contest the veteran defensive tackle was moved to injured reserve. Roach has been sidelined since then, but he could be back in the fold shortly.
Roach has been designated for return, per a team announcement. That means the 27-year-old’s practice window is now open. The Broncos have 21 days to activate him; failing that, Roach will revert to season-ending IR.
The former UDFA was guaranteed to miss the first month of the campaign given Denver’s decision to move him to injured reserve. After also remaining sidelined for Week 5, Roach is now back on the field. That is an encouraging sign regarding his recovery from a grade two calf strain, and an activation within the next few days would allow for a return to game action as early as Sunday.
Zach Allen, D.J. Jones and John Franklin-Myers have each played every game so far this season, something which has helped compensate for Roach’s absence. Still, retuning their defensive front to full strength will be key for a Broncos defense which has earned positive reviews so far in 2025. Roach matched his career high with a 42% snap share in 2024, his debut season in the Mile High City. The former Saint is a pending free agent, so returning to action in short order and reprising his role as a regular figure will be key in determining his value for next spring.
The Broncos used one of their eight allotted IR activations during roster cutdowns in the case of Drew Sanders. Of the remaining seven, one will be used when Roach is brought back into the fold. Based on this latest update, that could happen in the near future.