Minor NFL Transactions: 10/1/25
Here are the first minor transactions of October:
Detroit Lions
- Signed from practice squad: S Loren Strickland, LB Ty Summers
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed from practice squad: S Trey Washington
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed from practice squad: T Foster Sarell
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on IR: WR Tyreek Hill (story)
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from Packers): T Brant Banks
Washington Commanders
- Signed from practice squad: CB Antonio Hamilton
- Placed on IR: DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste (story)
Lions Place D.J. Reed On IR
The Lions will have to go at least the next four games without starting cornerback D.J. Reed. The team placed Reed on injured reserve on Wednesday. While Reed will not require surgery on his strained hamstring (via Eric Woodyard of ESPN), he won’t be eligible to return until Nov. 9 against the Commanders.
Considering Reed was carted off the field in the Lions’ win over the Browns last Sunday, his IR placement doesn’t come as a surprise. Nevertheless, it’s an unwelcome development for Detroit, which added the former Seahawk, 49er, and Jet on a three-year, $48MM contract in free agency last March. Injury aside, the investment has looked good so far.
During his first four games as a Lion, Reed played over 88 percent of defensive snaps and helped the team to a 3-1 start. Along with leading all Lions corners in playing time, Reed posted 16 tackles, four passes defensed, an interception, and a fumble recovery. Pro Football Focus ranks his early season performance 28th among 164 qualifying corners.
Before Reed went down, the Lions had been set to reduce fellow outside corner Terrion Arnold‘s usage. Arnold then joined Reed in suffering an injury last week, though he was able to practice on a limited basis Wednesday despite a shoulder issue (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). Arnold, Amik Robertson, Khalil Dorsey, and Rock Ya-Sin will now have to pick up the slack in Reed’s absence.
The Lions’ schedule over the next few weeks looks like a mixed bag. Their Reed-less secondary will take on Bengals backup quarterback Jake Browning on Sunday, but they’ll have to contend with the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and the Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield in the two weeks after that. After a bye, the Lions will face the division-rival Vikings and either J.J. McCarthy or Carson Wentz on Nov. 2.
Lions DT Alim McNeill Returns To Practice
Earlier this week, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Alim McNeill was on track to return to practice. The fifth-year defensive tackle is indeed back on the field. 
McNeill returned to practice today, as noted by Justin Rogers of the Detroit Football Network. As a result, his 21-day activation window has now opened. McNeill was one of three Lions players moved to the reserve/PUP list during roster cutdowns, ensuring at least a four-week absence.
That decision came as little surprise since the 25-year-old was in the midst of rehabbing the ACL tear which ended his 2024 season. McNeill has made solid progress in recovery, though, and today’s news marks another encouraging update in this case. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes it would come as a surprise if a return to game action were to take place this week, but McNeill could be available before the Lions’ Week 8 bye.
“We want to make sure that we check all those boxes before we say that’s what we’re going to do for sure, but it’s trending in the right way,” Campbell said (via Birkett) of McNeill shortly before today’s return to practice. “He’s about ready to go. I think he’s tired of training. He’s trained all he can train. He’s done everything he can do, he just needs football.”
Having McNeill back in the fold soon will be critical for Detroit’s defensive front. The former third-round pick has established himself as a key figure along the D-line, totaling 8.5 sacks over the past two years despite missing time in both campaigns. McNeill inked a four-year, $97MM extension shortly before tearing his ACL, a sign of his value to the franchise and also a clear indicator the Lions will look to play it safe regarding his return.
Detroit is without Levi Onwuzurike for the season after he suffered an ACL tear of his own in July. With the Lions already thin along the defensive interior as a result, McNeill being activated will provide them with a major boost in the form of a starter to share time with veteran D.J. Reader and first-round rookie Tyleik Williams. Provided McNiell does not suffer any setbacks, he should be in the fold shortly for a Lions team which has enjoyed a 3-1 start to the campaign.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/30/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Jaden Davis
- Released: CB Ekow Boye-Doe
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: C Sam Mustipher
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Ameer Speed
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: WR Parris Campbell
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Tre Flowers, LB Ty Summers
- Released: WR Ronnie Bell
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: QB Carter Bradley
- Released: QB Seth Henigan
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: OT Leroy Watson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: OL Michael Dunn, CB Isas Waxter
- Released: CB Myles Purchase, OLB Rashad Weaver
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: OT Matt Waletzko
- Released: WR Tim Jones
New England Patriots
- Signed: OT Sebastian Gutierrez, G Andrew Rupcich
- Released: G Jack Conley, DL Fabien Lovett
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Liam Fornadel
- Released: LB Ben Niemann
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: LB Lance Dixon
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OT Logan Brown
Lions Could Move CB D.J. Reed To IR
The Lions saw cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed suffer injuries yesterday. The former does not appear to be in line for an extended absence, but the latter could find himself on injured reserve.
Arnold suffered a shoulder injury on Sunday, although head coach Dan Campbell said (via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network) he does not anticipate a lengthy spell on the sidelines. That will be welcomed news even with Arnold’s struggles early this season and the resultant plan to lower his playing time. Such a setup may need to be put on hold for now.
Reed was carted off the field with a hamstring injury. Based on Campbell’s post-game remarks, Rapoport notes a move to IR could be in store in this case. That would ensure at least a four-week absence for Reed; it would also leave Detroit without a perimeter starter for an extended period.
During the offseason, the Lions expectedly lost Carlton Davis on the open market. Detroit took the free agent route to bring in Reed on a pact similar in length and value (three years, $48MM) to the one Davis landed with the Patriots. Arnold and fellow returnee Amik Robertson have been key figures in the secondary to date, and that will of course remain the case moving forward. Still, losing Reed for any notable period will mark a blow to Detroit’s secondary.
The 28-year-old has served as a full-time starter with his newest team, collecting four pass deflections early on. Reed also notched his first interception of the season shortly before suffering the injury. Further testing in his case will be worth watching closely, as it will inform the Lions’ decision with respect to an IR move taking place or being avoided.
The plan for reducing Arnold’s usage was aimed at giving Robertson more time on the boundary as opposed to the slot. If Reed winds up missing considerable game action, Robertson may be forced to handle a full-time role on the perimeter opposite Arnold (presuming, of course, he does not wind up being sidelined for an extended period). In any case, defensive adjustments will likely be necessary as the Lions look to build off their strong start.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/27/25
Here are Saturday’s minor moves and standard gameday practice squad elevations:
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: DT Jordan Phillips
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: OLB Boogie Basham, G Brandon Walton
Chicago Bears
- Signed from practice squad: LB Carl Jones
- Elevated: TE Stephen Carlson, DT Jonathan Ford
Cleveland Browns
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: WR Jalen Cropper
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: WR Jackson Meeks
- Placed on IR: S Daniel Thomas
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: G Lecitus Smith
Houston Texans
- Elevated: CB Myles Bryant, CB D’Angelo Ross
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: CB Mike Hilton, G Josh Sills
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: TE Quintin Morris, WR Austin Trammell
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: CB Kevin Knowles, DT Brodric Martin
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: TE Albert Okwuegbunam, TE Carter Runyon
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: T Foster Sarell, RB Kimani Vidal
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: RB Cam Akers
New England Patriots
- Elevated: LB Darius Harris, C Brenden Jaimes
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: DE Fadil Diggs, LB Nephi Sewell
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: RB Trey Sermon
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: CB Eli Apple
Tennessee Titans
- Elevated: LB Curtis Jacobs, RB Jordan Mims
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: CB Antonio Hamilton, WR Tay Martin
With Colts cornerback Kenny Moore presumed to potentially miss a few weeks, the recent signee, Hilton, will get his opportunity to supplement the team’s secondary. He may be able to earn an official spot on the 53-man roster with an impactful game. Similarly, Cropper may be able to get into his first NFL game since going undrafted in 2023 as he gets elevated to a receiving corps that will sorely miss CeeDee Lamb.
Morris is getting called up for the third time for Jacksonville. If the Jaguars intend for him to appear in another game after this week, they’ll need to sign him to the 53-man roster.
Lions To Decrease CB Terrion Arnold’s Role
The Lions are planning to decrease Terrion Arnold‘s role with the second-year cornerback struggling to contain opposing receivers to start the year. 
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said on Thursday (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press) that veteran Amik Robertson would take on a higher snap share at outside cornerback with Arnold seeing a commensurate decrease in his workload.
Robertson primarily aligned as a nickel corner in 2024 and led the team in slot snaps, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). The Lions’ heavy use of base personnel on defense has limited Robertson’s role this year, per Birkett, and the team wants to get him on the field for more plays.
Sheppard said that the cornerback change “has nothing to do with [Arnold’s] play or performance,” but it’s hard to deny that the 2024 first-rounder has taken a step back from his rookie year. In 2024, he allowed a 55.6% completion rate and 7.3 yards per target; those numbers have jumped to 72.6% and 11.0 this year, respectively. He also leads all NFL cornerbacks in yards allowed, per PFF.
The 2025 offseason saw Carlton Davis depart on the open market. D.J. Reed was brought in as a replacement, and the eighth-year veteran inked a similar contract (three years, $48MM) to the one Davis took in New England. Reed has operated as a full-time perimeter starter so far with Detroit; that can certainly be expected to continue moving forward. 2024 second-rounder Ennis Rakestraw, meanwhile, is out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery in August.
Arnold’s rookie contract runs through 2027. The 22-year-old’s tenure in the Motor City could continue beyond that point with his fifth-year option being picked up and/or a long-term extension being finalized. Neither of those can take place until after the 2026 season, so the Lions have plenty of time before needing to make a decision on Arnold’s future with the team. For now, it will be interesting to see how this change in workload will affect Detroit’s secondary.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/24/25
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad transactions:
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: RB D’Ernest Johnson, WR Anthony Miller
Denver Broncos
- Signed: CB AJ Woods, WR Michael Woods
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DT Quinton Jefferson
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: G Lecitus Smith
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Quintez Cephus
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Tim Jones
New England Patriots
- Signed: G Royce Newman, TE Gee Scott Jr.
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Kevin Austin
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: QB Hunter Dekkers
New York Giants
- Signed: OLB Tomon Fox
New York Jets
- Signed: RB Lawrance Toafili
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DE William Bradley-King, S Jaylen Mahoney
- Released: S Derrick Canteen
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: S Jerrick Reed II
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/24/25
Here are today’s midweek minor moves:
Denver Broncos
- Signed from practice squad: FB Adam Prentice
Detroit Lions
- Signed from practice squad: TE Ross Dwelley
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on IR: RB Najee Harris (story)
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed from practice squad: DE Robert Beal Jr.
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed from practice squad: S D’Anthony Bell
- Placed on IR: FB Robbie Ouzts
Free Agents
- Suspended: WR Jahmal Banks
Prentice had been called up as a standard gameday practice squad elevation the maximum three times under a single practice squad contract. The Broncos may allow him to stick around for a bit, as he takes linebacker Dre Greenlaw‘s roster spot while he recovers on injured reserve, but they can always release Prentice and sign him back to the practice squad, resetting his elevation count back to zero under a new deal.
Ouzts heads to IR after suffering an ankle injury in the team’s win over New Orleans this past weekend. The fifth-round rookie out of Alabama converted to the position from the tight end role he played in Tuscaloosa, and he had started two of his first three games in the NFL in his new role.
Banks, currently a free agent, has received a six-week suspension from the NFL. Originally an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska, Banks spent the offseason in Baltimore before getting cut in the days leading up to the roster cut deadline.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/22/25
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, DE Brent Urban
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: TE Ross Dwelley
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: WR Kevin Austin Jr.
New York Giants
- Waived: OLB Tomon Fox