Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC East
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bills, Dolphins, Jets and Patriots moves are noted below.
Buffalo Bills
Signed to practice squad:
- QB Shane Buechele, LB Jimmy Ciarlo, OL Travis Clayton, G Dan Feeney, S Sam Franklin, RB Frank Gore Jr., WR Stephen Gosnell, OL Kendrick Green, CB Daequan Hardy, CB Dane Jackson, LB Keonta Jenkins, TE Keleki Latu, DL Zion Logue, DT Jordan Phillips, WR Kristian Wilkerson
Released from IR via injury settlement:
- RB Darrynton Evans, WR Grant Dubose
Miami Dolphins
Waived:
- S Jordan Colbert
Signed to practice squad:
- CB BJ Adams, CB Cornell Armstrong, LB Quinton Bell, OL Braeden Daniels, TE Greg Dulcich, WR AJ Henning, DT Alex Huntley, LB Derrick McLendon, OL Josh Priebe, TE Hayden Rucci, S John Saunders, WR Theo Wease
New England Patriots
Claimed:
- DB Charles Woods (from Rams)
Waived:
- WR Javon Baker
Signed to practice squad:
- CB Miles Battle, G Mehki Butler, G Jack Conley, CB Brandon Crossley, TE C.J. Dippre, RB Terrell Jennings, WR John Jiles, DE Truman Jones, C Alec Lindstrom, DB Kobee Minor, DT David Olajiga, LB Cam Riley, DT Jahvaree Ritzie, TE Gee Scott, LB Bradyn Swinson, WR Jeremiah Webb
New York Jets
Claimed:
- LB Cam Jones (from Chiefs), T Esa Pole (from Chiefs), TE Jelani Woods (from Colts)
Released:
Signed to practice squad:
- S Dean Clark, DB Jordan Clark, QB Brady Cook, WR Tyler Johnson, OL Kohl Levao, K Harrison Mevis, DT Payton Page, WR Jamaal Pritchett, LB Jackson Sirmon, WR Quentin Skinner, LB Boog Smith, WR Brandon Smith, DL Eric Watts, OL Leander Wiegand
2025 NFL Waiver Order
Many of the players cut Tuesday were subject to waivers, giving teams a chance to pick them up (along with the rest of their contract). Teams can claim as many players as they want before the next team gets their remaining targets.
It’s also worth noting that relatively few players are claimed off waivers during final roster cuts each year. Waiver claims will be processed at 11am CT in the following order (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo). In reverse order of the 2024 NFL standings, here is how the waiver priority sits:
- Titans
- Browns
- Giants
- Patriots
- Jaguars
- Raiders
- Jets
- Panthers
- Saints
- Bears
- 49ers
- Cowboys
- Dolphins
- Colts
- Falcons
- Cardinals
- Bengals
- Seahawks
- Buccaneers
- Broncos
- Steelers
- Chargers
- Packers
- Vikings
- Texans
- Rams
- Ravens
- Lions
- Commanders
- Bills
- Chiefs
- Eagles
Colts Place LB Jaylon Carlies On IR, Set 53-Man Roster
The Colts have cut down their roster to 53 players. The team announced the following moves:
Released:
- RB Khalil Herbert
- CB Chris Lammons
- TE Sean McKeon
- CB Duke Shelley
- WR Laquon Treadwell
- DT Josh Tupou
Waived:
- LB Austin Ajiake
- WR Ajou Ajou
- QB Jason Bean
- RB Ulysses Bentley IV
- CB JuJu Brents
- LB Jake Chaney
- DT Devonta Davis
- LB Solomon DeShields
- T Marshall Foerner
- C Wesley French
- DE Marcus Haynes
- CB Alex Johnson
- T Marcellus Johnson
- WR Tyler Kahmann
- DE Isaiah Land
- DE Desmond Little
- TE Maximilian Mang
- CB B.J. Mayes
- DE Durell Nchami
- RB Nate Notel
- WR Coleman Owen
- WR Landon Parker
- G Josh Sills
- WR Blayne Taylor
- S Ladarius Tennison
- LB Joseph Vaughn
- C Mose Vavao
- S Trey Washington
- CB Samuel Womack
- TE Jelani Woods
- RB Nay’Quan Wright
Waived/injured:
- K Maddux Trujillo
Placed on IR (designated for return):
Jaylon Carlies will be forced to miss at least the first four games of the upcoming season, but it sounds like it should be a minimum stay on IR for the linebacker. According to Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star, Carlies should only require a short stint on injured reserve as he recovers from an ankle injury. The 2024 fifth-round pick started six of his 10 appearances for the Colts last season, collecting 36 tackles and one sack.
While he’s not the biggest name from the list of cuts, linebacker Austin Ajiake was waived in a bit of a surprising move. As Erickson notes, the former UDFA spent significant time with the second-team unit during the preseason, and he even got some reps with the first team. A UNLV product, Ajiake has also had stints with the Broncos, Raiders, and Packers. He spent the entire 2024 campaign on Indy’s taxi squad.
Colts To Host CB Mike Hilton
Mike Hilton found himself amongst the Dolphins’ roster cuts yesterday. A long stay on the open market may not be needed this time, however. 
Hilton has lined up a visit with the Colts for tomorrow, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. A workout in Indianapolis will take place, and a deal could be struck shortly thereafter. Per Schultz, a mutual interest exists for an agreement in this case.
It would come as little surprise if Hilton were to wind up with the Colts. He has four years of experience working with Lou Anarumo dating back to their time together in Cincinnati. Anarumo was the Bengals’ defensive coordinator during that span, and he is now at the helm of the Colts’ defense.
Injuries in the secondary have been an issue for Indianapolis this offseason, so the prospect of additions well into the summer has been consistent. Xavien Howard is set to return to the NFL after sitting out the 2024 campaign. He too is a familiar face to Anarumo. As an illustration of the team’s uncertain situation at the CB spot, Howard could step into a starting role despite only signing last week.
Hilton, on the other hand, would not be expected to handle a first-team role if he joined the team. The 31-year-old has operated in the slot for much of his career, but the Colts already have Kenny Moore to handle those duties. Hilton could serve as a veteran backup option, though, as a veteran of 123 games. Hilton is free to sign at any time, and it will be interesting to see how tomorrow’s workout goes. It could produce an agreement on the active roster of Indianapolis’ initial practice squad.
Vikings Trade CB Mekhi Blackmon To Colts
The Vikings are trading cornerback Mekhi Blackmon to the Colts in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Blackmon, a 2023 third-round pick, carved out a role as Minnesota’s third cornerback as a rookie with 435 defensive snaps across 15 games. That seemed like an indicator that he would compete for a starting role during his second training camp, but the 26-year-old suffered a torn ACL in July missed all of the 2024 season.
Blackmon completed his recovery this offseason without issue and started the Vikings’ last two preseason games. However, that may have been an attempt to showcase the third-year corner to other teams, as ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reports that Blackmon “seemed stuck with the third team on a depth chart that isn’t exactly loaded with cornerbacks.” As a result, Minnesota opted to move forward with a veteran trio of Byron Murphy, Isaiah Rodgers, and Jeff Okudah and recoup some draft capital for Blackmon.
Enter the Colts, who made yet another addition to their secondary this offseason after signing Charvarius Ward, Camryn Bynum, and most recently, Xavien Howard. All three are listed as starters on the team’s unofficial depth chart along with two incubments: nickel Kenny Moore and safety Nick Cross. Upon arriving in Indianapolis, Blackmon will join fellow 2023 draftees Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents in the cornerback room and provide depth on the boundary.
This is the third trade the Vikings have made in the last week as general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah uses the team’s surplus talent to upgrade its draft capital. Along with deals to send Sam Howell to the Eagles and Harrison Phillips to the Jets, he has now collected four new picks – fifth- and sixth-rounders in 2026 and sixth- and seventh-rounders in 2027 – while also giving up 2026 sixth-round and 2027 seventh-round picks. Though that’s only a net gain of two Day 3 draft picks, teams always want to squeeze every bit of value out of departing players, and the extra picks could help Adofo-Mensah wheel and deal in the future.
Colts’ Xavien Howard Turned Aside 2024 Offers; CB On Track For Starting Role?
Xavien Howard‘s time outside the NFL came to an end this week when he joined the Colts. The 2024 campaign came and went without a deal in his case, but that was not due to a lack of interest. 
“I did have opportunities, I just feel like it wasn’t the right situation for me,” the former All-Pro corner said when reflecting on how last year played out (via the team’s website). “So I gave it a shot, I’m like OK, I just can wait [until] next year and hopefully something will happen, and something ended up happening.”
Howard, 32, was released by the Dolphins last spring, ending his eight-year Miami tenure. Few suitors emerged during his free agent tenure, although a midseason visit with the Bengals took place. No deal was worked out, but the visit allowed Howard and then-defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo to reconnect. Anarumo is now in charge of the Colts’ defense, so it came as little surprise when Indianapolis became Howard’s eventual 2025 destination.
The four-time Pro Bowler has twice led the league in interceptions during a season, and he has amassed 29 over the course of his career. Howard’s playmaking dried up toward the end of his Dolphins tenure with just one pick in each of the 2022 and ’23 campaigns, although he totaled 24 pass deflections over that span. A return to form after a lengthy absence would be welcomed in Howard’s case since it would help his free agent prospects next spring; it may also wind up being necessary from the team’s perspective.
The Colts’ depth chart for their final preseason contest lists Howard as a starter at the cornerback position. Free agent signing Charvarius Ward is locked into one first-team spot on the perimeter, while returnee Kenny Moore will again be counted on as a key figure in the slot. Indianapolis has already been hit hard by injuries in the secondary, however, leaving the door open to Howard earning a starting gig in short order. Veterans added in August rarely take on more than a depth role with their new teams, but an exception could be in store in this case.
Colts Name Daniel Jones Starting QB
Daniel Jones is set to begin the campaign atop the Colts’ depth chart. Jones has won out the team’s quarterback competition, as first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The news is now official. 
Pelissero adds head coach Shane Steichen informed Jones and Anthony Richardson of the decision Tuesday morning. A call was expected in the near future, and one has indeed been made. Jones, a free agent addition, will serve as QB1 to begin the regular season while Richardson will operate as the backup.
[RELATED: Richardson’s Agent Fires Back At Colts]
Signs have pointed in this direction throughout the offseason, one in which Richardson has aimed to establish himself as Indianapolis’ passer of the present and future. Today’s news obviously marks a notable setback for the No. 4 pick in 2023’s draft. Richardson has battled injuries and inconsistency in the NFL, including missed time this spring and a dislocated finger suffered in the preseason opener.
When speaking publicly on the matter, Steichen has offered praise regarding Jones’ experience and his command of the Colts’ offense during practice and games. That helped lead to the expectation the former Giants top-1o selection would get the nod for 2025. With that said, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports the Jones-Richardson competition was viewed as being “very close.”
Jones was retained via a four-year, $160MM contract in 2023, with the Giants inking him to the pact in time to apply the franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley departed on the open market last spring and enjoyed a record-breaking debut season with the Eagles. Jones, on the other hand, was unable to take a step forward in his fifth season as New York’s starter before ultimately being benched and then released.
A brief Vikings tenure did not result in playing time down the stretch. Jones, like Sam Darnold, departed Minnesota on the open market in search of a starting position with the team positioned to hand the reins over to J.J. McCarthy. Jones secured $13.15MM guaranteed on his one-year Colts contract, a strong indication he would have a path to the starting gig. As of June, the 28-year-old held a “significant” lead over Richardson.
Time with the starting offense was split in training camp, with Richardson managing to return to full health after his latest shoulder injury was suffered earlier in the offseason. The Florida product has played just 15 games in the regular season to date, and he was benched partway through last year. A decision will need to be made on the fifth-year option for Richardson, 23, after the coming campaign. This move certainly suggests it will be declined.
Steichen said on Tuesday (via Mike Chappell of Fox59) Jones is viewed as the starter for the entire 2025 season. A strong campaign would help his free agent value considerably, and finding success with Indy’s offense would no doubt serve as a benefit to Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard‘s job security. As the Colts look to end a four-year playoff drought, they will rely on Jones for what should be a lengthy period. In the event of an injury or poor play, though, attention will turn to the possibility of Richardson taking over.
Anthony Richardson’s Agent: Trust In Colts Is “Questionable”
Following news that Daniel Jones earned the Colts starting quarterback gig, Anthony Richardson‘s camp is starting to question his future in Indy. While speaking with ESPN’s Stephen Holder, agent Deiric Jackson expressed disappointment at the decision and hinted that his client may be looking to play elsewhere.
[RELATED: Colts Name Daniel Jones Starting QB]
“Trust is a big factor and that is, at best, questionable right now,” Jackson told Holder. “Anthony came back and made the improvements in the areas he needed to improve. And by all accounts, he had a great camp.”
While the agent didn’t explicitly mention a trade request, he did question the credibility of the organization and head coach Shane Steichen. Jackson wondered if the Colts had already made their QB decision when they handed Jones a one-year, $14MM contract back in March.
The agent also cited the team’s handling of the former fourth-overall pick during the 2024 campaign. While Richardson missed six total games last season, he was clearly benched for a pair of contests, with Steichen calling out his quarterback’s lack of preparation. Richardson was quickly inserted back into the starting lineup, but it was clear the organization wasn’t fully convinced of the player’s standing as a franchise QB.
Jackson hasn’t been the only one observing Richardson’s offseason improvements, as coaches have also lauded the player’s development since last season. The organization has also continued to state that Richardson remains in the team’s future plans, regardless of the outcome of their QB battle.
For what it’s worth, Richardson continues to say the right things, with the quarterback saying there were no “hard feelings” regarding the decision.
“[Steichen] made a decision,” he told Holder. “That’s the decision we’ve got to live with, but no hard feelings, nothing personal. I’ve just got to keep growing. I just can’t let me not being a starter stop me from going and being the person, the player that I’m supposed to be.”
Richardson is a respectable 8-7 in 15 career starts, and he’s collected 635 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. On the flip side, he’s only completed 50.6 percent of his passes, and he’s tossed 11 touchdowns vs. 13 interceptions. Jones didn’t establish himself as a winning QB during his time with the Giants, so there’s a chance the Colts eventually pivot to Richardson in 2025. Still, that might not be enough to repair the apparent broken relationship between the two sides.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/18/25
Here are the latest minor moves from around the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived/injured: QB Emory Jones
- Signed: LB Ronnie Perkins
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: CB Thomas Graham
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: TE Tyler Mabry
Chicago Bears
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: CB Ameer Speed
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: CB Michael Ojemudia
- Waived/injured: CB Bruce Harmon
Detroit Lions
- Activated from active/PUP list: CB Khalil Dorsey
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: DL Devonte O’Malley, DB Jaylin Simpson
- Waived: CB Garnett Hollis Jr.
- Waived/injured: DL Keith Randolph
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Juwann Winfree
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Jake Chaney, LB Joseph Vaughn
- Placed on IR: OT Blake Freeland, LB Jacob Phillips, S Hunter Wohler
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from active/PUP: LB Del’Shawn Phillips
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: OL Mason Brooks
- Placed on IR: OL Yodny Cajuste
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: RB Xazavian Valladay
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Phil Lutz
- Waived/injured: DT Isaiah Iton
New York Jets
- Placed on IR: DB Kris Boyd
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DB Kam Alexander, OT Julian Pearl
- Released: DL Breiden Fehoko, WR Roc Taylor, LB Devin Harper
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: S Will Brooks
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DT T.J. Smith
Ojemudia is returning to the NFL after playing for the UFL’s DC Defenders in the spring, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. After starting 11 games for the Broncos as a rookie in 2020, he struggled with injuries and hasn’t played in the regular season since 2022.. The 27-year-old will add depth to a Cowboys cornerback room that isn’t expecting Trevon Diggs or Shavon Revel back until September. Second-year corner Caelen Carson is also dealing with a knee injury, so Ojemudia could get some snaps in Dallas’ last preseason game on Friday. A 53-man roster spot is unlikely given how late he signed with the team, but a strong first week could keep him in contention for the practice squad.
Winfree, a five-year veteran, will land with his fourth NFL team after a workout in Houston. The Texans also worked out former Chiefs wideout Cornell Powell, according to KRPC2’s Aaron Wilson.
Freeland, a 2023 fourth-round pick, started nine games as a rookie and spent 2024 as the Colts’ swing tackle. He will be out for the season with a fractured leg, per Colts.com writer JJ Stankevitz, as will Phillips (bicep), who hasn’t played in the regular season since 2022. Wohler sustained a Lisfranc injury, according to Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. The seventh-round safety will miss his rookie year after appearing to carve out a role in the Colts defense with an impressive preseason.
Colts Sign CB Xavien Howard
After spending the 2024 season out of the NFL, Xavien Howard has a deal in place. The former All-Pro corner has signed with the Colts, per an announcement from his agent. This will be a one-year pact worth up to $5MM, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero adds. 
[RELATED: Recapping Colts’ Offseason]
Howard spent each of his first eight seasons with the Dolphins, becoming one of the league’s top ballhawks over that span. His 29 interceptions the 2017 campaign – his second in the league – lead the NFL, and Indianapolis would welcome a return of that production this year. For now, of course, Howard will turn his attention to carving out a role in the team’s secondary.
The 32-year-old was limited to 13 games during his final Dolphins campaign due to injury. A release took place, and it eventually became clear a new arrangement at a reduced rate would not be worked out. Howard intended to play in 2024, and the Houston native expressed interest in a Texans deal. That did not take place, though, and no 2024 pact was worked out. Howard did take an in-season visit with the Bengals, something which helps explain today’s move.
Howard spent time with Lou Anarumo during his first two Dolphins campaigns; at that point, the latter was Miami’s defensive backs coach. Anarumo was Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator last year, and after his dismissal following the campaign he took over as the Colts’ DC. With that in mind, Indianapolis represents a logical landing spot in Howard’s case.
The former second-rounder was named in a lawsuit last July, but no criminal charges came about in the case. No updates on the legal front have come about for Howard since then, clearing him to play in 2025. He will join a Colts secondary which made a notable free agent splash in the form of Charvarius Ward. Indianapolis also has the likes of Kenny Moore, Jaylon Jones, Julius Brents and rookie Justin Walley on the roster at the CB position. As Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Starts notes, however, injuries are currently a concern amongst that group (including the ACL tear Walley suffered during the team’s preseason opener).
Howard will look to provide healthy depth in time for the start of the season. A notable workload in 2025 would help him not only reach the maximum value of his current pact but set him up for a stronger free agent market next spring.