Minor NFL Transactions: 1/3/26
After the final standard gameday practice squad elevations of the 2025 regular season, the three-game elevation limit resets for the postseason, so only players getting signed to the 53-man roster because of the limit will be noted today. Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed from practice squad: WR Tejhaun Palmer
- Elevated: CB Jaden Davis, WR Steven Sims
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: P Trenton Gill
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: WR Keith Kirkwood, CB Amani Oruwariye
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: LB Keonta Jenkins, DE Matt Judon
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: TE Nikola Kalinic, LB Ty Summers
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: DT Howard Cross III, CB Bralyn Lux
Cleveland Browns
- Signed from practice squad: LB Edefuan Ulofoshio
- Elevated: TE Sal Cannella
- Placed on IR: LB Carson Schwesinger
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from IR: RB Phil Mafah
- Activated from reserve/PUP: CB Josh Butler
- Signed from practice squad: LB Justin Barron
- Elevated: G Nick Leverett
- Placed on IR: G T.J. Bass, RB Malik Davis, RB Javonte Williams
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Levelle Bailey
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: TE Zach Horton, OL Chris Hubbard
- Placed on IR: OL Trystan Colon
Green Bay Packers
- Signed from practice squad: WR Jakobie Keeney-James, G Lecitus Smith
- Elevated: TE Drake Dabney, LB Jamon Johnson
- Placed on IR: OL Donovan Jennings, WR Savion Williams
Houston Texans
- Elevated: DT Leki Fotu, S Kaevon Merriweather
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: QB Seth Henigan, TE Sean McKeon
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: TE Patrick Herbert
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: WR Jason Brownlee, WR Jimmy Holiday
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: LB Jamin Davis, T Dalton Wagner
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed from practice squad: S Marcus Maye
- Elevated: G Branson Taylor, QB DJ Uiagalelei
- Placed on IR: CB Nikko Reed
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: LB Derrick McLendon, RB Jeff Wilson
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: WR Jeshaun Jones, LB Sione Takitaki
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: TE Treyton Welch
- Elevated: QB Jake Haener, RB Nyheim Miller-Hines
New York Giants
- Signed from practice squad: CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse, WR Xavier Gipson, RB Dante Miller
- Elevated: TE Tanner Conner, DT Casey Rogers
- Placed on IR: CB Cor’Dale Flott, DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches Sr., WR Wan’Dale Robinson
New York Jets
- Signed from practice squad: QB Hendon Hooker, DE Kingsley Jonathan, G Kohl Levao
- Elevated: RB Raheem Blackshear, CB Samuel Womack III
- Placed on IR: RB Isaiah Davis, OL Xavier Newman-Johnson, TE Mason Taylor
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: LS Charley Hughlett, S Brandon Johnson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: CB D’Shawn Jamison
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: LB Eric Kendricks, T Brandon Parker
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: RB Cam Akers, CB Tyler Hall
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from IR: OLB Ali Gaye, WR Bryce Oliver
- Signed from practice squad: CB Kemon Hall
- Elevated: TE Cole Turner
- Placed on IR: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (story), WR Van Jefferson
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: DT Ricky Barber, WR River Cracraft
The Browns made it known yesterday that they were shutting down Schwesinger and tight ends David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr. for the final week of the season, but the Defensive Rookie of the Year-favorite is the only one to land on IR.
In Dallas, Williams failed to practice this week as he dealt with shoulder and neck issues. With Davis also being placed on IR, the Cowboys will rely on rookie fifth-rounder Jaydon Blue and the recently activated Mafah, a seventh-round rookie, in Week 18. The team used their eighth and final IR activation to bring Mafah back for a potential NFL debut.
Because Green Bay didn’t elevate recently signed practice squad quarterback Desmond Ridder, it appears either Malik Willis will be healthy enough to back up Clayton Tune or Jordan Love will serve as the potential QB2 for the Packers in Week 18.
Judon is set to make his Bills debut in the team’s regular season finale after signing to their practice squad two weeks ago.
With Saints backup quarterback Spencer Rattler not practicing this week with a finger injury, Haener gets the call to back up rookie Tyler Shough.
Hall in Tennessee had already been called up as a standard gameday practice squad elevation three times this season. In order for him to appear in the Titans’ regular season finale, the move to the 53-man roster was necessary.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/13/25
Here’s are today’s minor transactions and standard gameday practice squad elevations:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: TE Josiah Deguara
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: LB Keonta Jenkins, DT Zion Logue
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed from practice squad: WR Ryan Flournoy
- Elevated: CB Zion Childress, CB Robert Rochell
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: FB Adam Prentice, LB Garret Wallow
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: LB Monty Rice
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: RB Ulysses Bentley IV, CB Chris Lammons
- Placed on IR: CB Jaylon Jones (story)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: TE Quintin Morris
Miami Dolphins
- Signed from practice squad: CB Cornell Armstrong
- Elevated: K Riley Patterson, RB Jeff Wilson
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: CB Fabian Moreau, OLB Gabriel Murphy
New England Patriots
- Elevated: CB Kobee Minor, LB Mark Robinson
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: DE Jonah Williams
- Elevated: S Terrell Burgess, DE Fadil Diggs
- Placed on IR: S Julian Blackmon (story)
New York Giants
- Elevated: LB Swayze Bozeman, DT Elijah Garcia
New York Jets
- Elevated: CB Korie Black
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: S Marcus Epps, TE Cameron Latu
- Placed on IR: T Cameron Williams
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: LB Jon Rhattigan
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed from practice squad: LB Curtis Robinson
- Elevated: QB Adrian Martinez, TE Brayden Willis
- Waived: DE Robert Beal Jr.
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: S D’Anthony Bell, DT Brandon Pili
Tennessee Titans
- Signed from practice squad: C Corey Levin
- Elevated: RB Jordan Mims, T John Ojukwu
- Waived: T Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson
With one quarterback on the reserve/non-football injury list and starter Brock Purdy inactive, Martinez comes up with the potential to appear in his first ever NFL game, though Niners fans hope his presence will not be necessary.
Bell will be active for tomorrow’s game as the Seahawks work to replace second-round rookie Nick Emmanwori in the secondary. Emmanwori has been ruled out with an ankle injury. Similarly, Wallow will be part of the Broncos’ efforts to fill in for injured linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who has been ruled out for the second week in a row.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/6/25
With our first slate of Sunday games tomorrow, we’ll see our first slew of standard gameday practice squad elevations. Here are today’s minor transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: WR David Sills, RB Carlos Washington Jr.
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: G Kendrick Green, K Matt Prater
Carolina Panthers
- Signed from practice squad: DT Jaden Crumedy
- Placed on IR: CB Damarri Mathis (story)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: DT Mike Pennel
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: FB Adam Prentice, LB Levelle Bailey
Detroit Lions
- Signed from practice squad: RB Jacob Saylors
- Elevated: LB Anthony Pittman
- Placed on IR: T Jamarco Jones
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: CB Micah Robinson
Houston Texans
- Elevated: FB Jakob Johnson
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: LB Austin Ajiake, RB Ulysses Bentley IV
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: T Ricky Lee
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: WR Alex Bachman, S Terrell Edmunds
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: RB Cody Schrader
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: K Riley Patterson, RB Jeff Wilson
New England Patriots
- Signed from practice squad: DT Cory Durden
- Elevated: CB Corey Ballentine, LB Mark Robinson
- Released: DT Jeremiah Pharms
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: DE Fadil Diggs
- Elevated: TE Jack Stoll, DE Jonah Williams
- Waived: QB Jake Haener
New York Giants
- Elevated: DT Elijah Garcia
New York Jets
- Elevated: WR Tyler Johnson
- Placed on IR: G Alijah Vera-Tucker (story)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: CB James Pierre
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: WR Russell Gage, LB Curtis Robinson
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: CB Shaquill Griffin, DT Quinton Bohanna
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: DT Adam Gotsis, G Michael Jordan
Tennessee Titans
- Elevated: C Corey Levin, DT Carlos Watkins
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: C Michael Deiter, WR Chris Moore
Each NFL team is granted up to two standard gameday practice squad elevations each game, allowing them to call up two members of their practice squad who are able to play in that weekend’s game. After the game is played, the elevated players revert back to the practice squad with no transaction required. This differs from the situation with somebody like Crumedy in Carolina. With Mathis’ placement on injured reserve opening a spot on the 53-man roster, Crumedy has been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster, where he will remain until he is cut or his contract expires.
Practice squad players can be called up a maximum of three times under a single practice squad contract. If a team wants to call up a player who’s been called up three times already, the team will usually sign the player to their active roster for a game, cut them after, and then sign them to a new practice squad contract. Under the new contract, the player would be eligible to be elevated for three more games.
As the Dolphins await Jason Sanders‘ return from IR, Patterson was named the winner of a kicking audition with three other veteran kickers. Miami will be able to elevate him three times but will have to promote him to the active roster for any games between that and Sanders’ activation. Similarly, Prater will likely be on the same plan in Buffalo.
Haener’s stint on the Saints’ active roster was short-lived as the team decides to move forward with only two quarterbacks. Spencer Rattler will handle starting duties to begin the campaign with second-round rookie Tyler Shough serving as his backup.
Dolphins Claim CB JuJu Brents, To Re-Sign RB Jeff Wilson
The Colts cut ties with JuJu Brents on Tuesday, but the young cornerback will remain tied to his second-round contract. The Dolphins claimed Brents, veteran reporter Jordan Schultz tweets.
In addition to claiming Brents, the Dolphins are reuniting with Jeff Wilson on a practice squad deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. The veteran Mike McDaniel charge did not make the 49ers’ 53-man roster, but the Dolphins have dangled an opportunity. Wilson played in Miami from 2022-24 but saw his role diminish as the tenure wore on. With Miami banged up at running back presently, Wilson will return.
Eyed as a starter in Indianapolis’ Gus Bradley scheme, Brents had been unable to stay healthy. The Indianapolis native missed eight games as a rookie and 15 last season. Brents, 25, suffered a knee injury in Week 1 last year and became the rare player to only play in his team’s first and last games in a season. In Colts camp this year, however, Brents missed extensive time with a hamstring injury. Despite Indianapolis losing third-round rookie Justin Walley, the team did not hold onto Brents as it transitions to Lou Anarumo‘s system.
The Colts cut the former No. 44 overall pick days after signing Xavien Howard, one of the longest-tenured DBs in Dolphins history. Miami had a veteran group in place post-Howard in 2024, but circumstances changed radically this year. The Dolphins released Kendall Fuller and traded Jalen Ramsey. They later saw Artie Burns and Kader Kohou suffer ACL tears.
The Dolphins also placed former second-round pick Cam Smith on the reserve/NFI list, sidelining the disappointing draftee for at least four games. They released Mike Hilton on Tuesday, leading to a Colts visit (as these teams’ CB paths remain intertwined), and signed Rasul Douglas. The team also retained Jack Jones, a late-summer addition. In addition to the Smith move, Miami waived DB Isaiah Johnson.
Acquired via trade at the 2022 deadline, Wilson has played for McDaniel for most of his career. The former 49ers assistant traded for Wilson in his first year as Dolphins HC, and Miami re-signed the Raheem Mostert sidekick in 2023. The Dolphins drafting De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright, however, changed Wilson’s standing. Wilson totaled just 57 rushing yards on 16 carries last season — after accumulating just 188 in 2023. The 29-year-old RB does have scheme knowledge here and stands to help while Achane and Wright are battling injuries; the latter is not expected to play in Week 1.
49ers Cut 25 Players, Set 53-Man Roster
The 49ers had some work to do to get down to their initial 53-man roster. The front office achieved that daunting task this afternoon, as the organization announced the following moves:
Released:
- WR Robbie Chosen
- OL Michael Dunn
- WR Russell Gage
- DL Jonathan Garvin
- DL Trevis Gipson
- DL Bruce Hector
- WR Isaiah Hodgins
- CB Fabian Moreau
- P Thomas Morstead
- LB Curtis Robinson
- LB Chazz Surratt
- WR Malik Turner
- RB Jeff Wilson
Waived:
- WR Junior Bergen
- LB Stone Blanton
- DL William Bradley-King
- DB Derrick Canteen
- CB Dallis Flowers
- LB Jalen Graham
- S Jaylen Mahoney
- OL Drake Nugent
- WR Terique Owens
- DL Sebastian Valdez
- TE Brayden Willis
- OL Nick Zakelj
Activated from active/PUP:
- DL Yetur Gross-Matos
Placed on reserve/PUP:
- WR Brandon Aiyuk
- S Malik Mustapha
Placed on reserve/NFI:
- QB Kurtis Rourke
Placed on reserve/suspended:
- OL Isaac Alarcon
- WR Demarcus Robinson
Placed on IR (designated for return):
- DL Kevin Givens
Placed on IR:
- CB Jakob Robinson
Punter Thomas Morstead was cut today, but it sounds like the veteran won’t be a free agent for long. Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports that Morstead is expected to re-sign with the organization. The 39-year-old spent the past two seasons with the Jets, including a 2023 campaign where he led the NFL in punts and punting yards.
Barrows also notes that Jacob Cowing made the initial roster but is expected to land on injured reserve as he nurses a hamstring injury. This could open the door for one of the team’s cut WRs to land back on the active roster. That grouping includes Russell Gage, who had more than 1,500 receiving yards for the Falcons between the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Elsewhere on offense, Jeff Wilson‘s reunion with the 49ers proved to be short lived after he joined the organization earlier this month. The veteran spent the past two-plus seasons in Miami, but he had a successful run in San Francisco to begin his career. This included a 2020 campaign where he compiled 733 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns.
49ers To Bring Back RB Jeff Wilson
Jeff Wilson‘s recent workout for the 49ers did not result in a deal. With his original team dealing with a number of injuries in the backfield, though, a signing will now take place. 
Wilson is headed back to San Francisco, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The former UDFA was with the 49ers from 2018 to the midway point of the 2022 campaign. A trade from the 49ers to the Dolphins allowed him to work with Mike McDaniel, a familiar face given his previous work under Kyle Shanahan.
During his time in Miami (which wound up lasting 27 games), Wilson managed an average of 4.5 yards per attempt; that equals his career mark. The 29-year-old only received 141 carries during that span, though, so it came as no surprise when the Dolphins elected not to re-sign him in the spring. Wilson remained on the open market well into training camp, and he and Ameer Abdullah visited the 49ers late in July. Abdullah landed a deal following his workout.
At the moment, however, Abdullah has a ribs injury. As Matt Barrow of The Athletic notes, Isaac Guerendo and Jordan James are also on the mend. As a result, Wilson should be able to handle a role in the backfield rotation during upcoming practices as well as San Francisco’s two remaining preseason contests. Sorting out the depth chart behind Christian McCaffrey will be a team priority over the coming weeks.
Wilson’s most productive full 49ers season came in 2020 when he amassed 733 scrimmage yards and scored 10 total touchdowns. A repeat of those figures would come as a surprise, of course, but the North Texas product could carve out a spot on the 53-man roster depending on other running back situations on the health front. San Francisco entered Sunday with nearly $47MM in cap space, so this reunion will not impact any other moves the team makes leading up to Week 1.
49ers Work Out Jeff Wilson, Ameer Abdullah
July 31: The 49ers are signing Abdullah after his tryout on Thursday, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. A thin running back room in San Francisco may give the 10-year veteran a chance at making the 53-man roster as a kick returner who can provide depth in the backfield.
July 30: Jeff Wilson has spent the past his entire career in roughly the same scheme, rejoining ex-49ers OC Mike McDaniel after a 2022 deadline deal. After playing out his Dolphins contract, Wilson has lingered in free agency for four-plus months.
The 49ers are back on the radar for their former UDFA find. Wilson went through a workout with his original NFL team Wednesday, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport. Wilson played with the 49ers from 2018 until that November 2022 trade. He joined ex-Browns and Jaguars backup D’Ernest Johnson at the audition.
Additionally, the 49ers brought in veteran tackle Cameron Fleming for a recent workout, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson adds. Fleming played in one Broncos game last season, rejoining the team he played for from 2021-23.
Wilson had re-signed with the Dolphins on a two-year, $6MM deal in 2023 but accepted a pay cut in 2024. The Dolphins added De’Von Achane in the 2023 third round and turned to him as a rookie, preceding Wilson adjusting his 2024 Miami terms (one year, $1.75MM). Achane received more work in 2024, reducing 2023 NFL touchdown leader Raheem Mostert to a backup and Wilson to an afterthought. Wilson totaled just 15 carries for 57 yards last season.
For his career, Wilson has logged only 531 carries. The 49ers traded him to the Dolphins shortly after acquiring Christian McCaffrey via trade, but Wilson still gained a career-high 860 yards (between San Francisco and Miami work) that season. He amassed 600 rushing yards (4.8 per carry) and seven touchdowns for the 2020 49ers. Mostert is now a Raider, and Wilson (30 in November) has a chance to head west as well.
The 49ers have Isaac Guerendo positioned as their top McCaffrey backup, having traded Jordan Mason to the Vikings in March. San Francisco is ready to redeploy McCaffrey, but his extensive injury history should call for depth to be prioritized. The 49ers did use a fifth-round pick on Oregon’s Jordan James, and ex-Packer reserve Patrick Taylor is on the 90-man roster. Wilson would certainly bring scheme familiarity to go with a light career workload.
In addition to auditioning Jeff Wilson, the 49ers (per Aaron Wilson) had Ameer Abdullah at the audition. Abdullah has lasted 10 years in the NFL, playing the past three with the Raiders. Las Vegas used Abdullah as a backup and kick returner, though more in the latter capacity, during his tenure. The former Lions second-round pick did make three starts last season, when he rushed for 311 yards — his most since 2017 — but he has made five total starts over the past seven seasons.
Abdullah spent four seasons with the Lions but did not impress much as a starter. At 32, he has still managed to impress a host of coaching staffs and stick in the league for an extended period.
Fleming worked as a regular starter for the Broncos in 2021, after the Ja’Wuan James offsite injury saga, before becoming a swing backup in ’22. The Broncos have enjoyed good health along their O-line over the past two seasons, and Fleming was not needed for the most part. Last year, the 11-year veteran caught on with Denver in-season. Mostly a swingman throughout his career, Fleming (33 in September) has played in 118 games with 62 starts.
The 49ers have Andre Dillard rostered as a swing option, though he has mostly played left tackle as a pro. They did not ultimately do a deal with D.J. Humphries, also waiving Nicholas Petit-Frere after a brief stint. Trent Williams missed nearly half of last season due to injury, and the 49ers lost swingman Jaylon Moore to a $15MM-per-year Chiefs deal. Converted guard Spencer Burford represents an option behind starting RT Colton McKivitz, but Fleming would provide considerably more tackle experience if called upon.
RB Jeff Wilson Addresses Playing Time, Potential Dolphins Trade
The Dolphins currently have a logjam at the running back position, with Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright atop the depth chart. That has left few opportunities available for Jeff Wilson.
For that reason, the veteran could soon find himself on the move. Wilson was recently named as the most logical trade candidate amongst Miami’s running backs, leading to questions about his outlook on the upcoming deadline. The 28-year-old made it clear his preference would be to remain with the Dolphins.
“If I could play here and find a way to play, I would love to stay,” Wilson said (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). I love it here. Everyone has embraced me. I would love to stay and play here.”
Wilson did add, however, that he “came to play, not to sit,” an understandable indication that he would welcome an increased workload down the stretch. The former 49er handled 84 carries upon arrival with the Dolphins midway through the 2022 season, but that number checked in at just 41 (in 10 contests) last year. In 2024, Wilson has totaled only 10 touches in four games.
Provided Mostert (who is back after missing time earlier in the year), Achane (who leads the team with 357 rushing yards) and Wright (who has averaged an impressive 5.3 yards per carry as a rookie) remain healthy, Wilson is unlikely to carve out a meaningful role. A trade away from the Dolphins would mean departing a team coached by Mike McDaniel, with whom the former UDFA spent considerable time in San Francisco. It could nevertheless yield a clearer path to playing time.
Just as Mostert did, Wilson agreed to a new Dolphins deal last March. That pact has him on track for free agency in the spring, and Wilson’s base salary is only $1.13MM. Any number of contending teams could easily take on the prorated remainder of that figure, especially if Miami is open to a accepting a low price in terms of draft capital coming back in a trade. Such a scenario would not (at least fully) appeal to Wilson, but it will be one worth watching for.
Trade Rumors: 49ers, Wilson, Packers, Jags
Although the Chiefs have been hit hard by wide receiver injuries, they have managed to draw some opponents in the same boat. Between a Bengals matchup sans Tee Higgins and an upcoming Buccaneers tilt without Chris Godwin and, in all likelihood, Mike Evans, Kansas City faced a 49ers team down all of its starters by halftime. Brandon Aiyuk is now out for the season with an ACL tear, and Jauan Jennings has not practiced this week — due to a hip injury — after missing Week 7. Deebo Samuel needed to be hospitalized due to pneumonia, but the veteran wideout returned to practice Thursday and may be on track to suit up against the Cowboys.
Samuel’s status is now vital to the 49ers, who gave Aiyuk a $30MM-per-year extension only to see him join Samuel in struggling in the season following a new deal. The 49ers also have first-round pick Ricky Pearsall back in action weeks after he was wounded in a robbery attempt. Despite all this, The Athletic’s Matt Barrows does not expect the defending NFC champions to add a WR piece at the trade deadline.
Kendrick Bourne, whom the 49ers discussed with the Patriots during the summer Aiyuk trade drama, said he is not eager to return to his original team; Bourne instead prefers to stay in New England. It remains to be seen if the 49ers will shop for some help, but if they are to add (as they usually do at deadlines, as the past Chase Young, Charles Omenihu, Emmanuel Sanders and Jimmy Garoppolo moves show), Barrows expects the move to come elsewhere.
Here is the latest from the trade market:
- San Francisco made it this far without adding a running back to cover for Christian McCaffrey‘s nagging Achilles injury, as the reigning Offensive Player of the Year has a decent chance to return in Week 10 after the team’s bye. Two of the 49ers’ former RBs would have been a good fit, as the Dolphins roster Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson. Of the duo, ESPN.com’s Marcel Louis-Jacques notes Wilson is the more likely trade chip. Wilson re-signed with the Dolphins, on a two-year deal that features a veteran-minimum 2024 base salary ($1.13MM), but saw the team trade up for Jaylen Wright in April. The fourth-round rookie joins 2023 third-rounder De’Von Achane on Miami’s roster. The Dolphins have not used Wilson much this season, giving him eight carries. Wilson (29 next month) has an 860-yard season on his resume, during a 2022 season in which he was traded from San Francisco to Miami, and would make for an interesting addition by one of the several teams using a 49ers-like scheme.
- The Packers are certainly not in position to sell, but teams have shown interest in both Preston Smith and Andre Dillard, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. Smith, 31, has started every game for Green Bay this season. Although his snap rate sits at 56% — which would be a Packers-years low for the veteran edge rusher — it would surprise if the team entertained such a move in-season, even with 2023 first-rounder Lukas Van Ness at this position. Dillard, conversely, has not played an offensive snap. The former Eagles first-rounder has drawn deadline interest in the past, and with Jordan Morgan in reserve, it would be interesting if the Packers discussed trading the veteran.
- Following the Roy Robertson-Harris trade with the Seahawks, Doug Pederson said he did not expect the Jaguars to make any additional deals. Though, teams will be calling due to the Jags’ poor start. That said, ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco notes Jacksonville — despite the potential for a new regime taking over in 2025 — does not view this as a rebuild-like situation, so a deadline sell-off should not be expected.
Dolphins Activate RB Jeff Wilson Jr. From IR
The high-powered Dolphins offense is adding some more talent to the mix. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Dolphins have activated running back Jeff Wilson Jr. from injured reserve.
The activation comes at a good time for the Dolphins. Rookie sensation De’Von Achane landed on injured reserve with a knee injury, and UDFA rookie Chris Brooks has also been shelved for at least the next four weeks. That left Raheem Mostert and Salvon Ahmed as the only healthy RBs on the roster, but Wilson will provide an experienced option that the Dolphins can add to the mix.
Wilson, who has missed time due to finger and rib issues, was deemed ready to play in time for last week. However, roster calculus led his 2023 debut being delayed until Week 7, something head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed earlier in the week would take place. Today’s expected move will use up one of Miami’s seven remaining IR activations.
Mostert has had success as the Dolphins’ top back, recording 20 touches in a game on two occasions so far this season. The 31-year-old has found the end zone in all but one contest in 2023, and he leads the NFL with nine rushing touchdowns. His role as RB1 will likely not be in doubt with Wilson back in the picture, but the latter has proven to be an efficient complimentary option both with the 49ers and the Dolphins. Both backs inked two-year deals this offseason, and with Achane currently unavailable, they will aim to prove those investments to be worthwhile.
Wilson, 27, averaged 4.7 yards per carry in his eight games in South Beach last season after being dealt away by the 49ers following their Christian McCaffrey acquisition. The former UDFA saw a 53% snap share in Miami in 2022, and it will be interesting to see how large of a workload he handles upon return this year. The Dolphins lead the league in both passing (324) and rushing (182) yards per game through six weeks, and Sunday’s primetime matchup against the Eagles figures to be an offensive shootout. Miami will have another option in the backfield for that contest as Wilson prepares to make his season debut.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.