Minor NFL Transactions: 12/20/21
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: TE David Wells
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: LB Pernell McPhee
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted: OL Jacob Capra
Chicago Bears
- Activated from IR: OT Germain Ifedi
- Placed on IR: DB DeAndre Houston-Carson
- Promoted: DB Thomas Graham Jr., DB Michael Joseph, DB BoPete Keyes, DL LaCale London, WR Dazz Newsome, LB Charles Snowden, DB Dee Virgin, WR Nsimba Webster
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: LB Joe Bachie (ACL)
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: CB Brian Allen, DE Joe Jackson, G Hjalte Froholdt, RB John Kelly, CB Herb Miller, S Jovante Moffatt, S Tedric Thompson
- Signed to active roster: OT Alex Taylor
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: DE Azur Kamara
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed to active roster: K Elliott Fry
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on IR: CB Trayvon Mullen
- Activated from IR: TE Nick Bowers
- Promoted: G Lester Cotton, WR Tyron Johnson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Claimed off waivers: CB Essang Bassey (from Broncos)
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: WR Landen Akers
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: RB Duke Johnson (story), S Sheldrick Redwine
- Waived: S Will Parks
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: S Myles Dorn, WR Myron Mitchell, CB Tye Smith
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: QB Jarren Williams
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: OT Sam Cosmi
NFL COVID List Updates
We are trying our best here at Pro Football Rumors to keep up with all of the updates throughout the league concerning players on the reserve/COVID-19 list. A lot of teams had high hopes during today’s testing as they were trying to get players activated in time for Sunday’s slate of games.
Here are updates as of 8:30 PM ET, Sat 12/18:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Chris Westry, WR Sammy Watkins
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Derrick Brown
Chicago Bears
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Eddie Goldman
- OC Bill Lazor, DC Sean Desai, STC Chris Tabor in COVID-19 protocols
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Takkarist McKinley
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: T James Hudson
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Trysten Hill, DT Osa Odighizuwa
Denver Broncos
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DB P.J. Locke
Detroit Lions
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Ifeatu Melifonwu, DB Bobby Price, DB Tracy Walker
Houston Texans
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Jonathan Greenard, G Lane Taylor
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Zaire Franklin
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Antwaun Woods
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Odell Beckham Jr., RB Darrell Henderson, CB Donte Deayon, TE Brycen Hopkins, OL Alaric Jackson, OLB Justin Hollins
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: T Joseph Noteboom, CB Robert Rochell
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Jevon Holland
Minnesota Vikings
- Four Coaches in COVID-19 protocols
New York Giants
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Xavier McKinney
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Folorunso Fatukasi, Practice Squad LB Noah Dawkins
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Breshad Perriman
Washington Football Team
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Jonathan Allen, DE James Smith-Williams, DE Casey Toohill, DE Montez Sweat
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/18/21
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: RB Chase Edmonds, S Charles Washington
- Placed on IR: WR DeAndre Hopkins, CB Robert Alford
- Promoted: CB Kevin Peterson, LB Joe Walker
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on IR: DB Erik Harris
- Promoted: LB Dorian Etheridge, DB Shawn Williams
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: DB Robert Jackson, S Tony Jefferson, T Jaryd Jones-Smith, C Adam Redmond, T David Sharpe
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from IR: DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
- Promoted: QB Reggie Bonnafon, WR Willie Snead
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: LB Ledarius Mack
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from IR: OG D’Ante Smith, DB Trae Waynes (story)
- Promoted: LB Austin Calitro, LB Keandre Jones, WR Trent Taylor
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: LB Willie Harvey Jr., DE Porter Gustin
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: DT Justin Hamilton, RB Jaquan Hardy, DB Darian Thompson
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: DB A.J. Parker
- Promoted: LB Curtis Bolton, RB Craig Reynolds, T Dan Skipper
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: S Shawn Davis, DE Abdullah Anderson, G Cole Van Lanen
Houston Texans
- Activated from IR: DE Jordan Jenkins
- Promoted: S Grayland Arnold, LB Connor Strachan, WR Jordan Veasy, DB T.J. Green, FB Paul Quessenberry, DL Chris Smith, OL Jordan Steckler
Indianapolis Colts
- Placed on IR: DT Antwaun Woods
- Promoted: DT Chris Williams
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: RB Nathan Cottrell
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: LB Anthony Hines, WR Brandon Powell
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from IR: C Greg Mancz
- Promoted: WR Tommylee Lewis
New England Patriots
- Promoted: DT Daniel Ekuale, C James Ferentz, RB Devine Ozigbo
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from IR: TE Adam Trautman
- Placed on IR: TE Garrett Griffin (story)
- Promoted: G Forrest Lamp, WR Easop Winston
New York Giants
- Promoted: WR Alex Bachman, LB Jaylon Smith, DB Jarren Williams
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: RB Michael Carter, T Chuma Edoga, DE Bryce Huff, TE Tyler Kroft
- Promoted: DE Ronald Blair, TE Daniel Brown, WR Vyncint Smith
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: G Rashaad Coward
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted: RB Brian Hill, DB Jarrod Wilson
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on IR: TE Tory Carter
Dolphins Activate Myles Gaskin And Salvon Ahmed
Ahead of their game against the Jets on Sunday, the Dolphins will have two of their top three running backs available. Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed have been activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list, reports Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. 
The move makes both players eligible to play against the Jets; Jackson adds that, “at least one, if not both, likely would play on Sunday”. Miami’s other options at the position include veterans Malcom Brown and Duke Johnson, as recent acquisition Phillip Lindsay remains in isolation due to COVID-19 protocol.
Gaskin has been the lead back for the Dolphins this season, posting 526 yards and three touchdowns on 154 carries, adding 45 catches for 217 yards and four touchdowns in the passing game. The 24-year-old’s 3.4 yards per carry have left the Dolphins wanting more from the ground game, though, leading to moves such as claiming Lindsay in November. Ahmed, meanwhile, has chipped in 266 total scrimmage yards in his second season in Miami.
Their return would be welcome against the Jets in particular, as New York has allowed just under 139 yards per game on the ground. That, coupled with the upcoming absence of standout rookie wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, should lend itself to plenty of rushing opportunities on Sunday.
Updated 2022 NFL Draft Order
The Chiefs (9-4) and Chargers (8-5) are getting set to kick off Week 15 in a matchup that could decide the AFC West crown. Meanwhile, more than one-quarter of the NFL’s teams have either been mathematically or effectively eliminated from playoff contention.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order will be determined by the inverted 2021 standings, plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. For playoff teams, the order is determined by their postseason outcome and regular season record. (Ex: Washington would own the No. 19 pick if they were eliminated in the Wild Card round with the worst record of the group.)
With that in mind, here’s a look at the currently projected 2022 NFL Draft Order:
1. Detroit Lions (1-11-1)
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11)
3. Houston Texans (2-11)
4. New York Jets (3-10)
5. New York Giants (via Bears)
6. New York Giants (4-9)
7. New York Jets (via Seahawks)
8. Carolina Panthers (5-8)
9. Atlanta Falcons (6-7)
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins)
11. Philadelphia Eagles (6-7)
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-7)
13. New Orleans Saints (6-7)
14. Las Vegas Raiders (6-7)
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6-1)
16. Denver Broncos (7-6)
17. Cincinnati Bengals (7-6)
18. Cleveland Browns (7-6)
19. Washington Football Team (6-7)*
20. Buffalo Bills (7-6)*
21. Philadelphia Eagles (via Colts)*
22. Miami Dolphins (via 49ers)*
23. Los Angeles Chargers (8-5)*
24. Detroit Lions (via Rams)*
25. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)*
26. Dallas Cowboys (9-4)*
27. Kansas City Chiefs (9-4)*
28. Arizona Cardinals (10-3)*
29. Tennessee Titans (9-4)*
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-3)*
31. New England Patriots (9-4)*
32. Green Bay Packers (10-3)*
* = Playoffs
Dolphins Place Jaylen Waddle On COVID-19 List
The Dolphins have placed wide receiver Jaylen Waddle on the COVID-19 list. With just a few days to go until Sunday’s game against the Jets, it’s unlikely that Waddle will be cleared in time to play.
[RELATED: Dolphins Add Damon Arnette To Practice Squad]
Thanks to a five-game winning streak, the Dolphins are still clinging to a chance of qualifying for an AFC Wild Card spot. A loss to the Jets would all but knock them out of contention. Waddle, the No. 6 overall pick in last year’s draft, has been a huge part of the Dolphins’ success this year. Over the last five games alone, he’s registered 38 catches for 436 yards and one receiving touchdown, plus one rushing TD for good measure. In total, the standout rookie has 86 grabs for 849 yards and five total TDs.
On the plus side, the Jets have struggled against the pass all year long. They’ve allowed an average of 254 yards per game through the air, the sixth highest total of any team in the NFL. (The Dolphins, with 245.5 passing yards allowed on average, rank fifth).
Without Waddle, the Dolphins would be left with DeVante Parker, Albert Wilson, Isaiah Ford, Preston Williams, and Mack Hollins at WR. You can also expect Tua Tagovailoa to target Mike Gesicki even more after his 7/46 showing against the Giants last time out.
Dolphins Add Damon Arnette To Practice Squad
The Dolphins have signed Damon Arnette to a practice squad deal (Twitter link via David Furones of the Sun Sentinel). This marks the cornerback’s first deal since he was cut by the Raiders earlier this year. 
Shortly after the tragedy involving Henry Ruggs, a video surfaced showing Arnette issuing threats and brandishing a handgun. The Raiders moved quickly to release the 2020 first-rounder, who was also in the midst of multiple lawsuits, including one for a car crash of his own.
Arnette made his name at Ohio State, flashing potential opposite of Jeff Okudah. With the ability to play on the inside or the outside, the Raiders were high on his upside. Unfortunately, his potential has been torpedoed by his off-the-field problems.
Arnette started in seven of his nine games as a rookie, collecting 25 tackles along the way. This year, he appeared in the Raiders’ first four games, but didn’t top 30% of the snaps in any of those contests.
While Arnette joins the 16-man practice squad, the rest of the team will prepare to face the Jets on Sunday. A win would give them six straight, a 7-7 record on the year, and at least a glimmer of hope in the Wild Card race.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/15/21
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Designated for return: TE David Wells
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB A.J. Klein
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: WR Ja’Marcus Bradley
- Claimed: DT Josiah Bronson (from Saints)
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: CB Deante Burton
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Jordan Love
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: DT Malik Jefferson
Miami Dolphins
- Claimed: LB Calvin Munson (from Patriots)
- Designated for return: RB Malcolm Brown
New England Patriots
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: G Yasir Durant
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR/RB Ty Montgomery
- Designated for return: TE Adam Trautman
Philadelphia Eagles
- Designated for return: G Jack Anderson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on IR: OL B.J. Finney
- Promoted: OT Joe Haeg
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: LB Tanner Muse
- Placed on IR: CB Gavin Heslop
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/14/21
Today’s minor moves:
Detroit Lions
- Claimed off waivers (from 49ers): CB Saivion Smith
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: WR Juwann Winfree
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated off reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Jalen Richard
- Designated for return: TE Nick Bowers
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: C Austin Reiter
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Danielle Hunter
New England Patriots
- Activated off reserve/NFI list: S Joshuah Bledsoe
- Placed on injured reserve: G Alex Redmond
- Waived: LB Calvin Munson
Washington Football Team
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Kendall Fuller, DT Tim Settle
Dolphins Worked Out RB Lamar Miller
The Dolphins considered a reunion with one of their former players today. Per Aaron Wilson (on Twitter), the team worked out running back Lamar Miller today. The team also took a look at RBs Benny LeMay, Jordan Scarlett, and Dexter Williams, who ultimately signed with the Dolphins practice squad. Miami also promoted RB Duke Johnson to the active roster and released wideout Travis Fulgham from the practice squad.
Miller was a second-round pick by the Dolphins back in 2012, and he ended up spending the first four seasons of his career in Miami. Miller ultimately saw time in 61 games (48 starts) during his time with the Dolphins, including a career year in 2014 when he collected 1,374 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns. The 30-year-old has bounced around the NFL recently, including a stint on the Saints practice squad earlier this season.
Instead of adding Miller to their depth chart, the Dolphins decided to pivot to Williams. Williams was a sixth-round pick by the Packers back in 2019, and he ended up spending two seasons in Green Bay, collecting 19 yards from scrimmage in seven games. The 24-year-old has spent much of the 2021 campaign on the Giants and Browns practice squads.
Miami’s running backs depth chart is shaky heading into Week 15. Myles Gaskin, Phillip Lindsay, and Salvon Ahmed are all on the reserve/COVID-19 list, leading to Johnson’s promotion. Williams will join a taxi squad that already includes RB Gerrid Doaks. The team also has Patrick Laird and Malcolm Brown on the IR, and there’s a chance Brown could return before the end of the season.