NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/3/24
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Verone McKinley
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LS Matt Overton
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Abraham Beauplan
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: OL Colby Gossett
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Vitaliy Gurman
Vikings To Start Nick Mullens In Week 18
Still alive for a postseason berth, the Vikings have once again made a change to their quarterback depth chart. Head coach Kevin O’Connell announced on Wednesday that Nick Mullens will start in the season finale. 
Rookie Jaren Hall got the nod for last week’s primetime game against the Packers, one with major playoff implications for both teams. Minnesota’s offense struggled with Hall at the helm, however, and Mullens finished the 33-10 loss. With the Vikings still in contention for a wild-card berth, the latter will once again return to first-team duties.
Minnesota has cycled through three signal-callers since Kirk Cousins‘ Achilles tear. An injury to Hall opened the door to Josh Dobbs taking over immediately upon arrival, but his impressive run was short-lived. Mullens offered a spark in terms of offensive yardage when in place for starts against the Bengals and Lions. However, his combined six interceptions in those contests led O’Connell to entrust Hall with the all-important start in Week 17. In spite of the loss in that game, the Vikings have a narrow path to a playoff spot.
Both a win against the Lions and help from other results will be needed for Minnesota to reach the wild-card round. In the event that were to happen, the team would once again face a signficant QB decision, although a Mullens win would certainly help his cause in that regard. The former UDFA has amassed 910 passing yards and five touchdowns this season, but turnover issues have led to hesitancy with respect to giving him a longer run in the No. 1 role.
As ESPN’s Kevin Seifert notes, no decision on a backup has been made as of yet. Hall and Dobbs represent O’Connell’s options, although he will obviously hope to avoid needing to use either of them on Sunday. Attention will turn to Cousins’ impending free agency once the Vikings’ season is over, but for now their fate will rest in Mullens’ hands.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/2/24
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: LB Caleb Johnson
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: S Jeremy Lucien
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: RB Mike Boone, K Matthew Wright
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DE Sam Kamara
- Released: G Joey Fisher, P Matt Haack
Denver Broncos
- Signed: TE Johnny Lumpkin
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Anthony Johnson
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: TE Eric Tomlinson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: DT Matt Dickerson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: TE E.J. Jenkins
- Placed on practice squad injured list: TE Cole Fotheringham
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: QB Dresser Winn
- Released: LS Alex Matheson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Abraham Beauplan
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: G Colby Gossett
- Released: WR Jontre Kirklin
New York Jets
- Released: G Rodger Saffold
Washington Commanders
- Signed: WR Davion Davis, CB D’Angelo Mandell, CB Jace Whittaker
Teams can begin signing players to reserve/futures contracts Jan. 8. P-squad contracts expire seven days after the regular season concludes, and NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reminds teams are not limited regarding the number of times they can elevate a player from a taxi squad during the playoffs. In the regular season, players are capped at three gameday elevations.
The Panthers are expected to sign Boone to a futures deal next week, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. After three years with the Vikings and two with the Broncos, Boone played in nine games with the Texans this season. As for Wright, this marks a reunion. While Wright’s first Panthers stay did not last long (Aug. 26-30), Carolina may need him due to Eddy Pineiro‘s hamstring injury.
Amid the Jets’ wave of O-line injuries, they signed Saffold. While the former Rams, Titans and Bills starter was with the Jets for several weeks, he did not see any game action in his 14th NFL season.
Updated 2024 NFL Draft Order
It took the Bears until Week 18 for the No. 1 draft slot to become a reality; the Panthers did not make them wait that long this year. Carolina’s struggles will give Chicago the No. 1 overall pick for a second straight year. How the Bears will proceed with that pick will become one of the NFL’s defining 2024 storylines.
The Cardinals’ unexpected conquest in Philadelphia knocked them down two slots in the 2024 draft order. As a result, the Commanders — who resided in the fourth position before the Patriots’ Christmas Eve upset ended the Russell Wilson era in Denver — hold the No. 2 pick going into the regular season’s final Sunday.
The Commanders benched Sam Howell in back-to-back weeks and were set to, prior to a midweek Jacoby Brissett setback, shelve him for Week 17 as well. The Ron Rivera era is in its final days, with front office changes likely as well. A Commanders-Caleb Williams connection has emerged, which would make Washington quite interested in what Chicago does at No. 1 overall — or key another round of Bears talks about dropping from 1 to 2, which took place with the Texans this offseason. With the Bears likely considering another Justin Fields season and the Cardinals having Kyler Murray tied to a $46.1MM-per-year contract, the Commanders are suddenly a team to watch regarding a QB investment.
Bill Belichick is also perched as a key 2024 domino, but with the legendary HC not eager to leave New England, one of the most important decisions in franchise history awaits Robert Kraft. Belichick or his replacement could hold a top-three pick in 2024, though another Pats win — they have the Jets in Week 18 — would complicate an effort to land a top-tier QB prospect.
Entering Week 18, here is how the 2024 draft order looks:
- Chicago Bears (via Panthers)
- Washington Commanders: 4-12
- New England Patriots: 4-12
- Arizona Cardinals: 4-12
- New York Giants: 5-11
- Los Angeles Chargers: 5-11
- Tennessee Titans: 5-11
- New York Jets: 6-10
- Atlanta Falcons: 7-9
- Chicago Bears: 7-9
- Las Vegas Raiders: 7-9
- Minnesota Vikings: 7-9
- New Orleans Saints: 8-8
- Denver Broncos: 8-8
- Seattle Seahawks: 8-8
- Cincinnati Bengals: 8-8
- Arizona Cardinals (via Texans)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-7
- Green Bay Packers: 8-8
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-8
- Indianapolis Colts: 9-7
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 9-7
- Los Angeles Rams: 9-7
- Buffalo Bills: 10-6
- Kansas City Chiefs: 10-6
- Philadelphia Eagles: 11-5
- Detroit Lions: 11-5
- Houston Texans (via Browns)
- Miami Dolphins: 11-5
- Dallas Cowboys: 11-5
- San Francisco 49ers: 12-4
- Baltimore Ravens: 13-3
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/30/23
Here are today’s minor transactions and callups for the remainder of the Week 17 matchups:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: CB Bobby Price
- Elevated: WR Dan Chisena
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: OL John Leglue
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed to active roster: WR Laquon Treadwell
- Elevated: S Andrew Adams, OLB Jeremiah Moon
- Placed on IR: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: G J.D. DiRenzo, CB AJ Parker
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: WR Collin Johnson
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: DT Carl Davis, LB Buddy Johnson
Denver Broncos
- Signed to active roster: WR Michael Bandy
- Elevated: WR Phillip Dorsett, OLB Ronnie Perkins
- Placed on reserve/non-football illness list: RB Dwayne Washington
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: TE Anthony Firkser
- Elevated: DL Tyson Alualu, DE Bruce Irvin
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: LB Liam Anderson, WR Ethan Fernea
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: RB Keaontay Ingram, NT Mike Pennel
- Waived: DT Matt Dickerson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: DT Matthew Butler, TE Cole Fotheringham
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: WR Keelan Doss
- Elevated: DT Christopher Hinton, OL Austen Pleasants
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: OLB Melvin Ingram
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to active roster: DL T.J. Smith, LB Nick Vigil
- Elevated: WR Lucky Jackson, CB Jaylin Williams
- Placed on IR: LB Troy Dye
New England Patriots
- Elevated: TE Matt Sokol, OL Andrew Stueber
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: CB Shemar Jean-Charles
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: LB Darrian Beavers
- Elevated: K Mason Crosby, WR Dennis Houston
- Placed on IR: TE Lawrence Cager
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: LB Brandon Smith
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: LB Myles Jack, S Eric Rowe
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: S Erik Harris, WR Tay Martin
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: CB Derrek Pitts, TE David Wells
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: DT Ross Blacklock
- Elevated: LB Tae Crowder, CB Kendall Sheffield
- Placed on IR: TE Josh Whyle
Alualu is set to make his Lions debut after signing earlier this month. Given the injury issues Detroit has faced up front, the 36-year-old has the chance to see playing time through the close of the regular season and into the playoffs. Alualu expressed a desire to continue playing with the Steelers this offseason, but he remained a free agent deep into the year. His tenure in the Motor City could help boost his free agent stock if he wishes to remain in the league in 2024, though.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/29/23
Friday’s minor transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Claimed off waivers (from Lions): LB Trevor Nowaske
- Placed on IR: DE Jonathan Ledbetter (story)
Carolina Panthers
- Signed to active roster: G Gabe Jackson
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: DE Sam Kamara
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: K Michael Badgley
- Waived: FB Jason Cabinda
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: FB Jakob Johnson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to the active roster: LB Anthony Barr
Badgley has officially been tabbed as the leg to depend on for the remainder of the season as well as for the Lions’ first playoff run since 2016. Detroit waived Riley Patterson two weeks ago, allowing Badgley to stake his claim on the job once again.
The Cabinda departure is a little surprising, considering the Lions just utilized one of their injured reserve activations on the former linebacker yesterday. Because of that investment, it would make sense to see Cabinda return to Detroit on a practice squad deal here in the next few days.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/29/23
Today’s practice squad moves as we head into the weekend:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Michael Schofield
- Released: DT Chris Smith
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: TE John Samuel Shenker
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Nick Vigil
Vikings To Start QB Jaren Hall In Week 17
A decision has emerged with respect to Minnesota’s quarterback plans to close out the season. Head coach Kevin O’Connell announced on Thursday that Jaren Hall will start in Week 17. 
Signs pointed to another change under center in the aftermath of Nick Mullens throwing four interceptions in the Vikings’ loss last week. O’Connell acknowledged a decision would need to be made in the coming days, and first-team reps were split at practice to begin the week. Now, Hall will be entrusted with his second career start in a crucial game as it pertains to Minnesota’s playoff hopes.
In the wake of Kirk Cousins suffering an Achilles tear, the Vikings have struggled to find a consistent replacement at the QB spot. Mullens was injured at the time Cousins went down, which thrust Hall into action. The latter, a fifth-round rookie, suffered a concussion and was forced to exit his debut as a starter. That paved the way for Josh Dobbs to take over immediately upon arrival with the team after he was acquired at the trade deadline.
Dobbs enjoyed a surprising run at first, but his struggles led to Mullens being installed as the starter. The most experienced healthy option at the position, Mullens threw for over 700 yards in his two starts, both of which resulted in losses. A major reason for that was his six interceptions, something O’Connell referenced when making the announcement of the decision to return to Hall. In a pair of appearances this regular season, the BYU alum has thrown a total of 10 passes.
Despite that tangible lack of experience, Hall will be counted on to keep Minnesota in reach of a playoff position. Top spot in the NFC North is no longer attainable, but a wild-card berth is. The Vikings play the Packers on New Year’s Eve before a rematch with the Lions to close out the regular season. Sitting at 7-8 at the moment, Minnesota will need to win both to have a chance at a postseason appearance. Much of whether or not that is achieved will depend on the latest switch under center.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/27/23
Wednesday’s minor NFL transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to the active roster: DT Phil Hoskins
- Designated to return from IR: DT Leki Fotu
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: OLB Amare Barno
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed off Bengals’ practice squad: TE Zach Gentry
- Placed on IR: TE Jesper Horsted
- Waived: T Justin Herron
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on IR: TE T.J. Hockenson (story)
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: T Matt Pryor
- Designated to return from IR: WR Danny Gray
- Waived: RB Jeremy McNichols
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Designated to return from IR: DL Mike Greene
Washington Commanders
- Designated to return from IR: LB De’Jon Harris
Updated 2024 NFL Draft Order
While the Panthers, Cardinals and Commanders continued their losing ways in Week 16, the Patriots’ effort in Denver shook up the top of the 2024 draft. New England has dropped from second to fourth in the ’24 order.
In a strange spot in which Broncos fans and and undoubtedly many Pats supporters wanted the Russell Wilson-driven comeback to succeed, Chad Ryland‘s 56-yard game-winning field goal dropped New England out of the No. 2 spot, injecting doubt about the team’s ability to nab a top-flight QB prospect without trading up next year.
The Bears (via the Panthers) remain atop the table, holding a one-game lead on the Cardinals. Carolina closes its season with two games against eight-win teams — the Jaguars and Buccaneers. Arizona will face Philadelphia and Seattle, and with Carolina’s strength of schedule at .522 and Arizona’s at .561, the draft-order tiebreaker reaffirms the Bears’ placement on the doorstep of entering a second straight offseason holding a No. 1 overall pick. The Justin Fields matter remains an important big-picture NFL topic, but GM Ryan Poles is close to having his pick of the 2024 QB prospects.
It is not clear if the Commanders will be interested in a quarterback in the first round, but they will have a new regime running the show. The last time Washington held a top-three pick (2020), it passed on Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert due to having drafted Dwayne Haskins in the 2019 first round. With Sam Howell struggling as of late, Josh Harris‘ next set of decision-makers may want to bring in their own prospect. The Cardinals could stand in the Commanders’ way, via another trade in the top three, but suddenly Washington could be a player for a 2024 first-round QB.
Ahead of Week 17, here is how the 2024 draft order looks:
- Chicago Bears (via Panthers)
- Arizona Cardinals: 3-12
- Washington Commanders: 4-11
- New England Patriots: 4-11
- New York Giants: 5-10
- Los Angeles Chargers: 5-10
- Tennessee Titans: 5-10
- Chicago Bears: 6-9
- New York Jets: 6-9
- Atlanta Falcons: 7-8
- New Orleans Saints: 7-8
- Green Bay Packers: 7-8
- Las Vegas Raiders: 7-8
- Denver Broncos: 7-8
- Minnesota Vikings: 7-8
- Arizona Cardinals (via Texans)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-7
- Cincinnati Bengals: 8-7
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-7
- Indianapolis Colts: 8-7
- Seattle Seahawks: 8-7
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 8-7
- Los Angeles Rams: 8-7
- Buffalo Bills: 9-6
- Kansas City Chiefs: 9-6
- Dallas Cowboys: 10-5
- Houston Texans (via Browns)
- Detroit Lions: 11-4
- Miami Dolphins: 11-4
- Philadelphia Eagles: 11-4
- San Francisco 49ers: 11-4
- Baltimore Ravens: 12-3