Minor NFL Transactions: 10/8/22
Here are the roster moves for today, leading into gameday tomorrow. Reminder that gameday elevations will revert to the practice squad after this weekend’s games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: CB Antonio Hamilton
- Signed to active roster: WR Andre Baccellia
- Promoted from practice squad: K Matt Ammendola, S Chris Banjo
- Placed on IR: LB Nick Vigil
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted from practice squad: TE MyCole Pruitt
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed to active roster: CB Daryl Worley
- Promoted from practice squad: OLB Brandon Copeland
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on IR: WR Jamison Crowder
- Signed to active roster: WR Isaiah Hodgins, CB Ja’Marcus Ingram
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Tanner Gentry, LB Joe Giles-Harris
- Waived: DT Brandin Bryant
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted from practice squad: S Marquise Blair, WR Derek Wright
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from IR: CB Cam Taylor-Britt
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Tyler Shelvin
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Dakota Allen, WR Chester Rogers
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Carlos Watkins, LS Matt Overton
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: WR Maurice Alexander, CB AJ Parker
- Promoted from practice squad: K Michael Badgley, CB Saivion Smith
- Placed on IR: WR Quintez Cephus
Houston Texans
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Jordan Akins, TE Mason Schreck
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Corey Peters
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Michael Bandy, K Taylor Bertolet
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: S Jordan Fuller, OL Coleman Shelton
- Signed to active roster: RB Malcolm Brown
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Jacob Harris, C Matt Skura
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted from practice squad: T Brandon Shell
- Activated from IR: S Clayton Fejedelem
- Placed on IR: TE Cethan Carter
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to active roster: S Myles Dorn
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Dan Chisena, TE Nick Muse
- Placed on IR: TE Ben Ellefson
New England Patriots
- Activated from IR: WR Tyquan Thornton
- Promoted from practice squad: QB Garrett Gilbert, TE Matt Sokol
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: CB Bryce Thompson
- Promoted from practice squad: S Chris Harris, WR Keith Kirkwood
- Placed on IR: CB P.J. Williams
- Waived: RB Tony Jones Jr.
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: S Tony Jefferson
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Marcus Johnson, QB Davis Webb
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: T Duane Brown
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Hamsah Nasirildeen
- Placed on IR: OL Max Mitchell
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Andre Chachere, K Cameron Dicker
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed to active roster: OLB Ryan Anderson
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Josh Jackson, S Elijah Riley
- Waived: DE David Anenih
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from IR: S Jimmie Ward
- Signed to active roster: LB Akeem Spence
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Malik Turner, RB Tevin Coleman
- Placed on IR: OL Colton McKivitz
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Cullen Gillaspia, LB Christian Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Kaylon Geiger, WR Deven Thompkins
Washington Commanders
- Activated from IR: OL Tyler Larsen
- Placed on IR: LB Milo Eifler
Patriots Place QB Brian Hoyer On IR
Brian Hoyer suffered a concussion during the first half of New England’s Week 4 game in Green Bay. The Patriots are placing their backup quarterback on IR, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. A concussion sending a player to IR, rather than the team having him go through the protocol on a week-to-week basis, is a somewhat rare move. But that is the path the Pats will take with the 14th-year veteran passer.
This will sideline the Patriots’ backup quarterback for at least four games. Head injuries obviously call for concern, and a report earlier Thursday indicated Hoyer was unlikely to clear concussion protocol in time for the Pats’ Week 5 contest. This will leave the Patriots shorthanded at quarterback, with Mac Jones amid another uphill battle to play after suffering a sprained ankle.
Jones sustained what is believed to be a severe high ankle sprain on the final Pats offensive play against the Ravens in Week 3, leading to Hoyer’s spot start last week. Hoyer being forced out of the Lambeau Field matchup brought in fourth-round rookie Bailey Zappe, who will be set to make his first NFL start if Jones cannot return in time. Zappe will soon be in position to be Jones’ primary backup.
Jones is viewed as likelier to make a legitimate charge toward returning in Week 6 (against the Browns), but he has gotten in two limited practices this week. That keeps the door open for a surprisingly quick re-emergence. For Hoyer, this is a tough development so late in his career. Despite the veteran passer being far removed from his Texans playoff season (2015), the Pats have prioritized their multi-stint backup.
Hoyer, who will turn 37 next week, began his career with New England as a 2009 UDFA. After the Cleveland-area native began a journeyman career as a backup/frequent starter — one that also included a notable 2014 stretch in his home town — Hoyer re-signed with the Pats after the Jimmy Garoppolo trade in 2017. Garoppolo effectively took Hoyer’s 49ers roster spot, but Tom Brady‘s former backup reprised his old role over the next 1 1/2 seasons, collecting a Super Bowl ring in the process. Following Hoyer’s 2019 Colts campaign, the Pats brought him back. In New England stint No. 3, Hoyer has backed up Jones and Cam Newton. Hoyer’s current contract (two years, $4MM) runs through 2023.
New England signed Garrett Gilbert to its practice squad this week. If Jones is unable to go, the team will likely be forced to turn to a Zappe-Gilbert QB depth chart against the Lions.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/5/22
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: G Koda Martin
- Placed on IR: OL Lachavious Simmons
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DT Jaleel Johnson
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Bailey Gaither
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: S Richard LeCounte III
Detroit Lions
- Signed: K Michael Badgley
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Davion Davis, TE Nick Eubanks
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR Dezmon Patmon
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Keelan Doss
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: S Mike Brown
New England Patriots
- Signed: OT Sebastian Gutierrez
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DB Bryce Thompson, WR Kevin White
New York Giants
- Signed: OL Solomon Kindley
- Released: RB Antonio Williams
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Willie Snead
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: C Joey Hunt
- Released: CB Quandre Mosely
Washington Commanders
- Signed: T Christian DiLauro
- Released: CB Troy Apke
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/5/22
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Designated to return: CB Antonio Hamilton, QB Colt McCoy, WR Antoine Wesley
Atlanta Falcons
- Designated to return: CB Isaiah Oliver
Cincinnati Bengals
- Designated to return: DE Khalid Kareem, CB Cam Taylor-Britt
Cleveland Browns
- Designated to return: CB Greedy Williams
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed to active roster: QB Will Grier
- Activated from IR: LB Damone Clark
- Placed on IR: LS Jake McQuaide
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: WR Tom Kennedy
- Designated to return: CB Jerry Jacobs, DE Josh Paschal
Miami Dolphins
- Designated to return: S Clayton Fejedelem
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DL Khyiris Tonga
- Waived: LB Ryan Connelly
New England Patriots
- Signed to active roster: OT Marcus Cannon
- Designated to return: WR Tyquan Thornton
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: TE J.P. Holtz
- Designated to return: DL Malcolm Roach
Philadelphia Eagles
- Designated to return: OT Andre Dillard
Seattle Seahawks
- Designated to return: DE L.J. Collier
Tennessee Titans
- Designated to return: LB Monty Rice
Washington Commanders
- Designated to return: C Tyler Larsen
A number of players who were placed on IR after the preseason and prior to the regular season returned to practice today. These players will have a three-week practice window until they have to be activated to the active roster. Otherwise, they’ll be ineligible to return this season.
One of the most surprising returns is Cardinals cornerback Antonio Hamilton. The former undrafted free agent rode a strong preseason to a potential starting gig, but he was sidelined with second-degree burns after spilling hot oil on his legs and feet. Kliff Kingsbury previously said an early-October return may be a “little aggressive” (per ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss on Twitter), but the cornerback ended up working his way back to practice.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/4/22
Today’s practice squad moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB Jordan Miller, DT Justin Zimmer
- Released DT C.J. Brewer, DT Prince Emili
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DL Jalyn Holmes
- Released: K Michael Badgley
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DE Sam Kamara
- Released: DE Curtis Weaver
Detroit Lions
- Signed: TE Shane Zylstra
Houston Texans
- Signed: Davion Davis
- Released: WR Chris Conley
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released: WR Corey Coleman
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Blake Martinez
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: WR Travis Toivonen, DL Jaylen Twyman
New England Patriots
- Signed: QB Garrett Gilbert
- Released: WR Laquon Treadwell
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DB Jordan Brown, RB Adam Prentice
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: K Cameron Dicker
- Released: TE Dalton Keene
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: OL Ryan McCollum, DB Scott Nelson
- Released: P Jordan Berry, WR Jaquarii Roberson
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: CB Quandre Mosely
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DB Shyheim Carter, RB Julius Chestnut
- Released: OL Christian DiLauro
Washington Commanders
- Signed: G Keaton Sutherland
- Released: C Jon Toth
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/3/22
Here’s the practice squad moves from around the league today:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Cornell Armstrong
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DT Eli Ankou
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DE Sam Kamara
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: WR Marcus Kemp
- Placed on reserve/suspended: RB Jerrion Ealy
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: QB Reid Sinnett
New England Patriots
- Released: LB Harvey Langi
New York Giants
- Signed: LB A.J. Klein
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: G Tyrese Robinson
Patriots Sign LB Jamie Collins
Jamie Collins is set to begin a fourth stint in New England. The Patriots are expected to sign the veteran linebacker either, reports ESPN’s Mike Reiss (Twitter link). Collins’ agent has confirmed the deal. It is a practice squad agreement. 
The 32-year-old found himself on the Patriots’ radar once again last month, when he visited the team on a workout. That came weeks after he did the same with the Raiders, whose coaching staff includes a number of ex-New England personnel. Collins has elected to take the familiar route of reuniting with Bill Belichick.
A Patriots second-rounder in 2013, the Southern Mississippi alum earned Pro Bowl honors for the only time in his career two years later. By the following season, however, he was in Cleveland, where he remained until 2018. A one-year return to Foxborough earned him another lucrative free agent deal, this time from the Lions.
That contract — like his Browns one — was terminated prematurely, however. Free to rejoin the Patriots once again, Collins started two of his 10 appearances with the team last season. He made just 20 tackles in New England, a figure which fell well short of his 101 stops the previous season.
The Patriots lost veterans Kyle Van Noy and Dont’a Hightower during free agency this offseason, leaving the team thin in at the second level. Ja’Whaun Bentley has seen an increase in workload over the past two weeks, with Jahlani Tavai taking on a starter’s role during yesterday’s loss to the Packers. The team also has Raekwon McMillan and Mack Wilson available as depth at the position, so it will be interesting to see what kind of role Collins assumes for the remainder of the season.
Patriots QB Brian Hoyer Out For Game With Head Injury
The Patriots were forced to turn to veteran backup quarterback Brian Hoyer with second-year starter Mac Jones out this week after injuring his ankle in the team’s loss to the Ravens. After suffering an injury in his first start since Week 4 of the 2020 season, though, Hoyer has been ruled out for the remainder of the game with a head injury. 
On just his second series as the starting quarterback, Hoyer took a hard hit on a sack from Packers linebacker Rashan Gary and left the game to be evaluated with a head injury. Hoyer had looked good in his limited time, completing five of his six pass attempts for 37 yards before getting knocked out of the game.
With Jones and Hoyer ruled out, New England was forced to turn to its fourth-round pick from this year’s draft, Bailey Zappe. The rookie out of Western Kentucky is truly the Patriots’ only option as even their emergency quarterback, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, is out today with a knee injury.
The former Hilltopper faces the daunting task of beating the Packers in his first bit of NFL playing time. So far, Zappe has been up to the task becoming the first quarterback from the 2022 NFL Draft class to throw an NFL touchdown. Both Titans’ rookie quarterback Malik Willis and Steelers’ rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett were allotted playing time before Zappe, but it was Zappe who cashed in with his arm first (Pickett had two rushing touchdowns in today’s loss to the Jets).
Even if Zappe leads the Patriots to an upset victory over the Packers, he likely won’t be asked to man the starting job for long. Despite the apparent severity of Jones’ initial injury, Jones has refused to accept an extended absence, seeking a second opinion on his diagnosis and teasing fans not to count him out for this week’s game before being ruled out. Hoyer’s injury shouldn’t keep him out for very long either, unless it’s an especially severe head injury.
If they are forced to move forward with Zappe, the next few games could be manageable as they don’t face a single team currently over .500 until after their bye week. If Jones and Hoyer are out for multiple weeks, Zappe would be in line to start against the Lions next Sunday and the Browns the following week.
It also would not be a surprise to see New England sign a quarterback to their practice squad this week. The Patriots will need someone to back up Zappe with even Meyers on the injured list.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/1/22
Today’s minor moves around the league, including practice squad elevations for tomorrow’s action:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: S Chris Banjo, WR Andre Baccellia
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: RB Caleb Huntley
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed to active roster: CB Kevon Seymour
- Promoted: LB Brandon Copeland, T David Sharpe
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted: DT Prince Emili
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: S Marquise Blair
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: K Michael Badgley, RB Darrynton Evans (story)
- Released from IR: CB Michael Joseph
Cleveland Browns
- Signed to active roster: TE Miller Forristall
- Promoted: DL Roderick Perry, DE Curtis Weaver
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: QB Will Grier
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: WR Kendall Hinton, G Netane Muti
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: T Dan Skipper, K Dominik Eberle
- Promoted: WRs Tom Kennedy, Maurice Alexander
- Waived: TE Shane Zylstra, G Drew Forbes
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: CB Kiondre Thomas
- Placed on NFI list: T Caleb Jones
Houston Texans
- Signed to active roster: S Grayland Arnold
- Promoted: TEs Jordan Akins, Mason Schreck
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: K Chase McLaughlin, DT Chris Williams
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: OL Darryl Williams, LB Ty Summers
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: LB Elijah Lee, K Matthew Wright (story)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: G Alex Bars
- Promoted: CBs Nickell Robey-Coleman, Javelin Guidry
- Waived: T Jackson Barton
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: WR Michael Bandy
New England Patriots
- Promoted: T Marcus Cannon
- Placed on IR: T Yodny Cajuste
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: QB Jake Luton
- Promoted: RB Latavius Murray, TE J.P. Holtz
- Waived: FB Adam Prentice
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: LB Jaylon Smith
- Promoted: WR Marcus Johnson, DT Henry Mondeaux
New York Jets
- Promoted: LB Hamsah Nasirildeen, OL Grant Hermanns
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed to active roster: WR Britain Covey
- Promoted: S Andre Chachere
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: LB Ryan Anderson, CB Josh Jackson
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: LB Cullen Gillaspia
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: WR Cole Beasley
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: OL Jordan Roos
- Promoted: LB Joe Schobert, DB Theo Jackson
- Waived: RB Julius Chestnut
Washington Commanders
- Promoted: OL Wes Martin
- Placed on IR: OL Wes Schweitzer (story)
Patriots Rule Out Mac Jones For Week 4; Brian Hoyer To Start
After suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 3, Mac Jones was not expected to play this week. He will not; the Patriots ruled him out for their Week 4 game in Green Bay.
Brian Hoyer will get the call against the Packers. This will be Hoyer’s 40th career start. Despite his extensive history with the Patriots, Sunday will mark only the veteran’s second start with the team.
Jones did not log an official practice this week, though the Pats quarterback was present at the team’s Friday workout. Bill Belichick repeatedly called the 2021 first-rounder “day to day,” but the young passer is believed to be battling a severe high ankle sprain — one that could sideline him for multiple games. Thus, it was expected throughout the week Hoyer would get the call. Jones made a strong effort to play through this issue Sunday, but NFL.com’s Mike Giardi notes the Alabama product continues to walk with a “noticeable limp” (Twitter link).
Hoyer, 36, has made some memorable contributions as a pro. The Cleveland-area native had the Browns in playoff contention late in the 2014 season, one that came mostly without Josh Gordon, and replaced Ryan Mallett early in the 2015 campaign to steer the Texans to an AFC South title. The former UDFA threw 19 touchdown passes compared to just seven interceptions that season. But Hoyer is far removed from his best NFL days; he is 1-12 as a starter since that Houston season. That win came for the 2016 Bears.
The Patriots have nevertheless circled back to Hoyer on multiple occasions. Adding him as a 2009 UDFA, the Pats kept Hoyer around for three seasons. They then re-signed him in 2017, after having traded Jimmy Garoppolo to the 49ers. Hoyer began that season as San Francisco’s stopgap starter but finished it as Tom Brady‘s backup. After the Colts signed Hoyer to back up Jacoby Brissett in 2019, in the wake of the surprise Andrew Luck retirement, the Pats brought him back for the 2020 season. Hoyer backed up Cam Newton in 2020 and was Jones’ QB2 last season.
Hoyer’s experience aside, this is a clear setback during a Patriots season themed around Jones’ development. This will be Jones’ first missed start as a pro. The former national championship-winning QB sustained his injury on the final play of the Patriots’ loss to the Ravens; Jones was unable to put any weight on his injured leg after the malady occurred. Despite seeking out a second opinion this week, Jones will be shelved.
A multigame Jones absence would stand to affect the Pats’ preparations going forward; they face the Lions in Week 5 and the Browns in Week 6. Hoyer struggles would open the door to rookie Bailey Zappe, who is coming off a record-setting season (62 touchdown passes) at Western Kentucky. There are no quarterbacks on New England’s practice squad.