Minor NFL Transactions: 7/28/25
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Keni-H Lovely
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from non-football injury list: LB Jake Hummel
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Deon Cain
- Waived: CB Daryl Porter Jr.
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from active/NFI list: DT Bobby Brown, P Sam Martin
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB Toa Taua
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Nick Whiteside
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from active/NFI list: OL Elgton Jenkins
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT Josh Tupou
- Placed on IR: OT Jack Wilson
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: RB Nate Noel
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from active/PUP list: LB Chaz Chambliss
New England Patriots
- Activated from active/NFI list: S Josh Minkins
New Orleans Saints
- Released: OT Josh Ball
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/retired list: RB Zach Evans
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: WR Quintez Cephus
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Donovan Kaufman
- Placed on IR: RB Kenny McIntosh (story)
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Ramel Keyton
Jenkins, who switched to center this offseason, was dealing with a back injury in training camp and participated in a limited capacity on Monday, per USA Today’s Ryan Wood.
Evans, a sixth-round pick by the Rams in 2023, played in 10 games as a rookie but didn’t make the 53-man roster in 2024. He joined the Jets’ practice squad in December and signed a reserve/futures contract in January, but opted to retire instead.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/23/25
With several training camps underway, here are today’s minor NFL transactions:
Baltimore Ravend
- Placed on active/NFI list: LB Jake Hummel
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on active/NFI list: WR Laviska Shenault
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Tre Swilling
- Waived: QB Ethan Garbers
Chicago Bears
- Released: S Tarvarius Moore
Cleveland Browns
- Claimed off waivers (from Eagles): DE K.J. Henry
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from active/PUP list: CB Micah Robinson, LB Quay Walker
Houston Texans
- Placed on active/PUP list: DE Denico Autry, DE Derek Barnett, C Eli Cox, DT Foley Fatukasi, DT Kurt Hinish, LB K.C. Ossai, RB Dameon Pierce, RB J.J. Taylor
- Placed on active/NFI list: CB Alijah Huzzie, RB Joe Mixon
- Waived: CB Keydrain Calligan
Los Angeles Chargers
- Reverted to reserve/PUP list: T Savion Washington
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on active/PUP list: WR Tru Edwards, TE Mark Redman
New England Patriots
- Activated from active/PUP list: LB Jahlani Tavai
- Activated from active/NFI list: CB Carlton Davis, WR Jeremiah Webb
New York Giants
- Reverted to reserve/PUP list: S Anthony Johnson
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Samuel Jackson
- Activated from active/NFI list: LB Aaron Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DT Joe Evans
- Placed on active/PUP list: LB Nakobe Dean
- Waived (with injury designation): OL Marcus Tate
Seattle Seahawks
- Placed on active/NFI list: DT Johnathan Hankins
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DT Timmy Horne, RB Jermar Jefferson
- Place on IR: QB Will Levis (story)
- Placed on reserve/retired list: OLB Lorenzo Carter (story)
Washington Commanders
- Signed: WR Tay Martin
- Placed on active/PUP list: G Sam Cosmi (story)
- Placed on reserve/did not report list: WR Terry McLaurin (story)
Houston fans may be discouraged to see a few big names on injured lists, but all is not lost. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 tells us that Mixon’s “medical outlook is positive” as the team plans to gradually increase his activity throughout camp. Likewise, Autry is expected to ease his way back into camp workouts, as well. Pierce, on the other hand, is expected to be ready to come off the list at the start of camp.
Per ESPN’s John Keim, Cosmi likely won’t see much time on the field in camp, but he appears to be hitting all the mile markers en route to being healthy for the start of the regular season. With McLaurin officially beginning his holdout yesterday, the team has made the corresponding roster move. McLaurin will rack up fines of $50K per each day missed, but if the team can come to terms on an extension, they can make sure those fines are nullified.
Patriots WR Stefon Diggs Receives Full Medical Clearance
With training camp approaching, it remained to be seen if Stefon Diggs would be moved to the physically unable to perform list due to his ACL recovery. The free agent addition was not among the players New England recently placed on the PUP list, however, suggesting he would be good to go for padded practices. 
Indeed, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports Diggs has been cleared for full participation in training camp. The four-time Pro Bowler was limited in spring practices and noted last month that his recovery was not yet complete. The final stages of the rehab process have clearly taken place without issue, though, meaning Diggs will be a welcomed presence leading up to the regular season.
The Patriots were understandably in the market for a notable receiver addition this offseason given the nature of their depth chart at that spot in 2024. Diggs – whose Texans run ended in Week 8 when he tore his ACL – signed a three-year, $63.5MM deal to return to the AFC East. Expectations will be high for him as the team’s No. 1 receiver with quarterback Drake Maye entering Year 2 in the NFL. Diggs’ opening months as a Patriot were not without controversy, but with the team committed to him, he will spend the summer working his way back to his pre-injury form.
Diggs topped 1,000 yards every year from 2018-23, and he would have had a strong chance of continuing that streak last season if he had remained healthy. The 31-year-old’s 62 receiving yards per game were, on the other hand, his lowest since the 2017 campaign. Questions will be asked about Diggs’ ability to handle WR1 duties at this stage of his career, but providing Maye with a veteran pass-catching option should be highly valuable as the Patriots look to take a needed step forward on offense.
New England also has the likes of Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte and Javon Baker in the fold entering camp. 2024 second-rounder Ja’Lynn Polk‘s performances will be worth watching given his uncertain roster status, but another storyline to follow will be Diggs and how he fares with a clean bill of health.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/20/25
Here are today’s minor NFL moves to close out the weekend:
Chicago Bears
- Activated from active/NFI: QB Case Keenum
Denver Broncos
- Placed on active/PUP: WR A.T. Perry
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from active/PUP: WR Jaylen Johnson, S Elijah Molden
New England Patriots
- Signed: DT David Olajiga
Olajiga, a London native, joins the roster as part of the NFL’s International Pathway Program. The 27-year-old spent the 2024 season on the Rams’ practice squad as an IPP athlete, as well, but didn’t find his way to the field.
Keenum, Johnson, and Molden all passed physicals today, permitting their respective teams to active them off of their injured lists.
Patriots Would Be Interested In Trading For Commanders WR Terry McLaurin
The Patriots’ long-running search for a proven wideout to pair with second-year quarterback Drake Maye culminated in a three-year, $69MM deal for Stefon Diggs in March. Despite having Diggs in the fold, New England would be in the market for another accomplished pass catcher if he becomes available.
That pass catcher is Commanders WR Terry McLaurin, who is entering the final year of his current contract and who is seeking an extension from Washington. The Ohio State product has expressed frustration with the lack of progress in that regard, and he recently indicated no talks have taken place in the last month.
In a recent appearance on Arbella Early Edition (video link), Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer confirms there have not been many recent discussions between the Commanders and McLaurin’s camp. He does expect the team to “take a swing” at resolving the matter in short order, but if McLaurin were to become available via trade, Breer says the Patriots would be interested.
McLaurin, who is entering his age-30 season, has been a model of consistency for Washington since entering the league as a third-round pick in 2019. Following a 14-game rookie slate in which he recorded 919 yards and seven scores, he has exceeded the 1,000-yard threshold in each of the last five seasons and has enjoyed perfect attendance in each of the last four. He also upped his touchdown production in 2024, finding paydirt a career-high 13 times with Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels under center.
Washington’s Daniels-led outfit is coming off an NFC Championship Game appearance, and given McLaurin’s importance to the team, a trade would qualify as a major surprise. It is nonetheless notable that New England would consider adding the two-time Pro Bowler, which would require trading draft capital and authorizing a second lucrative WR accord.
With over $60MM in cap space and a rookie-contract QB1, the Pats could certainly afford such a move from a financial perspective. And, while Diggs and the team have seemingly moved beyond an offseason incident that momentarily triggered release rumors, he will turn 32 in November and is still working his way back from a torn ACL that prematurely ended his 2024 campaign (though he did avoid placement on the PUP list to start training camp).
Another new addition to the WR room, Mack Hollins, did land on the active/PUP list, and outside of promising slot target DeMario Douglas, the rest of the depth chart is comprised of unproven and/or uninspiring options. Between that reality and McLaurin’s blend of strong performance and strong character – an important trait for head coach Mike Vrabel – it is easy to see the appeal in a possible trade.
Still, it is a big jump from stalled extension talks to the trade of a franchise cornerstone. It remains to be seen if the Commanders will seriously entertain that notion.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/19/25
Saturday’s minor moves around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DT Kyon Barrs
Chicago Bears
- Placed on active/NFI list: CB Jaylon Johnson, QB Case Keenum, WR Jahdae Walker, RB Ian Wheeler
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on active/PUP list: TE Erick All
- Placed on active/NFI list: C Seth McLaughlin
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on active/PUP list: LB Dennis Gardeck
New England Patriots
- Placed on active/PUP list: WR Mack Hollins, TE Austin Hooper, OT Vederian Lowe, LB Jahlani Tavai
- Placed on active/NFI list: CB Carlton Davis, S Josh Minkins, WR Jeremiah Webb
New York Jets
- Placed on active/PUP list: DE Jermaine Johnson, WR Irvin Charles
- Placed on active/NFI list: LB Aaron Smith
Washington Commanders
- Placed on active/NFI list: T Timothy McKay
The Cardinals were one of the two teams Barrs visited yesterday. His free agent workout clearly went well, and he will look to carve out a roster spot during training camp. Barrs, a former UDFA, has yet to make a regular season appearance.
Every player on a PUP or NFI list can be activated at any time, but their designations mean they are not cleared to practice at the start of their respective training camps. Notably, the Patriots’ list of PUP players does not include Stefon Diggs. The free agent addition was a candidate to begin camp on the PUP list, but New England’s decision to keep him on the active roster is an encouraging sign regarding his ACL recovery.
The Jets are taking a cautious approach with Jermaine Johnson, as the former first-rounder confirmed on X. An Achilles tear limited him to two games last year, but the Pro Bowler said on Saturday he is ready for on-field work. Activation well in advance of Week 1 should be expected in his case.
Patriots Give Second-Round RB TreVeyon Henderson Fully Guaranteed Deal
When the 49ers were able to break the standstill on second-round rookies signing deals, a flurry of second-round signings was sure to follow, but it wasn’t expected to affect the second-rounders up top who were hoping to bargain for a fully guaranteed deal based off Saints quarterback Tyler Shough‘s lead. Lo and behold, Shough remains unsigned, yet the guaranteed deals are flowing in for the picks above him, the latest of which is Ohio State second-round running back TreVeyon Henderson, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 
Henderson arrived in Columbus as a five-star recruit out of Hopewell HS (VA), the top running back recruit in the country. As a true freshman, Henderson was immediately RB1 in an offense featuring C.J. Stroud at quarterback and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Emeka Egbuka at receiver. In Year 1, Henderson led the rushing offense with 1,248 yards on 183 carries with 15 touchdowns on the ground, adding 312 yards and four more scores on 27 receptions.
2022 saw Henderson limited to only eight games after suffering a fractured sesamoid bone, which reportedly split into three and tore ligaments and tendons around the bone. He came back with vengeance in his junior year, rebounding with a solid 926 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, while missing three more games with injury. Despite a lightened load in 2024 with the arrival of fellow second-round pick Quinshon Judkins, Henderson improved his numbers from the prior year. Judkins led the team with 194 carries, 1,060 yards, and 14 touchdowns, but on 50 fewer carries, Henderson still put up 1,016 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Henderson deserves a lot of credit for how he handled himself in his four years with the Buckeyes. After having the stellar freshman All-American season, getting derailed by a major injury, and pushing through more injury as a junior, Henderson could’ve been intimidated by the arrival of Judkins from Ole Miss and ceded the offense to the newcomer. Instead, Henderson pushed Judkins every step of the way, making sure Judkins knew that they were sharing the starting role. His faith, maturity, and unselfishness made him an easy choice for team captain last year.
At 5-foot-10, 200+ pounds, Henderson is a stout runner who tends more to seek contact than make tacklers miss, though he does have a few good moves. He tends to always find tacklers off-center, allowing him to fall forward for extra yards. He’s a tough runner with great hands, highlighted by only two fumbles in four years, both of which came in his first two years and both of which didn’t result in turnovers.
In New England, Henderson will once again work in a committee, joining Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson in the Patriots backfield. The Patriots are no strangers to the running-back-by-committee approach, and Henderson should blend in well with the group. He could end up being an upgrade at RB2 over Gibson or even take over starting duties over Stevenson, or the three could form a three-headed attack that feeds the offense for young quarterback Drake Maye.
With Henderson being the last of the Patriots’ 11 rookies to sign his entry contract, the class is now complete. Here’s a final look at New England’s 2025 rookie draft class:
- Round 1, No. 4: Will Campbell (T, LSU) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 38: TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 69: Kyle Williams (WR, Washington State) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 95 (from Chiefs): Jared Wilson (C, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 106: Craig Woodson (S, Cal) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 137 (from Seahawks)*: Joshua Farmer (DT, Florida State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 146 (from Patriots): Bradyn Swinson (OLB, LSU) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 182 (from Jaguars through Lions): Andres Borregales (K, Miami) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 220: Marcus Bryant (T, Missouri) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 251 (from Chiefs)*: Julian Ashby (LS, Vanderbilt) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 257 (from Chiefs)*: Kobee Minor (CB, Memphis) (signed)
Patriots WR Stefon Diggs To Start Season On PUP?
Both the Patriots and Stefon Diggs have seemingly moved on from an early-summer video that had new head coach Mike Vrabel imploring his players to make “great decisions.” Soon, focus will turn to the practice field, but it’s still uncertain how much the veteran receiver will be involved in August workouts.
As Diggs continues to work his way back from a torn ACL, Chad Graff of The Athletic writes that the wideout will likely open camp by “working on the side.” Graff adds that Diggs has been expected to start the regular season on the physically unable to perform list, but the acquisition’s spring performance has sparked optimism that he could be ready to go for Week 1.
Despite a knee injury prematurely ending Diggs’ lone season with the Texans, the former All-Pro receiver still garnered a three-year, $63.5MM deal from the Patriots in free agency. While the 2025 campaign will represent Diggs’ age-32 season, the Patriots are expecting the addition to elevate both their receivers room and second-year QB Drake Maye.
As Graff writes, Diggs impressed during minicamp. The receiver was lauded for mentoring the team’s younger wideouts, and his performance hinted that he could be ahead of schedule in his rehab. A video from May showed the wideout flashing an “unidentified pink substance” while partying on a boat, leading to speculation that the Patriots could look to bail early from the partnership. Instead, the Patriots decided to hang on to their free agent signing.
A stint on the PUP list would mean Diggs is forced to miss at least the first four games of the upcoming season. That would buy the Patriots some time as they navigate their relatively deep receivers corps. Diggs, Mack Hollins, and rookie third-round pick Kyle Williams have been described as the only definitively safe players on the depth chart, although holdover DeMario Douglas is also expected to secure a roster spot.
As a result, the likes of Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, 2024 second-round pick Ja’Lynn Polk, and 2024 fourth-round pick Javon Baker would be fighting for at most two roster spots. A Diggs absence would allow the Patriots to temporarily retain another WR, although the team would surely prefer their new WR1 is ready for the start of the regular season.
Players To Spend Season On Franchise Tag Since 2015
The Chiefs and Trey Smith have just less than 48 hours to agree on a long-term extension; otherwise, the Pro Bowl guard will play on the franchise tag and negotiations will be tabled until 2026. That is 2025’s only tag situation as the July 15 deadline approaches.
Over the previous 10 offseasons, 77 players received the franchise tag. Many of those signed extensions before the midsummer deadline. Here are the players who did not and ended up playing the season for the tag price:
2015
- Jason Pierre-Paul, DE (Giants): $3MM
Pierre-Paul’s infamous fireworks accident led to Giants rescinding $14.8MM tag, setting up revised agreement
2016
- Eric Berry, S (Chiefs): $10.81MM
- Kirk Cousins, QB (Washington): $19.95MM
- Alshon Jeffery, WR (Bears): $14.6MM
- Trumaine Johnson, CB (Rams): $13.95MM
2017
- Le’Veon Bell, RB (Steelers): $12.12MM
- Kirk Cousins, QB (Washington): $22.94MM
- Trumaine Johnson, CB (Rams): $16.74MM
2018
- Ziggy Ansah, DE (Lions): $17.14MM
- Le’Veon Bell, RB (Steelers): $14.54MM
- Lamarcus Joyner, S (Rams): $11.29MM
- DeMarcus Lawrence, DE (Cowboys): $17.14MM
Bell did not collect any money on his 2018 tag, being the 21st century’s lone franchise-tagged player to skip season
2019
- Jadeveon Clowney, LB (Seahawks): $15MM
Texans applied $15.9MM linebacker tag on Clowney, trading him to Seahawks in August 2019; edge rusher agreed to salary reduction upon being dealt
2020
- Shaquil Barrett, LB (Buccaneers): $15.83MM
- Bud Dupree, LB (Steelers): $15.83MM
- A.J. Green, WR (Bengals): $17.97MM
- Anthony Harris, S (Vikings): $11.44MM
- Hunter Henry, TE (Chargers): $10.61MM
- Matt Judon, DE/LB (Ravens): $16.81MM
- Yannick Ngakoue, LB (Vikings/Ravens): $12MM
- Dak Prescott, QB (Cowboys): $31.41MM
- Brandon Scherff, G (Washington): $15MM
- Justin Simmons, S (Broncos): $11.44MM
- Joe Thuney, G (Patriots): $14.78MM
- Leonard Williams, DT (Giants): $16.13MM
Ravens, Judon agreed on compromise between defensive end, linebacker tag prices. Ngakoue agreed to salary reduction to facilitate trade from Jaguars. Vikings traded edge rusher to Ravens before 2020 deadline. Prescott received exclusive franchise tag from Cowboys.
2021
- Chris Godwin, WR (Buccaneers): $15.98MM
- Marcus Maye, S (Jets): $10.61MM
- Allen Robinson, WR (Bears): $17.98MM
- Cam Robinson, LT (Jaguars): $13.75MM
- Brandon Scherff, G (Washington): $18MM
- Marcus Williams, S (Saints): $10.61MM
2022
- Jessie Bates, S (Bengals): $12.91MM
- Orlando Brown Jr., T (Chiefs): $16.66MM
- Mike Gesicki, TE (Dolphins): $10.93MM
- Dalton Schultz, TE (Cowboys): $10.93MM
2023
- Saquon Barkley, RB (Giants): $10.1MM
- Josh Jacobs, RB (Raiders): $11.79MM
- Tony Pollard, RB (Cowboys): $10.1MM
Raiders provided raise to Jacobs to bring him into training camp
2024
- Tee Higgins, WR (Bengals): $21.82MM
33 Unsigned 2025 Draft Picks Remain
The NFL has hit a logjam and is collectively lagging far behind where it normally is at this point in the offseason. Two years ago, the league hit its last 30 unsigned players before July. Last year, teams were signing rookies as quickly as they were drafting them, and only 10 players remained unsigned by June 17. A couple intriguing situations have caused pens to go quiet in 2025, and as a result, here are the 33 remaining unsigned rookies of the 2025 NFL Draft:
Round 1:
- No. 17 (Bengals): Shemar Stewart (DE, Texas A&M)
- No. 20 (Broncos): Jahdae Barron (CB, Texas)
Round 2:
- No. 35 (Seahawks): Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
- No. 36 (Browns): Quinshon Judkins (RB, Ohio State)
- No. 37 (Dolphins): Jonah Savaiinaea (G, Arizona)
- No. 38 (Patriots): TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Ohio State)
- No. 39 (Bears): Luther Burden (WR, Missouri)
- No. 40 (Saints): Tyler Shough (QB, Louisville)
- No. 41 (Bills): T.J. Sanders (DT, South Carolina)
- No. 42 (Jets): Mason Taylor (TE, LSU)
- No. 43 (49ers): Alfred Collins (DT, Texas)
- No. 44 (Cowboys): Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE, Boston College)
- No. 45 (Colts): JT Tuimoloau (DE, Ohio State)
- No. 46 (Rams): Terrance Ferguson (TE, Oregon)
- No. 47 (Cardinals): Will Johnson (CB, Michigan)
- No. 48 (Texans): Aireontae Ersery (T, Minnesota)
- No. 49 (Bengals): Demetrius Knight (LB, South Carolina)
- No. 50 (Seahawks): Elijah Arroyo (TE, Miami)
- No. 51 (Panthers): Nic Scourton (OLB, Texas A&M)
- No. 52 (Titans): Oluwafemi Oladejo (OLB, UCLA)
- No. 53 (Buccaneers): Benjamin Morrison (CB, Notre Dame)
- No. 54 (Packers): Anthony Belton, T (NC State)
- No. 55 (Chargers): Tre Harris (WR, Ole Miss)
- No. 56 (Bears): Ozzy Trapilo (T, Boston College)
- No. 57 (Lions): Tate Ratledge (G, Georgia)
- No. 58 (Raiders): Jack Bech (WR, TCU)
- No. 59 (Ravens): Mike Green (OLB, Marshall)
- No. 60 (Broncos): RJ Harvey (RB, Central Florida)
- No. 61 (Commanders): Trey Amos (CB, Ole Miss)
- No. 62 (Bears): Shemar Turner (DT, Texas A&M)
- No. 63 (Chiefs): Omarr Norman-Lott (DT, Tennessee)
- No. 64 (Eagles): Andrew Mukuba (S, Texas)
Round 4:
- No. 107 (Jaguars): Jack Kiser (LB, Notre Dame)
In recent years, a trend has seen second-rounders lasting the longest, but what we’re seeing this year is unheard of. As rookies have been getting a bit of flexibility in negotiating structures of guarantees, getting deals done has become a waiting game of seeing what surrounding picks are getting for comparison. Last year, teams breezed through the issue, but 2025 has seen significantly increased troubles.
Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins set the tone by signing a fully guaranteed rookie contract, the first ever for a second-round selection. The next day, the Browns were essentially forced to do the same for Carson Schwesinger, picked one slot before Higgins. Shough, the Saints rookie quarterback, is seeking the same deal, hoping that his elevated status as a passer will help convince New Orleans to continue making history. Shough’s efforts have caused every pick between him and Higgins to stand pat, waiting to see if they get to ask for full guarantees from their teams, as well. This would be a drastic development, as last year’s 40th overall pick, Cooper DeJean, received only two fully guaranteed years with only partial guarantees in Year 3.
The biggest story outside of the second round is that of the standoff between Stewart and the Bengals. Stewart has issues with what he perceives as a lack of protection in Cincinnati’s offer that causes a contract default in any year to void any guarantees in all the following years. It’s a new precedent the team is trying to set, and Stewart seems intent on preventing them from doing so.
It will be interesting to see which standoff gets settled first: Stewart’s or Shough’s. The latter standoff ending would likely set off a domino reaction of second-round deals that would help a large number of teams close out their rookie classes. To this point, only four NFL teams have done so.