NFL Injury Updates: Lions, Nubin, Stover
The Lions spent Sunday afternoon going blow-for-blow with the Bills, combining for the highest-scoring performance in the NFL this season. They ended up falling just short of Buffalo, and that loss compounded with a number of injuries to make this a rough day for Detroit.
The first such injury occurred when cornerback Khalil Dorsey appeared to suffer a serious leg injury. He was carted off the field with the injured leg in an air cast. Per ESPN’s Eric Woodyard, head coach Dan Campbell told the media after the game that Dorsey’s injury was similar to what happened to Aidan Hutchinson. In short, Dorsey is not expected to play again in the 2024 NFL season.
Additionally, today’s game saw defensive tackle Alim McNeill and cornerback Carlton Davis depart with injuries, as well. McNeill left the field with a knee injury and, after a visit in the blue medical tent, was carted off to the locker room, while Davis suffered a jaw injury. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Campbell relayed that “he doesn’t feel good about the chances” of either player returning this year.
If all three players are placed on injured reserve, they would join 18 other players on IR. They would up the number of defensive players on IR from 13 to 16. The Lions have overcome incredible adversity so far this year and still currently hold the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Here are some updates on a couple other injuries around the NFL:
- We mentioned earlier this week that Giants rookie starting safety Tyler Nubin would miss the rest of the season on IR with an ankle injury. Per Ryan Dunleavy of New York Post Sports, head coach Brian Daboll believes that Nubin’s injury will probably require ankle surgery. This means that Nubin will likely spend most of the offseason working to recover in time for the 2025 season.
- The Texans needed to elevate practice squad tight end Irv Smith today as rookie fourth-round tight end Cade Stover was a surprise scratch from today’s game. Stover logged the first absence of his NFL career due to an emergency appendectomy performed last night, according to Kimberley A. Martin of ESPN. Stover is expected to make a full recovery.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/14/24
Saturday’s minor moves and standard gameday elevations:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: P Michael Palardy
- Placed on IR: RB Emari Demercado, P Blake Gillikin
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: DT Michael Pierce
- Elevated: CB Desmond King, LB William Kwenkeu
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: S Kareem Jackson, QB Mike White
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: RB Mike Boone, LB Jacoby Windmon
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed to active roster: QB Logan Woodside
- Elevated: T Andrew Coker, K Cade York
- Placed on IR: LB Joe Bachie
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: CB Andrew Booth, T Dakoda Shepley
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: G Nick Gargiulo, CB Reese Taylor
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: S Jamal Adams, LB Abraham Beauplan
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: DE DJ Coleman
- Placed on IR: TE Evan Engram (story)
Houston Texans
- Elevated: TE Irv Smith Jr.
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: LB Swayze Bozeman, TE Anthony Firkser
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: WR Laviska Shenault, TE Eric Tomlinson
- Placed on IR: WR Jalen Reagor
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from IR: WR Grant DuBose
- Signed to active roster: DT Matt Dickerson
- Elevated: T Ryan Hayes, LS Zach Triner
- Waived: QB Skylar Thompson
New England Patriots
- Elevated: TE Jack Westover
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/PUP: DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
- Placed on IR: LB D’Marco Jackson
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: QB Tim Boyle
- Placed on IR: G Jon Runyan (story)
- Elevated: DB Raheem Layne
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: CB Kendall Sheffield
- Elevated: TE Zack Kuntz, WR Brandon Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: FB Khari Blasingame
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from IR: DT Montravius Adams
- Placed on IR: T Calvin Anderson
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: CB Artie Burns
- Elevated: QB Jaren Hall, RB George Holani
- Placed on IR: S Jerrick Reed II
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: P Jack Browning, S Ryan Neal
Tennessee Titans
- Elevated: G Arlington Hambright, TE Thomas Odukoya
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: DT Carl Davis
Demercado has taken a backseat to Florida State third-round rookie Trey Benson, but he has averaged 9.3 yards per carry on 24 carries this year. Palardy will take over punting duties with Gillikin landing on injured reserve.
Jackson signed with Bills in late July, and although he was among the team’s final roster cuts he was immediately retained via a practice squad deal. This elevation means Week 15 will mark his first time spent on the active roster this season. The 36-year-old has started all but 10 of his 203 NFL games, but last season was marred by suspensions which led to his Broncos release. Jackson could suit up for Buffalo down the stretch as a gameday elevation in a bid to rebuild his stock to a degree.
With the playoffs nearly out of reach and quarterback Joe Burrow dealing with a few ailments (wrist and knee), the Bengals don’t seem to be taking any chances. Jake Browning will continue serving as the primary backup, while Woodside’s promotion will allow him to act as the emergency backup.
Adams has seen his biggest NFL roles during his time in Pittsburgh. Though he hasn’t gotten the same number of starts as he had in 2022 and 2023, he’s continued the same level of production. After missing the last four games, he’ll be looking to return to the field as early as tomorrow.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/11/24
Wednesday’s minor roster updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed to active roster: RB Carlos Washington Jr.
- Placed on IR: RB Jase McClellan
Buffalo Bills
- Designated to return from IR: DT Dawuane Smoot, LB Baylon Spector
Chicago Bears
- Signed off Packers’ practice squad: DT Jonathan Ford
- Placed on IR: WR DeAndre Carter
Cleveland Browns
- Designated to return from IR: DT Mike Hall Jr.
Los Angeles Rams
- Reverted to season-ending IR: G KT Leveston
Miami Dolphins
- Designated to return from IR: WR Grant DuBose
New York Giants
- Signed off Cardinals’ practice squad: CB Divaad Wilson
- Designated to return from IR: OL Austin Schlottmann
- Placed on IR: S Tyler Nubin
New York Jets
- Signed off Colts’ practice squad: CB Jaylin Simpson
- Placed on IR: WR Irvin Charles
Seattle Seahawks
- Designated to return from IR: CB Artie Burns, S K’Von Wallace
It’s unfortunate news for the rookie second-round safety, Nubin. After starting the first 13 games of his first season in the NFL, the top-drafted safety in the 2024 NFL Draft will end the year on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Nubin had graded out as the 34th-best safety in the league, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), before the injury.
Charles will miss the remainer of the season, as well, and perhaps some of next year. The former undrafted receiver will be undergoing surgery for a torn ACL.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/11/24
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: P Michael Palardy
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DT DeShawn Williams
Chicago Bears
- Signed: RB Royce Freeman
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: TE Tre’ McKitty
Detroit Lions
- Signed: S Erick Hallett
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: C Dieter Eiselen
New York Giants
- Signed: T Jalen McKenzie
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Brittain Brown
Arizona is bringing in the left-footed punter as regular punter Blake Gillikin is dealing with an ankle injury on his kicking foot. If Gillikin can’t go on Sunday, Palardy will see his first game action since he finished the back half of the 2022 season in New England.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/10/24
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: C Keith Ismael
Carolina Panthers
- Released: WR Dax Milne
Chicago Bears
- Released: RB Demetric Felton
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Kaden Davis, WR Jaelen Gill, K Riley Patterson, OT Julian Pearl
- Released: DT Michael Dwumfour
Denver Broncos
- Signed: LB K.J Cloyd
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB Jeremiah Martin
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT Pheldarius Payne
- Placed on injured list: DT Trysten Hill
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: G Jerome Carvin, RB Myles Gaskin
- Released: LS Tucker Addington, P Matt Haack
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: QB Jake Luton, DT Tyler Manoa
- Released: DT Marquan McCall
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Dez Fitzpatrick
- Released: OT Alex Leatherwood
New England Patriots
- Released: LB Keshawn Banks
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: G Kyle Hergel
New York Giants
- Signed: DL Ross Blacklock, QB Tim Boyle, CB Ekow Boye-Doe, CB Azizi Hearn
- Placed on injured list: C Jimmy Morrissey
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: P Ty Zentner
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Curtis Bolton, T Kellen Diesch, K Brayden Narveson
Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins has made just 64.0% of his field goal attempts this season, which includes two misses from inside 40 yards. Patterson kicked for Cleveland when Hopkins was injured at the end of last season, and his addition to the practice squad indicates that head coach Kevin Stefanski is considering a similar change this year.
The Titans signed Narveson as insurance for starter Nick Folk, who is dealing with an injury, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Narveson began the season as the Packers’ kicker, but after missing five of his 12 field goal attempts, all of which came inside of 50 yards.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/10/24
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on injured reserve: RB Jonathon Brooks
- Waived: DL DeShawn Williams
- Signed to active roster from practice squad: DT Sam Roberts
New York Giants
- Placed on injured reserve: CB Tre Hawkins
- Signed to active roster from practice squad: CB Greg Stroman
Tennessee Titans
- Waived with injury designation: OT Leroy Watson
The Panthers officially placed Brooks on injured reserve after he re-tore his right ACL on Sunday against the Eagles. The second-round pick spent most of his rookie season on the Physically Unable to Perform list after his initial ACL tear last November. He only managed 12 touches for 45 yards in his first three NFL appearances before re-injuring his knee, which will require another lengthy rehab process and puts his availability for the start of the 2025 season in doubt.
Giants CB Tre Hawkins Suffers Spine Injury, G Jon Runyan “Week To Week”
Giants cornerback Tre Hawkins is likely done for the season. The second-year pro suffered a fractured lumbar spine yesterday, per Dan Duggan of The Athletic.
While the injury sounds extreme, Duggan cautions that it’s “not as bad as it sounds.” The injury isn’t considered a long-term issue, and Hawkins is expected to avoid surgery. Still, considering only four games remain on New York’s regular season schedule, there’s a good chance the cornerback doesn’t make his way back to the lineup this year.
It’s poor timing for the former sixth-round pick, who’s coming off the best game of his career. Hawkins finished the contest with six tackles, two passes defended, and an interception (the first by a Giants defensive back in 2024, per Duggan).
After getting into 17 games as a rookie, Hawkins has only been limited to three appearances in 2024, so it hasn’t been an easy season for the Old Dominion product. With all of Deonte Banks, Cordale Flott, and Dru Phillips out of the lineup, Hawkins finally had a chance to contribute, and there’s a good chance he would have stayed in the lineup for the stretch run of the season.
Depending on how the rest of the team’s depth shakes out, the Giants may need to dig even deeper into their roster and lean on the likes of Art Green and Dee Williams (along with Adoree’ Jackson and Greg Stroman, who both got long looks yesterday).
The Giants are also dealing with injuries on the other side of the ball, as coach Brian Daboll declared left guard Jon Runyan as “week to week” with an ankle injury (per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan). After spending the first four seasons of his career in Green Bay, the veteran inked a three-year deal with the Giants this past offseason. He proceeded to start each of the Giants first 13 games this season, and he hadn’t missed a snap until yesterday’s game. Veteran Aaron Stinnie soaked up the rest of the snaps once Runyan exited yesterday’s loss.
The team is currently navigating a long list of injuries on the OL. Left tackle Andrew Thomas is on IR, and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor has recently been sidelined with a quad injury. In addition to Runyan’s injury yesterday, the team also lost John Michael Schmitz to a neck injury.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/7/24
Saturday’s minor transactions, including gameday practice squad elevations:
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: WR Chris Blair
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from IR: DT DeWayne Carter
- Elevated: S Lewis Cine, TE Zach Davidson
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: WR Dan Chisena, LB Jacoby Windmon
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: S Adrian Colbert, RB Darrynton Evans
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: WR Joshua Cephus
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: WR Kristian Wilkerson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from IR: LB Junior Colson
- Elevated: RB Jaret Patterson, S Kendall Williamson
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: CB Charles Woods
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: LS Zach Triner
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from IR: LS Andrew DePaola, K Will Reichard (story)
- Elevated: OLB Gabriel Murphy
- Waived: K John Parker Romo
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: WR Kevin Austin, Dante Pettis
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: DT Elijah Garcia, DE Casey Rogers
- Elevated: T Tyre Phillips, CB Greg Stroman
- Placed on IR: DT D.J. Davidson
- Waived: QB Tim Boyle
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: WR Allen Lazard, G Wes Schweitzer (story)
- Elevated: CB Kendall Sheffield
- Placed on IR: LB C.J. Mosley (story)
- Waived: C Connor McGovern
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed to active roster: TE E.J. Jenkins
- Elevated: FB Khari Blasingame, S Andre’ Sam
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed to active roster: LB Antonio Grier
- Elevated: P Jack Browning, CB Dallis Flowers
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: WR Mason Kinsey, DB Kendall Brooks
- Elevated: G Arlington Hambright, TE Thomas Odukoya
Eagles starting tight end Dallas Goedert has been placed on injured reserve, so Jenkins will come up from the practice squad for a little added depth.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/6/24
Today’s minor NFL transactions:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: LB Logan Wilson (story)
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on IR: TE Taysom Hill (story)
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers (from Seahawks): CB Dee Williams
Williams, an undrafted rookie out of Tennessee, had appeared in every game for Seattle so far this year. While he only managed four snaps on defense in that time, Williams was the team’s primary punt returner and was back on kickoffs, as well.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/4/24
Today’s minor moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed to active roster: OT Andrew Stueber
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: WR Jaelon Darden
Dallas Cowboys
- Designated for return: CB Amani Oruwariye
Detroit Lions
- Waived: S Loren Strickland
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed to active roster: K Matthew Wright
- Placed on IR: K Spencer Shrader
Miami Dolphins
- Signed to active roster: OT Jackson Carman
- Designated for return: LS Blake Ferguson
- Placed on IR: CB Cam Smith
New Orleans Saints
- Suspended: S Roderic Teamer
New York Giants
- Designated for return: LB Dyontae Johnson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed to active roster: TE C.J. Uzomah
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: DT Kevin Givens
- Signed to active roster: RB Patrick Taylor
Tennessee Titans
- Designated for return: OT Jaelyn Duncan
Spencer Shrader‘s hamstring injury will knock him out for the next four weeks, and with Harrison Butker eventually set to return, the fill-in kicker’s stint with the Chiefs has likely come to an end. Temporarily, the team will turn to their third kicker in Matthew Wright. The veteran filled in for Shrader this past weekend, connecting on four of his five field goal tries.
Former Dolphins second-round pick Cam Smith landed on IR today, likely ending his disappointing sophomore campaign. The cornerback did get more run in 2024 vs. his rookie season, but he was still limited to only 16 tackles in six games thanks to a pair of IR stints. This time, it’s a shoulder issue that will put the South Carolina product on the shelf.
Saints safety Roderic Teamer was hit with a three-game ban today for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.football notes that Teamer’s unpaid ban is “the conclusion of his DUI arrest” in 2023 (when he was with the Raiders). Teamer was limited to only a pair of appearances this season, with all of his snaps coming on special teams.
Titans lineman Jaelyn Duncan returned to practice today after missing the past six games while nursing a hamstring injury. The former sixth-round pick could actually see a significant role upon his return, with Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com noting that the second-year player could get a look at right tackle once he’s fully healthy.