Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC North
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bengals, Browns, Ravens and Steelers moves are noted below.
Baltimore Ravens
Signed to practice squad:
- T Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, DB Thomas Graham, OLB Malik Hamm, QB Tyler Huntley, DB Keondre Jackson, RB D’Ernest Johnson, WR Keith Kirkwood, ILB Chandler Martin, WR Anthony Miller, TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, DT C.J. Okoye, G Jared Penning, DB Marquise Robinson, DE Kaimon Rucker, C Nick Samac, RB Lucas Scott, DL Brent Urban
Cincinnati Bengals
Signed to practice squad:
- RB Gary Brightwell, T Devin Cochran, T Andrew Coker, CB Jalen Davis, LB Joe Giles-Harris, G Jaxson Kirkland, CB Bralyn Lux, C Seth McLaughlin, RB Kendall Milton, WR Jordan Moore, LB Maema Njongmeta, DE Isaiah Thomas, WR Isaiah Williams, S Russ Yeast
Reverted to IR:
-
T Caleb Etienne, TE Tanner McLachlan, G Cordell Volson
Cleveland Browns
Claimed:
- CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse (from Jets), RB Raheim Sanders (from Chargers)
Waived:
- TE Brenden Bates, CB Dom Jones
Signed to practice squad:
- TE Sal Cannella, WR Kaden Davis, S Christopher Edmonds, DT Ralph Holley, CB LaMareon James, DT Sam Kamara, RB Ahmani Marshall, DE Julian Okwara, RB Trayveon Williams, QB Bailey Zappe
Pittsburgh Steelers
Signed to practice squad:
- DL Kyler Baugh, CB Beanie Bishop, DB Sebastian Castro, OL Dylan Cook, TE JJ Galbreath, WR Max Hurleman, DB D’Shawn Jamison, OL Steven Jones, DL DeMarvin Leal, RB Lew Nichols, CB James Pierre, DB Daryl Porter, RB Trey Sermon, LB Julius Welschof, WR Ke’Shawn Williams, WR Robert Woods
Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC East
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bills, Dolphins, Jets and Patriots moves are noted below.
Buffalo Bills
Signed to practice squad:
- QB Shane Buechele, LB Jimmy Ciarlo, OL Travis Clayton, G Dan Feeney, S Sam Franklin, RB Frank Gore Jr., WR Stephen Gosnell, OL Kendrick Green, CB Daequan Hardy, CB Dane Jackson, LB Keonta Jenkins, TE Keleki Latu, DL Zion Logue, DT Jordan Phillips, WR Kristian Wilkerson
Released from IR via injury settlement:
- RB Darrynton Evans, WR Grant Dubose
Miami Dolphins
Waived:
- S Jordan Colbert
Signed to practice squad:
- CB BJ Adams, CB Cornell Armstrong, LB Quinton Bell, OL Braeden Daniels, TE Greg Dulcich, WR AJ Henning, DT Alex Huntley, LB Derrick McLendon, OL Josh Priebe, TE Hayden Rucci, S John Saunders, WR Theo Wease
New England Patriots
Claimed:
- DB Charles Woods (from Rams)
Waived:
- WR Javon Baker
Signed to practice squad:
- CB Miles Battle, G Mehki Butler, G Jack Conley, CB Brandon Crossley, TE C.J. Dippre, RB Terrell Jennings, WR John Jiles, DE Truman Jones, C Alec Lindstrom, DB Kobee Minor, DT David Olajiga, LB Cam Riley, DT Jahvaree Ritzie, TE Gee Scott, LB Bradyn Swinson, WR Jeremiah Webb
New York Jets
Claimed:
- LB Cam Jones (from Chiefs), T Esa Pole (from Chiefs), TE Jelani Woods (from Colts)
Released:
Signed to practice squad:
- S Dean Clark, DB Jordan Clark, QB Brady Cook, WR Tyler Johnson, OL Kohl Levao, K Harrison Mevis, DT Payton Page, WR Jamaal Pritchett, LB Jackson Sirmon, WR Quentin Skinner, LB Boog Smith, WR Brandon Smith, DL Eric Watts, OL Leander Wiegand
2025 NFL Waiver Order
Many of the players cut Tuesday were subject to waivers, giving teams a chance to pick them up (along with the rest of their contract). Teams can claim as many players as they want before the next team gets their remaining targets.
It’s also worth noting that relatively few players are claimed off waivers during final roster cuts each year. Waiver claims will be processed at 11am CT in the following order (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo). In reverse order of the 2024 NFL standings, here is how the waiver priority sits:
- Titans
- Browns
- Giants
- Patriots
- Jaguars
- Raiders
- Jets
- Panthers
- Saints
- Bears
- 49ers
- Cowboys
- Dolphins
- Colts
- Falcons
- Cardinals
- Bengals
- Seahawks
- Buccaneers
- Broncos
- Steelers
- Chargers
- Packers
- Vikings
- Texans
- Rams
- Ravens
- Lions
- Commanders
- Bills
- Chiefs
- Eagles
Jets Pare Roster To 53
The Jets waived Malachi Corley after one season. Beyond that move, here is how Aaron Glenn‘s first roster moved to 53:
Waived:
- DB Jarrick Bernard-Converse
- DB Dean Clark
- DB Jordan Clark
- QB Brady Cook
- RB Donovan Edwards
- DE Kingsley Jonathan
- G Kohl Levao
- K Harrison Mevis
- DT Payton Page
- WR Jamaal Pritchett
- LB Jackson Sirmon
- WR Quentin Skinner
- LB Aaron Smith
- WR Brandon Smith
- T Carter Warren
- DE Eric Watts
- G Leander Wiegand
Waived/injury settlement:
- DB Jarius Monroe
- DB Ryan Cooper
Placed on IR:
- DT Byron Cowart
Placed on IR (return designation):
Placed on reserve/PUP list:
The Jets will use one of their IR-return slots on a rookie UDFA. This expresses confidence Weston, who played at Florida for six seasons, will be a contributor. While Weston will drop the Jets’ injury activations number to seven, Cowart heads to season-ending IR. Gang Green has changed up significantly at defensive tackle over the past week, acquiring Jowon Briggs and Harrison Phillips before trading Derrick Nnadi back to the Chiefs and now placing Cowart on IR.
Cook’s release leaves only two quarterbacks on New York’s active roster. While the Missouri product could be kept on a practice squad deal, Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor are the active-roster passers. The Jets do intend to circle back to Jordan Clark — son of ex-Steelers safety-turned-ESPNer Ryan Clark — on a P-squad deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. Ditto Skinner, per veteran reporter Jordan Schultz.
Jets To Waive WR Malachi Corley
Malachi Corley‘s time with the Jets is coming to an end. The 2024 third-rounder is among New York’s roster cuts, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports.
This will bring a quick end to Corley’s Big Apple tenure. The move also comes despite the Jets still carrying considerable questions at receiver beyond Garrett Wilson. But Corley was drafted by the Joe Douglas regime. The Darren Mougey-Aaron Glenn power structure has seen enough, evidently.
The Jets drafted Corley 65th overall last year, having traded up (via the Panthers) for the shifty prospect. But Corley produced a three-catch, 16-yard rookie season. The Western Kentucky prospect did not impress during Aaron Rodgers‘ season as the team’s starter, and his most memorable Jets sequence came when he dropped the ball before the goal line to deny the Jets a touchdown on a reverse during a nationally televised game.
Corley, 23, has three years left on his rookie contract. A claiming team would have Corley on a $1MM 2025 base salary. Even with Corley faceplanting in New York, it would not surprise to see a claim due to his draft status barely a year ago. Although the Jets carry significant questions about their Wilson sidekick contingent, Corley entered training camp uncertain to make the roster.
Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, Xavier Gipson and Tyler Johnson are among the players presently rounding out the Jets’ receiving corps. This creates natural concerns about the passing game’s viability in Justin Fields‘ first season, especially considering the new quarterback’s issues as a passer to date. But the Jets will pass on a second Corley season anyway.
Vikings, Jets Still Eyeing WR Addition; Raiders, Steelers Also In Market
With the deadline for roster cuts looming, trades around the league remain a distinct possibility over the coming days. The receiver position could be one to watch closely. 
The Vikings and Jets are still evaluating the WR landscape with respect to trades, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. Last week, Minnesota and New York were among the teams named as suitors on this front, so today’s update comes as no surprise. The Vikings and Jets both face questions about their depth beyond their established No. 1 wideouts.
Garrett Wilson will again lead the way in New York, with free agent addition Josh Reynolds set to play a notable role. Allen Lazard‘s future was a talking point earlier in the offseason given the Aaron Rodgers release, but he is on track to play out this season on a reduced contract. Any receivers brought in will be viewed as depth behind that trio and 2024 third-rounder Malachi Corley.
The Vikings have been connected to an Adam Thielen reunion, and calls have been made to the Panthers about a deal. Nothing is imminent at this point, but the 35-year-old would offer experienced depth behind Justin Jefferson and (when he returns from suspension) Jordan Addison. Minnesota has been busy on the trade front recently, and making an addition at the receiver spot could be the next item on the agenda.
Russini’s report also indicates the Raiders and Steelers are among the potential landing spots for a new wideout. Vegas has witnessed Jakobi Meyers issue a trade request, calling into question his future with the team. The pending free agent is not one the Raiders are looking to move on from, but especially if a swap were to take place an addition could become necessary. Tre Tucker along with rookies Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton are in position to play supporting roles, but further moves could help add a complementary presence to tight end Brock Bowers.
A receiver acquisition has long been talked about in the case of the Steelers this offseason. D.K. Metcalf will lead the way in 2025 and beyond, but the unproven nature of Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson has led to calls for a more established No. 2 option. Multiple free agent visits have taken place with free agent Gabe Davis, but no signing has come about since.
In addition to Davis, Amari Cooper, Tyler Boyd and DJ Chark are among the top unsigned wideouts at this time. Other notable names will no doubt become available over the next 24 hours through trade or cutdowns. A shortlist of teams is worth monitoring as the position’s late-summer landscape takes shape.
Jets Release LB Jamin Davis, Waive Six Others
The Jets are also cracking the seal on roster cuts today. New York released one veteran and waived six other players:
Released:
- LB Jamin Davis
Waived:
- DE Michael Fletcher
- T Liam Fornadel
- TE Zack Kuntz
- QB Adrian Martinez
- S Tanner McCalister
- RB Lawrance Toafili
Davis, the 2021 first-round pick for the Commanders out of Kentucky, looked for a second like he may live up to his draft stock with a 104-tackle sophomore campaign as a full-time starter in Washington. After the team declined his fifth-year option last year, though, they attempted to move him to defensive end and eventually cut him. He bounced around a bit in the NFC North, playing four games for the Vikings, before landing with the Jets on New Year’s Eve. After an offseason with New York, it looks like Davis will be back out on the free agent market.
With Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor in place as QB1 & QB2, respectively, Martinez found himself in a battle with undrafted rookie Brady Cook for the QB3 job. Martinez getting cut isn’t much of a surprise, as it was rumored to happen all the way back in May. Oddly enough, the person who made that prediction also believed Cook would fail to make the initial 53-man roster, asserting that the Jets would carry only two quarterbacks on the active roster and that Martinez and Cook were battling for a practice squad slot.
Martinez also spent 2024 as the team’s practice squad quarterback, so the Jets have plenty of experience with him in that role. Waiving him could indicate that Cook has won the QB3 role and will remain on the active roster, but Cook could still be cut, at which point a decision would still need to be made on which young passer would be retained on the practice squad.
Jets Trade DT Derrick Nnadi To Chiefs
2025 appeared to set Derrick Nnadi up for his first career season spent outside of Kansas City. That will not be the case for the veteran defensive tackle, however. 
The Jets are trading Nnadi to the Chiefs, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. Conditional sixth- and seventh-round picks in 2027 are being exchanged as part of this swap, which is now official. Today’s move means Nnadi, whose entire seven-year NFL career has taken place in Kansas City, will return to a familiar team for the coming season.
The 29-year-old took a one-year pact in March to head to New York. That $1.42MM deal contained marginal guarantees, and the Jets will take on a dead money charge of $168K as a result of this swap. The team will gain $1.03MM in cap space, however.
Today’s trade continues the shuffling along the defensive interior overseen by the Jets in recent days. On Wednesday, a swap was worked out with the Vikings for Harrison Phillips. That same day also saw the acquisition of Jowon Briggs from the Browns. With those new faces in place, New York moved quickly in waiving Phidarian Mathis. Nnadi is also out of the picture just before the deadline for final roster cuts.
Over the course of his time in Kansas City, Nnadi raked up 87 starts across 115 appearances. The three-time Super Bowler winner was also a key figure during the postseason. The Chiefs found themselves in need of an addition along the D-line for early-down work in particular with the regular season approaching. They will rely on a familiar face to fill that void.
Nnadi made between 29 and 48 tackles during his first six Kansas City seasons. The former third-rounder’s production dropped off considerably in 2024, a year in which his defensive snap share fell to a career-low 20%. At least a rotational role will be in store this season upon returning, though. Nnadi’s 2026 value will be determined by his level of play with his former team.
Jets Begin Roster Cuts
The Jets are the latest team to unveil an early round of roster cuts ahead of the upcoming deadline. Per a team announcement, the following six players have been waived:
- CB Mario Goodrich
- T Samuel Jackson
- TE Neal Johnson
- WR Dymere Miller
- DT Fatorma Mullbah
- WR Ontaria Wilson
Each member of the list will now hit the waiver wire. Usually, a one-day period exists for a claim to be made. At this point on the NFL calendar, however, that timeframe lasts until Wednesday (the day following final roster cuts). As such, each player listed will need to wait several days to learn their fate.
Johnson signed a futures deal with New York in January, whereas Miller and Mullbah were part of the team’s UDFA class. They each received a lengthy look in the organization, but today’s move obviously comes as little surprise as the journey to 53 continues in New York’s case. A spot on the practice squad will of course be possible for any players not claimed next week.
Wilson’s situation will be worth watching. The Florida State product enjoyed a strong campaign in 2024 with the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers before attempting to land an NFL roster spot. Provided he reaches free agency by means of not being claimed or signing with the Jets’ practice squad, a trip north of the border could once again be in store.
NFL Roster Updates: Doubs, Lazard, Smith, Ward, Bush
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur emphatically shut down rumors that wide receiver Romeo Doubs wouldn’t make the team’s 53-man roster.
“I’d be very shocked if he was going anywhere,” LaFleur told Kay Adams during an Up & Adams appearance on Thursday.
When asked again if Doubs would be cut, LaFleur responded, “No. That will not happen.”
The uncertainty surrounding the fourth-year wideout stems from the Packers’ depth at the position after adding Matthew Golden and Savion Williams in April’s draft. However, LaFleur noted that the team was “missing a lot of guys,” namely returning starters Christian Watson and Jayden Reed. Watson, coming off an ACL tear in January, is expected to begin the year on the PUP list, while a sprained foot may sideline Reed for the beginning of the regular season. Williams (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (calf) also missed practice on Tuesday, per ESPN.
As a result, Doubs’ roster spot is safe. Judging by LaFleur’s comments, he would’ve made the team even with a healthy receiver room.
“‘Rome’ is out there competing and doing everything that we need to see from him,” said LaFleur. “And obviously he’s played a lot of ball for us, and at a high level. He’s been a great teammate, he goes out there and you can count on him every day.”
Here are a few other updates on key roster situations around the league:
- Aaron Rodgers‘ departure from New York fueled offseason speculation regarding Allen Lazard, but the veteran wideout is set to remain with the Jets under Aaron Glenn, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini. Lazard told Glenn early in the offseason that he wanted to stay in New York and backed up his words by accepting a pay cut. The 29-year-old is currently dealing with a shoulder injury with the goal of being ready for Week 1.
- 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith may not make the Cowboys‘ 53-man roster, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. The 24-year-old defensive tackle earned poor grades from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) in his first two seasons and played deep into Dallas’ second preseason game this past weekend. While owner and de facto general manager Jerry Jones won’t give up on a former first-rounder easily, Smith’s roster spot is by no means secure.
- Texans safety Jimmie Ward is facing a civil lawsuit in addition to third-degree felony charges in a domestic violence case, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Ward is accused of sexually and physically assaulting his son’s mother. The 34-year-old was arrested on August 7 for violating the terms of his bail.
- Browns linebacker Devin Bush will have a jury trial in his simple assault/harrassment case on December 2, according to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. That will likely push any league discipline to the 2026 season.