Minor NFL Transactions: 9/22/25
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, DE Brent Urban
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: TE Ross Dwelley
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: WR Kevin Austin Jr.
New York Giants
- Waived: OLB Tomon Fox
Falcons Fire WRs Coach Ike Hilliard
The Falcons are moving on from their wide receivers coach early in the season. Ike Hilliard is out, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. This was Hilliard’s second season in that position.
Pass-game coordinator T.J. Yates will take over in the role, per a team announcement. A former NFL wideout, Hilliard has been a coach in the league for 13 seasons. Hilliard, 49, has been with five NFL teams since he began coaching in the league in 2011. Only one of those stays (with Washington) surpassed two years in length. This is a performance-based move, The Athletic’s Josh Kendall tweets.
Hilliard remains better known for his run as a receiver, enjoying memorable stays in New York and Tampa after being a No. 7 overall pick in 1997, but he has been in the coaching ranks since being an assistant in UFL 1.0 from 2009-10. He has since been an assistant wide receivers coach with the Dolphins and wideouts coach with the Bills, Washington (two stints), Steelers and Falcons. For a season in 2022, Hilliard served as Auburn’s WRs coach and interim co-OC.
Raheem Morris added Hilliard nearly 20 years after the two overlapped in Tampa. The Falcons HC was on Jon Gruden‘s staff during Hilliard’s final NFL seasons, which came in Tampa. Hilliard, who had served previously as a Giants Amani Toomer sidekick from 1997-2004, overlapped with Morris in 2005 and from 2007-08.
The Bucs released Hilliard weeks into Morris’ first offseason in charge back in 2009; he did not play again. Hilliard served as Washington’s receivers coach under Jay Gruden from 2014-19 and interviewed for the Lions’ OC job during his two-year Pittsburgh stint (2020-21). The Steelers did not renew Hilliard’s contract in 2022. After not coaching in 2023, he caught on with the Falcons.
Last season, Drake London took a significant step forward — after being tied to run-based attacks in 2022 and ’23 — with a 1,271-yard showing. He is off to a much slower start this year, totaling 159 through three games. Despite Darnell Mooney playing in two games, no other Atlanta receiver has more than 70 receiving yards. No Falcons receiver has caught a touchdown pass this season, and the dismissal comes after a 30-0 upset loss to the previously winless Panthers.
Yates is an ex-quarterback-turned-Arthur Smith holdover Morris retained in 2024. Yates served as Atlanta’s WRs coach from 2022-23 before being shifted to QBs coach in 2024. Beginning this season as pass-game coordinator, the 38-year-old staffer will return to a previous Falcons role.
Seahawks To Add RB Khalil Herbert
Khalil Herbert‘s free agency stay will end, and the former Bears starting running back is headed for a fourth team in 11 months. The Seahawks are adding Herbert to their practice squad, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets.
The Seahawks played without Zach Charbonnet in Week 3, and Kenneth Walker has dealt with a few injury issues during his four-year career. Herbert will supply Seattle some insurance, joining a team that rosters former UDFAs George Holani and Jacardia Wright as active-roster reserves.
Traded from the Bears to the Bengals at last year’s deadline, Herbert spent training camp with the Colts but did not earn a roster spot behind Jonathan Taylor. Herbert signed with Indianapolis early in free agency; despite his experience, the former sixth-round pick could not earn the RB2 role with the AFC South club. The Colts added Herbert to their practice squad following his release but replaced him with Ameer Abdullah a day later.
Herbert worked out for the Seahawks today, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, who adds Brandon Bolden and Myles Gaskin also took part in the Seattle audition. Herbert had been on the workout circuit for a bit, drawing interest from a few teams — including the Commanders — to open this season.
The Bolden part of this news is interesting, as the ex-Patriots mainstay is now 35 and was out of football last season. The 11-year veteran, a Patriots UDFA back in 2012, would be the NFL’s oldest active running back if he catches on with a team this season. Primarily a special-teamer who had followed Josh McDaniels from New England to Las Vegas, Bolden has just 304 career carries — helping to explain his NFL staying power. Herbert has 400 despite entering the NFL nine years later.
While Bolden played out his Raiders contract after the 2023 season, Herbert’s Bears rookie deal wrapped in Cincinnati. Chicago dealt the ex-David Montgomery sidekick to Cincy for a 2025 seventh-round pick. That trade came to pass after Zack Moss‘ season-ending neck injury, but Chase Brown took over as a three-down player and kept Herbert as a clear backup. Herbert logged only 28 carries in eight Bengals games, gaining 114 yards. This came after the Bears phased him out following the D’Andre Swift signing.
Herbert fared better earlier in his career, eclipsing 600 rushing yards in 2022 and ’23. He and Montgomery helped Justin Fields oversee a top-ranked rushing attack in 2022. Gaining a career-high 731 rushing yards that year, Herbert averaged 5.7 per tote. He started nine games in 2023 — after Montgomery’s Detroit defection — and gained 611 yards (4.6 YPC). The 27-year-old’s upward mobility will presumably be tied to Walker and Charbonnet’s availability.
Commanders Place S Will Harris On IR
Last night, it was reported Will Harris suffered a fractured fibula during the Commanders’ Week 3 game. That is indeed the case, as head coach Dan Quinn confirmed on Monday. 
To no surprise, then, Washington has moved Harris to injured reserve. That transaction took place on Monday, per a team announcement. It represents a corresponding move to the addition of veteran defensive back Darnell Savage following today’s visit.
When speaking to the media, Quinn said (via The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala) he is hopeful Harris will be able to return at some point this season. An absence of at least four games is ensured as a result of the IR placement, but a longer period than that will be required for Harris to heal in full. The 29-year-old managing to take part in the latter stages of the campaign would be a welcomed development.
Harris has started each of the three games in 2025, his first season as a member of the Commanders. The former Lion and Saint joined Washington in free agency this spring by signing a two-year pact. That $8MM deal marked a raise compared to Harris’ previous contract, and it elevated expectations. Prior to going down yesterday, he posted 11 tackles, one forced fumble and one pass deflection across the current campaign.
With Harris now out of the picture for the time being, Savage could take on a notable role immediately upon joining the team. Otherwise, options in the secondary which began the season in the nation’s capital will be counted on in for the time being. In any case, it will be interesting to see if Harris manages to play again in 2025.
Chargers’ Najee Harris Suffers Torn Achilles
SEPTEMBER 22: When speaking to the media on Monday, Harbaugh confirmed (via ESPN’s Kris Rhim) Harris has indeed suffered an Achilles tear. His debut season with the Bolts has thus ended after 43 snaps. Today’s news will also obviously deal a blow to Harris’ market value next spring.
SEPTEMBER 21: Chargers running back Najee Harris appeared to suffer an Achilles injury in today’s victory over the Broncos, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That much was confirmed by head coach Jim Harbaugh after the game. Harbaugh’s exact answer to the media seemed to resonate differently with a couple reporters. 
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport had the most conservative report, stating that Harris was undergoing imaging but that there wasn’t “a lot of optimism.” Daniel Popper of The Athletic took Harbaugh’s comments a bit further, asserting that Harbaugh told them how “preliminary tests indicated a torn Achilles.” Regardless, both versions of Harbaugh’s comments point in the same direction, towards a likely lengthy absence for the veteran rusher.
Harris has been extremely consistent throughout his NFL career. A first-round pick out of Alabama in 2021, Harris started every possible game for the Steelers over the course of his rookie contract. After a Pro Bowl rookie campaign in which he rushed for 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns (with 467 more yards and three more scores receiving), Harris’ next three season rushing totals of 1,034 yards, 1,035 yards, and 1,043 yards perfectly demonstrate that consistency. His touchdown totals in those three years of seven, eight, and six continue that trend, as well.
Harris was going to be hard-pressed to find that same consistency in Los Angeles. Signing with the Chargers on a one-year, $5.25MM contract, Harris seemed the apparent new starting rusher for his new team. Los Angeles drafting Omarion Hampton in the first round of the draft and a fireworks incident both threw a wrench in those plans.
The incident at a 4th of July event saw Harris sustain a superficial eye injury that would force him to open camp on the active/non-football injury list. Though he was activated in time for Week 1 of the season, Hampton was the one getting all the touches and experience with the first-team offense throughout training camp. It may have been that way regardless of Harris’ availability, but the injury guaranteed that Harris would be making up ground upon his return.
That appeared to be the case in the Chargers’ first two games. Through two weeks, Hampton has out-carried Harris 23-9, and Hampton’s snap share on offense (88) more than doubled that of Harris (32) over that time. Hampton will continue in that role as Harris is likely to miss extended time. No other backs have taken carries yet this season for LA, but fourth-year running back Hassan Haskins stands to step into the RB2 role.
The team also holds Kimani Vidal and South Dakota State rookie Amar Johnson on the practice squad. Vidal, a sixth-round pick for the Chargers last year, spent his rookie season on the team’s active roster and could be a candidate to move up to the active roster in Harris’ absence.
Lions Place DE Marcus Davenport On IR
Marcus Davenport was limited to just two games during his debut Lions campaign. The veteran edge rusher is once again in store for a notable absence. 
Davenport was placed on injured reserve on Monday, per a team announcement. The move ensures he will miss at least the next four games, beginning with tonight’s contest against the Ravens. It was already known Detroit would be without Davenport for Week 3, but it is now clear a longer absence will be in store.
With that said, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Davenport is dealing with a pectoral strain. As a result, he is viewed as a candidate to return later this season. Per Rapoport, the 29-year-old should be back in the fold shortly after the four-week timeframe guaranteed by the IR stint.
Today’s news means the worst-case scenario has been avoided, but it adds further to Davenport’s history of missed time. The former Saints first-rounder did not manage to log a full campaign during his five years with New Orleans. That span was followed by a single campaign with the Vikings, during which Davenport played only four games. As expected, he was forced to take another one-year deal on the open market upon arrival in Detroit.
During his debut Lions season, Davenport went down with an elbow injury which limited him to just 89 snaps. His absence was one of many endured on defense in 2024 and was acutely felt once Aidan Hutchinson was lost for the year. Davenport remained in the Motor City by re-signing in March. He did so on another one-year pact, one which checked in at a lower value than his first Detroit deal ($2.5MM compared to $6.5MM).
Hutchinson is healthy, so losing Davenport may not deal a massive blow to the Lions’ defensive front. The latter has nevertheless started both of the team’s opening two games, logging a 48% snap share along the way and recording one sack. Losing Davenport will thus lead to changes along the edge for the time being. Detroit sits at 1-1 entering today’s game, but the team’s defense will be shorthanded for weeks to come.
Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb Suffers High Ankle Sprain
The Cowboys’ defense endured another poor outing in Week 3. The team’s efforts to rebound will likely include a shorthanded unit on offense. 
CeeDee Lamb exited yesterday’s loss against the Bears with an ankle injury and did not return. It became clear afterwards that further testing would be needed to determine the severity of his injury. The All-Pro wideout now looks to be in line to miss time.
“Certainly, he’s got a high ankle sprain and every one of those are different,” Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said of Lamb during a Monday appearance on 105.3 The Fan (via ESPN’s Todd Archer). “We’d love to have him back for Green Bay but at the same time we also got to understand the injury is what it is and we’ll play it out.”
The Cowboys will play the Packers in Week 4, so Jones’ comments leave the door open to Lamb managing to avoid any missed time. Based on the reports which have emerged this afternoon, however, it appears far more likely Dallas will be without him for a short stretch. A timeline of two to four weeks is being considered internally, as first reported by Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News.
Since then, both Archer and WFAA’s Ed Werder have pointed to an absence between three and four weeks. Provided those are accurate, Lamb can be considered a lock to at least miss the Cowboys’ upcoming game against a Green Bay defense featuring Micah Parsons. Injured reserve is not being considered in this case, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
As such, Lamb is eligible to return at any time without needing to miss a stretch of four games or longer. The four-time Pro Bowler being back at full strength will be critical for the Cowboys’ offense, of course. On the other hand, it would be sensible to proceed with caution while managing Lamb’s injury. That could especially be true with George Pickens in the fold.
The offseason trade acquisition has totaled 68 yards and scored one touchdown in each of the past two games. Pickens will be counted on to operate as Dallas’ top pass-catching option until Lamb is healthy. It will be interesting to see when that will prove to be the case as the Cowboys aim to improve on their 1-2 start.
Aaron Glenn: Justin Fields To Remain Jets’ Starter Upon Return
Justin Fields was absent for Week 3 while recovering from a concussion. The free agent addition has yet to receive clearance, but when that happens he will reprise his role as the Jets’ starting quarterback. 
Once Fields was ruled out for yesterday’s game, veteran Tyrod Taylor was confirmed as New York’s top option for the contest. The 36-year-old posted 197 yards, two touchdowns and one interception on Sunday while also chipping in with 48 yards on the ground. Taylor will not retain QB1 duties if Fields is healthy for Week 4, though.
“Justin came in as our starter,” head coach Aaron Glenn said on Monday (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini). “He’s been our starter. Tyrod was the backup. I want to make sure I know exactly where Justin’s at. I don’t want to say anything until I know that Justin’s clear. So once Justin is clear, I’ll let you know exactly where we’re going.”
Indeed, Fields will not be eligible to play until he clears concussion protocol. It is commonplace for players to miss one game upon suffering a concussion, but a return before the two-game mark is relatively standard. If the 26-year-old manages to play in Week 4, he will look to return to the form shown during his Jets debut as opposed to his outing in Week 2.
Fields totaled 218 yards and one touchdown through the air in Week 1 while adding a pair of rushing scores in the process. The following game – New York’s lopsided loss against Buffalo – saw a much less productive outing before Fields exited through injury. As the Jets seek out their first win under Glenn and Co., being back at full strength under center would be key.
Taylor has 96 appearances and 59 starts to his name, so he will give the Jets a highly experienced option in the event Fields is not able to suit up against the Dolphins one week from today. If the opposite is true, though, Taylor will return to the backup role.
Fields inked a two-year, $40MM pact in free agency with $30MM guaranteed. Given the nature of that investment from rookie general manager Darren Mougey, it comes as little surprise the former first-rounder will be back atop the depth chart once he is healthy.
Commanders Sign DB Darnell Savage
12:50pm: Savage’s visit has indeed produced a deal, as confirmed by his agent (via Fowler). Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports this is, to no surprise, a one-year pact. Savage will look to take on a regular defensive role with his latest team and rebuild his market value to an extent in the process.
10:28am: Darnell Savage‘s tenure with the Jaguars came to an abrupt end last week. The veteran defensive back finds himself on the open market, but that could change relatively soon. 
Savage has lined up a visit with the Commanders, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. Today’s news comes in the wake of safety Will Harris suffering a fractured fibula in Week 3. That injury will presumably lead to a stint on injured reserve and create a vacancy in Washington’s secondary.
There is also a degree of familiarity in today’s Washington visit. The Commanders’ current defensive pass game coordinator is Jason Simmons; he and Savage worked together with the Packers in 2019. That represented Savage’s rookie campaign and the first of five years operating as a starter for Green Bay. The former first-rounder had a strong statistical showing during his first two seasons, but afterwards he struggled in coverage.
Upon reaching the open market for the first time in his career, Savage took a three-year, $21.75MM pact to join the Jaguars. The Trent Baalke-Doug Pederson regime was in place at the time, and the 2025 offseason saw their replacements move on from a number of notable contracts. Savage remained in place through the start of the campaign, but in short order the Jags’ new decision makers (general manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen) elected to proceed with a release despite incurring a notable dead money charge in the process.
Savage allowed five touchdowns in coverage during the 2024 campaign, and after recording eight interceptions in his first three seasons he has been held to two since then. Another lucrative pact will not be in store with the Commanders or any other suitors which emerge in the near future, but Savage could carve out a depth role with a new team. Washington entered Monday with over $28MM in cap space, so an in-season signing will not be challenging from a financial perspective.
Browns T Dawand Jones To Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery
The Browns recorded their first win of the campaign yesterday, but their offensive line suffered a blow in the process. Tackle Dawand Jones will miss the remainder of the season. 
The third-year blocker suffered a knee injury during Cleveland’s Week 3 contest and did not return. When speaking to the media on Monday, head coach Kevin Stefanski said (via Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal) Jones requires surgery and will be sidelined for the rest of the campaign as a result. 2025 thus marks the third consecutive year in which Jones has found himself in this situation.
The 24-year-old started at left tackle for the first two games of the campaign as the Browns sought out a long-term answer on the blindside. Things did not go according to plan, however, prompting the team to move Jones back to his familiar right tackle spot for Sunday. That decision resulted in only a short-term impact given the timing of the injury.
Jones will now turn his attention once again to the recovery process. The former fourth-rounder was limited to 11 games as a rookie and 10 the following year. After only three appearances in 2025, he could still be viewed as a starting option for the future but one without a track record of availability. Jones’ rookie contract runs through next season, and in the wake of this latest injury it would come as a surprise if he were to receive an extension during the spring.
As a rookie, Jones drew a strong PFF evaluation for his pass protection; 2024 produced a regression across the board, though. Cleveland’s overall play up front has been a sore spot, particularly at the tackle positions. Losing the Oklahoma product for the year will leave the Browns shorthanded to an even larger extent moving forward.
Jedrick Wills is recovering from a knee injury of his own, and the former Browns first-rounder remains unsigned as a candidate to miss most (potentially all) of the campaign. A reunion on that front should not be expected, while veteran Jack Conklin has logged just 20 snaps to date in 2025. He is a pending free agent, and an offseason departure would come as no surprise. For now, Cornelius Lucas and KT Leveston are positioned to handle tackle duties. The Browns could be in the market for an in-season addition, particularly if Conklin continues to miss time.
In any event, Jones will not be in the picture for the rest of the way. The 1-2 Browns are in need of improved play on offense, including up front. The will need to attain it while dealing with a shorthanded unit.