HEADLINES

Raiders Bring Back WR Amari Cooper

August 25th, 2025 at 11:08pm CST by Adam La Rose

11:08pm: Cooper’s one-year deal with the Raiders (which is now official) is worth a $3.5MM base value, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The contract also contains $500K in per-game roster bonuses plus up to another $2MM in incentives. The max value comes in at $6MM.

4:35pm: On a day when one Raiders receiver has asked to be dealt, a former wideout is set to return to the team. Amari Cooper is heading to Vegas.

This will be a one-year reunion, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. Jakobi Meyers is looking for a trade in the wake of extension talks stalling, so the timing of today’s news is certainly noteworthy. Still, the Raiders were named today as one of the teams in the market for a WR addition, so this move is not entirely surprising.

[RELATED: Raiders Do Not Intend To Honor Meyers’ Trade Request; Teams Interested]

Cooper has not had a strong market for his services this offseason, a reflection of his underwhelming production upon being dealt from the Browns to the Bills midway through last season. The five-time Pro Bowler averaged 37 yards per game with Buffalo down the stretch. The team left the door open to a re-signing, but nothing took place on that front and a lucrative addition was ultimately made in the form of Josh Palmer.

A return to the Cowboys received consideration shortly after the draft, but in the end Dallas worked out a trade for George Pickens. No other suitors emerged over the course of the summer, and with the preseason in the books Cooper will now face a quick ramp-up period ahead of the campaign. He will do so with the franchise he began his career with (albeit in a different city).

A first-round pick of the then-Oakland Raiders, Cooper enjoyed a highly consistent start to his career. He totaled 3,183 yards and 19 touchdowns across 52 games before being dealt to the Cowboys midway through the 2018 season. Cooper went on to top 1,000 yards another four times after that trade, giving Dallas and later Cleveland a dependable WR1. Expectations will be tempered for 2025, but the 31-year-old will give Vegas an experienced starting-caliber option with Myers’ future at least somewhat uncertain.

The receiver-hungry 49ers showed interest in Cooper, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. Instead of heading to San Francisco, though, he will re-join a Raiders team which is much different than when he left.

Seahawks Planning Role For Jalen Milroe

August 25th, 2025 at 11:05pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Seahawks didn’t draft Jalen Milroe in the third round of April’s draft for him to spend his rookie season developing on the sidelines.

Instead, they’re planning to install a package of offensive plays featuring Milroe, likely designed around his athleticism and abilities as a ballcarrier.

Head coach Mike Macdonald said on Monday (via Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune) that the offense will “have plays in game plans for [Milroe],” adding that he would practice those packages with the first-team. In the preseason, Milroe racked up 87 rushing yards on just 15 carries (5.8 yards per attempt) on both designed runs and scrambles, but only completed 56.4% of his passes with a pedestrian 6.5 yards per attempt, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Free agent signing Sam Darnold is still Seattle’s unquestioned starting quarterback, but the Seahawks clearly want to get Milroe involved as a rookie, both for his short-term impact and his long-term development.

Macdonald’s comments may add to the perception that the Seahawks don’t see Darnold as a long-term starter. They did notify him of their decision to draft Milroe, but the year-to-year structure of his contract suggests that Milroe could be a serious candidate to take over the starting job in the next few years.

Of course, Darnold could always establish himself as the future of the franchise with a strong debut season. Milroe, an exciting but flawed prospect, is no guarantee to succeed at the NFL level as a full-time starter, either. His athletic upside is certainly tantalizing to Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, so the team will find a way to get him on the field this year as they evaluate their future at quarterback.

Ravens LB Jake Hummel Underwent Minor Hand Procedure, Will Make 53-Man Roster

August 25th, 2025 at 10:37pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Ravens’ roster picture became even clearer on Monday with head coach John Harbaugh confirming that veteran linebacker and special teams ace Jake Hummel would make the 53-man roster.

“He’s going to be a big part of what we’re doing,” said Harbaugh, who also revealed that Hummel has a minor hand procedure this week. The former Ram missed part of the spring due to the birth of his son and started training camp on the non-football injury list due to an issue with his hand. He returned to practice and played in Baltimore’s first two preseason game before sitting out the third.

Harbaugh also said that he expects Hummel to return to practice next week and be “good to go” for the Ravens’ regular season opener in Buffalo.

Hummel will be the fourth linebacker on Baltimore’s 53-man roster, along with All-Pro Roquan Smith, 2023 third-rounder Trenton Simpson, and rookie Teddye Buchanan. The Ravens could keep a fifth after an impressive preseason from undrafted rookie Jay Higgins. He recorded six tackles, one sack, one bat-down, and one interception on his way to a 90.9 grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked fourth among all linebackers.

Harbaugh also provided some injury updates on wide receiver Xavier Guillory and Dayton Wade. Guillory, an undrafted rookie out of Arizona State, broke his clavicle, while Wade, a second-year UDFA, had chest surgery. Both are candidates to be placed on injured reserve, potentially ending their season, though neither was expected to make the 53-man roster.

Texans To Move Jimmie Ward To Reserve/PUP List

August 25th, 2025 at 10:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Two Texans will be shifted to reserve lists when the team sets its initial 53-man roster Tuesday. As Joe Mixon will be transferred to the reserve/NFI list, Jimmie Ward is heading to the reserve/PUP list.

Ward has not recovered from offseason foot surgery, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports. Spending training camp on the active/PUP list, Ward must either be activated or transferred to the reserve/PUP list by Tuesday’s 3pm CT deadline. Not healthy enough to practice, Ward will miss at least the Texans’ first four games.

Ward’s age, injury and off-field trouble may put his career in jeopardy. The longtime DeMeco Ryans pupil has been arrested twice this year — the first on an assault family violence impeding breath/circulation charge and the second for violating his bail by consuming alcohol — and is rehabbing from surgery stemming from a Week 16 injury.

Ward, who has missed seven games in each of his two Texans seasons, will join Tank Dell as players to go down in a regular-season loss to the Chiefs but not be ready for the upcoming season. Dell’s injuries were considerably more severe, and the third-year wide receiver is expected to miss the full season.

Houston deployed Ward as a safety and in the slot during his two-year tenure, and the team has him tied to a $2.75MM base salary for 2025. If the Texans release Ward, it will cost them $4.63MM. That could certainly be a possibility, as could an NFL suspension. Ward is not in the clear legally, either, with Wilson adding Ward’s case is heading to a grand jury in September. And this foot issue offers another complication for the former first-round pick.

The Texans traded for C.J. Gardner-Johnson this offseason and dodged a bullet when the nomadic defender avoided an ACL tear. The team also has returning starter Calen Bullock at safety, patrolling the back line of a secondary that features Kamari Lassiter and recently extended CBs Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre. Ward’s place on a third Texans defense is foggy.

NFL Minor Transactions: 8/25/25

August 25th, 2025 at 10:10pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

  • Waived: CB M.J. Devonshire, OT Reid Holskey, TE Baylor Cupp

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings appeared to shop around Leroy Watson before ultimately deciding to waive the OL, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. A former tight end, Watson has emerged as an offensive lineman in the NFL, garnering 11 appearances through two seasons in the league. He started all four of his appearances for the Titans in 2024.

Vikings Contacting Panthers About WR Adam Thielen

August 25th, 2025 at 9:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

TODAY, 9:40pm: The two sides continue to discuss a potential Thielen trade, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. However, the Vikings and Panthers continue to disagree on compensation. At the very least, it sounds like they’ve overcome any financial concerns that may have been holding up a deal.

FRIDAY, 1:18pm: Panthers head coach Dave Canales has confirmed no serious trade discussion have taken place yet on this front, and The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports finances represent a barrier to any deal being finalized. The deadline for roster cuts is Tuesday afternoon, and it would come as no surprise if a resolution one way or the other were to be in place by then.

10:33am: The Vikings are known to be among the teams seeking a receiver addition in time for Week 1. An Adam Thielen reunion has been named as something to watch for, and efforts to make one happen are indeed underway.

[RELATED: Vikings Send Harrison Phillips To Jets]

Minnesota has contacted Carolina about a Thielen trade, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Nothing is imminent at this time, per Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune. Nevertheless, this will be a situation to monitor closely over the coming days.

The Vikings’ skill-position group has largely remained the same compared to last season, but their receiver depth chart has been dealt a number of blows recently. Rondale Moore will miss the season due to a knee injury, and projected No. 3 wideout Jalen Nailor is dealing with a hand ailment. Jordan Addison is set to reprise his role as WR2 when on the field, but he will miss the first three weeks of the campaign due to suspension.

While Justin Jefferson is at full strength (after dealing with a hamstring injury earlier in training camp), Minnesota could stand to add help at the position for the early portion of the 2025 campaign. Third-round rookie Tai Felton is in place to handle at least a part-time role on offense – especially until Addison returns – but a more established option would no doubt be welcomed by the Vikings. As such, Thielen represents a logical trade target.

The former UDFA joined Minnesota in 2013, and he began establishing himself as a valued member of the team one year later. Thielen played with the Vikings for nine seasons, earning two consecutive Pro Bowl nods during that span. A downturn in production helped inform Minnesota’s decision to release Thielen in 2023.

The Minnesota State alum signed with the Panthers in free agency and recorded the third 1,000-yard campaign of his career during his first season with the team. Thielen was limited to 10 games last year, although he still managed to operate as a full-time starter. Thought was given to retirement after the season, but the 35-year-old will suit up for at least one more campaign.

As things stand, that will consist of a third Panthers season. Carolina has invested first-round picks at the receiver spot in consecutive years, though (Xavier Legette, Tetairoa McMillan), and 2024 UDFA Jalen Coker flashed potential as a rookie. The Panthers also have veteran Hunter Renfrow in position to return to NFL action; he could replace Thielen’s slot production in the event of a trade.

Thielen has one year remaining on his contract and is owed a base salary of $6.25MM for 2025. The Vikings currently have over $30MM in cap space, although that figure will soon change once roster cuts are made. Still, finances should not be an insurmountable challenge if an agreement is reached regarding a trade.

49ers Place Isaiah Prince On IR, Make Five Other Moves

August 25th, 2025 at 9:28pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The 49ers made six roster moves on Monday, per a team announcement, including the placement of veteran offensive tackle Isaiah Prince on season-ending injured reserve.

Prince, 28, was auditioning for a depth tackle job in San Francisco before suffering a left knee injury on Saturday against the Chargers, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Originally a Dolphins sixth-round pick in 2019, Prince has also played for the Bengals, Falcons, and Titans in his career with 22 appearances and six starts. The 28-year-old will now spend the season on the IR unless he pursues an injury settlement.

The 49ers also released veteran running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn a few days after acquiring Brian Robinson from the Commanders. Vaughn spent the 2024 season on San Francisco’s practice squad and played a handful of snaps across three appearances, primarily on special teams. He began his career as a Buccaneers third-round pick in 2020 and played a tertiary role in their backfield over his first four seasons.

Here are the team’s four other moves:

Waived/injured:

Waived:

Bradley and Mordecai, a pair of 2024 UDFAs, appeared to pick up injuries on Saturday, according to Barrows. They will revert to the 49ers’ IR if they go unclaimed before Wednesday’s waiver deadline. As a result, veteran Nate Sudfeld will likely be the team’s third quarterback, though San Francisco may want to release him during final roster cuts and bring him back on the practice squad.

Vikings Trade CB Mekhi Blackmon To Colts

August 25th, 2025 at 8:55pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Vikings are trading cornerback Mekhi Blackmon to the Colts in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Blackmon, a 2023 third-round pick, carved out a role as Minnesota’s third cornerback as a rookie with 435 defensive snaps across 15 games. That seemed like an indicator that he would compete for a starting role during his second training camp, but the 26-year-old suffered a torn ACL in July missed all of the 2024 season.

Blackmon completed his recovery this offseason without issue and started the Vikings’ last two preseason games. However, that may have been an attempt to showcase the third-year corner to other teams, as ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reports that Blackmon “seemed stuck with the third team on a depth chart that isn’t exactly loaded with cornerbacks.” As a result, Minnesota opted to move forward with a veteran trio of Byron Murphy, Isaiah Rodgers, and Jeff Okudah and recoup some draft capital for Blackmon.

Enter the Colts, who made yet another addition to their secondary this offseason after signing Charvarius Ward, Camryn Bynum, and most recently, Xavien Howard. All three are listed as starters on the team’s unofficial depth chart along with two incubments: nickel Kenny Moore and safety Nick Cross. Upon arriving in Indianapolis, Blackmon will join fellow 2023 draftees Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents in the cornerback room and provide depth on the boundary.

This is the third trade the Vikings have made in the last week as general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah uses the team’s surplus talent to upgrade its draft capital. Along with deals to send Sam Howell to the Eagles and Harrison Phillips to the Jets, he has now collected four new picks – fifth- and sixth-rounders in 2026 and sixth- and seventh-rounders in 2027 – while also giving up 2026 sixth-round and 2027 seventh-round picks. Though that’s only a net gain of two Day 3 draft picks, teams always want to squeeze every bit of value out of departing players, and the extra picks could help Adofo-Mensah wheel and deal in the future.

Browns Expected To Release DeAndre Carter

August 25th, 2025 at 8:24pm CST by Ben Levine

The Browns are moving on from an offseason free agent acquisition. According to Jordan Schultz, Cleveland is expected to release veteran DeAndre Carter.

Back in March, the Browns handed the 32-year-old a one-year, $800K deal. Carter was expected to have a role in Cleveland as a back-of-the-depth-chart wideout and primary returner. Instead, the NFL journeyman will be looking to join yet another team.

The Browns represented the 10th team of Carter’s NFL career (not including multiple stints with the Raiders and Bears). The Sacramento State product’s best offensive season actually came relatively recently, when he hauled in 46 catches for 538 yards and three touchdowns for the Chargers. After getting into 17 games for the Raiders in 2023, Carter spent the 2024 campaign in Chicago. There, he hauled in nine catches in 13 games.

Carter has really made a name for himself on special teams, where he’s tallied 133 career kick returns and 149 career punt returns. He finished this past season with a career-high 31.9 yards-per-return mark, and he also managed to return the longest punt return (38 yards) since his sophomore season. Considering his special teams prowess, it shouldn’t take long for the veteran to find another gig.

For Cleveland, this could be a sign that UDFA Gage Larvadain has made the team, per Tony Grossi. The receiver finished the preseason with nine catches for 94 yards and one touchdown, and he also returned 10 punts.

Commanders Cut Michael Gallup, Five Others

August 25th, 2025 at 7:51pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Commanders made six cuts this afternoon as they trim their roster down to 53 players.

Headlining the group is veteran wide receiver Michael Gallup, who signed with the Commanders in March to attempt an NFL comeback. He started 67 games for the Cowboys from 2018 to 2023, but struggled to stay healthy throughout his career and retired last summer.

Gallup’s return to the league came with some fanfare given his past production in Dallas. He averaged 819 yards per year across his first three seasons – including a thousand-yard campaign in 2019 – and still eclipsed 400 yards in his next three years despite a variety of injuries. He was unable to recapture his previous form in Washington, catching only four of his 10 preseason targets for 40 yards, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). As a vested veteran, he is free to sign with any other team.

In addition to Gallup, the following players were cut, per a team announcement.

Harris, a 2020 fifth-round pick, served as the Browns’ backup center for two years on either side of a season-ending knee injury in 2022. He was unable to beat out seven-year veteran Michael Deiter for the same role in Washington this summer. Phillips has started 28 games across his five-year career for the Ravens and the Giants, primarily at right tackle. Similarly to Harris, the Commanders’ offensive line depth kept him firmly outside of the 53-man roster picture.

However, both have enough experience to attract interest from a team that needs offensive line help – perhaps one that has lost several players to injury, like the Saints.

Bassey, Harris, and Phillips are all vested veterans who will become free agents right away. Pollard and Sanders are former UDFAs who will be subject to waivers.

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