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.
Browns Place Greg Newsome On IR, Waive Kadarius Toney
The Browns placed cornerback Greg Newsome on injured reserve, per a team announcement.
The Browns have just four games remaining in the regular season and have been eliminated from playoff contention, so Newsome’s IR stint will end his season.
The former first-round pick felt a “pop” in his left hamstring late in the fourth quarter of Cleveland’s 27-14 loss against the Steelers on Sunday, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. Newsome underwent surgery on the same hamstring at the beginning of training camp, though he was able to recover before the regular season started. While the two injuries may not be directly related, it’s still a point of concern for a cornerback entering a contract year.
The Browns picked up Newsome’s fifth-year option back in April, so he is under contract for $13.377MM in 2025, though he will likely be looking for a long-term extension before the start of next season. He has yet to play a full season in the NFL due to injuries with an average of 13.5 games per season.
Cleveland also waived wide receiver Kadarius Toney after a rough showing on punt returns in the fourth quarter at Pittsburgh. A taunting penalty on a fair catch was his first mistake, followed by a muffed return recovered by the Steelers that dashed any remaining hope of a Browns comeback. Given his struggles over the last few seasons, especially on Sunday, Toney is unlikely to be claimed on waivers and will become a free agent looking for his fourth NFL team since 2022.
Patriots Activate Cole Strange From PUP List
The Patriots are activating offensive lineman Cole Strange from the Physically Unable to Perform list, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Strange suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee last December, sidelining him for almost a year. He returned to practice on November 20, so his 21-day practice window was set to close this week. Rather than allow him to revert to the PUP list for the rest of the season, the Patriots will move their 2022 first-round pick to the active roster as they determine his immediate playing future.
New England has shuffled their offensive line a number of times this season. Chukwuma Okorafor left the team in September while David Andrews, Jake Andrews, and Caedan Wallace all landed on injured reserve with long-term injuries. Andrews is out for the season, while Wallace was designated to return on Monday. Mike Onwenu has also played 329 snaps at right tackle and 522 at right guard.
Strange’s return will give the Patriots another option along the interior for the rest of the year. At 3-10, they’re no longer fighting for a playoff spot, but rookie quarterback Drake Maye could still take crucial developmental steps over their last four games. Making sure he can get the most out of his rookie year – and ensuring he’s healthy going into his first full NFL offseason – are top priorities for the a rebuilding New England franchise.
All 27 of Strange’s starts over his first two seasons came at left guard, but he could also land at right guard or center upon his return. Left guard still seems like the most likely spot; Onwenu and Ben Brown have both started at right guard and center for the team’s last six games, while Layden Robinson just moved to left guard in Week 13.
Evaluating Strange’s effectiveness coming off of last year’s injury and a lengthy recovery will be crucial to New England’s upcoming fifth-year option decision. Strange’s fully-guaranteed fifth-year option is projected to be $17.4MM after this offseason’s explosion in the guard market, per OverTheCap. That would rank eighth in average annual value among current guard contracts, a hefty sum for a player who has yet to prove that he is one of the best at his position.
Teams Expect 2025 Salary Cap To Check In Between $265-$275MM
After a significant reduction in 2021, the NFL’s salary cap is back on the rise. This year brought a record spike, which produced some windfalls — particularly along the offensive and defensive lines — in the days that followed. More growth is coming, but not quite as much as what 2024 brought.
This year produced a $30.6MM spike, raising the league’s salary ceiling to $255.4MM. The NFL is not planning to offer teams a projection this year, marking a deviation from the norm, but NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport does indicate where clubs are expecting next year’s number to sit . Teams are planning for the 2025 cap to come in between $265-$275MM.
A $10MM increase would be in line with the annual jumps during the 2011 CBA, but since the COVID-19 pandemic brought a 2021 reduction, the 2020 CBA — thanks in part to the expanded playoff bracket, 17th regular-season game and a new round of TV deals — has produced bigger leaps.
At this time last year, clubs were a bit more pessimistic on the 2024 cap. An expectation pointed to a $240MM salary ceiling for this year. That turned out to be well off the actual number, a development the Giants’ Hard Knocks: Offseason series revealed caught their GM (Joe Schoen) by surprise. We did hear earlier this offseason that at least one team, the Cowboys, did not expect similar cap growth for 2025. A May report predicted around a $10MM climb, which would certainly not rival what happened this year. That would affect teams’ plans for free agency and extensions.
The media kicker in the 2020 CBA, which can raise the players’ revenue share from 48% to 48.8%, played a role in this year’s cap spike. The NFL still, however, has not yet moved away from the effects of COVID. The pandemic leading to fanless stadiums (in many cases) and capped attendance at others in 2020 produced a $15.7MM cap reduction in 2021. Only the 2011 season, which came after a lockout and an uncapped 2010, had previously brought a decline. The 2025 offseason, though, is believed to be the final year in which the effects from the pandemic impact the NFL’s salary cap, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter notes.
Teams generally know what the cap will be around the Combine, leaving some mystery ahead. A $9MM deferment will affect the 2025 and ’26 caps, Rapoport adds, noting that the NFL and NFLPA agreed to keep that money from being piled onto this year’s record number. Otherwise, the NFL’s 2024 cap would have passed $260MM.
Franchise and transition tag numbers, fifth-year option figures, RFA tender prices and other matters will be determined as a result of where the cap lands. Here is where the cap has stood in each year during the past two CBAs:
- 2011: $120.4MM
- 2012: $120.6MM
- 2013: $123.6MM
- 2014: $133MM
- 2015: $143.3MM
- 2016: $155.3MM
- 2017: $167MM
- 2018: $177.2MM
- 2019: $188.2MM
- 2020: $198.2MM
- 2021: $182.5MM
- 2022: $208.2MM
- 2023: $224.8MM
- 2024: $255.4MM
DL Henry Anderson Retires
Henry Anderson‘s time in the NFL has officially come to an end. The veteran defensive lineman announced his retirement on Tuesday. 
Forever grateful to this incredible game for all the lessons, memories and relationships that will last a lifetime,” Anderson wrote in his retirement message. “Excited for the next chapter!”
The 33-year-old last played in 2022, serving in a rotational capacity with the Panthers. He re-signed with Carolina last March, but being moved to injured reserve during roster cutdowns ensured he would be sidelined for the entire campaign. After not managing to land an opportunity over the past few months, Anderson has elected to hang up his cleats.
Selected in the third round of the 2015 draft, Anderson spent his first three years with the Colts. He made 29 appearances with Indianapolis, seeing a total of 19 starts and logging a snap share of 62% or higher twice during that span. Anderson was traded to the Jets in August 2018, a move which set him up to fill a regular role on defense for New York. The Stanford product spent three years as a Jet, starting each of his 13 appearances in 2019.
Anderson was released by the Jets shortly before he landed another AFC East deal, this time with the Patriots. He played for New England in 2021, although in his four appearances his role was notably diminished compared to many of his previous campaigns. A slight rebound in that regard ensued with the Panthers, but well over one full season removed from his last playing time Anderson will now turn his attention to his post-playing days.
Overall, Anderson made 84 appearances and 43 starts across his NFL tenure, collecting 188 tackles and 11.5 sacks. Thanks in large part to his free agent Jets pact, he accumulated roughly $26MM in career earnings.
Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown Suffers ACL, MCL, PCL Tears
1:39pm: Testing has revealed Overshown suffered ACL, MCL and PCL tears in his right knee, Archer reports. The left knee was affected by last year’s injury, and it is a slight positive the other one will be operated on shortly. Still, a very long road to recovery exists, and when speaking about the matter Jones admitted it is uncertain if Overshown will play in 2025.
Archer notes surgery is scheduled for this week, while David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reports Overshown is weighing his options regarding types of procedures at this time. No nerve damage was suffered, but today’s news nevertheless marks a major blow for team and player. Two more years remain on Overshown’s rookie contract.
8:49am: DeMarvion Overshown missed his entire rookie season due to a torn ACL, and he is once again facing the possibility of a lengthy recovery. The Cowboys linebacker exited yesterday’s loss with a knee injury. 
After the game, head coach Mike McCarthy said the ailment is serious, adding that further testing will take place today to determine the severity of the issue. ESPN’s Todd Archer reports Overshown’s injury is believed to consist of not only another ACL tear, but other injuries as well. Provided that is the case, his season will be over with another long rehab process in front of him. Owner Jerry Jones confirmed (via Jon Machota of The Athletic) surgery will be required.
Overshown entered the league with relatively high expectations last year based on his play in college. The Texas product tore his ACL during a preseason contest last summer, though, leaving him sidelined for his entire rookie campaign. He had managed to remain available for every game in 2024 prior to last night’s injury, handling a starter’s role along the way as expected.
The 24-year-old has amassed 90 tackles this season, which ranks second on the Cowboys. Overshown’s five sacks also place him second on the team, a testament to his impact both against the run and the pass. In a year where several other integral members of Dallas’ defense have missed time, Overshown is also in line for a notable absence. Even if the worst-case scenario were to be avoided in his case, the former third-rounder will not see the field until 2025 at the earliest.
Eric Kendricks joined the Cowboys this offseason in free agency, turning aside the chance to play for the 49ers and reuniting with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer in the process. He leads the team with 119 tackles and will be expected to remain a central contributor on defense to close out the campaign. Kendricks is a pending free agent, though, and the Cowboys will have a number of other financial priorities to deal with this offseason. It would nevertheless come as no surprise if Dallas were to attempt to keep the Kendricks-Overshown tandem in place for 2025.
In the meantime, third-round rookie Marist Liufau will likely take on a first-team role over the final four games of the season. He took over for Overshown following the injury, allowing him to add to his totals in his debut campaign. Liufau has handled a rotational workload on defense while remaining a regular on special teams as well to date. The Notre Dame product could compete for a larger share of defensive snaps in 2025 with his play down the stretch as the Cowboys move on without Overshown in the fold.
Raiders Place RB Zamir White On IR, Promote QB Carter Bradley
Zamir White‘s 2024 season has come to an end. The third-year running back was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, the Raiders announced. 
White has been limited to eight games this season, and the quad injury he is currently dealing with has left him out of the lineup since Week 12. An IR stint ensures an absence of at least four games, the time remaining in Vegas’ season. White’s attention will therefore turn to recovery in advance of 2025.
As expected, Josh Jacobs departed the Raiders in free agency, a move which allowed White to assume RB1 duties at the start of the campaign. The former fourth-rounder had a strong showing late in the 2023 season when Jacobs was hurt, suggesting he would be effective as a full-time starter. Like with most of the Raiders’ offense this year, however, things have not gone according to plan for White. The 25-year-old averaged just 2.8 yards per attempt and scored one touchdown prior to suffering the injury.
Vegas is also without Alexander Mattison at the moment, so the team will move forward with the likes of Ameer Abdullah, Dylan Laube and Sincere McCormick in the backfield. The Raiders are out of postseason contention, but an improved showing on offense down the stretch could help quell doubts about head coach Antonio Pierce‘s job security. 2025 marks the final year of White’s rookie contract, so his performance next year will be key.
In a corresponding move, quarterback Carter Bradley has been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster. The undrafted rookie will provide depth under center as the Raiders evaluate the status of Aidan O’Connell, who could be an option to suit up in Week 15. If that is not the case, Desmond Ridder will get the nod and Bradley will have the opportunity to dress as his backup.
Panthers To Sign Velus Jones Off Jaguars’ Practice Squad; Trenton Irwin Also Being Added
The Panthers are bringing in a pair of skill-position players to close out the season. Carolina is set to sign Velus Jones off the Jaguars’ practice squad, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports. The team is also adding wideout Trenton Irwin on a taxi squad deal, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. 
[RELATED: Jonathon Brooks Suffers ACL Tear]
Jones had an underwhelming Bears tenure as both as receiver and a returner. Chicago attempted to use him at running back this offseason, but he made only one appearance before being waived in October. No claims were made, but in short order a new opportunity emerged. Jones signed with the Jaguars, taking a practice squad deal.
The 27-year-old was designated as a gameday elevation once by Jacksonville, but he has yet to see playing time with the Jags. Now, Jones will head to Carolina with an active roster spot in hand and therefore the opportunity to see action before the end of the year. He could play his way into an extended look with the Panthers depending on how he fares over the coming weeks.
Irwin has found himself on and off the Bengals’ roster and practice squad in recent years. The 29-year-old had spent the full 2024 campaign on the active roster until he was waived last week, a move which came after he made seven appearances in a depth role. Irwin’s most productive season came last year when he posted 25 catches, 316 yards and one touchdown. This move will allow him to reunite with offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, with whom he worked at Stanford. Rapoport notes a move to the active roster could come together in short order.
Carolina sits at 3-10 on the season, but the team has shown signs of improvement on offense in particular during recent weeks. Quarterback Bryce Young‘s second stint as the Panthers’ starter has included encouraging performances, and adding depth at the skill positions around him could aid his growth over the waning stages of the season.
Saints Sign QB Ben DiNucci
In the wake of Derek Carr‘s injury, the Saints have added a quarterback. Ben DiNucci has joined the team, per a Tuesday announcement from the veteran passer himself. 
Carr suffered a fracture in his non-throwing hand on Sunday, and he is considered week-to-week as a result. Surgery will not be required, and the Saints do not intend to place him on injured reserve (a move which would guarantee a four-game absence). Even though Carr could return before the end of the campaign as a result, New Orleans has sought out depth under center.
Jake Haener took over for Carr during New Orleans’ Week 14 win, and he could be in line to get the start this week. Failing that, the team will look once again to Spencer Rattler; the fifth-round rookie has made three starts this season, but his performances have left plenty to be desired. The same can also be said of Haener, but in some combination those two will be in position to handle QB duties over the coming weeks.
DiNucci’s most recent (and only) regular season NFL game action came with the Cowboys in 2020. He made three appearances and one start that year, but it has not been followed up by signficant playing time opportunities since then. The former seventh-rounder played for the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons in 2023, a stint which led to practice squad time with the Broncos and Bills. DiNiucci was waived by Buffalo during roster cutdowns this summer.
Now, the 28-year-old will get the chance to see time on the Saints’ taxi squad. A promotion to the active roster will likely not be necessary as long as Haener and Rattler stay healthy over the closing weeks of the campaign, but DiNucci could audition for an offseason roster spot with New Orleans.