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.
Buccaneers To Sign LB Deion Jones To Practice Squad
Deion Jones has not played in 2024, but that could change relatively soon. The veteran linebacker is signing with the Buccaneers, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
To little surprise, this will be a practice squad agreement. Such moves are common amongst veteran free agents as they look to play their way onto an active roster over time. Jones could be used as a gameday elevation up to three times if Tampa Bay intends to use him as a depth contributor on defense.
The 30-year-old was a full-time starter as recently as 2021, his final year with the Falcons. Jones spent six seasons in Atlanta, earning a Pro Bowl nod along the way and making an impact against the pass in particular. He had a one-year stint with the Browns in 2022, followed by a return to the NFC South with the Panthers last year. In both cases, he handled a much smaller role than he held during his Falcons years.
The LSU product made 13 appearances with Carolina in 2023, but his 38% defensive snap share represented by far the lowest mark of his career. Jones caught on with the Bills this offseason in a bid to fill at least a part-team role with Buffalo. He found himself as a longshot to make the opening day roster, however, and was released in August. This Bucs deal will give Jones the opportunity to see playing time in 2024 after a lengthy in-season free agent period.
Tampa Bay has Lavonte David and K.J. Britt in place as linebacker starters, but with SirVocea Dennis likely out for the remainder of the season, depth at the second level would be welcomed. Jones, who has 114 combined regular and postseason games to his name, would add considerable experience to the lineup if he were to see playing time down the stretch. The Buccaneers sit at 7-6 on the year and currently lead the NFC South; Jones could have a role to play late in the campaign and/or during the playoffs should the team qualify.
Patriots To Waive WR K.J. Osborn
After long-running speculation about his Patriots tenure coming to an end, K.J. Osborn is indeed on the way out. The veteran receiver is being waived, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 
Schefter adds, to little surprise, this was a mutual decision by team and player. Osborn is among the Patriots receivers who have seen their playing time fluctuate during the campaign, and he has not suited up since November. Having been let go after the trade deadline, he will hit the waiver wire.
Osborn played out his rookie contract with the Vikings, establishing himself as a notable complementary receiver during his final three seasons with the team. His first foray into free agency saw him sign a one-year, $4MM Patriots pact, a deal which seemed to set him up as at least a rotational option in New England’s revamped WR room. Osborn saw more than three targets only twice in his seven appearances, however.
In the build-up to the trade deadline, signs pointed to the 27-year-old wanting a fresh start. That made Osborn one of many names to watch at the receiver position, and the Chargers showed interest. In the end, though, no trade was made and Osborn thus appeared set to close out the campaign with the Patriots. Instead, he will now be available to any teams willing to put in a claim for an addition over the stretch run. If that does not take place, Osborn will become a free agent.
New England’s pass-catching corps has been a sore spot in 2024, and Tyquan Thornton found himself in a similar position to Osborn leading up to the trade deadline. He was cut last month, a sign of the willingness on the part of Eliot Wolf to move on from receivers who have been unable to make an impact (although New England’s inability to pull off a trade for Thornton or Osborn is notable given the team’s readiness to finish the year without them).
For the final four games of the 2024 season, New England’s WR depth chart will consist of DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne and rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Every member of that group is under contract for 2025, so they could all remain in place over the course of the offseason. Adding at the position will nonetheless be a priority during free agency and/or the draft, something which would have already been the case even if Osborn had stayed in place.
Patriots To Sign K John Parker Romo To Practice Squad
John Parker Romo was waived by the Vikings once he was no longer needed as a fill-in kicker. No teams put in a claim, but he has not needed to wait long to find an interested suitor.
The Patriots are expected to sign Romo, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports. This will be a practice squad agreement, he adds. Romo had a successful short-term run in Minnesota after Will Reichard landed on injured reserve. Romo connected on 11 of 12 field goal tries and seven of eight extra point attempts over a four-game span.
Reichard is healthy again, though, and his activation led to Romo being placed on waivers. The latter will head to New England for the closing weeks of the season, although an immediate path to playing time does not exist. The Patriots have veteran Joey Slye in the fold after he was signed in May and won a preseason competition over incumbent Chad Ryland.
Slye has gone 22-for-28 on field goals this season, including four of six on attempts beyond 50 yards. The 28-year-old has missed only one of his 18 extra point kicks, making his season a more successful one than Ryland’s in 2023. Since Slye is on a on-year contract, however, the Patriots could soon find themselves in need of a replacement at the position. Romo could use the coming weeks to audition for at least an offseason roster spot.
The Virginia Tech product earned first-team All-XFL honors in 2023, something which kept him on the NFL radar after he was unable to see regular season game time with the Saints and Lions. Romo was briefly with the Bears last year, but it was not until his recent Vikings spell that he found himself on an active roster and in a gameday lineup. After the success of his Minnesota stint, Romo will look to carve out a spot in New England’s kicking plans.
Bill Belichick-UNC Talks Ongoing; HC Has Not Received Interest For NFL Vacancies
The 2025 NFL head coaching cycle has not begun, but Bill Belichick‘s name remains one to watch prior to the end of the campaign. The six-time Super Bowl winning coach continues to be connected to the vacancy at North Carolina. 
Despite the fact Belichick has not held a full-time role in the college ranks during his career, the 72-year-old could find himself leading the Tar Heels in the near future. A second interview between the parties took place last week, and with the NCAA transfer portal opening today it would not come as a surprise if the school made a decision in the near future. Indeed, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports clarity on Belichick’s standing (at least with respect to the UNC opening) should be coming soon.
While the depth of discussions is not certain, ESPN’s Pete Thamel adds they have gone on between North Carolina and Belichick “for an extended period of time.” Recent reports have noted Belichick’s preference would be to return to the NFL ranks on his next job, which could leave his courtship with UNC as a means of establishing leverage from pro teams in need of a new coach. The 2024 hiring cycle was quiet for the longtime Patriots coach, however, with the Falcons being the only team to interview him.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes Belichick was likely caught off guard by the lack of a market which was in place for him last winter, something which set him up to spend the ongoing season in a number of media roles. A return to the sidelines in some capacity would come as no surprise, but that will depend in no small part on the interest NFL teams show in him this time around. The Jets are, expectedly, not believed to be an option should Belichick take a pro gig; teams like the Jaguars, Cowboys and Giants have been floated as possibilities, but none of them currently have an opening.
The Saints and Bears have made in-season coaching moves, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports neither of them have reached out at this point. Notably, he adds no teams have made contact about a potential hire (something which is possible at any time since Belichick is not under contract with another organization). Florio reports that Belichick is “very surprised” by the fact he has not received interest so far.
More HC openings will no doubt be created by Black Monday following the conclusion of the NFL regular season. By the time that happens, the Tar Heels will no doubt have their next coach in place, and Belichick remains a candidate for that posting. Should he fail to receive an offer for the job (or decline to take it), it will be interesting to see if an NFL market is generated.
Panthers’ Jonathon Brooks Suffers ACL Tear
For the second year in a row, Jonathon Brooks has suffered an ACL tear. Panthers head coach Dave Canales confirmed the injury for the rookie running back on Monday. 
Brooks tore his ACL during his final collegiate season, something which delayed his NFL debut. Now, after only three games with Carolina, the second-rounder will re-start the lengthy rehab process associated with the injury. He will miss the remainder of the campaign and likely time in 2025 as well.
Canales noted Brooks re-tore his right ACL, the one which was affected by last year’s injury. As expected, the Panthers were cautious in their approach to Brooks’ recovery, and he had a lengthy stay on the NFI list prior to being activated in November. He managed to take part in just two full games, seeing a total of nine carries before going down midway through yesterday’s loss to the Eagles.
Brooks’ rookie contract runs through 2027, so plenty of time remains for him to return to full health and establish himself as a key figure on a rebuilding Carolina offense. The Texans product will be faced with surgery and a long rehab process once again, though, and that will be the top priority for team and player as the season winds down. The 3-10 Panthers are out of postseason contention, but they will miss out on the opportunity to get Brooks playing time down the stretch.
In the meantime, Chuba Hubbard will remain atop the running back depth chart. The 25-year-old has enjoyed a career year in 2024, and on Sunday he eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards. One month ago, Hubbard agreed to a four-year extension which ensured he would not hit free agency and has him positioned to continue operating as Carolina’s top back for the foreseeable future. Fellow running back Raheem Blackshear was taken to hospital after suffering a chest injury, but Canales said (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo) he traveled home with the team. Depending on his prognosis, Hubbard may be forced to handle a very heavy workload the rest of the way.
As for Brooks, his progress in recovering after the surgery takes place will be a key offseason storyline. The team will no doubt once again take a cautious approach to his return to action, something which will likely not be feasible until midway through the 2025 season.
Chiefs Sign CB Steven Nelson
DECEMBER 9: Monday’s workout went ahead as scheduled, and it has produced a deal. Nelson signed to the Chiefs’ practice squad, per a team announcement. Once he is prepared to make his season debut, he will provide Kansas City with veteran depth either as a gameday elevation or as a candidate to be signed to the active roster in the near future.
DECEMBER 8: Steven Nelson announced his retirement in June, but he is in contention for a midseason return to NFL action. The veteran corner has a visit lined up with the Chiefs, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. 
Nelson’s agent confirmed the visit will take place tomorrow, and it will open the door to a potential reunion. His playing career started with Kansas City in 2015 and lasted four seasons. Nelson played sparingly as a rookie, but he was a full-time starter after that, something which remained the case through to last season.
The former third-rounder had two-year runs with the Steelers, Eagles and Texans before electing to hang up his cleats. Nelson was on the Raiders’ radar this offseason, but he has been out of the league and has not been connected to any interest until the news of his upcoming Kansas City visit. Landing a deal with the defending champions would give them added depth in the secondary.
The Chiefs dealt away L’Jarius Sneed this offseason, and their CB room took another hit when Jaylen Watson suffered an ankle injury which will likely keep him sidelined for the rest of the campaign. Kansas City has held up well against the run this season, but the team’s secondary has been a relative weak point on defense. That informed the pursuit of Marshon Lattimore ahead of the trade deadline, but the Commanders ultimately won the bidding war for the former Saints Pro Bowler.
Kansas City has Trent McDuffie atop the cornerback depth chart, along with Chamarri Conner, Joshua Williams, Keith Taylor and Christian Roland-Wallace. Nelson could join that group as a depth contributor with plenty of experience at the NFL level (140 combined regular and postseason appearances), although he would of course not face high expectations in the event he were to sign a deal. After posting four interceptions and 12 pass deflections last year, though, Nelson could offer a degree of playmaking if he and the Chiefs were to come to an agreement.
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.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/9/24
Today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: S Benny Sapp III
- Released: S Dane Cruikshank
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: OL Michael Jordan
- Released: OT Spencer Rolland
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: S Travion Fluellen