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NFL Minor Transactions: 9/19/25

September 19th, 2025 at 6:28pm CST by Ely Allen

Here is today’s only minor NFL transaction:

Seattle Seahawks

White appears to be a frequent flier back and forth on the Seahawks’ roster and practice squad. Shortly after working as a return man on kickoffs in Week 1, White was released and immediately signed to the practice squad to make room for another player on the 53-man roster. That player was released on Wednesday, allowing White to move back up to the active roster, but now White appears to be headed back to the practice squad, opening up a spot on Seattle’s roster for this weekend.

Dolphins Targeting Week 4 Return For TE Darren Waller, Week 6 For RT Austin Jackson

September 19th, 2025 at 5:44pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Early-season injuries to right guard James Daniels and right tackle Austin Jackson left the Dolphins offensive line shorthanded in their winless first three games of 2025.

Miami has also been without tight end Darren Waller to start the year. The veteran tight end suffered a hip injury before Week 1, delaying his return to the field after coming out of retirement in the offseason.

Daniels is on injured reserve with an unclear return timeline, but the Dolphins have gotten some clarity on the other two. The team is optimistic that Jackson will be ready to play when he’s eligible to come off IR in Week 6, per ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques. That will bolster the blind side of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has been pressured 28 times on 77 dropbacks in the last two weeks, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Waller, meanwhile, is expected to make his 2025 debut in Week 4, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Head coach Mike McDaniel said that he might have suited up had the Dolphins played on Sunday this week instead of Thursday, but added that Waller’s body “has to follow through.”

Since Waller has been out of the NFL since 2023, it’s less clear what he will add to Miami’s offense. McDaniel’s scheme doesn’t emphasize tight ends, so it’s not a major disappointment that Julian Hill and Tanner Conner have only combined for four catches and 37 yards in their first three games.

Still, the Dolphins would certainly like to get more from the position. After back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2020, injuries hampered Waller over the next three years, but he still averaged 50.2 yards per game in that span. The former Pro Bowler may not have as many opportunities in Miami, but he could still be an upgrade over the team’s current options.

Commanders To Start Andrew Wylie At RG

September 19th, 2025 at 3:12pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

After remaking their offensive line this offseason, the Commanders are still figuring out their best five-man starting combination.

Washington traded for All-Pro LT Laremy Tunsil to replace Brandon Coleman, who flipped inside to left guard. Nick Allegretti switched from left to right guard with Sam Cosmi working his way back from a January ACL tear, and first-round pick Josh Conerly took over for Andrew Wylie at right tackle. Center Tyler Biadasz is the only starter returning to the same position.

That was the starting unit for the first two weeks, but the Commanders are planning to insert Wylie into the lineup at right guard, according to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz. The goal is to stabilize the right side of the O-line after Allegretti and Coleman struggled to start the year. Combined, the two allowed 17 pressures across the first tow games, with neither earning an overall grade above 50.0 or a pass-blocking grade above 40.0 from Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Wylie, an eight-year veteran with 88 starts, has spent the last four seasons playing right tackle, but the first three years of his career included almost 2,000 snaps at right guard, per PFF. The Commanders are hoping he can be a more reliable blocker than Allegretti, which in turn may take some pressure off Conerly.

Of course, Washington would love to get Cosmi back at some point this season after he emerged as an solid right guard in 2023 and 2024. He started the year on the physically unable to perform list and is eligible to return after Week 4.

If Wylie can shore up the right side of Washington’s offensive line, it would be a major boost to a Commanders offense that is entering Week 3 without star quarterback Jayden Daniels. The move could also benefit Wylie, who took a pay cut entering the last year of his contract and lost his starting job to Conerly in training camp. Getting playing time this year will

Commanders To Start QB Marcus Mariota In Week 3

September 19th, 2025 at 12:41pm CST by Adam La Rose

Jayden Daniels did not miss a game during his rookie season and was on the field for the first two contests of the Commanders’ 2025 schedule. His streak of availability has now come to an end, however.

Daniels suffered a knee sprain in Washington’s Week 2 loss, leaving his status in doubt for the team’s upcoming game against the Raiders. The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. He did take part on a limited basis this morning, but to little surprise head coach Dan Quinn ruled him out shortly thereafter (h/t Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic).

With Daniels unavailable, Marcus Mariota will get the start for Week 3. The veteran will have Josh Johnson in place as his backup against Vegas. Mariota handled first-team reps during practice this week in preparation for his first start as a Commander. The former No. 2 pick spent last season in the nation’s capital but played only 100 snaps filling in for Daniels.

Mariota will make his 75th career regular season start on Sunday. The game will allow him to play against one of his former teams, as the 31-year-old spent the 2020 and ’21 campaigns with Vegas. Following that Raiders stint, Mariota started for the Falcons over a 13-game stretch before being benched; he then spent one year as the Eagles’ backup before signing with Washington.

That $6MM pact was followed up by an $8MM one in March. Mariota took a one-year deal both times, so he is a pending free agent. Needless to say, his market value will be largely dictated by his performances while handling QB1 duties. How long Mariota remains atop the depth chart will be an interesting story to follow.

Quinn said a cautious approach will be taken with Daniels as he recovers. Especially given the timing of his injury, the 1-1 team will no doubt engage in a slow-moving process with its franchise quarterback while looking to repeat last year’s deep postseason run. Daniels will be a major factor in that effort, but only after retuning to game action.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow Undergoes Surgery

September 19th, 2025 at 11:58am CST by Adam La Rose

SETPEMBER 19: Burrow did indeed undergo surgery today, head coach Zac Taylor said (via ESPN’s Ben Baby). He added the procedure went well and noted there is no firm timeline in place for Burrow’s recovery process.

SEPTEMBER 18: Joe Burrow‘s turf toe will leave the Bengals without their starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. His recovery process could begin shortly.

Burrow is currently scheduled to undergo surgery tomorrow, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The timing of the procedure will depend on the swelling in Burrow’s injured toe, and it could be pushed back a few days if needed. In any case, Dr. Norman Waldrop will perform the surgery, per Rapoport.

Dr. Waldrop has worked under renowned surgeon Dr. Robert Anderson, and he has experience with a number of high-profile procedures. This Burrow one will add to that list, and a recovery period of at least three months is in store. As such, Jake Browning will be tasked with leading Cincinnati’s offense through the bulk of the campaign as the team looks to build off a 2-0 start to the year.

Expectations for the team in 2025 have understandably taken a major hit in the wake of Burrow’s injury, though. The former No. 1 pick has now suffered three major ailments in his six-year NFL career, and the timing of his latest one could leave him unavailable for the rest of the season depending on the timing of the procedure and his recovery process. Burrow, 28, is attached to his $55MM-per-year extension through 2029 so a cautious approach regarding his return should be expected.

In the meantime, Browning and Brett Rypien will handle QB duties on the active roster. Rypien was recently promoted to the 53-man roster with Mike White and Sean Clifford being added to the practice squad. Those four passers will handle their respective roles while Burrow rehabs his toe. Provided his surgery goes as planned, the countdown to when he will once again be available to Cincinnati will begin.

49ers S Ji’Ayir Brown Addresses Role Change, Potential Trade

September 19th, 2025 at 11:12am CST by Adam La Rose

Over the course of his first two seasons in the NFL, Ji’Ayir Brown totaled 18 starts at safety. This year has brought about a shift in role and workload, however.

The 49ers have relied on free agent addition Jason Pinnock and fifth-round rookie Marques Sigle as starters at the safety spot so far. That has left Brown in the ‘big nickel’ role as a hybrid linebacker when on the field. That has proven to be a rare occurrence, though; Brown has logged just nine defensive snaps through two weeks. The demotion to a part-time role was one of the subjects of a recent conversation he had with Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.

“It’s going to make sense one day,” Brown said when speaking about his position change (one which he views as only a temporary shift). “I’ve been around the game and I have a lot of respect from a lot of safeties around the game. That’s me saying my personal opinion that I’m top five in this league.”

Taken in the third round of the 2023 draft, Brown represented the 49ers’ top selection that year. The Penn State product emerged as a key figure in the secondary during his rookie season, one which included an interception in the team’s eventual Super Bowl loss. Brown logged a full campaign last year, but he played through an ankle injury for much of the season and saw a downturn in performance and PFF evaluation. Now healthy, he finds himself in a backup capacity.

Malik Mustapha is currently rehabbing the ACL tear he suffered during Week 18 last year. As expected, he has yet to be cleared for a return to action. Especially once that takes place, though, the 49ers will have a logjam in place at the safety position. Despite the fact Brown is attached to his rookie contract through 2026, the possibility of a departure via trade was raised as a result.

“I would definitely love to be here, career-wise, for the rest of my career,” Brown said. “But we all know this is a business. And I’m willing to adapt to whatever comes my way… I will be back at safety, eventually, whether it’s here or whether it’s wherever.”

No indications have emerged that a trade is being considered on the part of the 49ers, or that interest has been generated from potential suitors. Still, a move is something Brown would be open to based on his remarks. It will be interesting to see if a return to starting duties takes place or if his lessened workload continues through the remainder of the season.

QB J.J. McCarthy May Miss Multiple Weeks

September 19th, 2025 at 9:43am CST by Adam La Rose

SEPTEMBER 19: McCarthy is indeed out for Week 3, and the Vikings are set to fly to Dublin for the following game. With that in mind, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes (video link) Minnesota could very well keep McCarthy sidelined for Week 4 as well. After that, a return to the lineup would be more feasible.

SEPTEMBER 15: J.J. McCarthy was able to finish last night’s game for the Vikings, but at least one contest spent on the sidelines appears to be in store. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said on Monday (via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero) the second-year quarterback is likely to miss Week 3.

An ankle sprain is to blame for the (expected) missed time. O’Connell added a move to injured reserve is not expected, but a firm timetable is not currently in place (h/t ESPN’s Kevin Seifert). For at least Minnesota’s upcoming game, it looks as though Carson Wentz will be tasked with handling starting duties. Seifert’s colleague Adam Schefter reports a recovery timeline of two to four weeks could be in store.

McCarthy struggled through the first three quarters of his debut in Week 1. The 2024 No. 10 pick rallied in the fourth to lead the Vikings to a win. Last night against the Falcons, no such resurgence took place. Minnesota lost 22-6 during a game in which the team managed only 10 first downs. McCarthy was sacked six times and intercepted twice. O’Connell did note on Monday the 22-year’s absence (should he miss Week 3) will be strictly based on the injury, not his performance.

A meniscus tear suffered during the preseason last summer resulted in surgery for McCarthy. The Michigan product managed to rehab to the point where he was fully cleared in time for training camp, though. Handling first-team reps throughout the summer, he entered the year with high expectations based on his draft stock and O’Connell’s track record with respect to maximizing the potential of his quarterbacks. Things have not gone according to plan so far in terms of production, and now this ailment stands to delay McCarthy’s development process to an extent.

Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones both departed in free agency knowing the starting position would be handed down to McCarthy. Their absences left Sam Howell in place to handle QB2 duties once he was traded from the Seahawks to the Vikings during the draft. More recently, however, Howell was dealt from Minnesota to Philadelphia with the Vikings electing to sign Wentz late in free agency.

The 32-year-old has made 94 starts in his career, with his most recent spell atop a depth chart coming in Washington in 2022. Wentz served as a backup with the Rams the following year and then did the same with the Chiefs last season. A short stint at the helm early in his Minnesota tenure now looks to be in store.

O’Connell also said on Monday that running back Aaron Jones is unlikely to play against the Bengals in Week 3. With multiple starters up front in danger of remaining sidelined for that game as well, Wentz could find himself at the helm of a notably shorthanded unit.

WR Mohamed Sanu Retires

September 19th, 2025 at 8:54am CST by Adam La Rose

Mohamed Sanu‘s playing days have officially come to an end. The veteran receiver announced on Friday that he has retired.

“After 10+ years in the NFL, my playing chapter is closing,” Sanu wrote on X. “Grateful for every coach, teammate & fan. Excited to give back through coaching & share the game in a new way with the Facts Over Stats podcast. The Journey continues.”

Sanu last played a regular season game in 2021, and he very briefly spent time with the Dolphins the following summer. Given the time which has elapsed since, today’s announcement is certainly an unexpected one. Nevertheless, it marks an end to the 36-year-old’s career as a player.

Selected in third round of the 2012 draft, Sanu played out his rookie contract with the Bengals. He established himself as a starting-caliber receiver during that period, something which remained the case during his Falcons tenure (2016-19). In the 2018 campaign, Sanu set a new personal mark with 838 receiving yards; that season also marked the only time one of his eight career pass attempts (four of which resulted in a touchdown) fell incomplete.

After a midseason trade saw him finish the year with the Patriots, the Rutgers product split his time between the 49ers and Lions the following campaign. Sanu saw a downturn in usage and production during that span, and he remained a part-time contributor upon returning to San Francisco for 2021. After being released by the Dolphins in August of 2022, no known visits took place and no further playing opportunities presented themselves.

Multiple years removed from his final playing action in the NFL, Sanu will now officially turn his attention to other pursuits. In all, he played 145 combined regular and postseason games and amassed nearly $32MM in career earnings.

Falcons Would Need Kirk Cousins Suitor To Absorb Remaining Salary

September 18th, 2025 at 11:10pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Early-season quarterback injuries around the league have reawakened trade speculation about Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, but the team is “not trying to move him at the moment,” according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.

Cousins still has the desire to be a starter in the NFL, but – just like it was in the offseason – his massive contract is an insurmountable obstacle to a trade anytime soon. The Falcons would need a potential trade partner to take on the remainder of his fully guaranteed $27.5MM salary this season, said Russini on her podcast, Scoop City.

After two weeks, that number is down to $24.44MM and will drop by $1.53MM each week for the rest of the year. Currently, only five teams have enough cap space for Cousins’ salary, per OverTheCap, though others can use restructures to free up enough room. Two of those five are the Commanders and the 49ers, who are both dealing with injuries to their starter quarterbacks but already have preferred replacements in place.

That is also the case in Minnesota, where the Vikings have less than $16MM in cap space with Carson Wentz ready to step in for J.J. McCarthy. Cousins is also owed $10MM in guaranteed salary for the 2026 season, meaning that a trade this year would be a multiyear financial commitment.

Regardless of cap space, though, it’s clear that other teams see Cousins’ contract as a poison pill. Some may not be interested it all with the belief that his best days are behind him, according to Scoop City co-host James Palmer.

By the trade deadline, Cousins’ remaining salary will be down to a more manageable $13.75MM, and teams still looking for a quarterback upgrade at that juncture may be more desperate. Still, he would need to be viewed as an upgrade to those squads’ other options, and his 2025 tape is unlikely to inspire much confidence. Cousins won’t see the field enough before the deadline to change that perception, either. As a result, he should remain with the Falcons this year with the two sides likely targeting a parting of ways next offseason.

Packers Discussed Romeo Doubs With Teams During Offseason

September 18th, 2025 at 11:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Packers’ wide receiver surplus — created by the team using first- and third-round selections at the position in April — generated intrigue during the offseason. Jayden Reed‘s agent discussed where the team’s top returning wideout stood in the grand scheme, and Christian Watson‘s status was murky due to the ACL tear he suffered in Week 18 of last season.

Fast-forward to mid-September, and the Packers are 2-0 without much production from first-round pick Matthew Golden. The former Houston and Texas pass catcher has two catches for 16 yards through two games. Third-rounder Savion Williams is also working as a backup. Reed’s collarbone injury (and subsequent foot surgery) brought a complication, and the team indeed had Watson in its long-term plans — as the recent one-year, $11MM extension showed.

This setup leaves only Romeo Doubs as a contract-year player in this mix. The arrivals of Golden and Williams to go with the Watson extension point Doubs out of Wisconsin by 2026, and The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman notes the Packers are believed to have discussed Doubs with teams this offseason.

Given the Packers’ injury issues at receiver right now, Doubs stands as a more important piece than he otherwise would be. Reed is out indefinitely, with a two-surgery rehab effort likely prolonging his recovery timetable, while Watson is on the reserve/PUP list. Watson may be readying to return when first eligible, but it is also quite possible the Packers give the recently paid receiver a ramp-up period after designating him for return. Indeed, Schneidman adds that Doubs is unlikely to be moved now.

I posited Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks as potential trade chips this offseason, but with the other two returning WRs down, both players are fairly important to the team’s early-season plan. Tucker Kraft looking increasingly poised for a top-market tight end extension also represents an important Packers pass-game storyline, as the third-year player may be the team’s top target while Doubs, Wicks and Golden mix in during the Reed and Watson absences.

A fourth-round pick out of Nevada in 2022, Doubs has played well in spurts for a Packers team that has rolled with an egalitarian setup at receiver post-Davante Adams. Doubs eclipsed 600 yards in each of the past two seasons, scoring eight touchdowns in 2023 and adding four last year. Last season did bring a one-game team-imposed suspension after Doubs expressed frustration about his role. But he reemerged as a solid auxiliary Jordan Love target in the weeks that followed. The Steelers’ George Pickens trade loosely tied them to Doubs, due to his rookie-year overlap with Aaron Rodgers, but nothing came of it.

With Reed, Wicks, Golden, Williams and now Watson signed beyond this season, Doubs would appear to be auditioning for other teams this year. Among first-time UFAs at receiver, the 6-foot-2 weapon would join Pickens, Jauan Jennings, Rashid Shaheed, Wan’Dale Robinson, Alec Pierce and Jalen Tolbert as notable options. Though, veterans like Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel and Jakobi Meyers are also noncontracted for 2026. The Packers and Doubs would benefit from another productive season, even if this partnership appears unlikely to continue beyond this year.

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