Colts Work Out OLB Shaq Barrett
The Colts hosted veteran edge rusher Shaquil Barrett for a workout on Tuesday, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
Barrett signed with the Dolphins during the 2024 offseason but abruptly retired in July. He changed his mind later in the year and eventually convinced Miami to let him depart for his longtime team, the Buccaneers. However, the 10-year veteran only played 17 snaps across Tampa Bay’s Week 18 and wild card matchups.
Barrett’s agent said in April that “he’s definitely going to play this year,” but the two-time Pro Bowler has received no reported interest until now.
The Colts have been in the market for defensive reinforcements, specifically at edge rusher and cornerback. Barrett does not profile as a high-impact addition – his 7.5 sacks in 2023 and 2024 were his lowest two-year total since the 2017 and 2018 seasons – but the 32-year-old has long a strong understanding of how to rush the passer. If general manager Chris Ballard is targeting a more significant upgrade to his secondary, he may look to piece together some more inexpensive additions off the edge. Barrett would fall into that category.
Five other edge rushers visited Indianapolis for workouts on Tuesday: Deslin Alexandre, Seth Coleman, Jasheen Davis, D.J. Johnson, and Benton Whitley. Johnson was a Panthers third-round pick in 2023 and played 17 games in his first two seasons with minimal production. That continued in his four games this year, leading to his release in September. Whitley appeared in six games for the Giants and the Vikings, primarily playing special teams.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/11/25
Saturday’s taxi squad moves:
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: T Brant Banks
- Released: DL Deslin Alexandre
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC North
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings moves are noted below.
Chicago Bears
Claimed:
- LB D’Marco Jackson (from Saints), CB Jaylon Jones (from Cardinals)
Released:
- LS Scott Daly, WR Devin Duvernay
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Maurice Alexander, WR Miles Boykin, RB Brittain Brown, TE Stephen Carlson, DL Xavier Carlton, LB Power Echols, LS Luke Elkin, CB Tre Flowers, DL Jonathan Ford, DB Mekhi Garner, DL Tanoh Kpassagnon, DL Jamree Kromah, OL Jordan McFadden, WR JP Richardson, OL Ricky Stromberg
Detroit Lions
Signed:
Claimed:
- DT Tyler Lacy (from Jaguars), DE Tyrus Wheat (from Cowboys)
Signed to practice squad:
- DL Myles Adams, WR Ronnie Bell, C Trystan Colon, DL Keith Cooper, DB Erick Hallett, TE Zach Horton, WR Tom Kennedy, WR Jackson Meeks, OL Mason Miller, OL Michael Niese, LB Anthony Pittman, RB Jacob Saylors, S Loren Strickland, T Dan Skipper, DL Isaac Ukwu
Green Bay Packers
Signed:
- LB Nick Niemann
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- RB Israel Abanikanda, DL Deslin Alexandre, DB Johnathan Baldwin, T Brant Banks, DL James Ester, WR Mecole Hardman, LB Jamon Johnson, K Mark McNamee, DL Arron Mosby, WR Isaiah Neyor, WR Will Sheppard, DB Jaylin Simpson, LB Kristian Welch
Minnesota Vikings
Signed to practice squad:
- G Henry Byrd, WR Dontae Fleming, S Kahlef Hailassie, DL Jonathan Harris, WR Lucky Jackson, WR Jeshuan Jones, WR Tim Jones, G Vershon Lee, CB Fabian Moreau, OLB Gabriel Murphy, TE Bryson Nesbit, T Max Pircher, DL Taki Taimani, RB Xazavian Valladay, TE Nick Vannett, CB Zemaiah Vaughn
Packers Make Cuts, Set Initial 53-Man Roster
The Packers announced their initial 53-man roster as well as the following transactions:
Released
- CB Corey Ballentine
- WR Mecole Hardman
- LB Isaiah Simmons
- LB Kristian Welch
Waived
- RB Isaiah Abanikanda
- DE Deslin Alexandre
- S Johnathan Baldwin
- OL Brant Banks
- LB Jaret Bartlett
- QB Sean Clifford
- OL Tyler Cooper
- RB Tyrion Davis-Price
- QB Taylor Elgersma
- DT James Ester
- CB Tyron Herring
- WR Julian Hicks
- OL Trey Hill
- RB Amar Johnson
- WR Cornelius Johnson
- LB Jamon Johnson
- CB Kalen King
- OL JJ Lippe
- LS Mark McNamee
- DE Arron Mosby
- WR Isaiah Neyor
- DT Devonte O’Malley
- WR Will Sheppard
- S Jaylin Simpson
- OL Lecitus Smith
- OL Kadeem Telfort
Placed on IR (designation to return)
- RB MarShawn Lloyd
- OL Jacob Monk
Placed on IR
Placed on reserve/PUP
- DE Collin Oliver
- WR Christian Watson
- OL John Williams
Despite his struggles to carve out a role in the NFL, Simmons made the 53-man roster in each of his first five seasons after the Cardinals selected him with the No. 8 pick in 2020. That streak has come to an end in Green Bay with his release today.
Alexandre is expected to return to the Packers’ practice squad if he clears waivers, per USA Today’s Ryan Wood, who places Banks in the same category.
Lloyd suffered a groin injury early in training camp and a hamstring injury more recently, which will land him on IR and sideline him for at least four weeks. Monk, though to be the team’s backup center, will also be out for a minimum of four weeks.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/13/25
Many teams have started signing players to reserve/futures contracts, allowing the organization to retain (routinely) young, practice squad players through the offseason. Here are the latest reserve/futures contracts:
Arizona Cardinals
- CB Ekow Boye-Doe, LB Elliott Brown, OL McClendon Curtis
Cleveland Browns
- DT Ralph Holley
Denver Broncos
- LB K.J. Cloyd, OLB Andrew Farmer, G Nick Gargiulo, DE Matt Henningsen, DB Tanner McCalister, NT Jordan Miller, CB Quinton Newsome, WR A.T. Perry, OL William Sherman, DB Keidron Smith, CB Reese Taylor, G Calvin Throckmorton, TE Thomas Yassmin
Green Bay Packers
- DL Deslin Alexandre, S Omar Brown, DL James Ester, CB Kamal Hadden, K Alex Hale, G Marquis Hayes, WR Julian Hicks, OL Donovan Jennings, WR Cornelius Johnson, CB Kalen King, DL Jeremiah Martin, TE Messiah Swinson
Los Angeles Chargers
- G Karsen Barnhart, TE McCallan Castles, WR Dez Fitzpatrick, DL Christopher Hinton, LB Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste, WR Jaylen Johnson, LB Tre’Mon Morris-Brash, LB Caleb Murphy, RB Jaret Patterson, S Kendall Williamson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- OT Doug Nester
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC North
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings moves are noted below.
Chicago Bears
Signed:
Claimed:
Placed on IR:
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Micah Baskerville, OL Theo Benedet, TE Stephen Carlson, DL Byron Cowart, OL Jake Curhan, LS Scott Daly, WR Collin Johnson, DB Quindell Johnson, LB Carl Jones, DL Jamree Kromah, DL Dashaun Mallory, DB Tarvarius Moore, QB Austin Reed, DB Reddy Stewart, DB Ro Torrence, WR Samori Toure
Detroit Lions
Signed:
Claimed:
- LB Trevor Nowaske,
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Mitchell Agude, C Kingsley Eguakun, QB Jake Fromm, RB Jermar Jefferson, T Jamarco Jones, WR Tom Kennedy, TE James Mitchell, S C.J. Moore, DL Pat O’Connor, WR Tim Patrick, DL Kyle Peko, WR Allen Robinson, DL Chris Smith, DL Isaac Ukwu, TE Shane Zylstra
Green Bay Packers
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- DL Deslin Alexandre, QB Sean Clifford, DL James Ester, K Alex Hale, WR Julian Hicks, OL Donovan Jennings, CB Kalen King, RB Nate McCrary, RB Ellis Merriweather, CB Robert Rochell, G/C Lecitus Smith
Minnesota Vikings
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- G Henry Byrd, DE Andre Carter II, RB Myles Gaskin, LB Dallas Grant, TE N’Keal Harry, WR Lucky Jackson, WR Jeshaun Jones, DeWayne McBride, S Bobby McCain, LB Bo Richter, OL Tyrese Robinson, WR Thayer Thomas, TE Robert Tonyan, CB Jaylin Williams, DL Jonah Williams, CB Nahshon Wright
Packers Announce 53-Man Roster
The Packers featured the youngest roster in the NFL last season, and they’re set to return most of that young core in 2024. Still, the team had to move on from a long list of inexperienced players as they pared their roster down to 53 players. The organization announced the following roster moves today:
Released:
Waived:
- DL Deslin Alexandre
- DL Brevin Allen
- DL Keshawn Banks
- K Anders Carlson (story)
- QB Sean Clifford (story)
- WR Grant DuBose
- DL James Ester
- CB Gemon Green
- K Alex Hale
- WR Julian Hicks
- OL Donovan Jennings
- S Anthony Johnson Jr.
- OT Caleb Jones
- CB Kalen King
- RB Nate McCrary
- RB Ellis Merriweather
- DL Zach Morton
- OL Royce Newman (story)
- TE Henry Pearson
- QB Michael Pratt (story)
- CB Robert Rochell
- LB Chris Russell
- S Benny Sapp III
- DL Keonte Schad
- OL Lecitus Smith
- WR Dimitri Stanley
- TE Messiah Swinson
- OT Luke Tenuta
- WR Samori Toure
- DL Spencer Waege
- WR Jalen Wayne
- TE Joel Wilson
- LB Christian Young
Waived/injured:
- CB LJ Davis
- LB Ralen Goforth
Placed on IR:
- TE Tyler Davis
- RB AJ Dillon (story)
- DL Jonathan Ford (designated for return)
Linebacker Kristian Welch brings the most experience of the bunch, with the former UDFA appearing in 57 career games in time with the Ravens and Packers. He spent the 2023 campaign in Green Bay, where he played all 210 of his snaps on special teams. Considering his limited experience on defense, there’s a chance the Packers are tinkering with their roster and intend to bring the veteran back via the practice squad.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/16/24
Here are today’s reserve/futures contracts:
Chicago Bears
- C Doug Kramer, DE Khalid Kareem
Cleveland Browns
- DT Jayden Peevy
Dallas Cowboys
Green Bay Packers
- LB Deslin Alexandre, LB Deandre Johnson, LB Christian Young
Las Vegas Raiders
- OL Ben Brown, S Tyreque Jones, RB Tyreik McAllister
Los Angeles Rams
- TE Miller Forristall, TE Nikola Kalinic, G Grant Miller, WR Xavier Smith
Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 8/31/23
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Kaden Davis, OL Marquis Hayes
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: NT Bravvion Roy
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: QB Shane Buechele
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DL Deslin Alexandre, DL Daniel Hardy, OL Bill Murray, K John Parker Romo
Denver Broncos
- Signed: TE Lucas Krull
Detroit Lions
- Signed: QB David Blough, DL Quinton Bohanna, WR Daurice Fountain, DE Raymond Johnson, RB Zonovan Knight, G Michael Niese
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB Kristian Welch
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT McTelvin Agim, WR Racey McMath
- Released: DT Caleb Sampson, CB Kevin Toliver
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: DL Esezi Otomewo
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: CB Keith Taylor, WR Montrell Washington
- Released: DB Reese Taylor
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Marquez Callaway, LB Isaac Darkangelo, G Vitaliy Gurman, DE Janarius Robinson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Alex Erickson, S Dean Marlowe, TE Nick Vannett
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: TE Nick Bowers, RB Darrynton Evans, OL Chasen Hines, S Joshua Kalu, DT Rashard Lawrence, OT James Tunstall, WR Raleigh Webb, DE Chase Winovich
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Jalen Reagor
New Orleans Saints
- Released: RB Tony Jones Jr., RB Ellis Merriweather, RB Jordan Mims, LB Ty Summers
New York Giants
- Signed: CB Caleb Hayes, WR Dennis Houston, TE Tyree Jackson, RB Taiwan Jones, G Jalen Mayfield, OT Jaylon Thomas
- Released: CB Gemon Green, OL Tyre Phillips
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball, DL Jalyn Holmes, S Tyreque Jones, OL Jason Poe, OL Ryan Swoboda, RB Xazavian Valladay
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DT Thomas Booker, OT Le’Raven Clark, CB Tiawan Mullen
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Tariq Carpenter, OT Kellen Diesch, WR Simi Fehoko, G Joey Fisher, DB Josiah Scott
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: CB CB Shemar Jean-Charles, K Matthew Wright
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OL Ben Brown, CB Artie Burns, LB Jon Rhattigan, CB Robert Rochell
- Released: QB Holton Ahlers, OL Greg Eiland
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle, DE C.J. Brewer, OL Silas Dzansi, OT Luke Haggard, DB Keenan Isaac, WR Cephus Johnson, RB Patrick Laird, S Richard LeCounte, WR Ryan Miller, WR David Moore, DL Pat O’Connor, OL Raiqwon O’Neal, LB Jose Ramirez, LB J.J. Russell, TE Tanner Taula, QB John Wolford
Jets Set 53-Man Roster
The Jets have been in the limelight all offseason, and some of their lesser-known players have earned attention following the team’s participation in HBO’s Hard Knocks. The team had to move on from many of those unheralded players today, as the organization reduced their roster to 53 players:
Released:
- FB Nick Bawden
- QB Tim Boyle
- LB Samuel Eguavoen
- WR Alex Erickson
- DL Bruce Hector
- DL Jalyn Holmes
- S Craig James
- P Thomas Morstead
- OL Adam Pankey
- OL Greg Senat
- DL Tanzel Smart
- DL Pita Taumeopenu
- WR Malik Taylor
- LB Nick Vigil
Waived:
- DL Deslin Alexandre
- LB Claudin Cherelus
- C Trystan Colon
- S Trey Dean
- RB Travis Dye
- OL Chris Glaser
- OL Grant Hermanns
- TE E.J. Jenkins
- LB Caleb Johnson
- WR Jerome Kapp
- RB Zonovan Knight
- TE Zack Kuntz
- OL Brent Laing
- CB Derrick Langford
- WR TJ Luther
- CB Nehemiah Shelton
- DL Marquiss Spencer
- S Marquis Waters
Placed on reserve/PUP:
Placed on IR:
Placed on reserve/suspended:
Zonovan Knight made a name for himself as an UDFA in 2022. The running back was thrust into the Jets starting lineup, and he ultimately started four of his seven appearances. The RB finished the season with 400 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 98 touches. With Dalvin Cook added to a deep RBs depth chart, Knight seemed like a long shot to make the final roster.
Tim Boyle has bounced around the NFL a bit, but his only starting experience came with the Lions in 2021. The quarterback spent the 2022 campaign in Chicago, completing two of his eight pass attempts. It was uncertain if the Jets would keep three QBs on the roster, but the team appears content with just Aaron Rodgers and Zach Wilson at the position.