CB Desmond King Retires
Desmond King‘s NFL career has come to an end. The veteran cornerback and return specialist took to X to announce his retirement. 
King has not played in 2025, and his retirement announcement confirms he will not look to make a late-season return to the league. Nearing his 31st birthday, he will instead turn his attention to his post-playing days. King saw time with five different franchises over the course of his eight-year career.
A Chargers fifth-round pick in 2017, his NFL tenure began in Los Angeles and remained there until a November 2020 trade. King was dealt from the Chargers to the Titans, the team with which he finished playing out his rookie contract. During his first trip to free agency, a one-year Texans pact was worked out. King operated as a defensive starter during his debut Houston campaign, and he did so again the following year upon re-upping with the team.
After being released shortly before the start of the 2023 season, King had a brief spell with the Steelers. That was followed by a return to Houston which covered the remainder of the campaign. In 2024, similarly, King was cut after training camp before making one appearance with the Texans. His final NFL games took place as a member of the Ravens while serving as the team’s punt returner. Third phase success was a key factor early in King’s career; the Iowa product earned first-team All-Pro acclaim in 2018 for his work as a returner.
In all, King made a combined total of 113 regular and postseason appearances during his time in the NFL. He departs the game with $14MM in career earnings.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/20/24
Friday’s minor NFL transactions and some standard gameday practice squad elevations for tomorrow’s games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: LB Milo Eifler
- Placed on IR: LB Jesse Luketa
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: CB Desmond King, WR Anthony Miller
Houston Texans
- Signed to active roster: TE Irv Smith Jr.
- Elevated: FB Andrew Beck, WR Jared Wayne
- Waived: WR Steven Sims
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived (with injury designation): CB Ambry Thomas (story)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: S Deon Bush, TE Anthony Firkser
Thomas will hit the waiver wire once again after getting claimed off waivers by Indianapolis and failing his physical. He was first waived off of the 49ers’ injured reserve with an injury settlement, so it’s not a surprise that injury prevented him from passing his physical, but a 28th-ranked Colts pass defense was looking forward to adding an additional defensive back.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/14/24
Saturday’s minor moves and standard gameday elevations:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: P Michael Palardy
- Placed on IR: RB Emari Demercado, P Blake Gillikin
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: DT Michael Pierce
- Elevated: CB Desmond King, LB William Kwenkeu
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: S Kareem Jackson, QB Mike White
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: RB Mike Boone, LB Jacoby Windmon
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed to active roster: QB Logan Woodside
- Elevated: T Andrew Coker, K Cade York
- Placed on IR: LB Joe Bachie
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: CB Andrew Booth, T Dakoda Shepley
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: G Nick Gargiulo, CB Reese Taylor
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: S Jamal Adams, LB Abraham Beauplan
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: DE DJ Coleman
- Placed on IR: TE Evan Engram (story)
Houston Texans
- Elevated: TE Irv Smith Jr.
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: LB Swayze Bozeman, TE Anthony Firkser
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: WR Laviska Shenault, TE Eric Tomlinson
- Placed on IR: WR Jalen Reagor
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from IR: WR Grant DuBose
- Signed to active roster: DT Matt Dickerson
- Elevated: T Ryan Hayes, LS Zach Triner
- Waived: QB Skylar Thompson
New England Patriots
- Elevated: TE Jack Westover
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/PUP: DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
- Placed on IR: LB D’Marco Jackson
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: QB Tim Boyle
- Placed on IR: G Jon Runyan (story)
- Elevated: DB Raheem Layne
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: CB Kendall Sheffield
- Elevated: TE Zack Kuntz, WR Brandon Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: FB Khari Blasingame
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from IR: DT Montravius Adams
- Placed on IR: T Calvin Anderson
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: CB Artie Burns
- Elevated: QB Jaren Hall, RB George Holani
- Placed on IR: S Jerrick Reed II
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: P Jack Browning, S Ryan Neal
Tennessee Titans
- Elevated: G Arlington Hambright, TE Thomas Odukoya
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: DT Carl Davis
Demercado has taken a backseat to Florida State third-round rookie Trey Benson, but he has averaged 9.3 yards per carry on 24 carries this year. Palardy will take over punting duties with Gillikin landing on injured reserve.
Jackson signed with Bills in late July, and although he was among the team’s final roster cuts he was immediately retained via a practice squad deal. This elevation means Week 15 will mark his first time spent on the active roster this season. The 36-year-old has started all but 10 of his 203 NFL games, but last season was marred by suspensions which led to his Broncos release. Jackson could suit up for Buffalo down the stretch as a gameday elevation in a bid to rebuild his stock to a degree.
With the playoffs nearly out of reach and quarterback Joe Burrow dealing with a few ailments (wrist and knee), the Bengals don’t seem to be taking any chances. Jake Browning will continue serving as the primary backup, while Woodside’s promotion will allow him to act as the emergency backup.
Adams has seen his biggest NFL roles during his time in Pittsburgh. Though he hasn’t gotten the same number of starts as he had in 2022 and 2023, he’s continued the same level of production. After missing the last four games, he’ll be looking to return to the field as early as tomorrow.
Ravens Sign CB Desmond King
The Ravens were in the market for a cornerback addition leading up to the trade deadline, with the team being outbid for Marshon Lattimore. That led to a deal being worked out which brought Tre’Davious White to Baltimore.
The team is still making moves in the secondary after the deadline. Desmond King is set to sign with the Ravens, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports. This will be a practice squad agreement. Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic adds King recently worked out with Baltimore. The team has since announced the move.
The 29-year-old has spent time with four teams during his career, with most of his recent games coming as a Texan. King had 28 starts and 40 appearances with Houston to his name ahead of the 2024 season, but he was among the veterans let go during roster cutdowns. He was ultimately retained on the practice squad before being elevated for one contest. King was cut once more last week, however, leaving him on the open market.
Baltimore’s secondary had a strong showing in Sunday’s low-scoring loss to the Steelers, but on the whole the unit has struggled in 2024. The Ravens rank last in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (285), and the safety position has seen a rotation of players in the starting lineup. At corner, the top of the depth chart is set with Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, first-round rookie Nate Wiggins and White.
King could play a depth role as part of that group, but his experience also includes considerable time spent as a returner. The former fifth-rounder earned a first-team All-Pro nod for his special teams work in 2019, the first of two straight seasons in which he recorded a punt return touchdown. King has remained involved in the return game through to his single appearance this year, and Baltimore is currently without primary returner Deonte Harty.
By virtue of signing on the taxi squad, King can be designated a gameday elevation up to three times. After that, he will need to be added to the active roster to avoid being placed on waivers.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/12/24
Today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Jakeem Grant
- Released: LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams
Carolina Panthers
- Released: LB Cam Johnson
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: QB Will Grier
- Released: S Emany Johnson
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Maurice Alexander, DE Isaiah Thomas
Houston Texans
- Signed: OL Cameron Erving, CB D’Angelo Ross
- Released: CB Desmond King, OT David Sharpe
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: OT Mason Brooks
- Released: DE Derek Rivers
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Jerome Carvin, OL Dieter Eiselen
- Released: LS Peter Bowden, QB John Rhys Plumlee
New York Giants
- Signed: OT Joshua Miles
- Released: P Matt Haack
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: RB Patrick Taylor
- Released: RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OL Chandler Brewer
The Falcons have added a notable name to their special teams corps in Jakeem Grant. The long-time Dolphins returner has collected six ST touchdowns in his career (four via punts, two via kickoffs), and he’s even hauled in 100 catches. However, the veteran hasn’t seen the field since the 2021 campaign while spending the past few years on Cleveland’s practice squad.
With Dak Prescott done for the season, the Cowboys have added some extra QB depth. In comes old friend Will Grier, who spent the 2021 and 2022 campaigns in Dallas. The former third-round pick has since bounced around the NFL, including stops with the Bengals, Patriots, and Chargers in just 2023. Grier still only has two career appearances on his resume, both coming with the Panthers in 2019.
The Texans have added some experienced OL depth in Cameron Erving. The veteran is coming off a 2023 campaign where he started two of his three appearances for the Saints, and he barely played in 11 appearances with the Panthers in 2022. Still, the 32-year-old brings 98 games (58 starts) of experience to Houston, a factor that could be valuable down the stretch. To make room on the practice squad, the Texans moved on from cornerback Desmond King. The veteran has only seen time in one game for Houston this season, although he’s not far removed from a 2022 campaign where he started 13 games for the Texans.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/19/24
Today’s minor moves and standard gameday practice squad callups:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed to active roster: DT T.J. Smith
- Elevated: OLB Shaq Lawson, LB Shaquille Quarterman
- Waived: C Andrew Raym
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: WR Jaelon Darden
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: DL Pat O’Connor
- Elevated: DE Isaac Ukwu, TE Shane Zylstra
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: FB Andrew Beck
Houston Texans
- Activated from reserve/suspended list: DE Denico Autry
- Elevated: FB Troy Hairston, CB Desmond King
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: LB Liam Anderson, CB Kelvin Joseph
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: WR Alex Bachman
- Elevated: TE Justin Shorter, WR Kristian Wilkerson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released: S Tony Jefferson
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Miami Dolphins
- Signed to active roster: QB Tim Boyle
- Elevated: CB Nik Needham, LS Matt Overton
- Placed on reserve/NFI list: LS Blake Ferguson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to active roster: TE Robert Tonyan
- Waived: WR Trishton Jackson
- Elevated: DE Jalen Redmond, OLB Bo Richter
New England Patriots
- Elevated: LB Ochaun Mathis
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: TE Anthony Firkser
- Elevated: S Jalen Mills, CB Kendall Sheffield
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from reserve/PUP list: S Sydney Brown
- Elevated: OL Jack Driscoll
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed to active roster: LB Adetokunbo Ogundeji
- Elevated: WR Brandon Johnson, RB Jonathan Ward
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: K Anders Carlson, S Jaylen Mahoney
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: CB Faion Hicks, CB Josh Jobe
Autry was hit with a six-game PED suspension in July, leaving the Texans without a key figure along the defensive line. The free agent pickup could have suited up by means of Houston using his one-week roster exemption; instead, he has been activated in time for Week 7. Autry, 34, posted a career-high 11 sacks last season and he will look to make an immediate impact during his Texans debut. Especially with Mario Edwards having been issued a four-game suspension of his own earlier this week, he should have a notable role right away.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/10/24
Today’s practice squad transactions from around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DT Angelo Blackson
- Released: DT Tyler Manoa
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Azizi Hearn, DE DeShawn Williams
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: TE Geoff Swaim
- Released: WR Lideatrick Griffin, CB Justin Hardee
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: TE Johnny Lumpkin, WR T.J. Luther
- Released: RB La’Mical Perine, WR Jalen Wayne
Houston Texans
- Signed: CB Desmond King, CB Troy Pride Jr.
- Released: S Mark Perry
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB Kelvin Joseph
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: CB Zech McPhearson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Jeshaun Jones
- Released: CB Jaylin Williams
New England Patriots
- Signed: DT Jaquelin Roy
- Released: G Jerome Carvin
New York Giants
- Signed: G Cade Mays
- Released: T Marcellus Johnson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Danny Gray, CB AJ Woods
- Released: WR Griffin Hebert, LB Brandon Smith
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: WR Shaquan Davis
- Released: LB Marcus Haynes
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: DE Jonathan Garvin
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Ty Scott
- Released: LB Michael Barrett
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Tay Martin
Washington Commanders
- Signed: T Anim Dankwah
Texans Place Case Keenum On Season-Ending IR, Reduce Roster To 53
Several vested veterans hit the chopping block in Houston. Here is how the defending NFC South champions reached 53 today:
Released:
- FB Nick Bawden
- FB Andrew Beck
- QB Tim Boyle
- WR Noah Brown (story)
- T Cameron Erving
- CB Mike Ford
- T Charlie Heck
- CB C.J. Henderson (story)
- DB Lonnie Johnson
- CB Desmond King (story)
- LB Jacob Phillips
- G Chris Reed
- CB D’Angelo Ross
- T David Sharpe
Waived:
- DT McTelvin Agim
- LB Tarique Barnes
- DE Solomon Byrd
- WR Quintez Cephus
- G Dieter Eiselen
- DE Malik Fisher
- DE Ali Gaye
- FB Troy Hairston
- DT Marcus Harris
- WR Johnny Johnson
- CB Troy Pride
- WR Ben Skowronek (story)
- RB J.J. Taylor
- LB Max Tooley
- T Kilian Zierer
Waived/injured:
Placed on season-ending IR:
- S Brandon Hill
- QB Case Keenum
Placed on IR/designated for return:
- LB Christian Harris
- DT Kurt Hinish
Placed on reserve/non-football illness list:
- DL Dylan Horton
Placed on reserve/suspended list:
- DL Denico Autry (story)
Keenum was headed into the second season of a two-year deal with his original NFL team, but a major injury will sidetrack the veteran arm. A foot injury will sideline the 36-year-old quarterback, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Keenum is expected to be down for three or four months, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini adds. Houston still has Davis Mills, who is in a contract year, as its top backup behind C.J. Stroud.
A calf injury will shut down Harris for the time being, Wilson adds. The Texans used both their allotted IR-return moves. The team used the 2022 third-round pick as a 12-game starter last season. Harris has played at least 71% of the Texans’ defensive snaps in both of his seasons, explaining his being prioritized via the NFL’s IR rule tweak. Despite being a 2022 UDFA, Hinish has been a key rotational player in Houston in each of his two pro seasons.
Horton is in remission from his bout with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The second-year player completed his final treatment this spring but did not practice with the team during training camp. The Texans’ run of WR cuts leaves 2022 second-rounder John Metchie, who missed his rookie season after a leukemia diagnosis, and Robert Woods on the roster behind starters Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs. Cutting Jordan, a sixth-round pick from Louisville, leaves Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale and Cam Akers rostered behind Joe Mixon.
Texans To Cut WRs Ben Skowronek, Noah Brown; CBs C.J. Henderson, Desmond King Also Released
For a second time this year, a team has made plans to waive Ben Skowronek. When the Rams were close to doing so in May, they found a trade partner. As of now, the Texans do not have a trade in place.
Houston is moving on from a wide receiver it acquired from Los Angeles, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reporting Skowronek will be cut. He will not be the only wideout Houston is releasing. The team is cutting Noah Brown, veteran reporter Jordan Schultz tweets. Brown totaled 567 receiving yards in his Texans debut. That said, the Texans entered the week with a crowded wide receiver room.
Additionally, the Texans are moving on from cornerback C.J. Henderson, per Wilson. The team added the former Jacksonville top-10 pick in March, bringing him in along with ex-Lions top-five CB draftee Jeff Okudah. But Henderson has struggled during his pro career, being benched by the Panthers during a rocky three-season tenure. Henderson is a vested veteran and will return to free agency.
The Texans are also moving on from Desmond King, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. King, who began a second stint with the team after the Steelers cut him last year, re-signed with the Texans this offseason. The veteran was competing for the team’s slot cornerback role.
Second-round pick Kamari Lassiter is slated to start opposite Derek Stingley. The Texans also signed ex-Patriots slot defender Myles Bryant in late March. Okudah remains on Houston’s roster, being given a one-year deal worth $4.75MM. The Texans gave Henderson a one-year, $2MM pact; only $500K was guaranteed.
Some of these players figure to be under consideration for Texans practice squad spots, but they also may have options in free agency. Brown impressed as a fill-in player for an injury-plagued receiving corps last year, and the longtime Cowboys option signed a one-year deal worth $4MM. With Brown being guaranteed $3MM, it is a bit surprising the team is moving on from a player with back-to-back 500-plus-yard seasons on his resume.
The Texans, however, acquired Stefon Diggs via trade and have Tank Dell returning from injury. The team also used a 2022 second-round pick on John Metchie. Despite the Alabama alum and leukemia survivor generating trade interest, he remains with the club. So does Robert Woods, who is tied to a two-year, $14MM deal. The Texans gave up only a 2026 sixth-round pick for Skowronek, who functioned as a utility player of sorts for the Rams.
DB Notes: Owens, Giants, King, Chargers
The Bears have become a rather Olympic-friendly organization in recent years. Although Marquise Goodwin did not make the U.S. long jump team three years ago, Bears coaches backed the London Olympian-turned-NFL wideout’s bid to land on the Tokyo squad. A new Bears regime appears equally into the Olympic spirit. Goodwin did not need to miss any training camp time, but one of the Bears’ new signees looks set to receive a few excused absences for Olympics purposes.
Jonathan Owens, a sixth-year safety best known as the husband of gymnastics icon Simone Biles, will be given some time to attend Paris to support his wife. Biles said (via USA Today’s Nancy Armour) the Bears intend to allow the veteran safety “a couple days off” during training camp to watch her compete. Biles, who regularly attended Texans and Packers games to support Owens, is due to compete in her third Games from July 28-August 1. Owens signed a two-year, $3.8MM deal with the Bears this offseason. Although the former Houston and Green Bay cog worked as a starter over the past two seasons, he looks set to operate as a backup behind Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker in his first Chicago season.
Here is the latest from the NFL secondary ranks:
- Saquon Barkley‘s departure and Daniel Jones remaining in place as the starting quarterback have been the lead items — perhaps along with Brian Burns‘ arrival — from this Giants offseason. But Joe Schoen also identified cornerback as one of the team’s top needs going into free agency. The third-year GM said during the Hard Knocks: Offseason debut (h/t The Athletic’s Dan Duggan) CB was a front-line need along with wide receiver and the offensive line. The Giants did invest in a corner (Dru Phillips) in Round 3 and added former Jaguars slot defender Tre Herndon in June, but the team is counting on converted slot Cor’Dale Flott to replace Adoree’ Jackson alongside Deonte Banks. Schoen’s recently revealed assessment of the position may be of note as the team finishes assessing its pre-training camp depth chart.
- Desmond King cited the Texans‘ emergence into an AFC contender as a key reason he agreed to re-sign this offseason. The team gave King a second chance after he washed out with the Steelers last year. “I’m going on my fourth year in Houston,” King said, via KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. “I’ve done seen the evolution of the team and the organization just being here for those first couple of years and seeing where it’s at now, knowing my capability and what I can bring to the team, why not be here with Houston?” King, who signed a one-year deal worth $1.8MM, has operated primarily as a slot player in Houston. He was with the team during David Culley and Lovie Smith‘s one-and-done seasons, before observing the Texans’ progress under DeMeco Ryans. With Tavierre Thomas now with the Buccaneers, King has a clear path to holding the Texans’ slot role this season.
- A number of new faces will be part of the Chargers‘ two-deep this year. After going into last season with J.C. Jackson and Michael Davis in key roles at corner, the Bolts moved on from both. While Kristian Fulton has a path to a starting job, ESPN.com’s Kris Rhim notes another addition — fifth-round rookie Tarheeb Still — made perhaps the biggest impact among the Bolts’ rookies during the offseason program. DC Jesse Minter also offered praise for Still, a Maryland product, and it looks like he has a chance at securing a role alongside the likes of Fulton and Asante Samuel Jr. in Jim Harbaugh‘s first season.