Minor NFL Transactions: 4/18/25
Here are today’s minor moves as we head into the last weekend before the draft:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed RFA tender: WR Greg Dortch
Denver Broncos
- Signed ERFA tender: S Devon Key
Houston Texans
- Re-signed: TE Irv Smith Jr.
Tennessee Titans
- Waived (with NFI designations): DE Khalid Duke, CB Justin Hardee
Dortch has had a couple decent seasons as a depth receiver in Arizona now. The Wake Forest product didn’t have much of a choice but to sign his restricted free agent tender and return for another year.
It’s been about five years since Smith has seen some success in the NFL. He signed late in the season with the Texans after a ton of injuries and did his job as a depth option at tight end. He returns on a one-year deal to serve as an option once again should Brevin Jordan or Cade Stover struggle with injury.
Hardee was re-signed to a one-year deal just over two weeks ago, but it appears the special teams ace won’t be sticking around in Nashville, or if he does, it will be on an injured list.
Titans Re-Sign Justin Hardee
The Titans have re-signed special teams ace Justin Hardee to a one-year deal, as first reported by FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz and confirmed by senior team writer Jim Wyatt.
2024 was Hardee’s first year in Tennessee, where he appeared in nine games with 185 snaps exclusively on special teams. He will take up a similar role in 2025 under new special teams coordinator John Fassel, according to Main Street Media’s Terry McCormick.
Originally a wide receiver at Illinois, Hardee converted to cornerback as an undrafted rookie in 2017. He didn’t make the Texans’ 53-man roster, but carved out a special teams role in New Orleans where he made 14 appearances. He remained with the Saints through the 2020 season, playing a handful of snaps on defense while continuing as a core special teams contributor.
Hardee’s reliability on special teams earned him a three-year, $6.75MM contract with the Jets in 2021. He played in every game in his first two seasons, but missed six games in 2023 due to a hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve. Hardee was also named to his first career Pro Bowl in 2022.
He then signed with the Browns in 2024, but was released during final roster cuts. He bounced around a few practice squads – first in Cleveland, then in Carolina – before signing with the Titans at the end of October.
As an eight-year veteran, Hardee will receive a salary of at least $1.255MM. His success on special teams throughout his career could earn him a better contract with a higher base value and/or additional guarantees.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/2/24
Today’s minor NFL moves including standard gameday practice squad elevations for Sunday’s slate of games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: DL Ben Stille
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: CB Natrone Brooks, DE Demone Harris
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: NT Josh Tupou, DE Chris Wormley
Carolina Panthers
- Signed to active roster: TE Jordan Matthews
- Elevated: CB Caleb Farley, WR Deven Thompkins
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: T Jake Curhan, CB Reddy Steward
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: T Devin Cochran, WR Kendric Pryor
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: DT Sam Kamara
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Kwon Alexander, FB Michael Burton
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: LB Abraham Beauplan, DL Chris Smith
- Elevated: OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad, TE Shane Zylstra
- Released: TE Parker Hesse
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: CB Kamal Hadden
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: WR Elijah Cooks, WR Austin Trammell
- Placed on IR: WR Christian Kirk (story)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed to active roster: TE Peyton Hendershot
- Placed on IR: TE Jared Wiley
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: LB Elias Neal, P Ty Zentner
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: DT Neil Farrell, LS Matt Overton
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: S Millard Bradford, CB Shemar Jean-Charles, RB Jordan Mims
- Elevated: CB Tre Herndon, S Roderic Teamer
- Placed on IR: WR Bub Means, RB Kendre Miller
- Waived: G Kyle Hergel
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: TE E.J. Jenkins
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: CB Justin Hardee, RB Joshua Kelley, WR Bryce Oliver
- Elevated: C Corey Levin, QB Trevor Siemian
- Placed on IR: OL Andrew Rupcich
- Waived: TE Thomas Odukoya
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/29/24
Here are the most recent practice squad transactions from around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to practice squad: DL Anthony Goodlow
Carolina Panthers
- Released from practice squad: LB Shaquille Quarterman
Chicago Bears
- Signed to practice squad: OL Austen Pleasants
- Released from practice squad: LS Jake McQuaide
Indianapolis Colts
- Restored to practice squad from injured reserve: QB Jason Bean
- Signed to practice squad: CB Tre Flowers, RB Evan Hull
- Released from practice squad: DT Josiah Bronson, WR Ethan Fernea, CB Kelvin Joseph
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to practice squad: LB Caleb Murphy
Miami Dolphins
- Released from practice squad: OT Anderson Hardy
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to practice squad: RB Myles Gaskin, OT Julian Pearl
- Release from practice squad: LB Dallas Gant, OT Marcellus Johnson
New England Patriots
- Signed to practice squad: WR Braylon Sanders
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to practice squad: DB Tre Herndon, RB Jordan Mims
- Released from practice squad: C Sincere Haynesworth
New York Giants
- Released from practice squad: S Gervarrius Owens
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released from practice squad: DT Siaki Ika
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released from practice squad: RB La’Mical Perine, CB Thomas Graham
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Released from practice squad: LB Kalen DeLoach
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to practice squad: DL Abdullah Anderson, DB Justin Hardee, OG Arlington Hambright
- Released from practice squad: OG Cole Spencer
Washington Commanders
- Signed to practice squad: OT Bobby Hart
- Released from practice squad: OT Anim Dankwah
The Vikings cut Gaskin from their active roster on Tuesday, but as a vested veteran, he did not need to pass through waivers before re-signing to Minnesota’s practice squad. Gaskin played in the Vikings’ first five games this season, but has not appeared since October 6. His familiarity with the offense could lead to activations from the practice squad if Minnesota needs running back depth.
Herndon will join the Saints after playing in Jacksonville for six seasons, with 83 total appearances and 34 starts for the Jaguars since 2018. The veteran cornerback only started five games over the last two years, but played in 15 games for almost 900 snaps as a rotational member of the Jaguars’ secondary. His experience could lead to quick elevations from the practice squad once he learns the Saints’ defense.
The Commander signed the 30-year-old Hart to give them more depth at offensive tackle. The veteran has 67 starts and 98 total appearances over his eight-year career, though he hasn’t played in the NFL since a 2022 stint with the Bills.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/4/24
Friday’s practice squad moves to close out the week:
Carolina Panthers
- Released: CB Justin Hardee
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: CB Darius Rush
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/24/24
Here are Tuesday’s taxi squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: LB Joe Evans
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: S Alex Cook, Justin Hardee
- Released: OLB Eku Leota
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Teagan Quitoriano
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DB Morice Norris
Green Bay Packers
- Released: TE Johnny Lumpkin
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT Josiah Bronson, DE Derek Rivers
- Placed on IR: QB Jason Bean
- Released: CB Kelvin Joseph
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released: TE Luke Benson, CB Nehemiah Shelton
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR John Jiles
New York Giants
- Signed: TE Joel Wilson
- Placed on IR: TE Lawrence Cager
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Brandon Smith
- Released: S Jaylen Key
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR John Ross
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Marcus Haynes
- Released: TE Matt Sokol
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: S Tracy Walker
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Ty Hall, DT Matt Gotel
- Placed on IR: RB George Holani
- Released: S Marquise Blair
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: P Trenton Gill, CB Keenan Isaac
- Released: P Seth Vernon
This year’s ‘Mr. Irrelevant,’ Key did not make the Jets’ initial 53-man roster. The 24-year-old was retained via the practice squad, but he did not see any regular season action. Now a free agent, Key will look to latch on with another organization.
Ross signed with the Eagles in May as part of his bid to return to the NFL. The former Combine 40-yard dash record holder was released during roster cutdowns, however, after he was unable to carve out a depth role on offense. Ross will rejoin the team in a bid to provide Philadelphia with a complementary receiving option as the team deals with a number of injuries at the WR spot.
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
Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC 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 Bengals, Browns, Ravens and Steelers moves are noted below.
Baltimore Ravens
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- OT Corey Bullock, RB Chris Collier, CB Bump Cooper Jr., WR Malik Cunningham, G Darrian Dalcourt, OLB Joe Evans, CB Ka’dar Hollman, TE Qadir Ismail, RB John Kelly, WR Keith Kirkwood, QB Devin Leary, WR Anthony Miller, DE C.J. Ravenell, ILB Josh Ross, WR Dayton Wade
Cincinnati Bengals
Signed:
Claimed:
- DE K.J. Henry
Released:
Signed to practice squad:
- CB Nate Brooks, WR Cole Burgess, T Devin Cochran, DT Domenique Davis, CB Jalen Davis, TE Cam Grandy, LB Shaka Heyward, C Trey Hill, WR Shedrick Jackson, S PJ Jules, WR Kendric Pryor, QB Logan Woodside
Cleveland Browns
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- DT Jowon Briggs, CB Tony Brown, WR Jaelon Darden, S Christopher Edmonds, CB Mike Ford, CB Justin Hardee, T Germain Ifedi, T Sam Kamara, T Roy Mbaeteka, WR James Proche, LB Winston Reid, LS Rex Sunahara, T Lorenzo Thompson, WR Michael Woods
Pittsburgh Steelers
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- CB Anthony Averett, RB Boston Scott
Browns Release RB D’Onta Foreman, Trim Roster To 53
The Browns kept four quarterbacks on their active roster, using other position groups to make their way down to 53. Here is how Cleveland maneuvered there:
Released:
- CB Tony Brown
- RB D’Onta Foreman
- CB Justin Hardee
- T Germain Ifedi
- WR James Proche
Waived:
- DT Jowon Briggs
- WR Ahmarean Brown
- WR Jaelon Darden
- S Christopher Edmonds
- DT Siaki Ika
- DT Sam Kamara
- TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden
- LB Winston Reid
- T Lorenzo Thompson
- TE Treyton Welch
- WR Michael Woods
Placed on reserve/non-football illness list:
Placed on reserve/non-football injury list:
- RB Nyheim Hines
Placed on reserve/PUP:
- RB Nick Chubb (story)
Placed on IR:
Placed on commissioner exempt list:
- DT Michael Hall (story)
Kevin Stefanski pointed to Foreman not being out of the picture, alluding this only being the team’s initial 53-man roster. The veteran back, who signed as a depth/rotational option this offseason, should be expected back, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot tweets. Teams can use up to six practice squad slots on vested veterans. This is Foreman’s fourth team in four years, but he has managed to play regular roles for each. The Browns also have their two other high-profile options — Chubb and Hines — out for at least four games, as they recover from 2023 injuries.
Cleveland considered trading Jameis Winston or Tyler Huntley, with second-year QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson showing enough improvement to have made the 53-man roster. But the team stopped short and made the rare move to carry four active-roster arms. One of the non-Deshaun Watson passers could be vulnerable, however, as the waiver wire will come into play soon. Winston and Huntley are vested vets and would head straight to free agency if released; Thompson-Robinson would need to pass through waivers. Teams often prioritize those players on cutdown day.
Hall is out of the picture for the foreseeable future, as his legal issue runs its course, and Wypler is out for the year with a broken ankle. The Browns designated Dunn for return. This will cut into Cleveland’s eight injury activations, and while the veteran blocker will miss at least four games, the team prioritized his comeback enough to use this early designation. Dunn has been with the team since 2020.
Browns Sign CB Justin Hardee
The Browns’ special teams have received a boost. Veteran cornerback Justin Hardee was signed on Tuesday, per a team announcement.
Hardee has seen a total of two defensive snaps over the past four seasons, with his contributions coming all-but exclusively on special teams. The 30-year-old gunner has excelled on kick and punt coverages during his career, which began with a four-year run in New Orleans. Following his time with the Saints, Hardee signed with the Jets on a three-year, $6.75MM deal.
The former UDFA served as New York’s special teams captain during his time there, including the 2022 season which resulted in a Pro Bowl nod. Hardee made 14 special teams tackles that year, the second-highest total of his career. A hamstring injury interrupted his 2023 campaign, however, limiting him to 11 contests.
Instead of re-upping with the Jets, Hardee has elected to join his hometown team. He is originally from Cleveland and attended Glenville High School before his college career, which took place at Illinois. Hardee will now look to continue working as a special teams ace, something which has allowed him to remain in the league for 107 combined regular and postseason NFL games.
In addition, Hardee will of course be able to serve as a depth option in the secondary. Cleveland has a strong CB trio of Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr. and Greg Newsome set to serve as starters. Hardee will line up as a second-team option in that capacity while providing his new team with considerable third phase experience.