Bills Add K Matthew Wright To P-Squad
With kicker Matt Prater battling a quadriceps injury, his status is uncertain for the Bills’ wild-card round meeting with the Jaguars on Sunday. In the event Prater is unable to play, the Bills added insurance on Tuesday in signing Matthew Wright to their practice squad. To clear a spot for Wright, the Bills released offensive lineman Richard Gouraige.
Prater initially injured his quad in Week 15, leading to a two-game absence. Looking for a temporary fill-in, the Bills worked out Wright and Michael Badgley on Dec. 16.
The Bills passed on Wright for Badgley, whose difficulties with extra points transferred from Indianapolis to Buffalo. Badgley made 18 of 21 extra points this season with the Colts, who cut him Dec. 2. The Bills parted with Badgley after he converted just two of his four PATs with them.
Prater came back for Week 18, but he aggravated his quad in a win over the Jets. If Wright has to take his place in Jacksonville, the nomadic 29-year-old will kick for a fourth team this season. He played in two games with the Texans and one apiece with the Titans and Commanders in 2025. Wright combined to go 5 for 5 on field goals and 4 for 4 on PATs.
Since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent from UCF in 2019, Wright has garnered regular-season experience with eight teams. Over a 33-game span, Wright has hit 60 of 68 field goals (88.2%) and 45 of 47 extra points (95.7%).
Despite strong conversion rates, Wright typically hasn’t lasted long anywhere. His most extensive action in a season came with the Jaguars in 2021. Wright played in 14 of their games that year and made 21 of 24 field goals, though he was a less successful 13 of 15 on PATs. A half-decade later, Wright may have a chance to face Jacksonville in a do-or-die game.
Along with Wright, the Bills added fellow kicker Maddux Trujillo on a reserve/futures contract on Tuesday. Trujillo signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent from Temple last spring, but they waived him with an injury settlement in early September. The 22-year-old is now joining his second NFL organization four months later.
Bills Sign Michael Badgley After Workout
The Bills are down to their third kicking option as Tyler Bass‘ replacement kicker, Matt Prater, is reportedly week-to-week with a quad injury, per Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News. As a result, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network announced today that Buffalo has turned to the free agent market, signing veteran kicker Michael Badgley. 
Badgley is coming to Buffalo on a practice squad deal, as he’s unlikely to stay long if Prater is legitimately week-to-week. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, the Bills hosted the Miami alum today alongside fellow free agent kicker Matthew Wright; Badgley emerged from the tryout with the deal.
Badgley recently had a seven-game stint with the Colts as an injury replacement for Spencer Shrader before getting cut and replaced by Blake Grupe. Badgley was mostly reliable kicking field goals with Indianapolis, converting 10 of 11 attempts with his only miss coming from over 50 yards. The Colts cut Badgley the week after he had a third missed extra point attempt in just seven games.
The Bills become Badgley’s seventh NFL team. It was the Colts that signed him out of college as an undrafted free agent, but he made his NFL debut with the Chargers, playing three years in Los Angeles. His 2021 and 2022 campaigns were eerily similar, seeing him play one game with the Titans (2021) and Bears (2022) before spending 12 games with division rivals Indianapolis (2021) and Detroit (2022).
He spent parts of the offseason in 2023 with the Commanders and Titans before ultimately returning to the Lions and stepping up late during the team’s run to the NFC Championship game. Staying with Detroit last year, Badgley suffered a torn hamstring that would keep him out until he returned to play in Indianapolis this year.
The Bills are headed to Cleveland this weekend in what’s sure to be a cold game. The teams Badgley’s spent most of his career with have mostly played in indoor stadiums, so Cleveland will be a good test, in case Badgley needs to stick around for more than one game in Buffalo during this closing stretch of the season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/19/25
Wednesday’s minor moves:
Houston Texans
- Claimed off waivers (from Cowboys): LB Damone Clark
- Waived: K Matthew Wright
Los Angeles Chargers
- Claimed off waivers (from Rams): S Chris Smith
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed from practice squad: K Harrison Mevis
Miami Dolphins
- Signed off Rams’ practice squad: CB A.J. Green
- Placed on IR: CB JuJu Brents (story)
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: WR Kevin Austin
New York Giants
- Designated for return from reserve/PUP: RB Eric Gray
Philadelphia Eagles
- Practice window opened: T Myles Hinton
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Reverted to season-ending IR: CB Cory Trice
21 days have gone by since the Steelers opened Trice’s practice window. They’ve made the decision not to activate him from injured reserve, so he will remain on IR without the possibility of being activated.
Gray has been on New York’s physically unable to perform list since they set their initial 53-man roster. With rookie running back Cam Skattebo hitting IR earlier in the season, Gray’s return could add some needed depth at the position.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/8/25
Several teams around the NFL made tweaks to their rosters on Saturday in preparation for Sunday’s slate of games. Here are all the latest moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed from practice squad: RB Michael Carter
- Elevated: LB Jared Bartlett, CB Darren Hall
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: CB Keith Taylor, OL Joshua Gray
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: DT Taven Bryan
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: CB Dane Jackson, LB Baylon Spector
Carolina Panthers
- Signed from practice squad: DT Jared Harrison-Hunte
- Elevated: WR Dan Chisena
- Waived: QB Mike White
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: TE Stephen Carlson
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: S Daniel Thomas
- Elevated: OL Michael Niese
- Waived: S Jammie Robinson
Houston Texans
- Signed from practice squad: CB Damon Arnette, K Matthew Wright (story)
- Elevated: DB Myles Bryant, OL Sidy Sow
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed from practice squad: WR Laquon Treadwell
- Elevated: DE Durell Nchami, DT Tim Smith
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: WR Tim Jones
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from IR: LS Josh Harris, CB Deane Leonard, DL Da’Shawn Hand
- Elevated: RB Jaret Patterson, RB Trayveon Williams
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: LS Jake McQuaide, K Harrison Mevis (story)
Miami Dolphins
- Signed from practice squad: TE Hayden Rucci
- Elevated: LB Quinton Bell, CB Isaiah Johnson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed from practice squad: CB Fabian Moreau
- Elevated: RB Corey Kiner
- Placed on IR: CB Jeff Okudah
New England Patriots
- Elevated: LB Darius Harris, RB D’Ernest Johnson
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: WR Dante Pettis, T William Sherman
New York Giants
- Elevated: K Younghoe Koo, WR Ray-Ray McCloud
- Placed on IR: WR Beaux Collins, LB Darius Muasau
New York Jets
- Elevated: OL Kohl Levao, DT Payton Page
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed from practice squad: RB Trey Sermon
- Elevated: LB Mark Robinson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed from practice squad: WR Cody White
- Elevated: WR Ricky White
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: WR Robbie Chosen
Week 10 will mark the debut for both players the Chargers gave the IR-designated for return label during roster cutdowns in August. Their activations had already been accounted for, but Hand’s had not. With those three now back in the fold, the Bolts have three IR activations remaining on the season.
Texans Place Two On IR, Add K Matthew Wright To Practice Squad
A pair of Texans defenders are heading to injured reserve. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, the team is placing cornerback Jaylin Smith and defensive end Darrell Taylor on IR.
Smith will miss at least the next four games while he nurses an undisclosed injury. The rookie third-round pick has played sparingly in 2025, getting into 31 defensive snaps and 78 special teams snaps in four games. The USC product was serving as a back-of-the-depth-chart boundary corner for Houston, and journeyman Tremon Smith will likely soak up any remaining backup snaps at the position.
Taylor has also barely seen the field during his first season with the franchise. The defensive lineman has gotten into four games, and he’s mostly split his 64 snaps between defense and special teams. The former second-round pick compiled 21.5 sacks in three seasons with Seattle before spending the 2024 campaign in Chicago. An ankle issue will sideline him through November.
Elsewhere in Houston, the team made some adjustments to their practice squad. According to Wilson, the team added kicker Matthew Wright and released tight end Dalton Keene.
Per Wilson, Texans starting kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn is dealing with a lower body injury that will put his status for Week 10 in doubt. Jonathan M Alexander of the Houston Chronicle is a bit more definitive with his report, noting that Fairbairn isn’t expected to play this weekend. The veteran is coming off a Week 9 performance where he connected on five of his six field goal attempts.
Wright is apparently the team’s solution to temporarily fill that spot. The Texans represent the veteran’s 11th NFL team, although he’s mostly been limited to cameos in his previous spots. In total, Wright has appeared in 31 career games, connecting on 87.5 percent of his field goal tries (56 for 64) and 95.6 percent of his XP attempts (43 for 45).
A former Patriots draft pick, Keene has spent parts of the past three seasons in Houston. He’s been limited to a single game during his Texans tenure.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/4/25
With lots of roster movement surrounding the trade deadline, practice squads needed rearranging, as well. Here are today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LS Zach Triner
- Released: K Ben Sauls
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: TE Scotty Washington
Buffalo Bills
- Released: LB Jimmy Ciarlo, WR Kristian Wilkerson
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: G Ja’Tyre Carter, RB DeeJay Dallas, S Israel Mukuamu
- Released: OLB Boogie Basham, QB Hendon Hooker, T Michael Tarquin
Chicago Bears
- Signed: G Kyle Hergel
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: C Ricky Stromberg
Detroit Lions
- Signed: G Jack Conley
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: TE McCallan Castles, TE Drake Dabney, LB Kristian Welch, WR Michael Woods
- Released: G Lecitus Smith
Houston Texans
- Signed: K Matthew Wright
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Chad Muma, S Trey Washington
- Released: CB David Long Jr.
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: DE Malik Herring
- Released: WR Jimmy Holiday
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released: CB Myles Purchase
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: LS Jake McQuaide
- Released: G Wyatt Bowles
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Clarence Lewis
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Brenden Rice
- Released: RB Jonathan Ward
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: WR Terrace Marshall
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Mark Robinson, S Daequan Hardy
- Released: DE K.J. Henry, WR John Rhys Plumlee
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: LB Stone Blanton
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Mac Dalena
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: CB Keydrain Calligan
- Released: CB Alex Johnson
The Texans are bringing Wright on as an emergency option as regular kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn works through an injury. Wright has plenty of experience in this role as this will be his fourth team this year alone.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/28/25
Today’s practice squad transactions from across the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB AJ Woods
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: T Michael Tarquin
- Released: CB Michael Reid
Denver Broncos
- Released: OLB Garrett Nelson, WR Samori Toure
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Justin Shorter
- Released: LB Brian Asamoah II
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR Tyler Scott
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Ethan Robinson
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: CB Kendall Sheffield
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: S K’Von Wallace
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB Rushawn Baker, RB Jonathan Ward
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: RB Jashaun Corbin
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Swayze Bozeman
- Released: WR Juice Wells Jr.
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Parry Nickerson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: S Darrick Forrest
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: T Andre Dillard
- Released: T Brandon Parker
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: CB Kemon Hall, WR Hal Presley
- Released: LB Ochaun Mathis
Washington Commanders
- Released: K Matthew Wright
The Steelers have seen injuries ravage their secondary in recent weeks. They made a big move not long ago to address the position, but Forrest comes in with some additional experience, providing depth at safety.
The 49ers are letting go of Parker, a former third-round pick who failed to find success with the Raiders, in order to make room for Dillard, a former first-round pick who failed to ever establish himself as a full-time starter in the NFL. Dillard spent the offseason with San Francisco, eventually getting released from injured reserve with an injury settlement. He’s been a free agent ever since and now signs his first ever practice squad deal.
After getting signed to the Commanders’ practice squad to fill in for an injured Matt Gay last night, Wright returns to free agency. In a low-scoring Sunday night affair, Wright made his only kick — a single extra point attempt.
Commanders Sign Matthew Wright To Practice Squad, Elevate K For Week 8
The Commanders will attempt to derail the Chiefs without Jayden Daniels tonight, but their Marcus Mariota-led effort will involve a backup kicker as well. Matt Gay is out for this matchup, leading a former Chief back to Arrowhead Stadium for emergency duty.
Washington added Matthew Wright to its practice squad today, and that move will precede a second transaction involving the nomadic fill-in specialist. Following this practice squad signing, the Commanders announced Wright will be one of their gameday elevations. He will kick for the visitors tonight.
Gay suffered a back injury during practice, being moved to the injury report Saturday. That forced the Commanders into this 11th-hour addition. Wright will join defensive tackle Sheldon Day as gameday elevations, per the team. Day, though, has been on the team’s P-squad throughout the season. This will be Wright’s first game action, though he does have a notable past in Kansas City.
A previous Harrison Butker fill-in, Wright once set the Arrowhead Stadium record for longest field goal by booting a 59-yard try before halftime in a 2022 win over the Raiders. Butker returned the following week and broke the record by hitting a 62-yarder before the half in a loss to the Bills. Wright later circled back to the Chiefs as a 2024 Butker replacement, kicking in two games. This included a 19-17 win over the Chargers, when Wright clanked a field goal off the upright and through for one of the Chiefs’ many close 2024 wins.
Overall, the six-year veteran has kicked for six teams. His only extended work came in a 14-game run with the 2021 Jaguars. Wright has also kicked for the Steelers, Panthers, 49ers and Titans. The Tennessee work has come over the past two seasons. He stopped through as a Joey Slye replacement in one game this season. Last year, he kicked for the Titans, 49ers and Chiefs, making 15 of 16 field goal tries.
Gay, who signed with Washington soon after his Indianapolis release, remains on the team’s active roster. Though, it is not known if the veteran will be ready to return for Week 9.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/17/25
Here are Friday’s practice squad transactions:
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Joe Bachie
- Released: K Matthew Wright
Wright had been brought on by Tennessee last week as regular kicker Joey Slye missed their Week 6 trip to Vegas. With Slye returning to practice this week, Wright’s presence was no longer needed.
Taking his place on the practice squad is Bachie, who worked out with the team today after getting released from Indianapolis’ injured reserve on Wednesday. One could speculate that Bachie may have requested a release from the Colts. If he was healthy enough to be signed after a workout with the Titans, his placement on IR must not have been for anything serious.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/11/25
Here are the minor moves and standard gameday practice squad elevations heading into the sixth Sunday of the NFL season:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed from practice squad: DT C.J. Okoye
- Elevated: QB Tyler Huntley, S Keondre Jackson
- Waived: S Reuben Lowery
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: CB Keion Crossen, G Brandon Walton
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: G Jaxson Kirkland
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: CB Tre Avery
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed from practice squad: WR Jalen Cropper
- Elevated: WR Parris Campbell
- Placed on IR: RB Miles Sanders (story)
Detroit Lions
- Signed from practice squad: S Erick Hallett, DT Quinton Jefferson, CB Nick Whiteside
- Elevated: T Devin Cochran, CB Arthur Maulet
- Placed on IR: T Giovanni Manu (story)
- Waived: C Kingsley Eguakun, DT Chris Smith
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: RB Ameer Abdullah, CB Cameron Mitchell
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: CB A.J. Green, LB Elias Neal
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: LB Quinton Bell, CB Isaiah Johnson
New England Patriots
- Elevated: RB Terrell Jennings, DE Truman Jones
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: LB Nephi Sewell
New York Jets
- Elevated: WR Brandon Smith, WR Isaiah Williams
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed from practice squad: WR Ke’Shawn Williams
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: CB Shaquill Griffin, S Jerrick Reed II
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: RB Owen Wright
Tennessee Titans
- Signed from practice squad: TE Thomas Odukoya
- Elevated: LB Curtis Jacobs, K Matthew Wright
- Waived: T John Ojukwu
Manu was ruled out for this week with a knee injury after making the first start of his career with Detroit. Unfortunately, he’ll miss the team’s next three games, as well, after being placed on injured reserve.
Wright will fill in as placekicker for the Titans in Week 6. Regular kicker Joey Slye has been ruled out with a calf injury after missing practice all week.
Avery in Cleveland and Walton in Carolina are both being called up as standard gameday practice squad elevations for the third time this year. If either of their respective teams want them to be active for another game, they will need to sign them to the 53-man roster.