Mike Hilton

Huntley will be on hand to back up backup quarterback Cooper Rush in Baltimore tomorrow against the Texans. Okoye is called up for the second week in a row as injuries continue to hamper the Ravens’ defensive line, as well.

With some continuing injuries causing some concern in the secondary, the Browns will elevate Avery and Jones for the second straight week. Jones is being elevated for the third time this season, meaning that if Cleveland wants to see him in another game this year, the team will need to sign him to the active roster. The same is true for Logue in Buffalo, Hewitt with the Giants, Clark with the Jets, and Pili in Seattle.

Arnette’s promotion means Week 5 will mark his first regular season action in the NFL since the end of his Raiders tenure in 2021. The former first-round pick revived his career in part through his performances in the UFL this spring, something which created interest from multiple teams in free agency. Arnette, 29, will look to use tomorrow’s contest in a bid to land a permanent role in Houston.

This is the second time the Jets have parted ways with a kick returner following a game in which they had a costly fumble. Williams follows in footsteps of Xavier Gipson, who was waived following a similar mistake in the team’s season opener. There appears to be a pretty short leash for young returners in New York at the moment.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/27/25

September 27th, 2025 at 6:34pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are Saturday’s minor moves and standard gameday practice squad elevations:

Buffalo Bills

Elevated: DT Jordan Phillips

Carolina Panthers

Elevated: OLB Boogie Basham, G Brandon Walton

Chicago Bears

Signed to active roster: LB Carl Jones
Elevated: TE Stephen Carlson, DT Jonathan Ford

Cleveland Browns

Elevated: CB Tre Avery, CB Dom Jones

Dallas Cowboys

Elevated: WR Jalen Cropper

Detroit Lions

Elevated: WR Jackson Meeks
Placed on IR: S Daniel Thomas

Green Bay Packers

Elevated: G Lecitus Smith

Houston Texans

Elevated: CB Myles Bryant, CB D’Angelo Ross

Indianapolis Colts

Elevated: CB Mike Hilton, G Josh Sills

Jacksonville Jaguars

Elevated: TE Quintin Morris, WR Austin Trammell

Kansas City Chiefs

Elevated: CB Kevin Knowles, DT Brodric Martin

Las Vegas Raiders

Elevated: TE Albert Okwuegbunam, TE Carter Runyon

Los Angeles Chargers

Elevated: T Foster Sarell, RB Kimani Vidal

Minnesota Vikings

Elevated: RB Cam Akers

New England Patriots

Elevated: LB Darius Harris, C Brenden Jaimes

New Orleans Saints

Elevated: DE Fadil Diggs, LB Nephi Sewell

Pittsburgh Steelers

Elevated: RB Trey Sermon

San Francisco 49ers

Elevated: CB Eli Apple

Tennessee Titans

Elevated: LB Curtis Jacobs, RB Jordan Mims

Washington Commanders

Elevated: CB Antonio Hamilton, WR Tay Martin

With Colts cornerback Kenny Moore presumed to potentially miss a few weeks, the recent signee, Hilton, will get his opportunity to supplement the team’s secondary. He may be able to earn an official spot on the 53-man roster with an impactful game. Similarly, Cropper may be able to get into his first NFL game since going undrafted in 2023 as he gets elevated to a receiving corps that will sorely miss CeeDee Lamb.

Morris is getting called up for the third time for Jacksonville. If the Jaguars intend for him to appear in another game after this week, they’ll need to sign him to the 53-man roster.

Colts, CB Mike Hilton Agree To Deal; CB Kenny Moore To Miss Time

September 22nd, 2025 at 11:45am CST by Adam La Rose

11:45am: Moore’s calf injury is expected to leave him sidelined for multiple weeks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Given that update, the Hilton signing comes as no surprise. Per Rapoport, his addition has come about via a practice squad deal, but Hilton could land on the active roster in short order.

11:02am: Shortly after Miami release, Mike Hilton met with the Colts. No deal was worked out with the veteran corner, but that has now changed.

Hilton is signing with Indianapolis, as first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The pact represents a reunion between the veteran slot corner and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. The latter led Cincinnati’s defense from 2019-24, overlapping with Hilton over that span.

As such, it came as little surprise when a Colts visit took place shortly before the start of the season. After no agreement was reached, Hilton also met with the Eagles. Upon seeing the first three weeks (with tonight’s contest pending) of the campaign go by without a contract in hand, though, Hilton now has his next NFL gig lined up. He could see notable playing time right away.

Kenny Moore suffered a calf injury yesterday, meaning the Colts’ regular slot starter could be unavailable for a period. ESPN’s Stephen Holder reports there is initial optimism with respect to a serious injury having been avoided in this case. Further testing will nevertheless take place on Monday, and more clarity will presumably emerge once that takes place.

In any event, Hilton will be counted on to play a role on a Colts secondary which dealt with a number of ailments even before the Moore injury. Having amassed 56 starts and 123 appearances in the regular season, Hilton represents a highly experienced option to be brought in during the season (and his familiarity with Anarumo’s scheme should make his acclimation process a relatively seamless one). The 31-year-old’s production has been consistent over the course of his career, and the same has generally been true in coverage.

Details on the pact are not known at this point, but it would come as no surprise if this were to be a deal near the veteran minimum covering the remainder of the campaign. Indianapolis entered Monday with roughly $4.8MM in cap space, and that figure will be lowered to an extent once the Hilton agreement become official. He will look to chip in defensively as the 3-0 Colts aim to maintain their strong start.

CB Mike Hilton To Visit Eagles

September 8th, 2025 at 9:31am CST by Adam La Rose

As he expected, Mike Hilton found himself in Miami by the end of July. The veteran corner did not survive roster cuts with the Dolphins, however, and he has remained a free agent through the opening week of the regular season.

A new opportunity could be in place shortly. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports Hilton will visit the Eagles today. Depending on how Monday’s workout goes, an agreement could be reached allowing the 31-year-old to continue his career in Philadelphia.

Not long after being released by Miami, Hilton visited the Colts. Indianapolis’ defensive coordinator is Lou Anarumo, who worked with Hilton in Cincinnati for four years. No deal was reached, however, leaving Hilton in search of another landing spot. That destination could prove to be Philadelphia, a team which has already made a September addition on defense with the Za’Darius Smith signing.

The Eagles have 2024 draftees Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in place as first-team cornerbacks. Adoree’ Jackson operated as a perimeter starter in Week 1, but he struggle in that capacity. An in-season addition could relegate him to backup duties. Signing Hilton – who has primarily worked in the slot during his eight-year career – would likely result in DeJean moving to the boundary in the event Hilton were to be used as a starter.

A more realistic scenario could be a backup gig in Hilton’s case. Avonte Maddox served as a fill-in option in the slot for 2024 before departing in free agency this spring. With 123 games and 56 starts to his name, Hilton would certainly offer plenty of experience to Philadelphia’s secondary in any capacity. The former UDFA has averaged two interceptions and eight pass deflections per season over the course of his career.

The Eagles currently have roughly $19.5MM in cap space. As a result, finances will not be an issue if today’s workout results in a one-year offer being made.

Dolphins Set 53-Man Roster, Begin Search For Kicker

August 26th, 2025 at 9:39pm CST by Ely Allen

The Dolphins got their roster down to 53 players this afternoon and, in the process, officially placed kicker Jason Sanders on IR. Here are the rest of the team’s moves:

Released:

Waived:

In four seasons with the team, Eichenberg has started at every position on the offensive line. The Dolphins will miss his versatility while he’s out, but head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed recently that Eichenberg’s injury is not a season-ending one.

Sanders’ hip injury landed him on injured reserve, meaning Miami will be without him for at least the first month of the season. To deal with his absence, the Dolphins hosted four veteran kickers — Zane Gonzalez, Greg Joseph, Riley Patterson, and Eddy Pineiro — for tryouts today, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Besides that, there weren’t many surprises in the cuts today. Tindall had been a core special teamer for each of his first three years in Miami but may have to find his way to the field through the practice squad. According to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, Murphy had a really strong summer with the team and should be back on the practice squad, as long as he clears waivers.

Colts To Host CB Mike Hilton

August 26th, 2025 at 3:37pm CST by Adam La Rose

Mike Hilton found himself amongst the Dolphins’ roster cuts yesterday. A long stay on the open market may not be needed this time, however.

Hilton has lined up a visit with the Colts for tomorrow, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. A workout in Indianapolis will take place, and a deal could be struck shortly thereafter. Per Schultz, a mutual interest exists for an agreement in this case.

It would come as little surprise if Hilton were to wind up with the Colts. He has four years of experience working with Lou Anarumo dating back to their time together in Cincinnati. Anarumo was the Bengals’ defensive coordinator during that span, and he is now at the helm of the Colts’ defense.

Injuries in the secondary have been an issue for Indianapolis this offseason, so the prospect of additions well into the summer has been consistent. Xavien Howard is set to return to the NFL after sitting out the 2024 campaign. He too is a familiar face to Anarumo. As an illustration of the team’s uncertain situation at the CB spot, Howard could step into a starting role despite only signing last week.

Hilton, on the other hand, would not be expected to handle a first-team role if he joined the team. The 31-year-old has operated in the slot for much of his career, but the Colts already have Kenny Moore to handle those duties. Hilton could serve as a veteran backup option, though, as a veteran of 123 games. Hilton is free to sign at any time, and it will be interesting to see how tomorrow’s workout goes. It could produce an agreement on the active roster of Indianapolis’ initial practice squad.

Dolphins To Release CB Mike Hilton

August 25th, 2025 at 9:43am CST by Adam La Rose

Mike Hilton‘s lengthy free agency ended with a Dolphins agreement. The veteran corner is not in position to spend the 2025 season in Miami, however.

Hilton was informed of his release by the Dolphins today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. After signing in July, the former Steeler and Bengal seemed to be slated for a notable role in the slot. Barring a return via a practice squad agreement, though, that will not be the case.

Cornerback has been a question mark for Miami throughout the offseason, one in which Kendall Fuller was released before Jalen Ramsey was traded away. Season-ending injuries to Kader Kohou and Artie Burns added further urgency to the need for summer additions, and Hilton was signed alongside Jack Jones. That pact came after Hilton spoke with the Dolphins earlier and the 31-year-old noted he expected to wind up in South Beach.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes Hilton was listed as a starter on the Dolphins’ depth chart upon arrival. He did not spend much time with the first-team defense during practice, however, something which could help explain today’s move. Fifth-round rookie Jason Marshall is now in position to handle starting slot duties.

Hilton received a $168K signing bonus when he joined the Dolphins. Miami will thus generate a dead money charge of that amount with this release. The team will create $1.03MM in cap space by cutting Hilton, though. It will be interesting to see how Miami approaches the next few days at the cornerback position.

Once Hilton’s release is official, he will reach free agency. The eight-year veteran has 56 starts to his name, so a market could exist for his services as teams arrange their depth charts in advance of Week 1.

AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Pats, Myers, Bills

July 30th, 2025 at 3:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

Zach Sieler is not holding in at Dolphins practice, but the veteran defensive lineman has let it be known he is seeking a new contract. Tied to a three-year, $30.75MM extension, Sieler has delivered a considerable return for the Dolphins by posting back-to-back 10-sack seasons — for a team decimated at the edge rusher positions.

“I do feel like I want to get,” Sieler said, via the Miami Herald’s Omar Kelly. “I do feel that respect coming. I think I’ve earned it. I know I’ve earned it.”

The interior defender, though, is signed for two more seasons. Dolphins GM Chris Grier has bent on a few occasions to extension-chasing players with more than a year left on their deals. Grier rewarded Xavien Howard, Tyreek Hill and Jalen Ramsey in doing so. The Howard and Ramsey decisions burned the Dolphins, as substantial dead money emerged following their respective exits. Sieler signed his extension shortly before the first of those 10-sack seasons. Set to turn 30 in September and sitting 31st in AAV among interior D-linemen, the former seventh-rounder is looking to capitalize on his performance and cash in while still in his prime.

Here is the latest from the AFC East:

The Dolphins brought in Mike Hilton and Jack Jones at cornerback, but they have lost Kader Kohou and Artie Burns for the season. Hilton had spoken with the Dolphins months ago. The former Steelers and Bengals slot corner expected to draw more interest, but he is now 31. He still expected to wind up in Miami, via ESPN.com’s Marcel Louis-Jacques.
Hilton arrived after multiple instances of Dolphins-Rasul Douglas negotiations. The Douglas talks would pertain more to Jones, who is an outside CB. Douglas remains in free agency after rejecting a Dolphins offer, The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson reports. Ranked behind veteran corners D.J. Reed, Byron Murphy, Carlton Davis and Charvarius Ward in PFR’s top 50, Douglas has been tied to the Dolphins and Seahawks and, per Anderson, has received more interest lately. It should be expected the soon-to-be 30-year-old DB signs somewhere soon, but his value will not approach the three-year, $21MM Packers deal he inked in 2022.
The Dolphins signed James Daniels after an Achilles tear, and they do not have top interior backup Liam Eichenberg available yet. The versatile O-lineman is weeks away from returning from the active/PUP list, Mike McDaniel said (via Jackson). McDaniel confirmed this issue is “not a season-ender.” The Dolphins re-signed Eichenberg (one year, $2.25MM) after seeing Isaiah Wynn miss all of last season due to a 2023 injury. Wynn is no longer on the roster, but second-round pick Jonah Savaiinaea is set to replace Eichenberg in Miami’s lineup.
Good news for the Patriots, who have seen their new DC (Terrell Williams) return to work at camp. A spring health scare sidelined Williams, but the Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi notes he is back ahead of his first year as a coordinator.
Josh Myers did not see his four years of starter experience lead to a noteworthy free agency deal, reminding of Teven Jenkins‘ market. The four-year Packers center starter, who received just $2MM from the Jets, did say (via SNY’s Connor Hughes) the team informed him upon signing he would move into a center competition with incumbent Joe Tippmann. We heard during OTAs the Jets would put Tippmann — a 2023 second-round pick — in a position battle with Myers, and it is ongoing. Both players are ex-second-round picks, though Myers’ 56 starts better Tippmann’s 31. Pro Football Focus ranked Tippmann eighth last season, slotting Myers in 38th among centers. Two years remain on Tippmann’s rookie deal.
Vince Carter does not intend for his Bills ownership stake to bring a silent partnership role. “I’ve sat with the GM, president, owner, the big boss,” Carter said, via the Daytona News-Journal’s Chris Vinel. “I’ve sat with everybody, and we’ve had conversations, and I just listen and learn. I don’t just want to have a name on it. I want to be involved.” While Carter is unlikely to represent the Bills at any owners meetings, he is one of many to take advantage of the NFL loosening restraints on private equity ownership recently.

Dolphins Sign CBs Jack Jones, Mike Hilton

July 26th, 2025 at 9:55pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

After a season-ending injury to Artie Burns, the Dolphins are making two veteran additions to their cornerback room.

The first is former Patriots and Raiders cornerback Jack Jones in a signing made official on Saturday, per a team announcement. Jones started 16 games for the Raiders last season and led the team with three interceptions and 16 passes defended.

The second, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, is veteran slot corner Mike Hilton. Hilton started 23 games over the last two years as the Bengals’ primary nickel, a role he has held in both Cincinnati and Pittsburgh over the last eight seasons.

Cornerback has long been a need for Miami, even before the team traded Jalen Ramsey to the Steelers. Jones primarily plays on the boundary, where he will likely compete for a starting job, while Hilton could be the starting nickel right away if Kader Kohou moves outside. Kohou also appeared to suffer a minor injury in Saturday’s practice, per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.

Jones, a 2022 fourth-rounder, began his career with the Patriots and started two games as a rookie. He was cut five games into the 2023 season after disciplinary issues in New England and claimed off waivers by the Raiders. Jones earned a starting job in Las Vegas by the end of the year and continued it into 2024 but was released by the Raiders in April, presumably as part of the roster turnover that comes with regime change.

Originally an undrafted free agent signing by the Steelers, Hilton is one of the league’s most experienced nickels. His 36 career starts don’t properly represent his contributions, as he maintained a snap share around 60% during his four years in Pittsburgh and stayed above 70% for his next four in Cincinnati. His last two seasons were arguably his best, racking up 13 passes defended and 157 tackles with a whopping 24 tackles for loss.

Hilton earned grades of 77.4 and 75.9 from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) in 2023 and 2024, respectively, his two best marks outside of his breakout rookie season. With a slew of younger corners on the roster, however, the Bengals declined to retain Hilton when his contract expired this year.

The Dolphins waived Ryan Cooper Jr. in a corresponding move to their signing of Jones. Cooper appeared in one game for the Ravens last year and finished the season on the Seahawks’ practices squad.

Released:

Waived:

Waived/injured:

Waived (with injury settlement):

Placed on IR (designated for return):

Placed on reserve/PUP: