UFL Stars Try Out For NFL Teams
The United Football League’s 2026 season wrapped last Friday with the DC Defenders’ United Bowl win over the Louisville Kings.
Now, many UFL players are looking to make the jump to the NFL, including former Buccaneers and Rams linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi. He worked out for the Cowboys on Monday, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
Fatukasi, 27, logged 23 tackles (three for loss) and two sacks in seven games for the Birmingham Stallions this year. His first NFL experience came in Tampa Bay, where he made the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie in 2022. He carved out a special teams role for the first 13 games of the season but was waived in December. Fatukasi then spent time with the Broncos, Patriots, and Chiefs before making another regular season appearance for the Rams at the end of the 2023 season. The veteran linebacker was waived by Los Angeles in 2024 and spent the last two years in the UFL.
Another former NFLer seeking a return to the league is Orlando Banks edge rusher Keshawn Banks, who auditioned for the Falcons on Monday, Wilson reports. Banks ranked among the UFL’s top 10 defenders with five sacks and 11 tackles for loss this year with previous stints with the Packers, Patriots, and Cardinals. His only regular season action in the NFL came in New England in 2023, when he played 61 special teams snaps in three elevations from the practice squad.
The Texans stayed local for their tryouts with Houston Gamblers running back Marcus Yarns and linebager Eugene Asante, per Wilson. Yarns, who spent training camp with the Saints in 2025, posted 345 rushing yards in the UFL this year, the fifth-most in the league. His 5.7 yards per carry also ranked second among all players with at least 25 carries. Asante, who had brief stints on the Browns’ and Falcons’ practice squads last season, made 40 tackles (three for loss) across his nine games with the Gamblers.
Another Gambler, wide receiver/returner Jalen Moreno-Cropper, worked out at the Saints’ mandatory minicamp (via Wilson). The former Fresno State standout signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and spent his rookie year on the practice squad. He made one regular season appearance in 2024 and three in 2025, all via practice squad elevations, with a total of just 45 snaps. In 2026, Moreno-Cropper ranked 11th in the UFL with 41.6 yards per game and ninth with 72.0 all-purpose yards per game.
NFL teams often use this spring workouts to determine their options should injuries pop up between now and training camp. They are also preparing to fill roster spots vacated by players set to go on injured lists. For example, Cowboys offensive lineman Matt Hennessy is likely to open training camp on the physically unable to perform list after recently undergoing neck surgery.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/25/24
With roster cutdowns beginning around the league, Sunday saw a number of moves take place:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: WR Josh Ali, CB William Hooper, LB Storey Jackson, LB Donavan Mutin, QB John Paddock, TE Austin Stogner, CB Trey Vaval
- Released: OLB Bradlee Anae, OL Zack Bailey, S Lukas Denis, OL Jaryd Jones-Smith, OL John Leglue, TE Jordan Thomas
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on IR: S Terrell Burgess, S Dee Delaney
- Waived: DE Rondell Bothroyd, OL Kevin Jarvis, LB Shayne Simon,
- Released: QB Anthony Brown, CB Kyron Brown, WR Damiere Byrd, LB Deion Jones
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: CB Clay Fields III, K Spencer Shrader, QB Kedon Slovis, WR Derek Slywka, LB Mike Smith Jr.
- Released: WR Tyrie Cleveland, DE Derek Rivers, WR Greg Ward
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived: DE Raymond Johnson, DT Jonathan Marshall, LB Andrew Parker Jr., WR Joseph Scates, WR Seth Williams
- Released: CB Tevaughn Campbell, TE Chris Myarick, DE Breeland Speaks, OL Keaton Sutherland
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: WR J.J. Laap, OL Blake Larson, OL Alec Lindstrom, LB Ochaun Mathis, DB Cameron McCutcheon, OL Grant Miller, LB Olakunle Fatukasi, RB SaRodorick Thompson, QB Dresser Winn
- Released: OL Matt Kaskey, DE Carlos Watkins
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on IR: WR Anthony Schwartz
New York Giants
- Waived (injury designation): DT Timmy Horne, DB Jonathan Sutherland
- Waived: WR Ayir Asante, DL Kyler Baugh, CB Christian Holmes, DB Clayton Isbell, WR John Jiles, LB Trey Kiser, RB Lorenzo Lingard, OL Marcus McKethan
- Released: CB Breon Borders, RB Joshua Kelley
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: WR T.J. Luther
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: P Nolan Cooney, DL Judge Culpepper, OL Xavier Delgado, LB Kalen DeLoach, CB Andrew Hayes, RB Ramon Jefferson, WR Cephus Johnson, OL Ryan Johnson, WR Latreal Jones, WR Tanner Knue, DL Brandon Matterson, OLB Jay Person, OLB Shaun Peterson, DL Lwal Uguak, WR Raleigh Webb, TE David Wells
- Released: TE Sal Cannella, LS Zach Triner
Buffalo’s decision to cut Jones marks a blow to his efforts in finding a roster spot on a new team. Considering the latest report on his status, however, it does not come as a surprise. The Bills dealt with a number of injuries at the linebacker spot last season and Matt Milano will miss extended time in 2024 due to a biceps tear. In spite of that, the team will look elsewhere for depth options unless Jones is retained via the practice squad later this week.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/15/24
With a handful of teams getting eliminated from the playoffs this weekend, those front offices are starting to prepare for the offseason. Here are today’s reserve/futures deals, with the majority coming from recently eliminated squads:
Cleveland Browns
- WR Jaelon Darden, CB Vincent Gray, RB John Kelly, TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, OT Justin Murray, DE Lonnie Phelps, LB Charlie Thomas III, DE Isaiah Thomas, DT Chris Williams
Dallas Cowboys
- OT Earl Bostick, CB Josh Butler, WR Jalen Cropper, TE Princeton Fant, LB Buddy Johnson, DE Durrell Johnson, WR Racey McMath, DB Sheldrick Redwine
Los Angeles Rams
- OT A.J. Arcuri, G Logan Bruss, DT Cory Durden, LB Olakunle Fatukasi, DB Tanner Ingle, C Mike McAllister, DB Cameron McCutcheon, OT Zachary Thomas, LB Zach VanValkenburg, QB Dresser Winn
Miami Dolphins
- LB Quinton Bell, CB Ethan Bonner, TE Tanner Conner, OT Ryan Hayes, OL Chasen Hines, DT Brandon Pili, WR Braylon Sanders, WR Anthony Schwartz
Minnesota Vikings
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/13/24
Today’s transactions and callups for the Saturday night and Sunday games:
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: LB Malik Jefferson, LB Buddy Johnson
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: CB David Long
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: NT Mike Pennel, CB Keith Taylor
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: LB Olakunle Fatukasi
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: CB Ethan Bonner, LB Malik Reed
The three-game limit for practice squad players to be elevated under a single contract is reset in the playoffs, allowing players who weren’t able to be activated anymore by the end of the year to return in the coming weeks.
Packers starting cornerback Jaire Alexander injured his ankle this week in practice, leading to his current questionable status. Long will be elevated to provide some depth in the off chance that Alexander is unable to go versus the Cowboys.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/6/24
The last week of pregame transactions and gameday callups for several teams this season:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: DL Leki Fotu
- Signed to active roster: DL Ben Stille
- Elevated: WR Dan Chisena, OL Jackson Barton
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: RB Leonard Fournette
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: G Deonte Brown, K Matthew Wright
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: CB Sidney Jones, WR Stanley Morgan
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: S Vincent Gray, K Riley Patterson
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: LB Buddy Johnson, S Sheldrick Redwine
Denver Broncos
- Placed on IR: T Mike McGlinchey
- Activated from IR: T Alex Palczewski
- Signed to active roster: CB Art Green
- Elevated: S Devon Key
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: DL Tyson Alualu, FB Jason Cabinda
Houston Texans
- Elevated: WR Johnny Johnson III
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on IR: WR Jamal Agnew (story)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: DT Matt Dickerson, QB Chris Oladokun
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on IR: TE Michael Mayer
- Signed to active roster: DT Matthew Butler
- Elevated: WR Keelan Cole, S Jaydon Grant
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on IR: OLB Justin Hollins
- Signed to active roster: OLB Ty Shelby
- Elevated: DT Christopher Hinton, OL Austen Pleasants
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: LB Olakunle Fatukasi, QB Dresser Winn
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on IR: WR Jalen Nailor
- Signed to active roster: WR Lucky Jackson
- Elevated: CB Jaylin Williams, CB Joejuan Williams
New England Patriots
- Placed on IR: TE Hunter Henry
- Signed to active roster: TE La’Michael Pettway
- Elevated: TE Matt Sokol, OL Andrew Stueber
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: G Tommy Kraemer, RB Jordan Mims
New York Giants
- Placed on IR: S Jason Pinnock
- Signed to active roster: QB Jacob Eason, TE Tyree Jackson
- Elevated: T Yodny Cajuste, K Mason Crosby
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: S Tristin McCollum
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: TE Ross Dwelley
- Activated from IR: WR Ray-Ray McCloud
- Elevated: S Tayler Hawkins, RB Jeremy McNichols
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: NT Austin Faoliu, NT Matthew Gotel
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on IR: WR Colton Dowell
- Signed to active roster: S Matt Jackson
- Elevated: LB Tae Crowder, CB Kendall Sheffield
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: S Sean Chandler, CB Jace Whittaker
Several teams whose season is set to come to an end tomorrow have elected to move injured players to injured reserve in order to create roster spots for practice squad options, particularly those who have had their three gameday elevations exhausted. In the case of the Broncos, McGlinchey will see his debut campaign in the Mile High City come to a premature end. Signed to a five-year, $87.5MM deal, the 28-year-old was part of a revamped O-line which did not produce the desired rebound on offense. Manning his usual right tackle spot, McGlinchey was charged with eight sacks and 49 pressures allowed by PFF, resulting in an overall grade of 67.5.
While the Giants will have an interesting decision to make with respect to Xavier McKinney‘s future, they will have Pinnock on the books for at least one more season. The latter’s rookie contract is set to expire following the 2024 campaign, one in which he will no doubt remain a vital member of New York’s secondary. Pinnock has recorded 85 tackles, two interceptions (including a 102-yard pick-six), six pass deflections and a pair of forced fumbles while logging over 1,000 defensive snaps this season. A return to health and a continuation of his 2023 level of play will be sorely needed next fall.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/11/23
Here are today’s practice squad adjustments:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Keilahn Harris, LB Andre Smith
- Released: WR C.J. Saunders
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Malik Flowers
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: LB Olakunle Fatukasi
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: TE J.P. Holtz, WR Jontre Kirklin, G Tommy Kraemer
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/1/23
Friday’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Released from reserve/PUP list: WR Marquez Stevenson
Houston Texans
- Released from IR via injury settlement: S Tyree Gillespie
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released from IR via injury settlement: LB Olakunle Fatukasi
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released from IR via injury settlement: WR Darrius Shepherd
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: OLB Ochaun Mathis
Washington Commanders
- Released from IR via injury settlement: RB Jonathan Williams
Chiefs Place DT Chris Jones On Reserve/Did Not Report List, Set 53-Man Roster
The Chiefs’ 53-man roster does not include Chris Jones, who continues to stage a rare 2020s holdout. Here is how the defending Super Bowl champions moved down to 53:
Released:
- TE Kendall Blanton
- DB Deon Bush
- C Austin Reiter
- DT Danny Shelton
Waived:
- DB Dicaprio Bootle
- DB Ekow Boye-Doe
- QB Shane Buchele
- TE Matt Bushman
- LB Cole Christiansen
- DB Anthony Cook
- RB Jerrion Ealy
- WR Ty Fryfogle
- WR Izaiah Gathings
- T Godrick Chukwuebuka
- WR Juwan Green
- T Sebastian Gutierrez
- DB Kahlef Hailassie
- T Anderson Hardy
- DT Phil Hoskins
- DB Lamar Jackson
- DE Truman Jones
- DE Joshua Kaindoh
- T Darian Kinnard
- DB Duron Lowe
- DB Isaiah Norman
- QB Chris Oladokun
- RB La’Mical Perine
- WR Cornell Powell
- RB Deneric Prince
- WR Ty Scott
- DB Reese Taylor
- DT Chris Williams
- DE Daniel Wise
Waived/injured:
- G Jerome Carvin
- LB Olakunle Fatukasi
- WR Nikko Remigio
Reserve/did not report:
- DT Chris Jones
Seeking a contract in the Aaron Donald range, Jones has seen the Chiefs push for a deal more in line with the recently established second tier of the defensive tackle market. Daron Payne, Dexter Lawrence, Jeffery Simmons and Quinnen Williams all signed for between $22.5MM and $24MM per year, but Jones has been resolute as he stays away. The Chiefs are unable to waive the $50K-per-day fines Jones has incurred, separating this from Nick Bosa‘s holdout. On a rookie contract, Bosa’s fines can be waived. Jones has lost more than $1.5MM already but has hinted at a holdout extending into the regular season.
The Chiefs have parted ways with a number of defensive regulars in recent years, moving on from the likes of Marcus Peters, Justin Houston, Tyrann Mathieu and Frank Clark. The team has prioritized Jones in the past, franchise-tagging him and reaching an extension in 2020. Jones, 28, will count on the Chiefs folding, as their pass rush will obviously take a hit without him. But as we move close to the regular season, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes the sides are not close on terms.
It still seems difficult to envision Jones missing out on game checks, but this process has already gone on far longer than expected. The Chiefs have, however, come out against trading the All-Pro D-tackle. Regarding another well-known Chief, Reiter is considered likely to end up on the team’s practice squad, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/12/23
Saturday’s minor moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on IR: LB Jacob Phillips (story)
- Waived (injury designation): CB Bubba Bolden
Detroit Lions
- Waived: CB Tae Hayes
Houston Texans
- Activated from PUP list: TE Teagan Quitoriano
- Waived: K Jake Bates
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB, Kana’i Mauga, RB Darwin Thompson
- Waived (injury designation): WR DJ Turner, LB Darius Harris
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB C.J. Marable, T Micah Vanterpool
- Waived: LB Olakunle Fatukasi, LB Jourdan Heilig
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Ra’Shaun Henry
- Waived: DT Robert Cooper
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Cephus Johnson
- Waived: CB Duron Lowe
Hayes was signed one week ago as the Lions were dealing with injuries in the secondary, but he will now be on the lookout for another new team. The 25-year has appeared in 13 career regular season games while bouncing around the league.
The Raiders added one ex-Chiefs running back in Damien Williams yesterday, and they have done so again today. Thompson was part of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning squad in 2019, and remain with the Chiefs the following season. He made 31 combined regular and postseason appearances in Kansas City, but he has yet to see game action since 2020. Especially until Josh Jacobs returns to the Raiders, Thompson will aim to earn a depth role in the Vegas backfield.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/18/23
Today’s reserve/futures deals:
Atlanta Falcons
Carolina Panthers
- DB Myles Dorn
Minnesota Vikings
New England Patriots
Philadelphia Eagles
- DB Tristin McCollum
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- OT Michael Niese, LB J.J. Russell
According to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (via Twitter), there was a bit of competition for offensive lineman Kyle Hinton’s services. The 2020 seventh-round pick spent much of the season on the Vikings practice squad, and they looked to sign him to a reserve/futures contract. However, he ended up opting for the Falcons, who gave him an $100K signing bonus.