NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/8/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: S Damontae Kazee (story), DL Pat O’Connor
- Released: WR Andrew Armstrong
New England Patriots
- Signed: G Mehki Butler
- Released: G Bill Murray
New York Giants
- Signed: DL Casey Rogers
Lions Place TE Sam LaPorta On IR
The injuries continue to pile up in Detroit. The newest one sees tight end Sam LaPorta being placed on injured reserve. He failed to practice at all this week due to a back injury, and he’ll now be sidelined for at least four games.
LaPorta picked up the injury in the Lions’ Week 10 victory over the Commanders, interrupting another solid season from the third-year tight end. He is on pace for career-highs in yards per game (54.3), catch rate (81.6%), and yards per target (10.0), all of which rank among the league’s top 10 tight ends. LaPorta’s 2.00 yards per route run are a career-high and the second-most of any tight end this season, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He has yet to record a drop this year and is seven-for-seven on contested catches. If that isn’t enough, LaPorta’s PFF blocking grades are the best of his career, too.
All of that adds up to a major loss for the Lions offense. Brock Wright, the team’s No. 2 tight end, is a known quantity as a blocker but does not offer much as a receiver. Third-stringer Ross Dwelley will be asked to step into Wright’s role, and the Lions will likely need to elevate or promote Anthony Firkser or Zach Horton from the practice squad. Head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator John Morton may also use more ‘jumbo’ packages with Dan Skipper as an extra offensive lineman.
LaPorta’s IR stint will force him to miss the Lions’ next four games, at least. That stretch includes a trip to Philadelphia this week that could factor into NFC playoff tiebreakers and a matchup with the Packers that could have a major impact on the NFC North. He will be eligible to return in Week 15 against the Rams, another game that could impact postseason seeding.
Detroit also made a number of minor roster moves to prepare for Sunday’s contest with the Eagles. Offensive lineman Michael Niese was signed to the active roster from the practice squad. He entered last week’s game at center amid multiple injuries to the Lions’ offensive line and will be on hand once again in Week 11. Wide receivers Tom Kennedy and Jackson Meeks were elevated from the practice squad. Both will contribute on special teams and could rotate in on offense as well.
Defensive lineman Pat O’Connor was also released with an injury settlement after being placed on IR on Friday.
Nikhil Mehta contributed to this article.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/14/25
Today minor transactions as we head into the 11th weekend of the regular season:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed from practice squad: DT Kentavius Street
- Placed on IR: DT Sam Roberts
Detroit Lions
- Placed on IR: DT Pat O’Connor
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed from practice squad: RB Owen Wright
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on IR: WR Bryce Oliver
The Buccaneers will see undrafted rookie running back Josh Williams miss the next six weeks after he was suspended without pay for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy, so Wright makes his way up to the active roster to reinforce Tampa Bay’s depth at the position.
Oliver has been out since suffering a knee injury in the Titans’ second game of the season. He was able to start practicing again by Week 6 but was still consistently ruled out for each game. He finally earned a “questionable” injury status in the final game before Tennessee’s bye week after three-straight limited-participation practices, and he held that status throughout limited practices this week. Ultimately, he was ruled out for the weekend, and his placement on injured reserve indicates that a setback may have occurred as he’s now guaranteed to miss at least four more games.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/18/25
Tuesday’s minor transactions:
Chicago Bears
- Re-signed: C Doug Kramer
Detroit Lions
- Re-signed: DE Pat O’Connor, TE Shane Zylstra
Las Vegas Raiders
- Re-signed: DT Zachary Carter
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Tim Jones
New Orleans Saints
- Re-signed: T Landon Young
- Signed: OL Will Clapp
New York Giants
- Signed: OLB Victor Dimukeje
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Re-signed: CB Bryce Hall
Washington Commanders
- Signed: T Foster Sarell
Clapp returns to the Big Easy after three seasons away from the team. Clapp has enjoyed more opportunities to start with the Chargers and Bills over the past three years after only starting seven of 34 game appearances in New Orleans. He’ll likely serve as a reliable backup to Erik McCoy who has missed 19 games in the last four seasons, including 10 last year.
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.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC 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 Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings moves are noted below.
Chicago Bears
Signed:
Claimed:
Placed on IR:
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Micah Baskerville, OL Theo Benedet, TE Stephen Carlson, DL Byron Cowart, OL Jake Curhan, LS Scott Daly, WR Collin Johnson, DB Quindell Johnson, LB Carl Jones, DL Jamree Kromah, DL Dashaun Mallory, DB Tarvarius Moore, QB Austin Reed, DB Reddy Stewart, DB Ro Torrence, WR Samori Toure
Detroit Lions
Signed:
Claimed:
- LB Trevor Nowaske,
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Mitchell Agude, C Kingsley Eguakun, QB Jake Fromm, RB Jermar Jefferson, T Jamarco Jones, WR Tom Kennedy, TE James Mitchell, S C.J. Moore, DL Pat O’Connor, WR Tim Patrick, DL Kyle Peko, WR Allen Robinson, DL Chris Smith, DL Isaac Ukwu, TE Shane Zylstra
Green Bay Packers
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- DL Deslin Alexandre, QB Sean Clifford, DL James Ester, K Alex Hale, WR Julian Hicks, OL Donovan Jennings, CB Kalen King, RB Nate McCrary, RB Ellis Merriweather, CB Robert Rochell, G/C Lecitus Smith
Minnesota Vikings
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- G Henry Byrd, DE Andre Carter II, RB Myles Gaskin, LB Dallas Grant, TE N’Keal Harry, WR Lucky Jackson, WR Jeshaun Jones, DeWayne McBride, S Bobby McCain, LB Bo Richter, OL Tyrese Robinson, WR Thayer Thomas, TE Robert Tonyan, CB Jaylin Williams, DL Jonah Williams, CB Nahshon Wright
Lions Get Down To 53 Players
The Lions used a couple of different methods to get their active roster to 53 players:
Released:
- CB Essang Bassey
- WR Daurice Fountain
- CB Javelin Guidry
- LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe
- T Jamarco Jones
- WR Tom Kennedy
- TE Sean McKeon
- S C.J. Moore
- DL Pat O’Connor
- DL Kyle Peko
- LB Ty Summers
Waived:
- OLB Mitchell Agude
- WR Maurice Alexander
- LB Abraham Beauplan
- DL Mathieu Betts
- G Jake Burton
- WR Jalon Calhoun
- OL Duke Clemens
- LS Scott Daly
- WR Kaden Davis
- C Kingsley Eguakun
- QB Jake Fromm
- RB Jake Funk
- S Chelen Garnes
- CB Steven Gilmore
- C Bryan Hudson
- RB Jermar Jefferson
- RB Zonovan Knight
- TE James Mitchell
- DL Chris Smith
- DL Isaac Ukwu
- CB Rachad Wildgoose
- TE Shane Zylstra
Waived/injured:
- DL David Bada
Placed on IR (designated for return):
Placed on reserve/PUP list:
The Lions released a lot more vested veterans than we typically see at this time in the year, perhaps a sign of the young talent on the roster. Peko seemed like a sure thing to make the roster after starting 10 games for the Titans in 2023.
Detroit will dismiss a couple of young rushers in Jefferson and Knight after the two failed to develop a significant role on the roster. Fromm was easily outshined in the preseason by an electric Hendon Hooker, who will take the backup job behind Jared Goff. Fromm continues to search for his place in the NFL after nearly winning it all at the collegiate level.
Martin, like Mahogany, will be able to return after four weeks, thanks to a new NFL rule that allows each team to place two players on IR before or at the roster cut deadline and designate them to return. Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley has the other designation.
Mahogany is the only drafted rookie not to make the initial 53, but he’ll stick around in Detroit. On the other side of things, the Lions kept three undrafted rookie signees on their active roster to start the season. Most notably Hogan Hatten will come in and operate as the team’s new long snapper. Safety Loren Strickland from Ball State and wide receiver Isaiah Williams from Illinois are the other two undrafted rookies to make the initial roster.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/26/24
There have been plenty of posts today about a number of teams releasing and waiving players ahead of roster cuts. Here are the best of the rest of the minor moves for Monday:
Carolina Panthers
- Waived (with injury settlement): WR Tayvion Robinson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived: DE Justin Blazek
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from active/PUP list: S D’Anthony Bell
Detroit Lions
- Waived: OLB Mitchell Agude, WR Kaden Davis, OL Bryan Hudson, RB Zonovan Knight, CB Rachad Wildgoose, TE Shane Zylstra
- Released: DL Pat O’Connor, LB Ty Summers
Houston Texans
- Released: DT McTelvin Agim, G Dieter Eiselen, LB Jacob Phillips
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: DE Levi Bell
- Released: C Mike Panasiuk
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived: CB Demarcus Governor
New York Giants
- Released: T Matt Nelson
New York Jets
- Waived: DT Jaylen Twyman
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived (with injury settlement): S Mekhi Garner
- Waived: S Andre’ Sam
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: T Tyler Beach, WR Jacob Copeland, RB Daijun Edwards, T Devery Hamilton, T Anderson Hardy, CB Kyler McMichael, DE Marquiss Spencer, CB Kiondre Thomas
- Released: LB Kyahva Tezino, K Matthew Wright
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: P Pressley Harvin III, G Lewis Kidd, WR Jontre Kirklin
- Released: RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: CB Willie Roberts
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: DT C.J. Brewer, DL Mike Greene, CB Keenan Isaac, OLB Daniel Grzesiak, CB Chris McDonald, TE Tanner Taula, S Rashad Wisdom
Tennessee Titans
- Waived (with injury designation): LB JoJo Domann, WR Tre’Shaun Harrison
- Waived: T Brian Dooley, CB Tay Gowan, LB Mikel Jones, LB Thomas Rush, WR Sam Schnee, TE Steven Stilianos, P Ty Zentner
Nelson was an effective swing tackle for the Lions in the past three years. While he wasn’t able to stick with the Giants, he’s likely to draw interest elsewhere in the NFL.
The Eagles like Sam a lot at safety, but with a number of veterans atop the depth chart, there wasn’t room for him on the roster. The team plans to retain him on the practice squad should he clear waivers, per Andrew DiCecco of 975 The Fanatic. The Buccaneers have similar plans with Isaac, Taula, and Wisdom.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/1/24
Here are Thursday’s minor moves from around the league:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: QB Nathan Rourke, TE Jordan Thomas
- Waived: QB John Paddock, WR Daylen Baldwin
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: TE Curtis Hodges
- Placed on IR: TE Stephen Sullivan
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB Caleb Johnson
- Placed on IR: LB Charlie Thomas
Denver Broncos
- Activated from active/NFI list: RB Blake Watson
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Jake Burton, DL Pat O’Connor
- Placed on IR: G Netane Muti
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Marquez Callaway
- Waived/injured: TE Tommy Hudson
Rourke joins a third team this year. The Patriots waived the former CFL quarterback in May, and the Giants — after claiming him — moved him off their 90-man roster shortly after Daniel Jones received full clearance. Rourke spent most of last season with the Jaguars, catching on with the Pats late in the year. He will try to stick on a Falcons team with three QBs — Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr. and Taylor Heinicke — already rostered. Heinicke expects to be jettisoned before Week 1, with the Falcons planning to keep two QBs on their active roster. Though, the veteran could have a place on Atlanta’s practice squad.
This will mark a third Callaway Saints stint. Utilized frequently during a 2021 season that featured zero Michael Thomas participation and brought back in 2023 after the Broncos and Raiders cut him, Callaway returns days after a Steelers departure. The former UDFA, who has a 698-yard 2021 season on his resume, played in three Saints games last season but did not make a catch. This comes at an interesting point, at least, with the Saints having moved on from OC Pete Carmichael en route to a Klint Kubiak hire.
Sullivan suffered a quadriceps injury, per the Panthers. The 2020 Seahawks seventh-round pick, who reunited with ex-Seattle assistant Dave Canales this offseason, has been with the Panthers for the past three seasons.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/1/23
The first minor transactions of December:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed to active roster: WR Mike Strachan
- Waived: CB David Long
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on reserve/suspended list: WR Michael Woods
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed to active roster: DL Pat O’Connor
- Placed on IR: DL Mike Greene
Long gets waived from the Panthers’ roster just a week after starting for them against the Titans. Long, who was claimed off of waivers about a month ago, has not been a regular starter in Carolina but was forced into action due to the injury absences of C.J. Henderson and Jaycee Horn. With both players nearing their return, and the recent waiver claim of Shaquill Griffin, the Panthers decided to bring up Strachan instead holding onto Long. The big-bodied receiver had one catch for 45 yards as a practice squad callup earlier this year.
Woods has received a six-game suspension for an incident that took place this summer in which he violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Woods has already missed the entire season up until now on the reserve/non-football injury list after tearing his Achilles tendon back in April. While the Browns hoped for the possibility of a late-season return, this newest development guarantees that Woods will miss the entire 2023-24 season.