Minor NFL Transactions: 1/3/26
After the final standard gameday practice squad elevations of the 2025 regular season, the three-game elevation limit resets for the postseason, so only players getting signed to the 53-man roster because of the limit will be noted today. Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed from practice squad: WR Tejhaun Palmer
- Elevated: CB Jaden Davis, WR Steven Sims
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: P Trenton Gill
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: WR Keith Kirkwood, CB Amani Oruwariye
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: LB Keonta Jenkins, DE Matt Judon
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: TE Nikola Kalinic, LB Ty Summers
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: DT Howard Cross III, CB Bralyn Lux
Cleveland Browns
- Signed from practice squad: LB Edefuan Ulofoshio
- Elevated: TE Sal Cannella
- Placed on IR: LB Carson Schwesinger
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from IR: RB Phil Mafah
- Activated from reserve/PUP: CB Josh Butler
- Signed from practice squad: LB Justin Barron
- Elevated: G Nick Leverett
- Placed on IR: G T.J. Bass, RB Malik Davis, RB Javonte Williams
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Levelle Bailey
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: TE Zach Horton, OL Chris Hubbard
- Placed on IR: OL Trystan Colon
Green Bay Packers
- Signed from practice squad: WR Jakobie Keeney-James, G Lecitus Smith
- Elevated: TE Drake Dabney, LB Jamon Johnson
- Placed on IR: OL Donovan Jennings, WR Savion Williams
Houston Texans
- Elevated: DT Leki Fotu, S Kaevon Merriweather
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: QB Seth Henigan, TE Sean McKeon
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: TE Patrick Herbert
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: WR Jason Brownlee, WR Jimmy Holiday
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: LB Jamin Davis, T Dalton Wagner
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed from practice squad: S Marcus Maye
- Elevated: G Branson Taylor, QB DJ Uiagalelei
- Placed on IR: CB Nikko Reed
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: LB Derrick McLendon, RB Jeff Wilson
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: WR Jeshaun Jones, LB Sione Takitaki
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: TE Treyton Welch
- Elevated: QB Jake Haener, RB Nyheim Miller-Hines
New York Giants
- Signed from practice squad: CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse, WR Xavier Gipson, RB Dante Miller
- Elevated: TE Tanner Conner, DT Casey Rogers
- Placed on IR: CB Cor’Dale Flott, DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches Sr., WR Wan’Dale Robinson
New York Jets
- Signed from practice squad: QB Hendon Hooker, DE Kingsley Jonathan, G Kohl Levao
- Elevated: RB Raheem Blackshear, CB Samuel Womack III
- Placed on IR: RB Isaiah Davis, OL Xavier Newman-Johnson, TE Mason Taylor
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: LS Charley Hughlett, S Brandon Johnson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: CB D’Shawn Jamison
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: LB Eric Kendricks, T Brandon Parker
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: RB Cam Akers, CB Tyler Hall
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from IR: OLB Ali Gaye, WR Bryce Oliver
- Signed from practice squad: CB Kemon Hall
- Elevated: TE Cole Turner
- Placed on IR: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (story), WR Van Jefferson
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: DT Ricky Barber, WR River Cracraft
The Browns made it known yesterday that they were shutting down Schwesinger and tight ends David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr. for the final week of the season, but the Defensive Rookie of the Year-favorite is the only one to land on IR.
In Dallas, Williams failed to practice this week as he dealt with shoulder and neck issues. With Davis also being placed on IR, the Cowboys will rely on rookie fifth-rounder Jaydon Blue and the recently activated Mafah, a seventh-round rookie, in Week 18. The team used their eighth and final IR activation to bring Mafah back for a potential NFL debut.
Because Green Bay didn’t elevate recently signed practice squad quarterback Desmond Ridder, it appears either Malik Willis will be healthy enough to back up Clayton Tune or Jordan Love will serve as the potential QB2 for the Packers in Week 18.
Judon is set to make his Bills debut in the team’s regular season finale after signing to their practice squad two weeks ago.
With Saints backup quarterback Spencer Rattler not practicing this week with a finger injury, Haener gets the call to back up rookie Tyler Shough.
Hall in Tennessee had already been called up as a standard gameday practice squad elevation three times this season. In order for him to appear in the Titans’ regular season finale, the move to the 53-man roster was necessary.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/6/25
The latest practice squad updates from around the NFL…
Houston Texans
- Signed: DT Marlon Davidson
New York Jets
- Signed: WR Isaiah Williams
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: RB Raheem Blackshear, S Jack Henderson
Davidson is returning to the Houston organization almost two months after it waived him from IR with an injury settlement in mid-August. The former Auburn Tiger entered the NFL as a second-round pick (47th overall) of the Falcons in 2020, but he has since combined for just four starts and two sacks in 24 games between Atlanta and Tennessee.
After waiving him over the weekend, the Jets are quickly reuniting with Williams. The 24-year-old committed a costly turnover in a loss to the Dolphins last Monday when he fumbled the opening kickoff return of the second half. He later opted to fair catch a punt at the Jets’ 3-yard line in the fourth quarter. The Jets opened the season with Xavier Gipson as their returner, but they cut him after a Week 1 fumble in a loss to the Steelers. With Isaiah Williams and Gipson unable to hold down the job, Avery Williams handled return duties in the Jets’ loss to the Cowboys on Sunday. He avoided fumbles while averaging 26.6 yards on five kickoff returns and 10.3 yards on four punt runbacks.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/29/25
Here are the NFL’s practice squad transactions immediately following Week 4.
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: RB D’Ernest Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OT Logan Brown
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DB Alex Johnson, RB Blake Watson
- Released: RB Raheem Blackshear, T Andrew Rupcich
The Broncos wanted to re-sign Watson to their practice squad, per Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette, but they would have had to wait until Week 7 after a previous injury settlement with the second-year running back. Watson is now healthy and preferred to sign with a new team as soon as possible.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/23/25
As teams enter Week 4, here are the latest practice squad transactions from around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Elliott Brown, S Patrick McMorris
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: K Ben Sauls, WR Deven Thompkins
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: LB Otis Reese
- Released: CB Jalen Kimber
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Dan Chisena
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Luke Floriea
- Released: DE K.J. Henry
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: WR Jakobie Keeney-James
- Released: WR Mecole Hardman
Indianapolis Colts
- Released: WR Tyler Scott
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: OL Roy Mbaeteka, OL Kadeem Telfort
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: WR Lucky Jackson, RB Xazavian Valladay
New England Patriots
- Signed: DB Tyron Herring
- Released: DB Corey Ballentine
Seattle Seahawks
- Placed on injured reserve: RB Jacardia Wright
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: TE Caden Prieskorn, DL Desmond Watson
- Released: S Jack Henderson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: RB Raheem Blackshear
The Falcons’ kicking rollercoaster took another turn in Week 3 with John Parker Romo missing both of his attempts in Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. Granted, those kicks came from 49 and 55 yards, so Atlanta may have some patience after signing Romo to a two-year contract last week. The Falcons still brought in some potential competition in Sauls, an undrafted rookie who spent training camp with the Steelers and made five of his six field goals in the preseason.
Wright is expected to be out for four to six weeks due to a foot injury, per ESPN’s Brady Henderson.
Watson signed with the Buccaneers after the draft but remained on the non-football injury list as he worked to get his weight to a more manageable level. He was waived during final roster cuts, but the team hosted him for a workout last week, per FOX Sports’ Greg Auman. Watson met the team’s athletic requirements to earn his way back on the practice squad, according to Auman, and will return just in time for the Bucs’ Week 4 matchup with the Eagles. The massive nose tackle does feel like a direct counter to the tush push, but Bowles previously said (via Auman) that Watson wouldn’t be re-signed just for one matchup and would instead need to be ready to contribute to the defense as a whole.
Panthers Release WR Hunter Renfrow, Finalize Roster Cuts
With time to spare in advance of today’s deadline, the Panthers have finalized their roster moves to get to 53. Here are Carolina’s Tuesday transactions:
Released:
- LB Krys Barnes
- OLB Boogie Basham
- WR Hunter Renfrow
- LB Jon Rhattigan
- DT Shy Tuttle (story)
Waived:
- CB Shemar Bartholomew
- DE Jared Harrison-Hunte
- OL Jarrett Kingston
- LB Maz Mwansa
- TE Bryce Pierre
- WR Ja’seem Reed
- CB Michael Reid
- DT Sam Roberts
- OL Michael Tarquin
- S Trevian Thomas
- OL Brandon Walton
Waived-injured:
Waived via injury settlement:
Placed on IR-designated for return:
- DE LaBryan Ray
Renfrow’s efforts to return to the NFL have been dealt a blow with today’s move. The Clemson product and South Carolina native took a one-year pact in his bid to continue his career after missing all of last season. Renfrow’s pact contained $50K guaranteed, however, and with the Panthers’ other wideouts impressing in camp this release loomed as a possibility. A practice squad deal could be in store in the coming days in this case, but absent an agreement on that front the 29-year-old will seek out a new opportunity.
Carolina was among the teams which announced a list of cuts yesterday in advance of today’s deadline. Among the players waived was quarterback Bryce Perkins. He will be a candidate to sign on the practice squad starting tomorrow (provided no waiver claims are made), but The Athletic’s Joe Person reports Perkins is not in the team’s plans at this point. Roberts, on the other hand, is seen as a taxi squad candidate in the event he clears (h/t Aaron Wilson of KPRC2).
Ray’s IR handling means he will miss at least the first four games of the season. Whereas players moved to IR before today are out for the season, though, Ray is among those eligible to return later in the year. Activating him will count toward Carolina’s allocation of eight for the season whenever he is back in the fold.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/1/25
Today’s only minor move in the NFL:
Carolina Panthers
- Re-signed: RB Raheem Blackshear
Although Blackshear didn’t get much run on offense as RB3 behind Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders in 2024, and despite the addition of Rico Dowdle and the health of Jonathon Brooks for this upcoming season likely pushing him to RB4, the signing of Blackshear shores up an important position on special teams for the Panthers.
Blackshear served as Carolina’s regular return man on kickoffs and punts. In a year where the league was trying out something new with the kickoff rules, Blackshear led the NFL with 31 returns. He added 17 punt returns in 2024, as well. He ends up returning to Carolina after the team chose not to tender him as a restricted free agent a month ago.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/2/25
Teams will navigate their restricted free agents and exclusive rights free agents over the next several days. Here are the latest decisions on the tender front:
RFAs
Non-tendered:
- Bills: TE Quintin Morris
- Panthers: RB Raheem Blackshear
Even the low-end tender is now past $3MM, checking in at $3.26MM. The Bills look to be eyeing a reunion with Morris at a lower rate, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport indicating the team wants to re-sign him. A backup behind Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid, Morris has played 45 games over the past three seasons. The 2022 UDFA has 15 career receptions for 146 yards and three touchdowns.
Blackshear served as Carolina’s regular return man on kickoffs and punts. He has also logged 203 career carries, scoring three TDs. Blackshear and Morris will become unrestricted free agents once officially nontendered.
Panthers’ Jonathon Brooks Suffers ACL Tear
For the second year in a row, Jonathon Brooks has suffered an ACL tear. Panthers head coach Dave Canales confirmed the injury for the rookie running back on Monday. 
Brooks tore his ACL during his final collegiate season, something which delayed his NFL debut. Now, after only three games with Carolina, the second-rounder will re-start the lengthy rehab process associated with the injury. He will miss the remainder of the campaign and likely time in 2025 as well.
Canales noted Brooks re-tore his right ACL, the one which was affected by last year’s injury. As expected, the Panthers were cautious in their approach to Brooks’ recovery, and he had a lengthy stay on the NFI list prior to being activated in November. He managed to take part in just two full games, seeing a total of nine carries before going down midway through yesterday’s loss to the Eagles.
Brooks’ rookie contract runs through 2027, so plenty of time remains for him to return to full health and establish himself as a key figure on a rebuilding Carolina offense. The Texans product will be faced with surgery and a long rehab process once again, though, and that will be the top priority for team and player as the season winds down. The 3-10 Panthers are out of postseason contention, but they will miss out on the opportunity to get Brooks playing time down the stretch.
In the meantime, Chuba Hubbard will remain atop the running back depth chart. The 25-year-old has enjoyed a career year in 2024, and on Sunday he eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards. One month ago, Hubbard agreed to a four-year extension which ensured he would not hit free agency and has him positioned to continue operating as Carolina’s top back for the foreseeable future. Fellow running back Raheem Blackshear was taken to hospital after suffering a chest injury, but Canales said (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo) he traveled home with the team. Depending on his prognosis, Hubbard may be forced to handle a very heavy workload the rest of the way.
As for Brooks, his progress in recovering after the surgery takes place will be a key offseason storyline. The team will no doubt once again take a cautious approach to his return to action, something which will likely not be feasible until midway through the 2025 season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/28/24
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: OL Justin Shaffer
Carolina Panthers
- Re-signed: RB Raheem Blackshear
A 2022 undrafted free agent out of Virginia Tech, Blackshear has spent the majority of his professional career in Carolina. He’s managed to get in 25 games over his two NFL seasons, collecting 261 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns on 53 touches. He’s also played a significant special teams role, returning 35 kickoffs between 2022 and 2023. Blackshear will likely see a similar role in 2024 behind Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/13/24
Here are today’s free agent tender decisions:
RFAs
Tendered:
- Giants: CB Nick McCloud
- Rams: LB Michael Hoecht
- Seahawks: CB Michael Jackson, LB Jon Rhattigan
Non-tendered:
- Cardinals: DL Jonathan Ledbetter
- Commanders: LB Jabril Cox, RB Derrick Gore, LB De’Jon Harris
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Panthers: RB/KR Raheem Blackshear
- Titans: LB Jack Gibbens