NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/5/26
We’ve got our first batch of reserve/futures contracts to pass along. These moves allow organizations to retain (routinely) young, practice squad players. Here are the latest transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- WR Chris Blair, P Trenton Gill, DB Tysheem Johnson, DT Ben Stille, OT Andrew Stueber, RB Carlos Washington Jr., DB A.J. Woods
Baltimore Ravens
- OT Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, WR Cornelius Johnson, DT David Olajiga, DB Amani Oruwariye, G Jared Penning, DB Marquise Robinson, LB Kaimon Rucker, FB Lucas Scott
Cincinnati Bengals
- LB Liam Anderson, C Jacob Bayer, RB Gary Brightwell, QB Sean Clifford, OT Andrew Coker, DT Howard Cross III, OT Javon Foster, WR Xavier Johnson, CB Jalen Kimber, CB Bralyn Lux, WR Jordan Moore, LB Antwaun Powell-Ryland, S Russ Yeast
Cleveland Browns
- TE Sal Cannella, G Jack Conley, WR Luke Floriea, RB Ahmani Marshall, OT Tyre Phillips, TE Caden Prieskorn
Dallas Cowboys
- WR ParrisCampbell, OL Nick Leverett
Detroit Lions
- OL Devin Cochran, WR Malik Cunningham, DE Ahmed Hassanein, TE Zach Horton, WR Jackson Meeks, OL Mason Miller, RB Jabari Small, DL Chris Smith, S Loren Strickland
Indianapolis Colts
- RB Ulysses Bentley IV, CB Wyett Ekeler, DE Viliami Fehoko Jr., G LaDarius Henderson, QB Seth Henigan, OT Bayron Matos, TE Sean McKeon, C Jimmy Morrissey, G Bill Murray, DE Durell Nchami, S Ben Nikkel, WR Coleman Owen, WR Eli Pancol, G Josh Sills, DT Tim Smith, S Trey Washington
Kansas City Chiefs
- LB Kam Arnold, DT Marcus Harris, WR Jimmy Holiday, OT Matt Waletzko
Las Vegas Raiders
- RB Chris Collier, G McClendon Curtis, LB Jamin Davis, WR Phillip Dorsett, DT Treven Ma’ae, OT Joshua Miles, TE Albert Okwuegbunam, WR Brenden Rice, G Layden Robinson, WR Justin Shorter, OL Laki Tasi, OT Dalton Wagner
Minnesota Vikings
- WR Joaquin Davis, OT Caleb Etienne, WR Dontae Fleming, S Kahlef Hailassie, WR Jeshaun Jones, TE Bryson Nesbit, G Vershon Lee, LB Josh Ross
New Orleans Saints
- CB Dalys Beanum, CB Beanie Bishop, WR Elijah Cooks, S Elliott Davison, DT Coziah Izzard, OT Easton Kilty, CB Jayden Price, OT Barry Wesley
New York Giants
- LB Swayze Bozeman, TE Tanner Conner, OLB Trace Ford, OL Reid Holskey, CB Patrick McMorris, CB Myles Purchase
New York Jets
- DE Paschal Ekeji, OL Liam Fornadel, LB Ochaun Mathis, WR Jamaal Pritchett, DB Samuel Womack
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- DB Marcus Banks, WR Dennis Houston, NT Nash Hutmacher, LB Nick Jackson, DT Jayson Jones, C Ben Scott, LB Benton Whitley, DB Damarion Williams, RB Josh Williams, RB Owen Wright
Tennessee Titans
- DE David Ebuka Agoha, DB Keydrain Calligan, DT Timmy Horne, LB Nate Lynn, WR Hal Presley, NT Isaiah Raikes, WR Xavier Restrepo, LB Cam Riley, RB Blake Watson, G Clay Webb, TE Joel Wilson
Washington Commanders
- Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, DT Ricky Barber, WR Ja’Corey Brooks, CB Tre Hawkins, DE D.J. Johnson, WR Jacoby Jones, DE TJ Maguranyanga, S Rob McDaniel, OT Tim McKay, CB Darius Rush, CB Car’lin Vigers
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.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/24/25
NFL minor moves this Christmas Eve:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: DE L.J. Collier
Atlanta Falcons
- Designated for return from IR: CB Clark Phillips
Cincinnati Bengals
- Designated for return from IR: C Matt Lee
Cleveland Browns
- Signed off Steelers’ practice squad: G Kendrick Green
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed from practice squad: CB Corey Ballentine
- Elevated: LB Justin Barron
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: OL Kingsley Eguakun, TE Giovanni Ricci
Indianapolis Colts
- Designated for return from IR: WR Ashton Dulin
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed from practice squad: S Terrell Edmunds, WR Shedrick Jackson
Los Angeles Rams
- Designated for return from IR: CB Roger McCreary
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed from practice squad: G Henry Byrd
- Elevated: LB Sione Takitaki
- Placed on IR: TE Gavin Bartholomew, C Ryan Kelly
New York Jets
- Claimed off waivers (from Rams): S Chris Smith
Washington Commanders
- Signed from practice squad: QB Sam Hartman
- Elevated: DT Ricky Barber, WR River Cracraft
A month after coming off injured reserve, Kelly is headed right back to the injured list. Kelly was initially placed on IR after two concussions limited him to only three games in the early stages of the season. It is unfortunately a third concussion this season — and the sixth of his career — that will end his 2025 campaign. This will conclude the first half of Kelly’s two-year deal with the Vikings, who will once again turn to backup Michael Jurgens in his absence.
Also in Minnesota, Byrd’s contract to join the 53-man roster will not just be a two-week deal. According to a post from the X account of his agency, JL Sports, Byrd is joining the active roster on a two-year contract.
In Detroit, these will be the third and final standard gameday elevations for Eguakun and Ricci. If the Lions want to see them in the regular season finale, they will need to sign them to the 53-man roster. That’s what Dallas is doing with Ballentine, who exhausted his third elevation last week.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC East
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 Cowboys, Commanders, Giants and Eagles moves are noted below.
Dallas Cowboys
Signed:
- OL Hakeem Adeniji, CB C.J. Goodwin
Claimed:
- DB Twikweze Bridges (from Chargers), DB Reddy Steward (from Vikings)
Waived:
- CB Andrew Booth, CB Zion Childress
Placed on IR:
- RB Phil Mafah (story), Caelen Carson
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Justin Barron, WR Jalen Brooks, DT Earnest Brown, G Saahdiq Charles, T Geron Christian, S Alijah Clark, WR Jalen Cropper, RB Malik Davis, TE Rivaldo Fairweather, TE Princeton Fant, QB Will Grier, CB Kemon Hall, WR Traeshon Holden, LB Buddy Johnson, DE Dayo Odeleye, CB Robert Rochell
New York Giants
Claimed:
- DB Beau Brade (from Ravens), DB Rico Payton (from Saints)
Released:
Signed to practice squad:
- DL Elijah Chatman, OLB Trace Ford, OLB Tomon Fox, DL Elijah Garcia, OL Bryan Hudson, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey, OL Jake Kubas, S Raheem Layne, K Jude McAtamney, RB Dante Miller, DL Jordon Riley, WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, CB Dee Williams
Philadelphia Eagles
Signed:
Claimed:
- C Willie Lampkin (from Rams)
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Chance Campbell, WR Elijah Cooks, RB Audric Estime, G Kenyon Green, TE E.J. Jenkins, CB Brandon Johnson, OLB Patrick Johnson, TE Cameron Latu, WR Terrace Marshall, QB Kyle McCord, CB Parry Nickerson, T Hollin Pierce, OLB Antwaun Powell-Ryland, CB Eli Ricks, S Andre Sam
Washington Commanders
Signed to practice squad:
- DT Ricky Barber, WR Ja’Corey Brooks, TE Lawrence Cager, DT Sheldon Day, C Michael Deiter, CB Antonio Hamilton, QB Sam Hartman, DE Jalyn Holmes, WR Jacoby Jones, DE T.J. Maguranyanga, S Rob McDaniel, G Timothy McKay, WR Chris Moore, CB Car’lin Vigers
Commanders Make 30 Cuts, Place G Sam Cosmi On PUP
The Commanders made a massive wave of roster moves this afternoon, releasing 30 players and placing starting right guard Sam Cosmi on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, per a team announcement.
Cosmi, 26, was viewed as a long shot to be ready for Week 1 after tearing his ACL in January. The fifth-year lineman will be sidelined for at least four games with veteran Nick Allegretti likely to start in the interim.
Here are the rest of Washington’s moves:
Waived
- RB Kazmeir Allen
- LB Kam Arnold
- DT Ricky Barber
- WR Ja’Corey Brooks
- TE Lawrence Cager
- RB Demetric Felton
- QB Sam Hartman
- DE Andre Jones Jr.
- WR Jacoby Jones
- DE T.J. Maguranyanga
- WR Tay Martin
- S Rob McDaniel
- G Timothy McKay
- S Ben Nikkel
- T Foster Sarell
- TE Cole Turner
- CB Car’lin Vigers
Released
- WR River Cracraft
- DT Carl Davis
- DT Sheldon Day
- C Michael Deiter
- DE Clelin Ferrell
- T Bobby Hart
- CB Antonio Hamilton
- DE Jalyn Holmes
- WR Chris Moore
- WR K.J. Osborn
- CB Bobby Price
- LB Duke Riley
- S Daryl Worley
Hartman, who signed with the Commanders as an undrafted free agent in 2024, was never going to make the roster ahead of veterans Marcus Mariota and Josh Johnson. He is likely to return to Washington’s practice squad if he clears waivers, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Felton is another practice squad candidate, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. He hasn’t appeared in a regular-season game since 2022 and most recently played for the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions.
Headlining Washington’s veteran cuts is Ferrell, who started 10 games for the Commanders in 2024. He never lived up to his draft billing as the No. 4 pick in 2019 and will now be looking for his fourth team in as many years. H0lmes and Day both had rotational defensive line roles last season, while Deiter started two games as the backup center but lost his spot this year.
Commanders Sign 10 UDFAs
The Commanders made only five selections during the draft, leaving plenty of room for undrafted free agents to compete for a roster spot this summer. Washington has signed these 10 UDFAs:
- Kam Arnold, LB (Boston College)
- Ricky Barber, DT (UCF)
- Ja’Corey Brooks, WR (Louisville)
- Fentrell Cypress II, CB (Florida State)
- Jacoby Jones, WR (UCF)
- Ale Kaho, LB (UCLA)
- Robert McDaniel, S (Jackson State)
- Timothy McKay, G (NC State)
- Trey Rucker, S (Oklahoma State)
- Car’lin Vigers, CB (Louisiana-Monroe)
Like all teams, Washington made a few noteworthy commitments in terms of guaranteed compensation on the UDFA front. McKay secured $275K locked in with his pact, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The 6-4, 311-pounder suffered a pectoral tear during his Pro Day, Pelissero notes. That helped contribute to the fact his name was not called during the draft, but he will now turn his attention to carving out a depth role along the interior of the O-line.
Vigers also received a lucrative incentive to head to the nation’s capital. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports his deal contains $259K in guarantees. At 6-1 and 205 pounds, Vigers has NFL size at the CB spot, although a lack of ball production (two interceptions, six pass deflections over the past three years) confirms his path to a roster spot will come via special teams.
Wilson also notes that Cypress secured $145K in guarantees. His entire college career was spent in the ACC (four years at Virginia followed by a pair of campaigns at Florida State). That tenure only included one interception, but in 2022 he racked up 14 pass deflections as part of his career total of 27. Cypress will likewise aim to earn playing time on special teams with a defensive role likely unattainable.