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.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/6/25
With our first slate of Sunday games tomorrow, we’ll see our first slew of standard gameday practice squad elevations. Here are today’s minor transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: WR David Sills, RB Carlos Washington Jr.
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: G Kendrick Green, K Matt Prater
Carolina Panthers
- Signed from practice squad: DT Jaden Crumedy
- Placed on IR: CB Damarri Mathis (story)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: DT Mike Pennel
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: FB Adam Prentice, LB Levelle Bailey
Detroit Lions
- Signed from practice squad: RB Jacob Saylors
- Elevated: LB Anthony Pittman
- Placed on IR: T Jamarco Jones
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: CB Micah Robinson
Houston Texans
- Elevated: FB Jakob Johnson
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: LB Austin Ajiake, RB Ulysses Bentley IV
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: T Ricky Lee
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: WR Alex Bachman, S Terrell Edmunds
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: RB Cody Schrader
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: K Riley Patterson, RB Jeff Wilson
New England Patriots
- Signed from practice squad: DT Cory Durden
- Elevated: CB Corey Ballentine, LB Mark Robinson
- Released: DT Jeremiah Pharms
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: DE Fadil Diggs
- Elevated: TE Jack Stoll, DE Jonah Williams
- Waived: QB Jake Haener
New York Giants
- Elevated: DT Elijah Garcia
New York Jets
- Elevated: WR Tyler Johnson
- Placed on IR: G Alijah Vera-Tucker (story)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: CB James Pierre
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: WR Russell Gage, LB Curtis Robinson
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: CB Shaquill Griffin, DT Quinton Bohanna
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: DT Adam Gotsis, G Michael Jordan
Tennessee Titans
- Elevated: C Corey Levin, DT Carlos Watkins
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: C Michael Deiter, WR Chris Moore
Each NFL team is granted up to two standard gameday practice squad elevations each game, allowing them to call up two members of their practice squad who are able to play in that weekend’s game. After the game is played, the elevated players revert back to the practice squad with no transaction required. This differs from the situation with somebody like Crumedy in Carolina. With Mathis’ placement on injured reserve opening a spot on the 53-man roster, Crumedy has been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster, where he will remain until he is cut or his contract expires.
Practice squad players can be called up a maximum of three times under a single practice squad contract. If a team wants to call up a player who’s been called up three times already, the team will usually sign the player to their active roster for a game, cut them after, and then sign them to a new practice squad contract. Under the new contract, the player would be eligible to be elevated for three more games.
As the Dolphins await Jason Sanders‘ return from IR, Patterson was named the winner of a kicking audition with three other veteran kickers. Miami will be able to elevate him three times but will have to promote him to the active roster for any games between that and Sanders’ activation. Similarly, Prater will likely be on the same plan in Buffalo.
Haener’s stint on the Saints’ active roster was short-lived as the team decides to move forward with only two quarterbacks. Spencer Rattler will handle starting duties to begin the campaign with second-round rookie Tyler Shough serving as his backup.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC West
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 Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders moves are noted below.
Denver Broncos
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Levelle Bailey, WR Michael Bandy, QB Sam Ehlinger, TE Caleb Lohner, C Joe Michalski, DT Jordan Miller, CB Quinton Newsome, WR A.T. Perry, FB Adam Prentice, CB Jaden Robinson, DB Keidron Smith, CB Reese Taylor, OL Calvin Throckmorton, LB Jordan Turner, S Delarrin Turner-Yell, LB Garret Wallow
Kansas City Chiefs
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Cole Christiansen, S Mike Edwards, Chukwuebuka Godrick, G C.J. Hanson, WR Jimmy Holiday, DT Coziah Izzard, CB Kevin Knowles, QB Chris Oladokun, WR Hal Presley, CB Melvin Smith, RB Carson Steele, TE Robert Tonyan, DT Marlon Tuipulotu, TE Tre Watson
Las Vegas Raiders
Signed:
Claimed:
- LB Brennan Jackson (from Rams)
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Alex Bachman, RB Chris Collier, S Terrell Edmunds, DE Jahfari Harvey, WR Sheldrick Jackson, LB Matt Jones, DT Treven Ma’ae, G Atonio Mafi, QB Cam Miller, TE Albert Okwuegbunam, TE Carter Runyon, WR Justin Shorter, OL Laki Tasi, S Trey Taylor, CB Greedy Vance, T Dalton Wagner, S JT Woods
Los Angeles Chargers
Signed:
Placed on IR:
- CB Eric Rogers
Signed to practice squad:
- G Karsen Barnhart, DL TeRah Edwards, CB Harrison Hand, WR JaQuae Jackson, S Tony Jefferson, RB Emany Johnson, C Josh Kaltenberger, LS Rick Lovato, RB Nyheim Miller-Hines, CB Myles Purchase, OLB Garmon Randolph, WR Jalen Reagor, T David Sharpe, G Branson Taylor, QB DJ Uiagalelei, RB Kimani Vidal, TE Thomas Yassmin
Raiders Make Final Moves Down To 53 Players
After making 18 cuts on Monday, the Raiders the following 22 moves to trim their roster down to 53-players, per a team announcement:
Waived
- DT Zach Carter
- RB Chris Collier
- DE Jahfari Harvey
- WR Shedrick Jackson
- LB Matt Jones
- DT Treven Ma’ae
- G Atonio Mafi
- RB Sincere McCormick
- WR Tommy Mellott
- QB Cam Miller
- DE Ovie Oghoufo
- TE Carter Runyon
- WR Justin Shorter
- OL Laki Tasi
- S Trey Taylor
- CB Greedy Vance
- OT Dalton Wagner
- S JT Woods
Released
Placed on IR (designated for return)
Backup quarterback Aidan O’Connell is projected to be out for six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery for a fractured wrist, but curiously, he will not land on injured reserve with a return designation. The Raiders may be waiting to make that move in case they need to open up a roster spot for a waiver claim, per Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review Journal. Las Vegas also kept offensive tackle Thayer Munford, who was a risk to get claimed on waivers, according to Bonsignore.
Despite a pre-draft endorsement from Tom Brady and O’Connell’s injury, Miller was unable to hang on the 53-man roster as a third-string quarterback. The Raiders will need a backup quarterback to start the year, and Miller is an obvious candidate to return to the practice squad for early-season elevations as O’Connell heals. They could also scour the waiver wire and then transfer O’Connell to the IR.
Johnson suffered a broken fibula in early August, but it was not expected to end his season. His designation to return confirms that projection, but he will still be sidelined for a minimum of four games to start the year.
Raiders, S Terrell Edmunds Agree To Deal
Terrell Edmunds recently visited the Raiders, and that workout clearly went well. The veteran safety has an agreement in place, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. The team has since announced the move. 
Lonnie Johnson Jr.‘s broken fibula has left the Raiders short on depth in the secondary. A return at some point during the regular season is expected, but the Edmunds visit was arranged knowing Johnson will be unavailable for a stretch. Now, Edmunds will have the remainder of training camp and the preseason to audition for a roster spot.
The former first-rounder operated as a full-time starter from 2018-22 with the Steelers. Since then, Edmunds has not managed to earn much in the way of defensive playing time. A return to Pittsburgh took place last season, following a run of backup gigs with the Eagles, Titans and Jaguars. Second-team action should also be in store upon arrival in Vegas.
The Raiders lost Tre’von Moehrig and Marcus Epps during free agency while signing Jeremy Chinn as a new safety starter. Isaiah Pola-Mao was also retained, allowing him to remain a first-team contributor as well. Thomas Harper and Christopher Smith are also in the mix, and Edmunds will look to compete with those two for a role ahead of roster cuts at the end of the month.
In a corresponding move, receiver Seth Williams has been waived with an injury designation. The 25-year-old will revert to injured reserve once he goes unclaimed. After that, a release by means of an injury settlement will likely take place.
Raiders Work Out Terrell Edmunds, Expect Lonnie Johnson Jr. To Return During Season
Already authorizing significant changes in their secondary after losing the likes of Tre’von Moehrig, Nate Hobbs and Marcus Epps in free agency, the Raiders will see one of their imports sidelined for a while.
Lonnie Johnson Jr. sustained a broken fibula during a weekend scrimmage, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore. Although Johnson has not started a game since 2021, the former second-round pick had been a key backup during a journeyman career. He had also been seeing regular time with the Raiders’ top defense, moving to safety when Jeremy Chinn would slide into the slot in sub-packages.
This represented a bump for Johnson, who has combined to play 300 defensive snaps over the past three seasons, but this is not viewed as a season-ending injury. Pete Carroll said (via Bonsignore) a genuine belief exists Johnson will be able to return this season, “sooner rather than later.” Yes, Carroll was known as rather optimistic regarding injuries during his Seahawks tenure, but Johnson having a chance to return from a broken leg in-season is certainly notable news for the Las Vegas secondary.
Johnson, 29, has played for four teams over the past four seasons. That does not include a nonplaying stint with the Chiefs, who acquired him via trade in 2022. Johnson spent three years with the Texans before migrating to the Titans (2022), Saints (2023) and Panthers (’24). The Raiders added him on a one-year, $1.69MM deal that came with just $175K guaranteed.
The small guarantee would give the Raiders a minimal dead money penalty to move on after this injury, but for now, Johnson does not appear likely to be cut as a result of this major setback. The Raiders can either use one of their allotted two IR-return designations before setting their 53-man roster to stash Johnson, but such a move would count against the team’s eight-activation total. The other option would be carrying Johnson through to their 53-man roster and then placing him on IR, retaining some flexibility in the event the team passes on using an injury activation on the nomadic DB during the season.
The Raiders will need some help at safety, even in a depth role. On that note, Terrell Edmunds stopped through Las Vegas for a Tuesday workout, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Edmunds, 28, has drifted off the starter track since a five-year Steelers stint (75 starts) ended after the 2022 season. While Edmunds made it back to Pittsburgh for a 2024 cameo, he had since been primarily a backup with the Eagles, Titans and Jaguars.
Vegas signed Chinn to work as a starter and re-signed Isaiah Pola-Mao to do the same. Thomas Harper and Christopher Smith filled in for Johnson after the injury, per Bonsignore. Smith is a 2023 fifth-round pick, while Harper — a 2024 Chargers UDFA — joined the Raiders via waiver claim last August.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/2/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: S Morice Norris Jr.
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: S Terrell Edmunds
- Released: S Emany Johnson
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DE Tarron Jackson
The Chargers added some veteran safety depth in Terrell Edmunds today. The former first-round pick most recently had a two-month stint with the Steelers, collecting seven tackles in five games. Alohi Gilman could soon return to the Chargers lineup, but the team will still be down two players at the position with Elijah Molden and Marcus Maye sidelined, so there could be some open snaps for their newest player.
Bears To Host S Terrell Edmunds
Terrell Edmunds recently saw his second Steelers tenure come to an end, but he may not need to wait long to find a new team. The veteran safety has a Tuesday free agent visit lined up with the Bears, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Edmunds started the year with the Jaguars, but he made only one appearance with the team. Pittsburgh added him off Jacksonville’s practice squad in September, a move which allowed him to return to where his NFL career began. The former first-rounder spent four years as a Steeler, serving as a full-time starter during that period. Edmunds then split his time with the Eagles and Titans in 2023.
Should today’s workout go well, the 27-year-old could join a third team for the campaign. In the case of the Bears in particular, of course, a deal would allow Edmunds to play alongside his brother. Tremaine Edmunds joined Chicago as a free agent in 2023, and the two-time Pro Bowler has been a key defender during his time in the Windy City. His 113 tackles last season were the second most of his career, and he set a new personal mark with four interceptions.
Aside from a family reunion, a deal with the Bears for Terrell Edmunds would of course address the team’s need for depth in the secondary. Chicago placed Jaquan Brisker on injured reserve last week, and there is a strong possibility he will not return in 2024. Edmunds would not be expected to handle starting duties if he were to sign, but he could provide veteran depth in Brisker’s absence.
Chicago moved on from longtime safety Eddie Jackson this offseason, a move which came as little surprise at the time. The Bears have leaned on Kevin Byard as a starter in his first campaign with the team, and Brisker’s injury has left the door open to more playing time for the likes of Elijah Hicks, Tarvarius Moore and Jonathan Owens. Depending on how today’s workout goes, Edmunds could join that group.
Steelers Cut S Terrell Edmunds
Terrell Edmunds‘ second stint with the Steelers has come to an end. The team announced today that they’ve released the veteran safety. Edmunds will now be subject to waivers before officially hitting free agency.
Edmunds was snagged off the Jaguars practice squad in early September and proceeded to get into five games with Pittsburgh. He was splitting time between defense and special teams in 2024, getting into each of the Steelers five games before their bye. This past week, the veteran missed a handful of practices with an illness designation.
The former first-round pick spent the first five seasons of his career in Pittsburgh, starting 75 of his 84 appearances while compiling 417 tackles, five sacks, and five interceptions. He joined the Eagles ahead of the 2023 campaign but was dealt to the Titans midway through that season. He spent this past preseason with the Jaguars before landing on Jacksonville’s taxi squad to begin the campaign.
The Steelers weren’t done making moves today, as both linebacker Tyler Matakevich and wideout Ben Skowronek were activated from IR. Matakevich (hamstring) and Skowronek (shoulder) both suffered injuries in Week 2 that ultimately landed them on IR. The duo will likely make their main contributions on special teams for the stretch run of the season.
To make more room on the roster, the team also cut running back Jonathan Ward. The veteran journeyman got into four games with Pittsburgh this season, collecting 22 yards from scrimmage on five touches.
Steelers To Sign P Corliss Waitman, S Terrell Edmunds
Cameron Johnston is out for the year, and as a result the Steelers are in need of a new punter. The team is set to turn to a familiar face at the position. Pittsburgh plans to sign Corliss Waitman, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. This will mark his third stint with the organization.
Besides brief offseason stints with the Raiders and Patriots, Waitman spent the majority of his first two NFL seasons in Pittsburgh, getting into a pair of games during the 2021 campaign. He got a full-time gig with the Broncos in 2022, appearing in all 17 games while pacing the NFL with 96 punts. He earned Special Teams Player of the Week honors in Week 3 of that season after placing six of his 10 punts inside the 20.
Since leaving Denver, he’s had a second stint with the Patriots and a short gig with the Bears. Now, he’ll be joining a Steelers squad that needs some reinforcement after losing their starter for the entire season. Per veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer, Waitman was one of six punters who auditioned for Pittsburgh today, with the Steelers also taking a look at Jack Browning, Trenton Gill, Matt Haack, Austin McNamara, and Porter Wilson.
The Steelers weren’t done with reunions today, as the team also signed safety Terrell Edmunds off the Jaguars practice squad, per Pelissero. The former first-round pick started 75 of his 79 appearances in Pittsburgh to begin his career, but the 2023 campaign proved to be a tumultuous campaign for the veteran.
After joining the Eagles last offseason, Edmunds started three of his seven appearances for his new squad before getting shipped to Tennessee. He started one of his nine appearances for the Titans down the stretch. He caught on with the Jaguars this past offseason and was among the team’s final cuts, but he landed on the practice squad to start the season. He was promoted to the active roster for Week 1, getting into six defensive snaps.
Rookie Ryan Watts is out for the entire season with a neck injury, so the team is likely adding Edmunds after getting a look at some of their in-house replacements. Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott will still soak up the majority of the snaps at the position, but Edmunds will now provide the team will additional backup options beyond Damontae Kazee and Miles Killebrew.