Minor NFL Transactions: 1/6/25
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Released: RB Royce Freeman
Dallas Cowboys
- Re-signed: QB Will Grier, LB Darius Harris
Indianapolis Colts
- Re-signed: RB Tyler Goodson, LB Segun Olubi
Miami Dolphins
- Re-signed (two years): CB Jason Maitre
New Orleans Saints
- Re-signed: K Charlie Smyth
A number of impending free agents quickly re-signed with their current organizations today. While these players aren’t shoo-ins for roster spots in 2025, they are attached to actual NFL contracts (vs. reserve/futures contracts, which would need to be converted into real contracts if a player makes a 53-man roster).
In addition to hanging on to kicker Charlie Smyth today, the Saints also had to deal with some notable details on a previously-agreed-upon contract. The NFL rejected the team’s contract to safety Travion Fluellen, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. The organization later revised the agreement, bumping the contract from a two-year pact to a three-year pact. It’s uncertain why the league rejected the initial deal, although it could be due to Fluellen’s status as a former UFL player.
Latest On Colts’ RB Depth
The Colts ended their standoff with Jonathan Taylor last October, assuring the running back would stick in Indy for the foreseeable future. With the former All-Pro locked in, the Colts front office had to watch as key backup Zack Moss took a starting gig with the Bengals this offseason.
Taylor has missed 13 games over the past two years, meaning the Colts RB2 should be in line for a significant role. With that in mind, ESPN’s Stephen Holder notes that veteran Trey Sermon is the “likeliest option” to take over that top backup gig following a standout performance at OTAs. Holder points out how Sermon’s “hard-running style” could be appealing to the Colts, and his familiarity with the offense gives him some leeway for the RB2 job.
The former third-round pick collected 193 yards with the 49ers as a rookie, but he was quickly squeezed out of a crowded RBs room. He spent the 2022 campaign in Philly before catching on with the Colts last year. He ended up getting into 14 games with Indy, collecting 173 yards from scrimmage.
He should see an uptick in those numbers next season, even if Taylor remains relatively healthy. The team doesn’t have many other experienced options at the position, although both Evan Hull and Tyler Goodson bring their own intrigue. Hull was a fifth-round pick in last year’s draft, but the Northwestern product spent the majority of his rookie campaign on IR. Goodson was also on the Colts in 2023, collecting 121 yards on 19 touches. Zavier Scott and Trent Pennix round out the depth chart.
“I love the room,” Sermon said of his fellow RBs (via Locked On Colts on YouTube). “Everybody’s a little bit different, but we’re all great running backs. We compete, we push each other. If one of us makes a big play, we’re all excited for each other.”
Colts Suspend WR Isaiah McKenzie, CB Tony Brown
The Colts have suspended a pair of players for the rest of the 2023 campaign. According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, receiver Isaiah McKenzie and cornerback Tony Brown have earned three-game suspensions for “conduct detrimental to the team.”
Holder admits that it’s uncertain what the players did to warrant the suspensions, but a source disclosed that the “nature of the violations rose to a level where severe punishment” was necessary. Both players were inactive this past weekend.
McKenzie joined the Colts this past offseason after having spent the previous five seasons in Buffalo. After finishing 2022 with career-highs in receptions (42) and receiving yards (423), McKenzie hasn’t seen nearly as big of an offensive role in Indy. In 13 games (tw0 starts), McKenzie has hauled in 11 catches for 82 yards. He’s also served as the team’s primary punt returner.
After bouncing around the NFL to begin his career, Brown joined the Colts prior to the 2022 campaign. He got into 16 games last season, compiling seven tackles and one sack. He had 10 tackles and an interception in 12 games this season, with the majority of his playing time coming on special teams.
The Colts weren’t done making roster moves today, with the team announcing that they’ve signed Tyler Goodson to the 53-man roster. The running back was promoted for each of the last three games, collecting 88 yards on 16 touches. With Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss both questionable for Week 16, Goodson could see a significant role on Sunday.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/15/23
Here are today’s minor transactions, including some practice squad callups for the Saturday games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed from Seahawks’ practice squad: OLB Tyreke Smith
Carolina Panthers
- Signed to active roster: DE Chris Wormley
- Placed on IR: G Justin McCray
Denver Broncos
- Signed to active roster: TE Lucas Krull
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: WR Ethan Fernea, RB Tyler Goodson
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: RB Myles Gaskin, WR Trishton Jackson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: LB Kyron Johnson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed to active roster: DT Deadrin Senat
Washington Commanders
- Activated from IR: G Saahdiq Charles
- Placed on IR: TE Curtis Hodges
Getting Charles back should provide a bit of a boost for a Commanders’ offensive line that has allowed quarterback Sam Howell to be sacked an NFL-leading 58 times. That being said, they led the league in that category when Charles was healthy, as well. Still, as Charles attempts to come back from the calf injury that sidelined him for six games, he’ll have to overcome second-year guard Chris Paul, who has been starting in his place since the injury. While Charles had been struggling in a contract year, his replacement has ranked as the fourth-worst guard in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Wormley, Krull, and Senat all make their way up to the active roster for two reasons: first, injuries, and second, they’ve already appeared as standard gameday elevations off of the practice squad the maximum three times. In order to appear in any other games this year, all three needed to be signed to new contracts. If the players they are replacing come back from injury before the end of the season, any of them can be waived, re-signed to the practice squad, and elevated an additional three times.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/9/23
Today’s minor moves and callups heading into the Week 14 slate of Sunday games:
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: LB Milo Eifler, OL Tyler Vrabel
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: LB Josh Ross
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: G Gabe Jackson, DE Chris Wormley
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: WR Collin Johnson
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: TE Princeton Fant
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: RB Tyler Badie, TE Lucas Krull
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: T Michael Niese
Houston Texans
- Elevated: K Matt Ammendola, S Brandon Hill
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from exempt/commissioner permission list: DT Grover Stewart
- Elevated: RB Tyler Goodson, WR D.J. Montgomery
- Waived: WR Juwann Winfree
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed to active roster: QB Nathan Rourke
- Elevated: CB Tevaughn Campbell, TE Josh Pederson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from IR: LB Kana’i Mauga
- Elevated: FB Jakob Johnson, T Brandon Parker
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: TE Stephen Anderson
- Placed on IR: OL Zack Bailey
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: K Mason Crosby
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: FB Adam Prentice
- Elevated: WR Marquez Callaway, DT Jack Heflin
- Placed on IR: G Nick Saldiveri
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: OL Jake Hanson
- Elevated: G Chris Glaser, DE Jalyn Holmes
- Placed on IR: G Wes Schweitzer
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: QB Sean Mannion, LB Patrick O’Connell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: WR David Moore, DT Deadrin Senat
There was some thought that Ammendola’s stint with the Texans had come to an end after four appearances. However, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes that regular starting kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn still isn’t ready to return from his strained quadriceps, requiring the practice squad kicker to step in for at least another week. Ammendola has connected on six of his nine field goal attempts and all 10 of his XP tries this season.
With Trevor Lawrence a game-time decision for Sunday’s game, the Jaguars are adding some QB depth to the active roster. Rourke is a former CFL standout, with the quarterback earning the CFL Most Outstanding Canadian award in 2022. Following that breakout, 25-touchdown campaign, Rourke got a look from a number of NFL teams and ultimately signed a three-year deal with the Jaguars this past offseason. He was waived at the end of the preseason and has spent the majority of the season on Jacksonville’s practice squad. Per ESPN’s Michael DiRocco, the rookie will be the emergency QB3 for Week 14.
Similarly, the Seahawks will call up Mannion and O’Connell as they deal with injuries to starting quarterback Geno Smith and linebacker Jordyn Brooks. Smith is questionable heading into tomorrow’s game with a groin injury.
Stewart is back on the Colts active roster after having served a six-game ban for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Through six games this season, the veteran has compiled 20 tackles, two stops for a loss, and five QB hits.
Crosby is set to make his 2023 debut and make an appearance for a team other than the Packers for the first time since the 39-year-old was drafted back in 2007.
Schweitzer head right back to injured reserve after being activated last week. The Jets signed a lineman to the active roster from the practice squad and elevated one for tomorrow’s game to add some depth at the position.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/2/23
Today’s gameday callups and minor moves heading into Sunday:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: WR Dan Chisena
- Elevated: DT Phil Hoskins, CB Divaad Wilson
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: LB Milo Eifler, TE Parker Hesse
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: QB Joe Flacco (story), CB A.J. Green
Denver Broncos
- Activated from IR: WR Brandon Johnson
- Elevated: QB Ben DiNucci, TE Lucas Krull
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: DT Quinton Bohanna, LB Bruce Irvin
Houston Texans
- Elevated: K Matt Ammendola
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: RB Tyler Goodson, WR D.J. Montgomery
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: RB Deneric Prince
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: WR Alex Erickson
- Elevated: TE Stephen Anderson
- Waived: RB Elijah Dotson
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: TE Tanner Conner
New England Patriots
- Elevated: QB Malik Cunningham
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: WR Marquez Callaway, FB Adam Prentice
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: CB Justin Hardee, G Wes Schweitzer
- Elevated: OL Jake Hanson, DT Perrion Winfrey
- Waived: OL Xavier Newman
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: LB Kyron Johnson
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: WR Chris Conley, S Erik Harris
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: WR Ryan Miller, WR David Moore
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: LB Joe Jones
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: DE Joshua Pryor
The Chiefs have ruled out running back Jerick McKinnon for tomorrow’s game against the Packers, necessitating some extra depth at the position. The team will turn to Prince, an undrafted free agent who has spent the entire season on Kansas City’s practice squad. Prince had a breakout season at Tulsa in 2022, finishing with 813 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns.
Winfrey, a 2022 fourth-round pick, was cut by the Browns last July after being investigated for pulling a gun on a woman. He joined the Jets practice squad in early November and will finally earn his first promotion of the season. Winfrey got into 13 games for Cleveland last year, collecting 22 tackles and 0.5 sacks.
At age 36, Irvin will be making his debut for a sixth NFL team. The veteran pass rusher signed with Detroit midway through November and will finally have a chance to extend his streak of regular season appearances to 12 straight years. The only absence on the Lions’ front-seven will be linebacker Alex Anzalone, so Detroit may be looking to stand Irvin up to help the team’s depth at linebacker.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/12/23
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: OL Kyle Fuller
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Lamar Jackson
- Released: WR Dezmon Patmon
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: OL Michael Jordan
- Released: TE Austin Allen
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Gerrid Doaks, WR Jared Wayne
- Released: RB Larry Rountree
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: OL Jack Anderson, RB Tyler Goodson, TE Jordan Murray
- Released: RB Jason Huntley, TE Johnny Lumpkin, WR Mike Strachan
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Ty Shelby
- Released: OT Austen Pleasants
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: TE Miller Forristall, P Brandon Wright
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Lucky Jackson
New Orleans Saints
- Released: WR Jontre Kirklin
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: WR Jacob Copeland
- Released: DB Luq Barcoo, RB Greg Bell
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OL Greg Eiland, OT Jason Peters (story)
- Released: QB Holton Ahlers, S Brady Breeze
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/6/23
Minor moves from around the league as we prepare for tomorrow’s season opener:
Chicago Bears
- Released from IR with injury settlement: WR Isaiah Ford, WR Dante Pettis
Detroit Lions
- Waive/injured: RB Jermar Jefferson
Green Bay Packers
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: RB Tyler Goodson, LS Broughton Hatcher
- Released from IR with injury settlement: S Tarvarius Moore
Indianapolis Colts
- Released from IR with injury settlement: TE Ricky Seals-Jones
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: G Jerome Carvin
Los Angeles Rams
- Reverted to IR: CB Shaun Jolly
Miami Dolphins
- Released from IR with injury settlement: TE Eric Saubert
New York Jets
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: CB Jimmy Moreland
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: S Tayler Hawkins
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: LB Vi Jones
Packers Place CB Eric Stokes On PUP, Set 53-Man Roster
The Packers will roll into the 2023 campaign without cornerback Eric Stokes, who was placed on PUP today. The organization made additional moves to get to the 53-man roster limit:
Released:
Waived:
- TE Austin Allen
- LB Keshawn Banks
- WR Jadakis Bonds
- WR Cody Chrest
- T Jean Delance
- WR Grant DuBose
- C James Empey
- CB Tyrell Ford
- S Innis Gaines
- CB Elijah Hamilton
- CB William Hooper
- CB Shemar Jean-Charles
- DL Jason Lewan
- RB Nate McCrary
- QB Alex McGough
- WR Bo Melton
- WR Dre Miller
- LB Arron Mosby
- DL Antonio Moultrie
- LB Kenneth Odumegwu
- LS Matt Orzech
- FB Henry Pearson
- LB Jimmy Phillips Jr.
- LB Marvin Pierre
- S Benny Sapp III
- C Cole Schneider
- DL Chris Slayton
- RB Patrick Taylor
- T Kadeem Telfort
- CB Kiondre Thomas
- WR Duece Watts
Placed on reserve/PUP:
- CB Eric Stokes
Placed on IR:
Waived/injured:
- RB Tyler Goodson
- LS Broughton Hatcher
- RB Lew Nichols
Stokes continues to rehab from foot and knee injuries that limited him to only nine games in 2022. His placement on PUP means he’ll have to sit out at least the first four games before being eligible for activation. The 2021 first-round pick has started 23 of his 25 appearances for the Packers, collecting 81 tackles, 14 passes defended, and one interception.
Meanwhile, Moore won’t be eligible to play for the Packers in 2023 after getting placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. Moore joined the Packers this offseason after spending the first five seasons of his career with the 49ers. He sat out the entire 2021 campaign but otherwise appeared in 61 games across four healthy seasons with San Francisco, collecting 108 tackles.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/10/23
Many teams started signing players to reserve/futures contracts yesterday, allowing the organization to retain (routinely) young, practice squad players throughout the offseason. Here are the latest reserve/futures contracts:
Arizona Cardinals
Carolina Panthers
- CB Herb Miller
Chicago Bears
- WR Daurice Fountain, DT Donovan Jeter
Denver Broncos
Green Bay Packers
- TE Austin Allen, WR Jeff Cotton, T Jean Delance, QB Danny Etling, CB Tyrell Ford, CB Benjie Franklin, RB Tyler Goodson, TE Nick Guggemos, LB La’Darius Hamilton, DL Chris Slayton, CB Kiondre Thomas, K Parker White, S James Wiggins
Houston Texans
- WR Alex Bachman, RB Gerrid Doaks, WR Drew Estrada, WR Johnny Johnson III, DL Adedayo Odeleye, DB D’Angelo Ross, TE Mason Schreck
Indianapolis Colts
New England Patriots
- LB Terez Hall, DB Brad Hawkins, OL Hayden Howerton, DB Quandre Mosely, LB Calvin Munson, WR Tre Nixon, DL Jeremiah Pharms Jr., DL LaBryan Ray, TE Matt Sokol, RB J.J. Taylor, TE Scotty Washington
New York Jets
- DT Tanzel Smart
Pittsburgh Steelers
- WR Ja’Marcus Bradley, DB Duke Dawson, G William Dunkle, LB Emeke Egbule, RB Jason Huntley, C Ryan McCollum, DB Scott Nelson, RB Master Teague, WR Cody White, TE Rodney Williams
Tennessee Titans
- DT Curtis Brooks, CB Shyheim Carter, OL Zack Johnson, WR Mason Kinsey, OLB Zach McCloud, TE Thomas Odukoya, OLB Sam Okuayinonu, DL Jayden Peevy, WR Reggie Roberson, OL Andrew Rupcich, K Caleb Shudak
Washington Commanders
- FB Alex Armah