NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/19/24
Today’s practice squad moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DE Casey Toohill
- Released: DT Eli Ankou
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Artie Burns
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/18/24
Wednesday’s minor NFL moves across the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: P Michael Palardy
Cleveland Browns
- Signed off Jets’ practice squad: TE Brenden Bates
- Placed on IR: RB Nick Chubb (story)
Indianapolis Colts
- Claimed off waivers (from 49ers): CB Ambry Thomas
- Designated to return from IR: CB JuJu Brents
New York Jets
- Designated to return from IR: DT Leki Fotu
- Placed on IR: S Jalen Mills
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: T Stone Forsythe
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Reverted to season-ending IR: OLB Markees Watts
Mills, the former Eagles’ and Patriots’ starter had taken on a bigger role in New York as usual starter Tony Adams took fewer snaps due to a hamstring injury. He’ll miss the remainder of the season due to a broken collar bone.
Forsythe had taken over as the starting right tackle following an injury to George Fant in the season opener before ending up on injured reserve himself with a hand injury.
Watts’ 21-day practice window has come and gone without an activation. As a result, he’ll revert back to IR without the ability to be activated.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/17/24
Here are the latest practice squad updates from around the NFL:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Jalen Virgil, OL Will Clapp
- Released: DE Kameron Cline, DT Branson Deen
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: LB Joe Giles-Harris, S Jaylen Key
Cleveland Browns
- Released: TE Cameron Latu
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Stantly Thomas-Oliver
- Released: DE Isaiah Thomas
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: TE Albert Okwuegbunam
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LB Kalen DeLoach
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released: TE Cole Fotheringham
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Isaiah McKenzie, QB Skylar Thompson
New England Patriots
- Released: G Liam Fornadel
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: LB Adetokunbo Ogundeji
- Signed: OT John Leglue
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: OT Austen Pleasants, LB Chandler Wooten
- Placed on practice squad IR: TE Mason Pline
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: DE DeVere Levelston
Washington Commanders
- Signed: TE Tyree Jackson
- Placed on practice squad IR: WR/R Kazmeir Allen
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/17/24
Here are the latest moves from the around the NFL:
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from IR: OL Tylan Grable
- Waived: DE Casey Toohill
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: LB Trevin Wallace, LB Claudin Cherelus
- Waived: DB Anthony Brown
- Signed to active roster: WR Dan Chisena, LB Jacoby Windmon
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed to active roster: K Cade York
Detroit Lions
- Signed from Jaguars’ practice squad: LB Anthony Pittman
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: LB Nick Hampton
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on commissioners/suspended list: DE Janarius Robinson
Miami Dolphins
- Signed to active roster: LS Jake McQuaide
- Placed on IR: WR Grant DuBose
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived (with injury settlement): CB Ambry Thomas
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: CB Artie Burns
After another round of injuries in Week 15, the Lions signed Pittman off the Jaguars’ practice squad to bolster their linebacker room. The five-year veteran appeared in just one game for Jacksonville this season, which coincidentally came against the Lions in Week 11. Pittman has primarily played special teams in his NFL career and will continue that role in Detroit.
The Raiders will be without Robinson for the rest of the season after he received a three-game suspension for violation of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.
The 49ers placed Thomas on injured reserve after initial roster cuts, but never designated him to return. He is “now healthy and, as a former third-round pick out of Michigan, is expected to garner interest,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Thomas appeared in 42 games, including 11 starts, in San Francisco, but never developed into a consistent starting corner as the team hoped.
Updated 2025 NFL Draft Order
This NFL season saw several teams slip out of contention quicker than usual, slimming wild-card races and expanding the pursuit for the No. 1 overall pick. Two teams now lead that race.
While no prospect on the Caleb Williams level is dangling for the Raiders and Giants, an interesting showdown has formed. With three weeks to go, the Giants would currently hold the top 2025 draft choice. But based on projected strength of schedule, the Raiders would win the tiebreaker if the results held. The team with the weaker overall strength of schedule would win that. The Giants still have a game against the 12-2 Eagles, while the Raiders’ upcoming matchup with the 3-11 Jaguars works in their favor.
The Giants have not held the No. 1 pick in the common draft era (1967-present), last making a choice atop a draft in 1965 (running back Tucker Frederickson). Their Eli Manning trade occurred after the Chargers had chosen the quarterback to start the 2004 draft. The Raiders have held the top pick once in the common draft era, famously choosing JaMarcus Russell to start the ’07 draft. Both teams have coaches fighting for their jobs, but each also has seen All-Pros (Dexter Lawrence, Maxx Crosby) removed from equations. Losers of 10 straight, the Raiders follow their Jaguars matchup with games against the Saints and Chargers. The Giants, who have dropped nine consecutive games, go Falcons-Colts-Eagles to close the season.
Five 3-11 teams sit behind the Raiders and Giants presently, with the NFL having nine teams who have already lost double-digit contests. If a Giants or Raiders win occurs, there are candidates to move toward pole position in what could be races for Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward. Though, a non-Giants or Raiders team finishing in the top two creates a bit more intrigue, as both those clubs are in dire need of QB help.
With an eye on teams’ projected strength of schedule based on current records, here is how the draft order looks with three games to go:
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)
- New York Giants (2-12)
- New England Patriots (3-11)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11)
- Carolina Panthers (3-11)
- Tennessee Titans (3-11)
- Cleveland Browns (3-11)
- New York Jets (4-10)
- Chicago Bears (4-10)
- New Orleans Saints (5-9)
- Miami Dolphins (6-8)
- Indianapolis Colts (6-8)
- Cincinnati Bengals (6-8)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-8)
- San Francisco 49ers (6-8)
- Atlanta Falcons (7-7)
- Arizona Cardinals (7-7)
- Seattle Seahawks (8-6)
- Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6)
- Los Angeles Rams (8-6)
- Washington Commanders (9-5)
- Denver Broncos (9-5)
- Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
- Houston Texans (9-5)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)
- Green Bay Packers (10-4)
- Minnesota Vikings (12-2)
- Buffalo Bills (11-3)
- Philadelphia Eagles (12-2)
- Detroit Lions (12-2)
- Kansas City Chiefs (13-1)
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/14/24
Saturday’s minor moves and standard gameday elevations:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: P Michael Palardy
- Placed on IR: RB Emari Demercado, P Blake Gillikin
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: DT Michael Pierce
- Elevated: CB Desmond King, LB William Kwenkeu
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: S Kareem Jackson, QB Mike White
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: RB Mike Boone, LB Jacoby Windmon
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed to active roster: QB Logan Woodside
- Elevated: T Andrew Coker, K Cade York
- Placed on IR: LB Joe Bachie
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: CB Andrew Booth, T Dakoda Shepley
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: G Nick Gargiulo, CB Reese Taylor
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: S Jamal Adams, LB Abraham Beauplan
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: DE DJ Coleman
- Placed on IR: TE Evan Engram (story)
Houston Texans
- Elevated: TE Irv Smith Jr.
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: LB Swayze Bozeman, TE Anthony Firkser
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: WR Laviska Shenault, TE Eric Tomlinson
- Placed on IR: WR Jalen Reagor
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from IR: WR Grant DuBose
- Signed to active roster: DT Matt Dickerson
- Elevated: T Ryan Hayes, LS Zach Triner
- Waived: QB Skylar Thompson
New England Patriots
- Elevated: TE Jack Westover
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/PUP: DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
- Placed on IR: LB D’Marco Jackson
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: QB Tim Boyle
- Placed on IR: G Jon Runyan (story)
- Elevated: DB Raheem Layne
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: CB Kendall Sheffield
- Elevated: TE Zack Kuntz, WR Brandon Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: FB Khari Blasingame
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from IR: DT Montravius Adams
- Placed on IR: T Calvin Anderson
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: CB Artie Burns
- Elevated: QB Jaren Hall, RB George Holani
- Placed on IR: S Jerrick Reed II
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: P Jack Browning, S Ryan Neal
Tennessee Titans
- Elevated: G Arlington Hambright, TE Thomas Odukoya
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: DT Carl Davis
Demercado has taken a backseat to Florida State third-round rookie Trey Benson, but he has averaged 9.3 yards per carry on 24 carries this year. Palardy will take over punting duties with Gillikin landing on injured reserve.
Jackson signed with Bills in late July, and although he was among the team’s final roster cuts he was immediately retained via a practice squad deal. This elevation means Week 15 will mark his first time spent on the active roster this season. The 36-year-old has started all but 10 of his 203 NFL games, but last season was marred by suspensions which led to his Broncos release. Jackson could suit up for Buffalo down the stretch as a gameday elevation in a bid to rebuild his stock to a degree.
With the playoffs nearly out of reach and quarterback Joe Burrow dealing with a few ailments (wrist and knee), the Bengals don’t seem to be taking any chances. Jake Browning will continue serving as the primary backup, while Woodside’s promotion will allow him to act as the emergency backup.
Adams has seen his biggest NFL roles during his time in Pittsburgh. Though he hasn’t gotten the same number of starts as he had in 2022 and 2023, he’s continued the same level of production. After missing the last four games, he’ll be looking to return to the field as early as tomorrow.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/11/24
Wednesday’s minor roster updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed to active roster: RB Carlos Washington Jr.
- Placed on IR: RB Jase McClellan
Buffalo Bills
- Designated to return from IR: DT Dawuane Smoot, LB Baylon Spector
Chicago Bears
- Signed off Packers’ practice squad: DT Jonathan Ford
- Placed on IR: WR DeAndre Carter
Cleveland Browns
- Designated to return from IR: DT Mike Hall Jr.
Los Angeles Rams
- Reverted to season-ending IR: G KT Leveston
Miami Dolphins
- Designated to return from IR: WR Grant DuBose
New York Giants
- Signed off Cardinals’ practice squad: CB Divaad Wilson
- Designated to return from IR: OL Austin Schlottmann
- Placed on IR: S Tyler Nubin
New York Jets
- Signed off Colts’ practice squad: CB Jaylin Simpson
- Placed on IR: WR Irvin Charles
Seattle Seahawks
- Designated to return from IR: CB Artie Burns, S K’Von Wallace
It’s unfortunate news for the rookie second-round safety, Nubin. After starting the first 13 games of his first season in the NFL, the top-drafted safety in the 2024 NFL Draft will end the year on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Nubin had graded out as the 34th-best safety in the league, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), before the injury.
Charles will miss the remainer of the season, as well, and perhaps some of next year. The former undrafted receiver will be undergoing surgery for a torn ACL.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/11/24
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: P Michael Palardy
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DT DeShawn Williams
Chicago Bears
- Signed: RB Royce Freeman
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: TE Tre’ McKitty
Detroit Lions
- Signed: S Erick Hallett
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: C Dieter Eiselen
New York Giants
- Signed: T Jalen McKenzie
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Brittain Brown
Arizona is bringing in the left-footed punter as regular punter Blake Gillikin is dealing with an ankle injury on his kicking foot. If Gillikin can’t go on Sunday, Palardy will see his first game action since he finished the back half of the 2022 season in New England.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/10/24
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: C Keith Ismael
Carolina Panthers
- Released: WR Dax Milne
Chicago Bears
- Released: RB Demetric Felton
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Kaden Davis, WR Jaelen Gill, K Riley Patterson, OT Julian Pearl
- Released: DT Michael Dwumfour
Denver Broncos
- Signed: LB K.J Cloyd
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB Jeremiah Martin
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT Pheldarius Payne
- Placed on injured list: DT Trysten Hill
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: G Jerome Carvin, RB Myles Gaskin
- Released: LS Tucker Addington, P Matt Haack
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: QB Jake Luton, DT Tyler Manoa
- Released: DT Marquan McCall
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Dez Fitzpatrick
- Released: OT Alex Leatherwood
New England Patriots
- Released: LB Keshawn Banks
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: G Kyle Hergel
New York Giants
- Signed: DL Ross Blacklock, QB Tim Boyle, CB Ekow Boye-Doe, CB Azizi Hearn
- Placed on injured list: C Jimmy Morrissey
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: P Ty Zentner
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Curtis Bolton, T Kellen Diesch, K Brayden Narveson
Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins has made just 64.0% of his field goal attempts this season, which includes two misses from inside 40 yards. Patterson kicked for Cleveland when Hopkins was injured at the end of last season, and his addition to the practice squad indicates that head coach Kevin Stefanski is considering a similar change this year.
The Titans signed Narveson as insurance for starter Nick Folk, who is dealing with an injury, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Narveson began the season as the Packers’ kicker, but after missing five of his 12 field goal attempts, all of which came inside of 50 yards.
Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III Out For Sunday
The Seahawks have a big divisional matchup this week with only a one-game lead in the division and only a two-game lead on the last-place team in the division. Looking to sweep the Cardinals and establish a tiebreaker over them, Seattle will be heading into the game without leading rusher Kenneth Walker, who is set to miss the contest with ankle and calf issues. 
Despite missing two games early on in the season, Walker is the team’s leading rusher with 542 yards and seven touchdowns. He also leads the running backs room with 38 receptions and 271 yards through the air. He was questionable just yesterday, but the team opted to officially rule him out today.
Luckily, Seattle has an effective backup in Zach Charbonnet was extremely effective in relief-duty when Walker was out earlier this year. In those two contests, Charbonnet had 129 rushing yards and three touchdowns. On the year, he’s second in the running backs room with 266 rushing yards and five touchdowns, adding 29 catches for 204 yards and a touchdown receiving, as well.
With Walker out, Charbonnet is likely to serve as the lead back for the team’s trip to Arizona. Second-year back Kenny McIntosh will back up Charbonnet and George Holani has been called up from the practice squad as a standard gameday elevation. It’s likely precautionary, but with Charbonnet also on the injury report, the depth could be crucial.
The other practice squad elevation for the week will be punter Ty Zentner. Zentner appeared in a game earlier this season for the Rams. This is likely a precaution, as well, as regular punter Michael Dickson is listed as questionable with a back injury.