Minor NFL Transactions: 8/17/25
Here are the latest minor moves from around the NFL:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: QB Bryce Perkins
Denver Broncos
- Placed on IR: OL Nick Gargiulo
- Signed: FB Adam Prentice
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: DL Philip Blidi
Perkins, the reigning UFL MVP, will add some depth to the Panthers’ quarterback room with Andy Dalton sidelined by an elbow injury, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Perkins appeared in five games for the Rams between 2020 and 2022, but has not played in the last two NFL seasons.
The Broncos were looking to add another fullback after a hamstring injury to starter Michael Burton, per Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. They auditioned Prentice, Khari Blasingame, and Troy Hairston on Saturday, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, with Prentice earning a roster spot. This will be his second stint in Denver after starting his career there as an undrafted rookie in 2021.
Titans’ Cedric Gray Pushing For Starting Spot
Titans linebacker Cedric Gray entered the league as a fourth-round draftee last year, but his rookie campaign got off to an inauspicious start. He was placed on injured reserve at the end of August, and though he eventually got into seven games, he played just 48 defensive snaps. 
He stands to earn considerably more playing time in 2025. Head coach Brian Callahan, via Jim Wyatt of the Titans’ official website, said Gray has come a long way and is making a case to start alongside fellow inside ‘backer Cody Barton in the middle of Tennessee’s defense.
Gray, who will turn 23 in October, has tallied seven tackles in each of the Titans’ first two preseason games, including a half-sack in their victory over the Falcons on Friday. He made a name for himself as a prolific tackler at Chapel Hill, collecting 266 total stops across the 2022-23 seasons with UNC. The former Tar Heels’ team captain earned First-Team All-ACC acclaim in both years.
Despite being selected in the fourth round, Gray was still only the seventh linebacker off the board, and scouts lauded his football IQ. Fellow 2024 draftee James Williams, who earned one start last year, represents one of Gray’s primary competitors for playing time, but Gray offers higher upside.
In terms of total defense, the Titans were one of the NFL’s best units last season (although they finished near the bottom of the pack in scoring defense). This year, with rookie QB Cam Ward at the controls and something of a middling collection of skill-position talent, the defense will again be counted upon to keep the team competitive.
Gray is likely in position to play a key role in that regard. If he does indeed clinch a first-team spot at the second level of the defense, his performance while handling an increased workload will be something to monitor especially in the early portion of the season. Provided Gray fares well in a starting gig, he could hold onto it for years to come while playing out his rookie contract.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/14/25
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived/injured: OL Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DE Nelson Ceaser, TE Matt Sokol
- Released: DE Justin Hollins
- Waived: WR Jalen Virgil
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Allan George, OL Zack Johnson
- Placed on IR: CB Dicaprio Bootle, OL Keaton Sutherland
Houston Texans
- Released from IR via injury settlement: DL Marlon Davidson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from active/PUP list: DT Maason Smith
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: CB Harrison Hand
- Waived/injured: WR Dez Fitzpatrick
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DE Jeremiah Martin
- Waived: QB Hunter Dekkers
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: FB Wesley Steiner
- Waived: LB Michael Dowell
Tennessee Titans
- Released from IR via injury settlement: OL Chandler Brewer
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/13/25
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: RB Marcus Major
Chicago Bears
- Reverted to IR: S Major Burns
Cleveland Browns
- Waived from IR: WR Luke Floriea
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers (from Raiders): WR Kawaan Baker
- Reverted to IR: CB Isaiah Dunn, RB Jalen White
Houston Texans
- Signed: TE Tre’ McKitty
- Placed on IR: TE Dalton Keene
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Marcus Haynes
- Placed on IR: WR D.J. Montgomery
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: CB Keni-H Lovely
- Released from IR (injury settlement): CB Levi Wallace
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: CB Nehemiah Shelton
- Waived/injured: CB Jordan Oladokun
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Cam Gill, LB Max Tooley
- Reverted to IR: C Zeke Correll
New England Patriots
- Reverted to IR: RB Deneric Prince
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on IR: WR Bub Means, TE Mason Pline
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Malik Turner
- Placed on IR: DE Bradlee Anae, DE Demone Harris, LB William Bradley-King
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Reverted to reserve/PUP: QB Michael Pratt
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from Vikings): LB Brian Asamoah II
- Waived: LB Otis Reese
- Reverted to IR: LB Anfernee Orji
The Titans swapped linebackers today, replacing Otis Reese with Brian Asamoah II. The latter was waived by the Vikings yesterday, but he’ll quickly land on his feet in Tennessee. The former third-round pick spent three years in Minnesota, collecting 30 tackles in 46 games. 802 of his 990 snaps came on special teams. He’ll be taking the spot formerly held by Reese, who started five games for the Titans over the previous two seasons.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/12/25
Here are the latest minor moves from around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Kelly Akharaiyi
- Placed on IR: WR Trishton Jackson
- Awarded via waivers: OL Roy Mbaeteka
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: S Tre Herndon
- Released: TE Matt Sokol
Chicago Bears
- Waived: WR John Jackson, K Jonathan Kim
- Waived/injured: S Major Burns
- Placed on IR: CB Shaun Wade
- Signed: S Millard Bradford, CB Mekhi Garner, CB Kaleb Hayes, S Mark Perry
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DE Titus Leo
- Waived: WR Chase Cota
Denver Broncos
- Activated from active/PUP list: WR A.T. Perry
Green Bay Packers
- Awarded via waivers: WR Kawaan Baker
- Signed: RB Tyrion Davis-Price
Houston Texans
- Signed: OT Conor McDermott
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: LB Brian Asamoah
- Waived/injured: C Zeke Correll
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB Shane Watts
- Waived/injured: RB Deneric Prince
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DT Justin Rogers
- Waived: LS Christian Johnstone
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Alphonzo Tuputala
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: K Ryan Coe
- Waived/injured: QB Michael Pratt
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Khaleke Hudson
- Waived: LB David Gbenda
- Waived/injured: Anfernee Orji
Mbaeteka was waived by the Browns on Monday and quickly found a new home in Arizona. The Nigeria native has an international player exemption, per Howard Balzer of CardsWire, allowing the Cardinals to carry 91 players on their preseason roster. The exemption also makes Mbaeteka eligible to be an extra 17th player on the team’s practice squad.
Herndon, 29, will add some defensive back depth to Buffalo’s secondary. Interestingly, the Bills listed Herndon as a safety when they announced his signing, though the seven-year veteran has primarily played both outside and slot cornerback throughout his career.
Price, a 49ers third-round pick in 2022, has only played 105 total snaps in his first three NFL seasons. In Green Bay, he’ll fight for a roster spot in the Packers’ backfield behind Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson, and MarShawn Lloyd.
Asamoah’s release by the Vikings was a bit of a surprise given that the 2022 third-rounder has appeared in 46 games over the last three seasons, primarily as a core special teams contributor. However, he had yet to develop into a reliable defender in Brian Flores‘ scheme and will look to compete for a role elsewhere.
Johnstone’s release signals that offseason signing Charley Hughlett will be the Eagles’ long snapper for the 2025 season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/11/25
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: RB Brittain Brown, CB Kaleb Hayes, S Mark Perry
- Waived/injured: DB Ameer Speed
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Christian Holmes, CB Darius Rush
- Waived: WR Luke Floriea, OT Roy Mbaeteka
Denver Broncos
- Reverted to IR: DL Matt Henningsen
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: DT Marlon Davidson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Marquez Callaway
- Waived: WR Kawaan Baker
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: TE McCallan Castles
- Waived/injured: TE Anthony Torres
Minnesota Vikings
- Claimed off waivers (from Falcons): G Michael Gonzalez
- Placed on IR: OT Matt Nelson
New England Patriots
- Signed: DT Kyle Peko
- Waived: DT Bryce Ganious
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: TE Kevin Foelsch, DB Mikey Victor
- Waived: TE D.J. Thomas-Jones
- Waived/injured: DB Cameron McCutcheon
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DL Trevis Gipson
- Activated off active/PUP: OL Andre Dillard
- Waived: QB Tanner Mordecai
- Placed on IR: RB Ameer Abdullah
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Alphonzo Tuputala
- Waived: CB Kam Alexander
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB JayVian Farr, RB Jase McClellan
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Blake Lynch
A handful of players injured in the first week of the preseason were placed on IR today, effectively ending their seasons early. These players won’t be allowed to play for their current squads in 2025, although they could place elsewhere if they’re released from injured reserve (often via an injury settlement).
Among those who landed on IR includes Texans DT Marlon Davidson, who remained in his team’s preseason opener after suffering a biceps injury. Vikings lineman Matt Nelson also suffered a biceps injury that will land him on IR. The veteran just joined Minnesota last week.
In addition to bringing back old friend Jeff Wilson, the 49ers made a handful of additional moves today. This includes shifting veteran RB Ameer Abdullah to injured reserve. Abdullah suffered a rib injury that will prevent him from taking the field with San Francisco this season. The veteran is coming off one of the most productive seasons of his career in 2024, when he compiled 572 yards from scrimmage in 16 games (three starts) with the Raiders. The 49ers also added defensive lineman Trevis Gipson, who started 19 games for the Bears between 2021 and 2022.
Titans Sign QB Trevor Siemian, Release QB Tim Boyle
The Titans have not looked to add a quarterback in the wake of losing Will Levis for the season. The team has nevertheless made a change at the position. 
Trevor Siemian was signed by Tennessee on Monday, per a team announcement. In a corresponding move, Tim Boyle was released. Siemian will now receive an opportunity to compete with Brandon Allen for the backup gig (or at least solidify the QB3 spot) over the remainder of the offseason. Boyle will hit free agency in a bid to find another opportunity before roster cuts.
The Titans selected Cam Ward first overall in this year’s draft, and the Levis injury further ensured he will handled starting duties right away during his rookie campaign. The free agent departure of Mason Rudolph has led to a number of moves for the team this offseason, though. That included signing Boyle in March; the journeyman has made 23 appearances and five starts in the NFL and played in Tennessee’s preseason opener. Boyle completed four of 13 attempts with one interceptions against the Buccaneers.
In the wake of that performance (plus his showings in practice, of course), the Titans have decided to move on. Siemian will now join the fold in time for the team’s final two preseason games. The 33-year-old has made 33 starts in his career, including three with the Jets in 2023; that doubles as his most recent regular season game action. Siemian spent much of last year with the Titans on their practice squad, being elevated to the gameday roster three times but never seeing the field.
The former seventh-rounder is thus a familiar face to head coach Brian Callahan and Co. The same is also true, however, of Allen based on his time with Callahan in Cincinnati. Both veterans will offer experience to Ward provided they survive roster cuts. If Siemian is released later this month, he will obviously be a practice squad candidate.
To no surprise, the Titans also activated center Lloyd Cushenberry from the active/PUP list today. The 2024 free agent signing has been rehabbing the Achilles tear which cut his debut Tennessee campaign short, but Callahan recently noted a return to practice was likely in store. Cushenberry will use the coming weeks to prepare himself for starting duties on an offensive line which has undergone a number of changes this offseason.
Titans RB Tyjae Spears To Miss Time
The Titans could be shorthanded in the backfield to begin the regular season. Tyjae Spears is dealing with a high ankle sprain and is set to miss time as a result. 
[RELATED: Reviewing Titans’ Offseason]
Head coach Brian Callahan said (via ESPN’s Turron Davenport) the team does not expect Spears to return in time for either of Tennessee’s remaining preseason games. Missed time in September could be in store as well depending on how his recovery process shakes out. Spears is in line to once again operate as part of a tandem with Tony Pollard in 2025.
Pollard topped 1,000 rushing yards for the third consecutive season during his debut Tennessee campaign. Spears – who impressed as a rookie spelling Derrick Henry – missed five games last year as a result of multiple injuries. That limited the former third-rounder to 536 scrimmage yards in 2024, but a clean bill of health for the coming season could see him take on an increased workload and thus enjoy an uptick in production. If Spears is forced to miss regular season game action, Julius Chestnut and sixth-round rookie Kalel Mullings would be tasked with backing up Pollard.
In other Titans injury news, Callahan noted center Lloyd Cushenberry is nearing a return. The 2024 free agent addition suffered an Achilles tear last season, and he has been on the active/PUP list throughout training camp while continuing to rehab. Cushenberry could return to practice this week, per Callahan, something which would be a welcomed sight for the Titans’ new-look offensive line.
Callahan also said cornerback L’Jarius Sneed is close to returning. A number of updates (ranging from positive to worrisome) have emerged in his case, but the latest indicated Sneed’s 2024 quad injury has healed. An offseason knee surgery was instead responsible for the trade acquisition landing on the active/PUP list in July. Sneed missed 12 games last year, so a healthy campaign this time around would be key for himself and Tennessee’s secondary.
Titans LB Anfernee Orji Suffers ACL Tear
Anfernee Orji‘s third NFL campaign will not include any regular season playing time. The Titans linebacker suffered an ACL tear during practice on Thursday, per veteran reporter Paul Kuharsky. 
[RELATED: Recapping Titans’ Offseason]
As a result of the injury, Orji will miss the 2025 campaign. The former UDFA entered the league with the Saints in 2023 but did not see any playing time as a rookie. Last year, he managed to survive roster cuts with New Orleans and made a total of 16 appearances.
During that time, Orji made a pair of starts and registered 30 tackles. The 24-year-old played sparingly on defense but was a key figure on special teams, logging an 82% snap share in the third phase. Orji was waived by the Saints in May and then claimed by the Titans, but his bid to make Tennessee’s Week 1 roster has come to an abrupt end.
The Titans signed Cody Barton in free agency, and the former Seahawk, Commander and Bronco will be tasked with handling starting duties on his latest team. Meanwhile, 2024 draftees Cedric Gray and James Williams, along with third-year Titan Otis Reese, are in place as depth/special teams options at the linebacker spot. Their health through the remainder of the offseason will be key in the wake of today’s news.
Orji’s attention will now turn to the lengthy recovery process associated with ACL tears. The Titans currently have over $29MM in cap space, so adding a new linebacker via free agency will not be challenging if a depth move is deemed necessary.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/7/25
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on active/PUP list: G Will Hernandez
Buffalo Bills
- Reverted to IR: LB Baylon Spector
Dallas Cowboys
- Released from IR via injury settlement: OL Matt Waletzko
Detroit Lions
- Signed: TE Steven Stilianos
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: TE Thomas Yassmin
- Waived/injured: TE Jordan Petaia
New York Giants
- Released from IR via injury settlement: LB Ty Summers
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DL Michael Dwumfour
- Released: CB Eli Apple
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DE Joe Gaziano
- Placed on IR: OL Chandler Brewer
Hernandez received full clearance after an October 2024 ACL tear, but his Cardinals return will not come with immediate full-time practice duty. The former Giants second-round pick should be considered a strong candidate to start again for the Cards, but for now, the team is easing him back into action.
Summer expects to be running again soon after suffering a groin injury, according to ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan, who indicates a return to the Giants is not off the radar. Summers played 16 games for the Giants last season, starting two.
A former Giants first-rounder who has bounced around the league in recent years, Apple will see his 49ers stint last barely a week. The 49ers were Apple’s seventh NFL team. He spent last season with the Chargers, playing four games.