Panthers LB Trevin Wallace Underwent Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
Panthers linebacker Trevin Wallace recently underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, head coach Dave Canales announced on Friday (via The Athletic’s Joe Person).
Wallace, 22, started 12 games for the Panthers this season. He missed Weeks 11 and 12 with a shoulder injury and returned in Week 13 before going down once more in Week 15. Even if Carolina wins the NFC South and makes the playoffs, Wallace’s surgery will not allow him to even attempt a speedy return in the postseason.
Carolina’s defense has statistically been better than their offense, and Wallace has played a large role in their success partnering with Christian Rozeboom in the middle of the defense. Wallace ranks fourth on the team in tackles (61), tackles for loss (five), passes defended (four), and sacks (two).
The 2024 third-round pick earned a starting role partway through his rookie year, but was sidelined for the last four weeks of the season due to a shoulder injury. It is unknown if Wallace’s shoulder problems are all related.
Canales said that third-year linebacker Claudin Cherelus would continue starting in Wallace’s place. He has 32 tackles on the year – 22 of which game in his three starts – but has not made many splash plays. He has particularly struggled in coverage, allowing receptions on 12 of his 13 targets for 155 yards (92.3% completion rate, 11.9 yards per attempt, 116.3 passer rating). Those issues may cause Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero to take Cherelus off the field in obvious passing situations and run more dime packages with an additional safety.
Broncos Place C Luke Wattenberg On IR
The Broncos placed center Luke Wattenberg on injured reserve on Thursday, per a team announcement.
Wattenberg, 28, played every offensive snap for the Broncos in their first 15 games. He popped up on the injury report with a shoulder issue this week and did not participate in practice.
Now, he will have to miss Denver’s next four games. The Broncos are currently the AFC’s No. 1 seed; if that holds, Wattenberg would not be eligible to return until a potential Super Bowl. If they drop to the second seed or below, he will be eligible to return in the AFC championship game.
That offers some hints about Wattenberg’s status. In all likelihood, he is done for the season. If he was going to be available in the conference championship round – or close to it – the Broncos would probably not make this move. Keeping Wattenberg on the 53-man roster would allow him to ramp-up in practice and test his ability to return; his IR placement delays any practicing until after the Broncos’ second playoff game ends.
Wattenberg was having a breakout year, or at least, as close to one as you can get for an offensive lineman. He has anchored an offensive line that has only allowed 19 sacks all year, the fewest in the league, while serving as an effective partner for quarterback Bo Nix on the line of scrimmage. His loss will be a blow to Denver’s offense, though perhaps not a fatal one.
The Broncos started Alex Forsyth against the Chiefs on Christmas and will likely rely on him for the rest of the season. The 2023 seventh-round pick and started four games as a rookie. He has been active every week but has only played nine snaps on offense on the year.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/25/25
Only one NFL team made a practice squad move on Christmas. Here it is:
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: CB Alex Johnson
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/25/25
A few NFL teams made transactions on Christmas. Here are the latest updates:
Baltimore Ravens
- Designated for return from IR: DT Taven Bryan
Denver Broncos
- Signed to active roster: TE Marcedes Lewis, OL Calvin Throckmorton
- Elevated: LB Levelle Bailey, WR Michael Bandy
- Waived: RB Cody Schrader
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: WR Jason Brownlee, OL Matt Waletzko
- Placed on IR: WR Nikko Remigio
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: CB Tre Flowers
Jaguars CB Jourdan Lewis Placed On IR
The Jaguars placed veteran cornerback Jourdan Lewis on injured reserve on Thursday, per a team announcement.
Lewis will undergo foot surgery and miss the rest of the 2025 season, including the playoffs, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Since Jacksonville has already clinched a spot in the postseason, Lewis could have theoretically returned for a potential AFC Championship game appearance. Unfortunately, his injury is too severe to even attempt a rushed recovery.
Lewis went down in Sunday’s win over the Broncos. He has appeared in 12 games this year as the Jaguars’ primary nickel with 39 tackles, 10 passes defended, and two interceptions. He missed three games in November, during which time he was replaced by second-year corner Jarrian Jones. Jones played well enough to keep a role on the boundary after Lewis’ return in Week 13; those snaps will need to be filled if he moves back into the slot.
Jacksonville could turn to Christian Braswell, who has been active for the last eight games for special teams work and a reserve role on defense. The Jaguars also signed veteran Keith Taylor off the Falcons’ practice squad a corresponding move to Lewis’ IR placement. The former Panther and Chief appeared in two games in Atlanta this season and has enough experience to serve as a backup for the rest of the year.
The Jaguars could also drop Eric Murray into the slot. He has not lined up there frequently this season, but he has nearly 1,500 career snaps as a nickel, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Raiders Place Brock Bowers, Jeremy Chinn On IR
The 2025 season is ending early for Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and safety Jeremy Chinn. Both players are going on injured reserve, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com. Bowers has a knee injury, while Chinn has recently dealt with a back issue.
After starring at Georgia, Bowers entered the NFL as the 13th overall pick in the 2024 draft. He immediately became the Raiders’ best offensive weapon during a prolific rookie campaign. Bowers amassed 112 receptions, 1,194 yards, and five touchdowns en route to first-team All-Pro honors.
Bowers mostly worked with quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell during his first season. The Raiders added a new starter in Geno Smith last offseason, but he hasn’t carried his Seattle success to Las Vegas. It hasn’t helped Smith that Bowers hasn’t been fully healthy. His knee has been a problem since Week 1. Bowers, who missed three games earlier in the season, will wrap up 2025 with 64 catches, 860 yards, and seven scores in 12 contests.
Chinn, a former Panther and Commander, joined the Raiders on a two-year deal worth up to $16MM last offseason. He wound up starting in all 15 of his games this year and missing just one defensive snap out of 997. The 27-year-old notched 114 tackles, two forced fumbles, two passes defensed, and a sack. Pro Football Focus ranks Chinn a solid 31st among 100 qualifying safeties.
The Raiders went a miserable 2-13 with Bowers and Chinn available for most or all of that stretch. With those two done for the season, the Raiders’ odds of landing the No. 1 pick in the draft will likely increase. The Raiders will enter Week 17 on track to pick second, but they’ll face the Giants, who own the No. 1 selection as of now. The loser of that game will go into the season finale in the driver’s seat for the first choice in 2026.
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 to active roster: 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 to active roster: S Terrell Edmunds, WR Shedrick Jackson
Los Angeles Rams
- Designated for return from IR: CB Roger McCreary
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to active roster: 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 to active roster: 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.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/24/25
Here are today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: QB Logan Woodside
- Released: S Patrick McMorris
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: OL Richard Gouraige
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Thomas Gordon
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: TE Qadir Ismail
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LS Luke Elkin, T Joshua Miles
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: C Josh Kaltenberger
- Released: TE Tanner McLachlan
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: WR Brandon Johnson
- Released: DT Kyler Baugh
Colts Open QB Anthony Richardson’s Practice Window
DECEMBER 24: Steichen said (via Chappell) this morning that Richardson will remain sidelined this week. The door is still open to an activation for Week 18, though.
DECEMBER 18: Anthony Richardson may not play again in 2025, but he will at least see time on the practice field late in the year. The Colts have designated Richardson for return from injured reserve, Shane Steichen announced on Thursday. 
Steichen said (via Fox59’s Mike Chappell) the orbital bone fracture which left Richardson sidelined has now healed. However, the third-year quarterback has still not regained full vision. Richardson will not be available for Week 16 regardless of how things go at practice over the coming days, Steichen added.
Philip Rivers is set to remain the Colts’ starter after unretiring to become the team’s QB1 last week. The 44-year-old nearly helped lead Indianapolis to a win in Week 15, and he will look to keep the team’s postseason chances alive with a victory against the 49ers. Rookie Riley Leonard will once again handle backup duties in Week 16.
Richardson, meanwhile, will return to practice in the hopes of being activated late in the campaign. The former No. 4 pick has been limited to two games – and as many pass attempts – in 2025. Free agent Daniel Jones was enjoying a career year before suffering an Achilles tear. With Richardson still sidelined at the time, Rivers was auditioned and signed last week following discussions involving Steichen and a number of Colts veterans. It will be interesting to see if the team’s depth chart undergoes any further alterations down the stretch.
Richardson was handed the reins right away as a rookie, but he played in only four games before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. Injuries and poor play remained an issue in 2024, prompting the Colts to add Jones in advance of a training camp competition. Retaining Jones for at least next season is, understandably, a team priority. Provided that happens, Richardson’s situation will be worth watching closely.
The 23-year-old could become a trade candidate if team and player opt for a fresh start. A Day 3 pick represents the expected value in a return for such a swap, an indication of how Richardson’s stock has plummeted during his brief NFL tenure. A small period of time to potentially offer a small boost to his value by returning to practice has now begun, though.
Cowboys Place T Tyler Guyton On IR
Tyler Guyton‘s second NFL season has come to an end. He has been placed on injured reserve, the Cowboys announced on Wednesday. 
Guyton last played in Week 12 and has been dealing with an ankle injury since. Having been eliminated from the playoffs, the Cowboys have only two games remaining in their season. IR stints at least four weeks, so today’s move ensures Guyton will now turn his attention to 2026.
Selected 29th overall in last year’s draft, Guyton was tasked with immediately taking on starting duties at the left tackle spot. Tyron Smith‘s replacement struggled as a rookie, with PFF charging him with six sacks allowed in pass protection. That resulted in Guyton grading out 73rd among 81 qualifying offensive tackles.
The Oklahoma product operated as a full-time starter in 10 appearances this season. He did not showcase much in the way of improvement, however, receiving an overall PFF grade of just 57.8 (ranking 65th among offensive tackles). Guyton’s future could include a position change, something which will no doubt be considered next year. For the remainder of the season, meanwhile, the Cowboys will once again slide guard Tyler Smith to the blindside.
Smith landed a monster extension (four years, $96MM) this year as an indication of his importance to the Cowboys’ O-line moving forward. The three-time Pro Bowler has thrived at left guard, which he has indicated is his preferred position. In the event of Guyton losing his gig on the blindside, though, moving Smith there permanently will be something the Cowboys consider.
“I’m an All-Pro guard, bro,” Smith said (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota). “That’s the simple truth. … We’ll see what happens. We’ll have those conversations. Gotta see where everybody’s head is at.”
The Cowboys could try Guyton at right tackle, but during this week’s appearance on 105.3 The Fan owner Jerry Jones said (h/t Machota) the team has not considered that option yet. In any case, how Dallas’ offensive line takes shape through the offseason will be a key storyline. The team will take on the Commanders tomorrow before finishing the season against the Giants.