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Texans Release S C.J. Gardner-Johnson

September 25th, 2025 at 10:00am CST by Adam La Rose

SEPTEMBER 25: Though Gardner-Johnson requested a trade, the Texans made no attempt to move him, according to Ryans (via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio). Ryan’s comments indicate that the team wanted to get Gardner-Johnson out of Houston as soon as possible, aligning with the report about the tension he created in the locker room.

SEPTEMBER 24: C.J. Gardner-Johnson‘s time in Houston has proven to be short-lived. The veteran safety is being released, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

2025 has seen Gardner-Johnson serve as a starter for Houston, his fourth career team. The former Saint, Lion and Eagle (on two occasions) enjoyed a highly productive second Philadelphia stint last year. To his surprise, the 27-year-old was traded this offseason in a swap which saw former first-round guard Kenyon Green head the other way.

That move appeared to give Houston another veteran presence in the secondary and add further to a defense which faced high expectations entering 2025. That unit has fared well with an average of just 17 points allowed per game, but the Texans are moving on nonetheless. Jalen Mills was recently brought back into the fold as a depth option at safety, while Jimmie Ward was removed from the commissioner’s exempt list yesterday. In the wake of those developments, Gardner-Johnson is being let go.

Friction with teammates was an issue in this case, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. Gardner-Johnson criticized other members of the Houston secondary and was unhappy with his role in the team’s scheme, per Wilson. Without even one month in the books, the decision has been made on the team’s part to move on rather than attempting to salvage the situation. Wilson adds a trade request was issued prior to today’s cut.

Team and player recently agreed to a restructure, with Gardner-Johnson’s base salary for 2025 being reduced to the veteran minimum in exchange for a conversion to a signing bonus. That spread out guaranteed cap charges over several years, an indication this relationship would continue through at least the remainder of the campaign. Instead, Houston will take on a $5.66MM dead money charge for 2025 as a result of this move.

Mills and (when he is healthy) Ward represent options to take on a starting role at the safety spot. Ward has been a key figure when available during his Texans tenure, but an NFL investigation stemming from domestic violence allegations is ongoing and he is currently on the reserve/PUP list while recovering from offseason ankle surgery. In any case, Calen Bullock is set to remain in place as a safety starter moving forward. M.J. Stewart is currently in line to join him as a first-team presence.

Gardner-Johnson is now set to hit free agency. With two six-interception seasons and four campaigns of at least eight pass deflections to his name, the former fourth-rounder is not lacking in production. Today’s move marks the latest example of a team preferring not to keep him in the fold in spite of that, however. As such, it will be interesting to see if a strong market develops over the near future.

Latest On Texans’ Safety Plan

September 24th, 2025 at 9:57pm CST by Ely Allen

For the second time, after spending a season with the Eagles, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson only played three games with his new team. The first time, in Detroit, an injury in the second game of the season forced him to the sideline until the regular season finale. This year, Houston released the veteran defensive back and will now need to fill his role on the defense.

According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, another veteran defensive back, M.J. Stewart will be the next man up at the position. A second-round pick out of North Carolina in 2018, Stewart started his career as a slot cornerback for the Buccaneers. He made six starts in his first two seasons but missed 11 games and was waived before the start of his third year.

The Browns picked Stewart up off waivers, and while splitting time at nickelback with Kevin Johnson, Stewart snagged the only two interceptions of his career. He stuck around with the Browns for the final year of his rookie contract, and Cleveland began to give him a bit of run at safety. Though he was still splitting his time between the slot and the defensive outfield, Stewart began to look more comfortable as a defender, grading out as the team’s third-best defender that 2021 season, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

As a free agent, Stewart signed with the Texans, and though he’s mostly been a special teamer during his time in Houston, when the depth piece did appear on defense, he was lining up the most as a safety. In those first three years with the team, he was always an available option to sub into the first team defense in case of injuries, and he was called to do so a few times. That’s why head coach DeMeco Ryans feels comfortable turning to him now, in the wake of Gardner-Johnson’s departure.

Stewart may not need to be relied upon for long, though. Veteran safety Jimmie Ward was recently removed from the commissioner’s exempt list as he distances himself from an assault family violence charge. Despite the removal, Ward still isn’t quite ready to return to the field as he remains on the reserve/physically unable to perform list following a pair of offseason foot surgeries. Per Wilson, Ward is expected to be ready to return to practice activities in the next few weeks, barring any disciplinary action on behalf of the NFL concerning the resolution of his legal situation.

Houston will add a bit of depth to the position, as well. Wilson reports that undrafted rookie Zion Childress has been signed to the team’s active roster off of the Cowboys‘ practice squad. Childress has been called up twice by Dallas as a standard gameday practice squad elevation but has only appeared on special teams, so far. With Stewart stepping into the starting role, Childress may stand to fill Stewart’s special teams role with an ability to step up, if necessary.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/24/25

September 24th, 2025 at 8:17pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are Wednesday’s practice squad transactions:

Baltimore Ravens

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/24/25

September 24th, 2025 at 7:46pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s midweek minor moves:

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Los Angeles Chargers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Free Agents

Prentice had been called up as a standard gameday practice squad elevation the maximum three times under a single practice squad contract. The Broncos may allow him to stick around for a bit, as he takes linebacker Dre Greenlaw‘s roster spot while he recovers on injured reserve, but they can always release Prentice and sign him back to the practice squad, resetting his elevation count back to zero under a new deal.

Ouzts heads to IR after suffering an ankle injury in the team’s win over New Orleans this past weekend. The fifth-round rookie out of Alabama converted to the position from the tight end role he played in Tuscaloosa, and he had started two of his first three games in the NFL in his new role.

Banks, currently a free agent, has received a six-week suspension from the NFL. Originally an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska, Banks spent the offseason in Baltimore before getting cut in the days leading up to the roster cut deadline.

Browns Exploring LT Options After Dawand Jones Injury

September 24th, 2025 at 6:53pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Browns are looking for help on the blind side after losing offensive tackle Dawand Jones to a season-ending injury in Week 3. After Jones underwent surgery on his knee, the team placed him on injured reserve.

Jones opened the season as Cleveland’s starting left tackle but flipped to the right side in Week 3 with veteran Cornelius Lucas was struggling to fill in for an injured Jack Conklin. Lucas allowed five pressures in each of the Browns’ first two games of the season, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), so the team moved him to the blind side hoping for some improved play until Jones and Conklin could move back to their normal spots.

That approach did not go to plan, as Lucas struggled even more at left tackle in Week 3, allowing nine pressures, while Jones went down just four plays into the game. Even if Conklin is able to return in Week 4, Lucas doesn’t seem like a viable starter on either side. As a result, the Browns are already exploring other left tackle options with several weeks until the trade deadline, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

The trade route would be an interesting one for Cleveland. The best targets are going to likely be aging veterans on expiring deals, especially if they aren’t playing to the levels of their prime. The teams with those players are likely either expecting them to leave in free agency or not planning on re-signing them. Players like Rob Havenstein with the Rams or Colts tackle Braden Smith come to mind. As opposed to letting good players walk away and getting nothing in return, Los Angeles and Indianapolis could instead attempt to bring in some trade value for their potentially departing assets.

But then again, one has to look at Cleveland and how the Browns are set up. The team is clearly not in a win-now mode, so how much good would it do to part with valuable draft assets in exchange for a short-term rental. With so many young players throughout the roster and an intriguing pick collection next year, the Browns may be hesitant to part with any draft capital solely for a temporary fix.

They’ll have plenty of time to explore that avenue, though, and others. Just this morning they signed Thayer Munford to their active roster off the Patriots’ practice squad. A former seventh-round pick for the Raiders, Munford started 18 games over the first three years of his rookie contract in Las Vegas. Munford appears to be the first of many options that Cleveland will explore as they work to rebuild their offensive line on the fly.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

Ravens Sign DTs Taven Bryan, Josh Tupou

September 24th, 2025 at 5:18pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Ravens signed veteran defensive tackles Taven Bryan and Josh Tupou to their practice squad on Wednesday, per a team announcement.

Baltimore’s D-line additions come during an injury crisis for the unit, as Nnamdi Madubuike will be out for at least another week, according to head coach John Harbaugh. Harbaugh said that he couldn’t comment further, but the uncertainty surrounding the star defensive tackle’s neck injury is growing into a major concern for the Ravens defense.

The team’s other two starting defensive linemen, Travis Jones and Broderick Washington, also missed Wednesday’s practice, per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. As a result, Bryan and Tupou could both be pressed into action as soon as this weekend against the Chiefs.

Bryan was actually drafted three picks before Lamar Jackson in the 2018 draft, but never lived up to that billing with only 5.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss on his rookie contract with the Jaguars. Bryan started 16 games for the Browns in 2022 before handling a rotational role for the Colts defense in 2023 and 2024.

Tupou spent the first six years of his career in Cincinnati before joining the Ravens in 2024. He appeared in three games in purple and black last year, also amid injuries to Baltimore’s defensive line, with one sack and one tackle for loss.

Bryan and Tupou both worked out for the Ravens on Wednesday prior to signing with the practice squad, per Howard Balzer of CardsWire. Former Jaguars defensive tackle Jeremiah Ledbetter also tried out in Baltimore, but did not impress enough to earn a contract.

Titans Trade CB Jarvis Brownlee To Jets

September 23rd, 2025 at 10:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

Jarvis Brownlee has served as a starter for much of his time in Tennessee, but his tenure there is coming to an end. The second-year corner is being traded from the Titans to the Jets, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. The deal is now official.

Per Schultz, this deal will see late-round picks swapped in 2026. Dianna Russini of The Athletic adds Brownlee and a seventh-rounder in next year’s draft are being exchanged for a sixth-round pick. The Titans will take on a modest dead cap figure ($789K) as part of this agreement. Schultz reports the Patriots also showed interest before the swap was worked out.

[RELATED: Traded 2026 Draft Picks]

Brownlee joined the Titans as a fifth-round pick in 2024, and with the team dealing with injuries in the secondary he took on a large role. Playing in all 17 games, he made 14 starts and logged over 900 defensive snaps. Brownlee started each of Tennessee’s first two games this season before missing Week 3.

This move will leave the Titans without an important figure at the cornerback spot as they look to rebound from a poor start to the year. Tennessee is among the NFL’s 0-3 teams, and earlier today head coach Brian Callahan announced he has ceded offensive play-calling duties. It will be interesting to see how that impacts the team on that side of the ball, but changes will also be in store on defense with Brownlee not in the fold.

The Jets are also 0-3 to begin the campaign. New York’s cornerback room is led by Sauce Gardner – who reset the position’s market with his extension this offseason – along with free agent addition Brandon Stephens and veteran slot man Michael Carter II. Brownlee, who notched one interception and nine pass deflections as a rookie, will look to take on a backup role with his new team. The 24-year-old has struggled in coverage this season compared to his showing in that regard in 2024.

Under contract through 2027, Brownlee represents a low-cost addition for the Jets and one who could remain in place for years to come. It will be interesting to see how large of a workload he handles upon arrival in New York.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/23/25

September 23rd, 2025 at 10:20pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

As teams enter Week 4, here are the latest practice squad transactions from around the league:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

The Falcons’ kicking rollercoaster took another turn in Week 3 with John Parker Romo missing both of his attempts in Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. Granted, those kicks came from 49 and 55 yards, so Atlanta may have some patience after signing Romo to a two-year contract last week. The Falcons still brought in some potential competition in Sauls, an undrafted rookie who spent training camp with the Steelers and made five of his six field goals in the preseason.

Wright is expected to be out for four to six weeks due to a foot injury, per ESPN’s Brady Henderson.

Watson signed with the Buccaneers after the draft but remained on the non-football injury list as he worked to get his weight to a more manageable level. He was waived during final roster cuts, but the team hosted him for a workout last week, per FOX Sports’ Greg Auman. Watson met the team’s athletic requirements to earn his way back on the practice squad, according to Auman, and will return just in time for the Bucs’ Week 4 matchup with the Eagles. The massive nose tackle does feel like a direct counter to the tush push, but Bowles previously said (via Auman) that Watson wouldn’t be re-signed just for one matchup and would instead need to be ready to contribute to the defense as a whole.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/23/25

September 23rd, 2025 at 8:24pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are the latest minor moves around the NFL coming out of Week 3:

Arizona Cardinals

Green Bay Packers

Minnesota Vikings

  • Released: WR Tim Jones
  • Waived from IR: DE Alex Williams

New Orleans Saints

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kieft’s leg injury is likely to end his season, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. The 27-year-old had just started his fourth season as a core special teams contributor for the Bucs and will now spend the year rehabbing before he hits free agency in the spring.

Giants To Sign K Younghoe Koo

September 23rd, 2025 at 7:01pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Giants are signing Younghoe Koo to the practice squad as insurance for injured kicker Graham Gano, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Gano tweaked his groin during warmups before Sunday’s game against the Chiefs. That clearly affected the Giants’ decision-making. Punter Jamie Gillan was inserted for kickoffs and PATs, and Brian Daboll elected to go for a fourth-and-3 rather than kick a 45-yard field goal on New York’s first drive. Gillian’s extra point attempt on the Giants’ sole touchdown was blocked, and the team later called on Gano for a successful 25-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

Adding Koo to the practice squad indicates that there is at least a chance that Gano’s injury could sideline him for the Giants’ Week 4 matchup with the Chargers. This would not be Gano’s first injury absence as a Giant. He has been one of the more unreliable kickers in recent memory, missing seven games last season and nine in 2023.

That would give Koo another chance to play in 2025 after being released by the Falcons last week. He missed a game-tying field goal as time expired in the regular season opener, and Atlanta decided to bench him in Week 2 favor of John Parker Romo. He aced his audition by making all six of his kick and received a two-year deal before Week 3 while Koo was sent packing.

The Giants will be hoping Koo can look more like his pre-2024 form if he has to play. From 2019-2023, he was one of the most accurate kickers in the league with a 89.9% conversion rate across 74 games for the Falcons.

The team will also be monitoring Gano carefully this week. He was extremely consistent during his first three years in New York and was five-for-five on field goals and four-for-four on extra points to start the 2025 season. However, his play took a hit amid IR stints in 2023 and 2024, so taking a cautious approach and allowing his groin to fully heal might be the smartest path forward. Signing Koo gives the Giants flexibility to do just that.

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