Texans RB Dameon Pierce Expected To Miss Time
Week 14 nearly saw the Texans pull off a major upset of the Cowboys, but the more prominent storyline from the game was the exit of running back Dameon Pierce. The standout rookie is likely to miss time as a result of the ankle injury he suffered during the contest. 
Pierce went down with a high ankle sprain, as detailed by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. The injury is believed to be relatively mild, which could shorten his recovery time. Wilson reports that Pierce could miss one or two games, which would of course constitute a significant portion of the remaining schedule, but still less than the usual timeframe for high ankle sprains. A three-game absence should not be ruled out, per Fox 26’s Mark Berman (on Twitter). That would introduce a shutdown into the equation, given that four games remain.
Any missed time from the Florida product would be acutely felt by the Texans. Pierce leads all rookies with 939 rushing yards, having started each contest this season and quickly establishing himself as Houston’s most consistent offensive contributor. Despite missing some of the game against the Cowboys, the fourth-rounder still managed to record 78 yards on the ground and score his fourth touchdown of the campaign.
Head coach Lovie Smith declined to provide specifics on the extent of Pierce’s injury when speaking to the media. “It will take an awful lot for him not to play, but, if it’s an injury, of course it can,” he said. “Hopefully, it’s short-term. We’ll see.”
Sitting at 1-11-1 on the year, the Texans have no reason to rush their top producer back in the waning stages of the season. They also made a pair of moves relating to the tailbacks which will fill in for him should he miss time. One is the decision to waive Eno Benjamin, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). That comes as somewhat of a surprise, given the fact that Houston claimed the former Cardinal less than one month ago, seemingly giving him a chance at increased playing time. Instead, Benjamin saw the field for just 12 snaps in his two games as a Texan.
Meanwhile, Houston is adding another back in Gerrid Doaks (Twitter link via Wilson). A seventh-round pick of the Dolphins in 2021, the Cincinnati alum has yet to appear in a regular season game. He will join veteran Rex Burkhead and journeyman Dare Ogunbowale in the backfield until Pierce is able to return.
Eagles To Sign S Anthony Harris
Shorthanded on the backend of their secondary, the Eagles are bringing back a familiar face. Philadelphia is set to sign veteran safety Anthony Harris, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).
The move comes as little surprise, as Harris visited the Eagles yesterday (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of NFL Network). The 31-year-old played in Philadelphia last season on a one-year deal, which marked his first campaign played outside of Minnesota. His time with the Vikings (which included a league-leading six interceptions in 2019), led to significant expectations.
Harris was a full-time starter in Philadelphia in 2021, and he recorded 72 tackles, one interception and three pass breakups. The acquisition of C.J. Gardner-Johnson from the Saints pointed to Harris being let go, however. The former UDFA was released at the end of August.
That led him to Denver midway through the season, but Harris only saw special teams action. He was unsurprisingly waived by the Broncos, and has remained a free agent since. The Eagles could once again offer him significant playing time on defense, with multiple injuries at safety leaving them thin at the position. Gardner-Johnson is currently sidelined with a lacerated kidney, and Reed Blankenship exited Sunday’s win over the Giants. Garafolo tweets that the latter will not be placed on IR, meaning he is facing a short-term absence.
Still, Harris will be a familiar face for the Eagles as they weigh their replacement options. Marcus Epps is likely to remain a starter, but Harris could compete for playing time with the likes of K’Von Wallace, Andre Chachere and Josiah Scott for snaps alongside him. His first action back with Philadelphia could come as soon as Week 15 against the Bears as the NFC leaders look to move closer to a division title and a first-round bye.
Titans Cut Two Linebackers
The Titans moved on from a pair of linebackers today. The team announced that they’ve waived linebackers Ola Adeniyi and Joe Schobert.
Adeniyi joined the Titans prior to the 2021 campaign. During his first season in Tennessee, the linebacker collected 21 tackles and 2.5 sacks while playing a role on both defense and special teams. After re-signing with the organization this past offseason, the 25-year-old got into two games before being sidelined with a neck injury. He was activated for Week 13 but was a healthy scratch for Week 14, an indication that his spot on the roster could be at risk.
Schobert, a former Pro Bowler with the Browns, joined the Titans’ practice squad in late September. He was signed to the active roster in mid-November and got into six games (one start) for his new squad, compiling 16 tackles.
The Titans added pass rusher Tarell Basham last week and immediately threw him into the fire, with the 28-year-old logging 26 defensive snaps. With Zach Cunningham eyeing a return from injured reserve, pass-rushing snaps were clearly drying up, leading to today’s moves.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/12/22
Today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Javelin Guidry
Houston Texans
- Released: DL Brandin Bryant
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: G Jordan Meredith
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DL Michael Dwumfour
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/12/22
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: WR Pharoh Cooper, TE Maxx Williams
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed from practice squad: QB Logan Woodside
- Waived: LB Nate Landman
Los Angeles Rams
- Claimed (from Titans): DL Larrell Murchison
- Placed on IR: WR Jacob Harris
New England Patriots
- Elevated: LB Jamie Collins, LB Cameron McGrone
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: RB David Johnson
- Waived: G Josh Andrews
Collins began his latest Patriots stint by signing with their practice squad Oct. 3, but the veteran linebacker has only played in one game this season. That also came on a Monday night — against the Bears in October. Monday will be Collins’ 87th game as a Patriot. Stints with the Browns and Lions interrupted this run, but the 2013 second-round pick has re-signed with the Patriots three times.
Marcus Mariota‘s IR move created a need for a new Falcons backup. Woodside, who was with Arthur Smith in Tennessee, will step in behind new starter Desmond Ridder this week. Ridder and Woodside are the only two QBs on Atlanta’s active roster or practice squad presently. Harris sustained a torn pectoral muscle Thursday night and will require surgery. A former fourth-round pick, Harris has bounced on and off the Rams’ active roster this season. He be retained via exclusive rights free agent tender next year.
Falcons Activate OL Elijah Wilkinson From IR, Designate OL Matt Hennessy For Return
Still in the mix for their first NFC South title since 2016, the Falcons made some moves on offense Monday. Multiple offensive linemen are moving back into the picture for the run-oriented squad.
The Falcons activated Elijah Wilkinson from IR and designated Matt Hennessy for return. Even after Wilkinson’s activation, the Falcons still have five injury-return moves remaining. Hennessy has been out of action since Week 9; Wilkinson since Week 8.
[RELATED: Falcons To Place Marcus Mariota On IR]
After a multiyear run as a Broncos spot starter, when he was primarily asked to fill in for Ja’Wuan James due to the latter’s 2019 injury and 2020 opt-out, Wilkinson landed with the Bears last season. Chicago used Wilkinson as a starter just once in 2021, but he won Atlanta’s left guard job out of training camp this year. Wilkinson, 27, has started all seven games he has played this season. A knee injury halted that stretch.
Atlanta’s starting center from 2020-21, Hennessy lost his job to Drew Dalman ahead of this season. The third-year blocker filled in for Wilkinson at guard in Week 9. The Falcons have run out four starting left guards this season. Hennessy, Colby Gossett and ex-Jet Chuma Edoga have seen time since Wilkinson’s injury. The 5-8 team will be better-positioned at this spot in Week 15, particularly if it activates Hennessy by Saturday’s deadline. The Falcons let Jalen Mayfield‘s IR-return window close last week, ending the former third-round pick’s season.
Although the Falcons are in good shape for IR activations, they released Damien Williams from their injured list Monday. The veteran running back, who joined Wilkinson in coming over from the Bears (along with ex-Chicago GM Ryan Pace) this offseason, has been out since September due to a rib injury. Williams is believed to be healthy, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
Williams, 30, worked as the Chiefs’ top backfield option between Kareem Hunt and Clyde Edwards-Helaire‘s Kansas City stays and played a major role in the team’s Super Bowl LIV-winning push. Williams scored 10 touchdowns between the 2018 and ’19 postseasons. The Chiefs released Williams in 2021, after a COVID-19 opt-out, and he logged 40 carries alongside David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert last season. The Falcons have turned to Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley more in Williams’ absence, and both young players will not see a Williams activation disrupt their roles.
Eagles To Sign P Brett Kern; P Arryn Siposs Expected To Miss Time
Brett Kern will have an opportunity to begin his 15th NFL season soon. After a Monday workout, the Eagles are signing the veteran punter, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
The Eagles had a need at punter, with Arryn Siposs out indefinitely (via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, on Twitter) due to a lower-leg injury sustained when the Giants blocked a first-half punt. Week 15 stands to be Siposs’ first missed NFL game.
Kern, 36, has punted in 219 NFL contests; though, none have come since last season. The former Titans and Broncos specialist has not been with a team since the Titans released him on roster cutdown day. Tennessee had kept Kern in place as its punter since 2009, but the team shifted to a younger player (Ryan Stonehouse) out of training camp this year.
Three Pro Bowl nods — form 2017-19 — appear on Kern’s resume. He will follow thirtysomethings Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph in joining the 12-1 Eagles in-season. Kern finished with his lowest per-punt average since 2016 last season, at 44.8. Siposs is averaging 45.6 per boot in his second Eagles season. Should this Kern move be an active-roster addition, it should be expected Siposs will land on IR.
The Eagles added Siposs as a UDFA last year. Despite Siposs being only in his second season, he recently turned 30. The Australian ventured to Auburn in 2017, transitioning from a career in Australian Rules Football. The Eagles gave him a reserve/futures deal in January 2021. It remains to be seen if Siposs will miss the rest of this season, as it is not known exactly what injury he sustained. But Siposs being carted off did not represent a good visual for the Eagles, who will pick up the pieces with Kern.
Cowboys Sign WR T.Y Hilton
The Cowboys have long been connected to one free agent wideout, but they have reached agreement with a different one. Dallas is set to sign T.Y. Hilton, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). The club has confirmed the move. 
The 33-year-old had a workout earlier today, and it has produced a one-year deal, per a team announcement. The move will provide the Cowboys with an experienced pass-catcher on, presumably, a low-cost pact which will leave them with financial flexibility for any further signings.
Hilton had spent his entire 10-year career with the Colts, where he established himself as one of the top receivers in franchise history. His tenure there included four consecutive Pro Bowls between 2014 and 2017. The former third-rounder led the NFL in receiving yards in 2016, remaining a consistent deep threat for most of the years following that campaign. Injuries began to take a toll in recent years, however.
As a result, it became increasingly unlikely over the course of this past offseason that a new deal would come to fruition keeping him in Indianapolis. Hilton nearly signed with the Ravens as a free agent in 2021, but returned to the Colts on a one-year deal. Now, he will head to a playoff-bound Cowboys team which has faced plenty of questions at the WR position.
The trade sending Amari Cooper to the Browns left CeeDee Lamb as the team’s undisputed No. 1 receiver. Michael Gallup missed time at the start of the season due to his recovery from an ACL tear, though, and free agent signing James Washington was just activated from IR. Hilton will likely be able to occupy a complimentary role as Dallas looks to find greater consistency in the passing game down the stretch.
Of course, this deal comes within the context of the Cowboys’ long and public pursuit of Odell Beckham Jr. The free agent was considered a near-lock to be joining Dallas not long ago, but concerns over his health have led to a markedly different expectation for what he would be able to contribute for any team he joins in 2022. At this point, no deal is considered imminent on the Beckham front – something which no doubt influenced this pivot to Hilton.
Hilton’s first action as a Cowboy could come as soon as this Sunday when Dallas visits Jacksonville. A strong showing with his new team could spark a postseason run, and help build his free agent value heading into the offseason.
Commanders Activate Carson Wentz From IR
Nearing the end of his activation window, Carson Wentz has officially been brought back into the fold. The Commanders announced on Monday that the veteran quarterback has been activated from IR. 
Washington had until Wednesday to do so, or else Wentz would have been ineligible to return this season. The news comes as little surprise given the timing of the Commanders’ decision to designate him for return, but will do little with respect to the team’s pecking order under center. Wentz will dress as the backup to Taylor Heinicke on Sunday against the Giants.
That falls in line with what head coach Ron Rivera indicated while Wentz was on IR due to a fractured finger. Heinicke has started each game for the Commanders since Week 7, a stretch in which the team has gone 5-1-1. The former UDFA has played at a similar level to last season, when he started 15 contests and drove Washington’s pursuit of an upgrade at the position during the offseason.
That resulted in Wentz being traded for the second consecutive year, and renewed optimism from some that another change of scenery could allow him to resurrect his career. Instead, the 29-year-old put up largely underwhelming numbers in his six starts before suffering the injury. The former No. 2 overall pick has two years remaining on his contract, which the Commanders acquired in full as a result of their swap with the Colts. That deal will, in all likelihood, see Indianapolis receive a third-round pick in 2023 – rather than a second-rounder – given the time Wentz has missed with respect to the snap condition attached to the selection.
In a corresponding move, the Commanders have placed center Tyler Larsen on IR. During the team’s first game against the Giants, he was carted off the field with a dislocated kneecap. That led to an expectation of a prolonged, if not season-ending, absence, so an IR stint is not surprising. Larsen will miss at least the next four weeks now, as the Commanders will search for another Chase Roullier replacement in the middle of their offensive line.
Seahawks RBs Kenneth Walker, DeeJay Dallas Game-Time Decisions
DECEMBER 11: Walker is not expected to play against the Panthers, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The Seahawks hope to have him back in action for their upcoming Thursday night matchup with the 49ers.
DECEMBER 10, 3:05pm: Walker and Dallas have both been upgraded to questionable for tomorrow’s game, increasing the likelihood that they make an appearance against the Panthers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The two still have not practiced all week, so it will be intriguing to see if they are still game-time decisions tomorrow and how much they will play, if at all.
The team also announced that it will be elevating practice squad running back Godwin Igwebuike, who converted to running back last year for the Lions after a couple years as an NFL safety. In 17 games with the Lions last season, Igwebuike ran the ball 18 times for 118 yards and a touchdown, adding seven catches for 60 yards. He also returned kickoffs for the Lions, which may indicate that he is taking an injured Dallas’s spot on the kickoff return team.
Seattle will use its second standard gameday elevation on practice squad receiver Laquon Treadwell.
DECEMBER 10, 2:04pm: Initially listed as questionable after injuries in last weekend’s win over the Rams, Seahawks running backs Kenneth Walker and DeeJay Dallas have both been downgraded to doubtful leading into the team’s matchup against the Panthers this Sunday, according to ESPN’s Brady Henderson. Both Walker and Dallas will be game-time decisions to play this weekend. 
Seattle was closing in on panic mode as Walker, Dallas, and fourth-stringer Tony Jones all left the game with injuries. With primary backup running back Travis Homer already declared out for last week’s game, the Seahawks were in trouble when Walker and Dallas exited the game. When Jones sustained a hard hit and made his way to the injury tent, Dallas was asked to return to play despite being listed as doubtful to return.
Walker and Dallas are both technically possible actives for tomorrow, but neither has participated in practice at all this week. This may present Homer with his fist starting opportunity since his rookie season. A former sixth-round draft pick out of Miami, Homer has mostly served as a reserve back in a deep position room. Behind the team’s usual top running backs duo, Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny, Homer was granted few opportunities to run the ball or show his prowess catching passes out of the backfield during his first three seasons.
Homer has held onto a roster spot much the same way as his former Hurricanes teammate, Dallas: stellar special teams play. While Dallas’s special teams impact has come as a returner. Homer tends to play on all of the kickoff, punt, and return units. He’s racked up a good amount of special teams tackles with aggressive play and even forced some turnovers. In fact, his lone rushing touchdown in the NFL could be attributed to his special teams play as he scored on a 73-yard rush during a fake punt. He has another special teams touchdown from an onside kick recovery that saw him recover the attempt and speed past would be tacklers as they looked for a ball that was on its way to the endzone.
Homer’s first start three seasons ago came in a Week 17 game that saw injuries force his way up the depth chart. The team signed then-retired running back Marshawn Lynch to back him up, welcoming Lynch back after four years away from the team. In his lone regular-season start, Homer rushed for 62 yards on 10 carries and caught all five of his targets for 30 more yards. He also started the Seahawks’ first-round playoff game before Lynch got the start in the second round.
If Walker and Dallas are unable to go, Jones will likely serve as Homer’s backup. Recent practice squad addition, Wayne Gallman, is also reportedly ready to play if Seattle needs him. Whoever is taking handoffs, Seattle may need a big game from them against a Panthers defense that has been more vulnerable to the run than the pass this year. A big game from Homer and company may be needed to keep the Seahawks from going 0-4 against the NFC South this season.