Cowboys Add CB Xavier Rhodes To Practice Squad
The Cowboys have added another veteran defensive back. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports (via Twitter) that Dallas has added cornerback Xavier Rhodes to the practice squad.
Rhodes caught on with the Bills practice squad back in September, and he got into two games (one start) before earning his walking papers earlier this week. The 32-year-old made a name for himself in Minnesota, where he started 97 games across seven seasons. During that time, he made three Pro Bowl appearances and earned an All-Pro nod. He spent two seasons with the Colts before joining Buffalo.
With Jourdan Lewis and Anthony Brown down with injuries, the Cowboys have mostly turned to veterans to help fill their secondary. As ESPN’s Todd Archer points out on Twitter, the Cowboys have also signed veterans Mackensie Alexander and Trayvon Mullen in recent weeks, with Archer adding that Rhodes’ experience is a big reason why the Cowboys pursued him.
The Cowboys made some additional moves in anticipation of tomorrow’s game against the Commanders. Archer reports (via Twitter) that Dallas has signed offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley from the practice squad to the active roster. The Cowboys have also used standard elevations on offensive tackle Alex Taylor and safety Tyler Coyle. Offensive lineman Tyler Biadasz suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 17 while Matt Farniok isn’t entirely ready to return from IR, necessitating the extra OL depth.
49ers Will Activate RB Elijah Mitchell For Week 18
JANUARY 6: The 49ers are set to get some depth help in the last week of the season as they are expected to activate Mitchell for Sunday’s regular season finale against the Cardinals, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. Mitchell will immediately return to his role as the primary backup running back behind McCaffrey.
With Samuel also expected to play this weekend, the San Francisco offense immediately becomes much more formidable, even if the team was able to thrive in the absence of two of their offensive stars from last season. Discounting the pair of quarterbacks on IR, the 49ers are becoming the picture of health on offense as they roll into the postseason.
JANUARY 4: For the second time this season, the 49ers designated Elijah Mitchell to return from IR. The second-year running back made his return to practice Wednesday.
Mitchell has gone through a complicated year, one filled with transactions and a notable role change. But the 49ers have made Mitchell’s return a priority to the point they have saved their final IR activation for their sixth-round find.
Entering the season as San Francisco’s starter, Mitchell did not make it through Week 1 unscathed. The Louisiana alum suffered a sprained MCL that ended up keeping him out two months. After that lengthy rehab odyssey, Mitchell returned to supplement new RB1 Christian McCaffrey. The 49ers’ McCaffrey-Mitchell plan was working, only Mitchell sustained a second MCL sprain that sidelined him to this point.
Mitchell faced a six- to eight-week timetable to return from his second MCL setback this year; it looks like he will hit the early part of that window. The 49ers took advantage of the NFL’s IR change this offseason, which allows teams to activate a player off the injured list twice.
Last season, Mitchell surprised most by becoming San Francisco’s go-to back. He leapfrogged third-round rookie Trey Sermon quickly and finished the season with 963 rushing yards and five touchdowns, doing so despite missing six games with an assortment of injuries. Mitchell’s early-career track record does not present much confidence he can stay healthy, but he has been effective when on the field this season. Mitchell is averaging 5.6 yards per carry in his sophomore slate.
A report last week indicated Michell and Deebo Samuel were on the verge of returning. Samuel, who is finishing off a recovery from an MCL sprain and an ankle injury, returned to practice last week but was held out. The 49ers did not place Samuel on IR, giving him the freedom to return at any point. Mitchell being activated would end Hassan Ridgeway‘s season. Ridgeway suffered a pectoral injury in December. The 49ers had used Ridgeway as a fill-in starter at defensive tackle but had held their final IR-return spot for Mitchell. Should the plan come to fruition, Mitchell will be the eighth and final 49er activated off IR in what has been another eventful season on the injury front for the team.
Samuel and Mitchell returning will obviously stand to help the 49ers, who can clinch the NFC’s No. 2 seed with a win over the Cardinals. San Francisco needs to win and Philadelphia to lose — to the Giants, who have nothing to play for, as they are locked into the No. 6 spot — to earn the No. 1 seed. But the two skill-position cogs being ready for the playoffs will be a boon for San Francisco’s Super Bowl hopes.
Vikings Plan To Activate TE Irv Smith
The Vikings are set to receive a nice boost to their passing offense just in time for the playoffs as the team plans to activate tight end Irv Smith from injured reserve, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. In order to make room for Smith on the roster, the Vikings have waived tight end Nick Muse. 
Coming off a meniscus tear that would cost him the entire 2021 season, Smith’s role as a starter diminished this year as the Vikings would favor starting better run blockers in Johnny Mundt and Ben Ellefson. Still, Smith led the team’s position group in receiving yards and touchdowns until suffering an ankle injury in a Week 8 win over the Cardinals that would land him on IR. Smith’s injury would lead Minnesota to send a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick to Detroit in exchange for tight end T.J. Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-round pick, and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick.
The return of Smith makes an already-potent Vikings offense even more formidable. In addition to a running game led by Dalvin Cook and supplemented by Alexander Mattison, quarterback Kirk Cousins has an array of pass-catching weapons that includes Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, K.J. Osborn, Hockenson, and Smith.
Smith is set to hit free agency this offseason. If he wishes to remain in Minnesota past this year, Smith will need to show that he can earn targets in a crowded group of receivers. With Hockenson signed through next year, Smith will have to prove to the Vikings that he is worth Minnesota paying two pass-catching tight ends.
Muse’s rookie season comes to an end after failing to register one snap on offense for the Vikings this year. A seventh-round pick this year, Muse appeared solely on special teams in what would end up being a crowded, but injured, tight ends room. If he clears waivers, the Vikings can sign him to the practice squad and, eventually, a futures contract.
Commanders Place CB Benjamin St-Juste, OL Saahdiq Charles On IR
Washington made some quick adjustments to its active roster just prior to its season finale against Dallas this weekend, placing cornerback Benjamin St-Juste and offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles on injured reserve, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. To fill their spots on the 53-man roster, the Commanders signed practice squad tackle Alex Akingbulu and practice squad defensive end Benning Potoa’e to the active roster. 
The biggest name here is obviously St-Juste, who has become a full-time starter in the slot during his sophomore season with the Commanders. As a rookie third-round pick last year, St-Juste was able to earn some serious playing time, starting three of nine appearances, but concussion issues led to an early end to his rookie year on IR. This season, St-Juste moved from outside corner to play more of a nickel role in the slot. St-Juste started every game of the season alongside cornerbacks Kendall Fuller and Bobby McCain before beginning to deal with an ankle injury in a Week 11 win over the Texans. St-Juste has missed four of the five games since then and will now end his second season in a row on IR. In his absence, the Commanders have utilized rookie seventh-round pick Christian Holmes and veteran Danny Johnson in the slot.
Since being drafted in the fourth-round in 2020, Charles has been a dependable backup lineman for the Commanders, filling in as a starter for at least one game each season. Charles started three games earlier this season after coming in for injured right guard Trai Turner in a Week 4 loss to the Cowboys. Charles has been inactive since the team’s Week 14 bye while dealing with a concussion. Placing him on IR ensures he will be inactive for his fourth straight game to end the season.
Akingbulu is an undrafted rookie out of Fresno State. The first-team All-Mountain West offensive tackle from last year will provide some depth to the offensive line after the loss of Charles to IR. Potoa’e went undrafted out of the University of Washington in 2020, initially signing with the Buccaneers. After two seasons on Tampa Bay’s practice squad, Potoa’e was released in final roster cuts this preseason and decided to sign to the Commanders’ practice squad this season. Potoa’e is looking for his second in-game appearance this season, while an appearance by Akingbulu would mark his NFL debut.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/6/23
Today’s minor moves heading into the Saturday slate of games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on IR: S Chris Banjo, DE Jonathan Ledbetter
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, K Matthew Wright
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Austin Calitro, WR Chris Lacy
New England Patriots
- Reverted back to IR: P Jake Bailey
- Moved from IR to reserve/suspended by club: P Jake Bailey, CB Jack Jones
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: G Sua Opeta
After working out for the Chiefs yesterday and signing to their practice squad today, Wright will be promoted immediately as a gameday elevation for tomorrow’s regular season finale against the Raiders. Regular kicker Harrison Butker has been ruled out for the fifth game this year and the first time since Week 5 of the season, opening up a playing opportunity for Wright this week.
Bailey has been on injured reserve since Week 9 and was designated to return from IR around December 21, while Jones was placed on IR only a week ago on New Year’s Eve. Bailey’s return window has since closed reverting him to season-ending IR, but in one of the less common transactions seen this season, he and Jones were both moved from an IR designation to the reserve/suspended by club designation. The exact reason why each player has been suspended by the team is unclear, but it is apparently the result of two separate incidents.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/6/23
Taxi squad moves heading into the last weekend of the regular season:
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: K Matthew Wright
- Released: LB Justin Hilliard
New York Giants
- Signed: DT Jack Heflin
- Released: DT Vernon Butler
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DT Akeem Spence
Bills Place S Damar Hamlin On IR, Activate CB Christian Benford
In what amounts to a procedural move, the Bills placed Damar Hamlin on IR on Friday. Hamlin has made tremendous progress in his recovery after a frightening scene Monday in Cincinnati, but doctors do not know yet if the young safety resuming his career is realistic at this point.
To replace Hamlin on their 53-man roster, the Bills activated cornerback Christian Benford from IR. A sixth-round rookie, Benford had carved out a role for himself prior to going on IR. He will be a welcome reinforcement for a Bills team that will resume its Super Bowl quest Sunday.
The Bills chose Benford 185th overall out of Division I-FCS Villanova. His lower-profile path notwithstanding, Benford played ahead of first-round pick Kaiir Elam as a starter early in the season. During the nine games in which the 6-foot-1 defender has played this season, he has started five and seen a 62% snap share on defense.
Benford and Tre’Davious White played in just one game together — the Bills’ Thanksgiving tilt in Detroit — but the former’s oblique injury sidelined him for the team’s next five games and the since-cancelled Monday-night outing. The Bills have White, Elam, Dane Jackson and slot Taron Johnson in place as their top corners. It will be interesting how the AFC East champions reintegrate Benford, who will presumably slide into a depth role.
Hamlin suffering cardiac arrest at Paycor Stadium led to a heroic effort by the medical staffers — both at the stadium and the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. After being given CPR and resuscitated at the stadium, Hamlin was breathing on a ventilator for two days. The 24-year-old defender progressed to a breathing tube, which he now no longer needs. Hamlin worked his way back to addressing his teammates via Facetime.
Football-wise, the Bills do need to replace the second-year talent. The Pittsburgh product started 14 games for the team since Micah Hyde went down with a season-ending injury in September. Hamlin’s 91 tackles are tied for second on the Bills. The team has Pro Bowler Jordan Poyer anchoring its back line, and it reacquired Dean Marlowe at the trade deadline. Fourth-year defender Jaquan Johnson has played 225 defensive snaps — third-most among the team’s safeties this season. Hamlin’s 845 lead the position group.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/5/23
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: DL Antwaun Woods
Washington Commanders
- Signed: RB Reggie Bonnafon
Woods appeared in 46 games for the Cowboys and Colts between 2018 and 2021. He joined the Cardinals this offseason, and after being among the team’s final preseason cuts, he caught on with the organization’s practice squad. He only got into one game with the big-league club this season.
Bonnafon is taking the practice squad spot previously held by Jaret Patterson, who joined the active roster today. After getting into 16 games as a rookie in 2019, Bonnafon was limited to only six combined games in 2020 and 2021.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/5/23
Today’s minor moves:
Washington Commanders
- Placed on IR: RB Antonio Gibson
- Signed to active roster: RB Jaret Patterson
Gibson missed Week 17 with a knee injury, and the issue will also force him to miss the regular season finale. Despite an uncertain role with Brian Robinson and J.D. McKissic on the roster, Gibson still managed to put up solid numbers, finishing the campaign with 899 yards from scrimmage and five scores. Of course, this was a far cry from his first two seasons when he collected 21 touchdowns and more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage.
Patterson will be taking the open spot on the depth chart. After collecting more than 300 yards in 17 games for Washington last season, the RB has only seen time in a pair of games in 2022.
Dolphins Place T Eric Fisher On IR, Claim T Geron Christian
It does not look like Eric Fisher will play any Dolphins games. Signed last month, the veteran left tackle is now on injured reserve. The Dolphins placed Fisher on IR and claimed tackle Geron Christian off waivers from the Chiefs on Thursday.
Although Fisher agreed to terms with the Dolphins on Dec. 5, he did not seen any game action. The former No. 1 overall pick will be shut down for a minimum of four games. Considering Miami is not a lock to reach the playoffs, Fisher’s season is almost certainly done.
Fisher, 31, missed the past two Dolphins games because of a calf issue. While he returned to practice in a limited capacity Thursday, the Dolphins will move him off the 53-man roster to make room for Christian. A two-time Pro Bowler with the Chiefs, Fisher made 15 starts for the Colts last season. Indianapolis opted not to bring back the veteran this offseason.
The Dolphins signed Fisher on the same day they placed right tackle Austin Jackson on IR for a second time this season. Jackson has only played two games this season — Weeks 1 and 12. The former first-round pick can be activated from IR again, but he has not given the Dolphins much to count on this season. The Dolphins have tried Jackson at guard and left tackle as a pro. Fisher was unable to provide insurance behind Terron Armstead or new right tackle starter Brandon Shell, who was also an in-season addition. Armstead has not practiced this week, being listed on Miami’s injury report with four separate maladies. The high-priced free agent missed Week 17.
A former third-round Washington draftee in 2018, Christian has spent this season in Kansas City. Despite the Chiefs being without right tackle Lucas Niang for much of the season, Christian has seen action on just 11 offensive plays this year. He has 16 career starts on his resume, however, including a career-high eight for the Texans last season.