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NFL Minor Transactions: 12/4/25

December 4th, 2025 at 5:51pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Dallas Cowboys

Houston Texans

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks moved on from Quinton Bohanna today. After getting into a single game with the franchise in 2024, the defensive lineman has appeared in five games this year, collecting three tackles in 32 snaps. As Michael-Shawn Dugar points out, the Seahawks now have two open roster spots, an indication that any of Julian Love, Jarran Reed, and/or Dareke Young could be ready to return to the active roster.

Isaiah Land was promoted from the Cowboys practice squad for tonight’s game. The defensive end is insurance for Jadeveon Clowney, who will be sidelined tonight with a hamstring injury. Land got into 17 games for the Colts between 2023 and 2024, collecting seven tackles and one sack.

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Clears Concussion Protocol, Expected To Play This Weekend

December 4th, 2025 at 5:36pm CST by Ben Levine

J.J. McCarthy should be back in the lineup when the Vikings take the field this weekend. According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, the quarterback has cleared concussion protocol and is expected to slot back into the starting lineup for Sunday’s matchup against the Commanders.

McCarthy suffered his concussion back in Week 12 and was forced to miss his team’s Week 13 loss to the Seahawks. The 2024 first-round pick seemed to be trending towards a return. Coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters earlier this week that the second-year pro was symptom free, but he had to get through Wednesday’s practice without any setbacks (per Emily Leiker of The Minnesota Star Tribune). McCarthy ended up being a full participant during that session, opening the door for his return.

As Seifert notes, the Vikings are hoping McCarthy can remain in the lineup for the remainder of the season as they evaluate his progress ahead of the 2026 campaign. O’Connell also told reporters that he’s no longer focused on his young quarterback improving mechanics, with the coaching staff instead concentrating on the player’s decision making and ability to avoid hard contact. McCarthy also suffered a high ankle sprain earlier this season that sidelined him for more than a month.

After missing his entire rookie campaign due to a torn meniscus, McCarthy has struggled during his first season as a starter. The Vikings have gone 2-4 in the QB’s six starts, with McCarthy completing only 54.1 percent of his passes while tossing six touchdowns vs. 10 interceptions. The Michigan product blamed his tendency to “overthink” things for his inconsistency.

“Just worrying about things,” he said (via Seifert). “Like on the 12th hole, you’re not going to switch up your golf swing and stuff like that. But there’s always ways to refine it. There’s always little mental cues that you’re going to take throughout that game. But yeah, the mechanics thing … it’s always going to be a continued process to grow and be as efficient as possible.”

While Vikings fans have naturally grown impatient with the QB’s progress, they got a taste of the alternative last weekend. Max Brosmer filled in for his teammate and proceeded to toss four interceptions in a shutout loss. That performance may have afforded McCarthy a bit more leeway as the starter, but the organization will be hyper focused on his play down the stretch as they determine the best path forward at the position.

Lions Place TE Brock Wright On Injured Reserve

December 4th, 2025 at 5:01pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Lions placed tight end Brock Wright on injured reserve after an injury to his trachea, per a team announcement.

The move comes three weeks after Sam LaPorta went down with a back injury that is expected to end his season. Wright already had a 51% snap share before LaPorta’s injury; in the last two weeks, that number has been over 80%. The fifth-year tight end has not been able to replace LaPorta’s receiving production, or even come close. On 11 targets in his last two games, Wright only has five catches for 37 yards and zero touchdowns. He is still a reliable presence in the run game and earned the two highest run-blocking grades of the season in those matchups.

The extent of Wright’s injury remains unclear. He was listed with a neck injury on this week’s practice report and described the injury as similar to Frank Ragnow‘s fractured cartilage in 2020, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Ragnow only missed two games, but Wright’s absence will be at least four.

That will force the Lions to go to the next man up once again. Ross Dwelley and Anthony Firkser are listed as the second- and third-team tight ends on the depth chart, but they have only played 100 and 18 offensive snaps this year, respectively. Dwelley saw a huge bump in playing time in Week 13, but does not offer much as a pass-catcher with just three receptions in his last three seasons and 10 in his last five.

Detroit uses plenty of offensive formations with two tight ends, so they may call on undrafted rookie Zach Horton or four-year veteran Giovanni Ricci to take on some game day action. That will not be the case in Week 14, as the Lions did not elevate either from the practice squad for Thursday’s game. They may be planning to reduce their usage of two-tight end sets and/or call on sixth offensive lineman Dan Skipper as an extra blocker.

Rather than use Horton or Ricci this week, the Lions opted to sign cornerback Nick Whiteside and elevate wide receiver Malik Cunningham from the practice squad. Whiteside has appeared in five games this season, while Cunningham will be making his Lions debut to add depth to their depleted receiving corps.

Commanders Activate DE Drake Jackson From IR

December 4th, 2025 at 4:03pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Commanders activated defensive end Drake Jackson from injured reserve, per a team announcement.

The team released safety Darnell Savage earlier in the day to clear a 53-man roster spot for Jackson. Savage appeared in three games this season with a rotational role in Washington’s secondary.

Jackson, 24, was a second-round pick by the 49ers in 2022. He appeared in 15 games as a rookie with decent production on a 33% snap share. He was on pace for better numbers in 2023 before a torn patellar tendon in Week 8 prematurely ended his season. The injury also sidelined him for all of 2024, and he was waived in May as San Francisco turned their attention to other edge rushers.

The third-year defensive end continued his recovery in 2025. Once he neared a return, he took visits with the Commanders, Jets, and Ravens in early October. He ultimately signed in Washington but was immediately placed on injured reserve to finish his rehab.

Jackson was designated to return to practice as soon as his minimum IR stint was up and is now set to make his 2025 debut on Sunday against the Vikings. He will add depth to an EDGE room that lost Dorance Armstrong to a season-ending injury in October. The Commanders will hope Jackson can reinforce a pass rush that has generated the fifth-fewest pressures in the NFL this season, though their sack and quarterback knockdown totals rank closer to the middle of the pack.

NFL Mailbag: Jones, Lions, Carroll, QBs

December 4th, 2025 at 3:11pm CST by Adam La Rose

This week's edition of the PFR mailbag looks at questions related to the Colts' pending QB investment, the Lions' upcoming extension decisions, Pete Carroll's future in Vegas and more.

Thomas asks:

Are the Colts going to have to franchise tag Daniel Jones? With the Vikings potentially circling and Indy having traded away two first-round picks, this gives him leverage despite an inconsistent career. Do you think a tag will be necessary, and won't the cost of that tag shape his asking price like it did with the Giants in 2023?

A long-term pact certainly can’t be ruled out at this point, especially if Jones can rebound from his recent dip in production (although doing so will be difficult, given his injury situation). But if negotiations on that front stall, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Colts willingly let him test the open market.

Right now, Jones is on track to be by far the top QB available in free agency. Other options will consist of veterans such as Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson (if they continue playing) or upside gambles like Malik Willis or Trey Lance. Someone like Tua Tagovailoa or Kyler Murray could be on the move, but even if so Jones would be a target for several suitors (one of which could be the Vikings, ironic as that would be).

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Texans DT Tim Settle To Miss Rest Of Season After Foot Surgery

December 4th, 2025 at 2:35pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Texans defensive tacke Tim Settle will undergo surgery to address a foot injury and miss the rest of the 2025 season, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Settle, 28, has been a core part of Houston’s defensive line this season with 12 starts and a 53% snap share. His statistical production – 15 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack – are not especially impressive, but the success of the unit as the whole is undeniable. The Texans lead the NFL in points allowed and total defense with top-five ranks against the pass and the run. Settle may not be putting up big numbers, but he does rank third on the team with a 78.0 pass rushing grade and fourth with 17 pressures, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

The Texans have several players who can help fill Settle’s snaps. Either Tommy Togiai and Mario Edwards will get the starting nod, but both will see an uptick in playing time. Folorunso Fatukasi is eligible to be activated from injured reserve, but that has been the case for a month without any updates on his status. As a result, veteran Marlon Davidson and undrafted rookie Junior Tafuna could factor into the D-line rotation, whether that is via a practice squad elevation or a promotion to the active roster. Neither has appeared in a game this year.

As for Settle, he will spend the rest of the season recovering from surgery and is expected to be “recovered well ahead of the 2026 season,” per Garafolo. He is set to hit free agency in the offseason and should earn a raise on his current $3MM APY.

Eagles DT Jalen Carter To Miss Time After Procedures On Both Shoulders

December 4th, 2025 at 1:46pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter underwent procedures on both of his shoulders to address lingering injuries and will miss one week as a result, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

It is important to note that Carter had a medical procedure, but not a surgery, according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. He is considered week-to-week, but is expected to return at some point this season.

After last week’s loss to the Bears, Carter revealed that he had been dealing with his shoulder issues since the spring. He played through it up to this point and has done so with an impressive 85% snap share, which is a lot for his position even without the injuries. The 2023 first-rounder has not been as dominant in the trenches with only two sacks and four tackles for loss in 12 games, a step back from last year’s production. He still has 36 pressures, 10th-most among defensive tackles, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Carter, 24, opted to have the procedures now in order to get back to 100% before the playoffs. The Eagles are currently leading the NFC East and are expected to qualify for the postseason, but the conference race is much tighter. Five other teams have a record equal to or better than Philadelphia’s, with three teams one game back. Having Carter at full strength in the playoffs is more important than having him below 100% in the next five games.

The Eagles will hope Moro Ojomo and Jordan Davis can step up in terms of their performance in Carter’s absence, but both are already at a 60% snap share and will not be able to fill their teammate’s snaps. The team will instead ask Byron Young and Ty Robinson to take on a bigger role in the defense. Young, a Raiders third-rounder in 2023, has not produced much this season, while Robinson is a fourth-round rookie who has only played 35 snaps this year.

Philadelphia’s D-line will have to hold the line over the next few games until Carter returns. If he can come back with a vengeance at last year’s level of play, he could be a crucial difference-maker in the playoffs.

Darius Slay Will Not Report To Bills; CB’s Future Uncertain

December 4th, 2025 at 11:53am CST by Adam La Rose

The end of the 2025 season will not see Darius Slay play for the Bills after all. Buffalo claimed him off waivers yesterday, but that will not actually lead to a Bills stint.

Slay is not reporting to the team, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. At this time, it is unclear if Slay will play again in the NFL. 2025 is widely believed to be his final season, one which did not include a full campaign spent with the Steelers as intended. Buffalo still retains Slay’s rights.

“Slay is honored that a first-class organization like the Bills claimed him, but he is going to take some time away from football right now and decide in the next few days if he wants to keep playing,” a statement from agent Drew Rosenhaus reads.

So far this season, Slay has made nine starts and 10 appearances. He fell out of the Steelers’ plans for the closing weeks of the campaign, however, and in the wake of Asante Samuel Jr.‘s arrival he was a healthy scratch this past week. Slay was positioned to provide Buffalo with CB depth down the stretch, but that will not be the case. Instead, attention will now turn to the possibility of an Eagles reunion.

Philadelphia put in a waiver claim, a sign of how willing the team would be to bring the six-time Pro Bowler back into the fold. Indeed, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports a “mutual interest” exists for another Eagles stint in this case. Slay would not be counted on to reprise his role as a starter in the event he were to play once again for the defending Super Bowl champions, but he could serve as a backup option the way trade acquisition Jaire Alexander was set to before he stepped away from football.

Slay has now elected to do the same, and it will be interesting to see what happens next in this case. The Bills will presumably place him on the reserve/retired list to avoid having him take up a roster spot. If Slay were to then be released, he could wind up signing with the Eagles in time for the stretch run. For now, though, it is unclear if the veteran of 198 combined regular season and playoff games will suit up again in the NFL.

Panthers Hope To Extend LT Ikem Ekwonu, Retain C Cade Mays

December 4th, 2025 at 11:14am CST by Adam La Rose

This past spring, the Panthers exercised Ikem Ekwonu‘s fifth-year option. As a result, the team is set to have left tackle stability through at least 2026.

A longer agreement between team and player could be coming relatively soon, though. As Joe Person of The Athletic writes (subscription required), working out a new Ekwonu contract will be a priority this coming offseason. At the moment, the former first-rounder is due to collect $17.65MM in 2026.

[RELATED: Panthers Likely To Pick Up Bryce Young’s Fifth-Year Option]

In the event a multi-year accord can be worked out, Ekwonu will be in line for far greater compensation. The 25-year-old struggled early in his career in pass protection, but Carolina has never moved him to guard. While continuing to develop on the blindside, Ekwonu has been charged with five sacks allowed by PFF. That illustrates room for further progress, but it is the lowest figure in that regard since his rookie campaign.

Over the course of his Panthers tenure, Ekwonu has seen incremental improvement in his PFF evaluations. The South Carolina product currently ranks 26th out of 80 qualifying tackles in overall grade for 2025. If the Panthers invest in ongoing development, a big-ticket second contract could be in store. Well before the start of the season, Ekwonu made clear his desire to remain with the Panthers for years to come.

Five right tackles are currently among the blockers averaging $20MM or more per season. That group includes Taylor Moton, who agreed to a new deal in August to avoid a potential trip to free agency. The nine-year veteran is set to continue in his current capacity through 2027 as a result. Signing Ekwonu to a long-term deal would help ensure further stability up front for the Panthers.

That will also be true along the interior if Cade Mays can be retained. Person writes keeping Mays in the fold appears to be a team priority as well. 2025 marks the final season of the former sixth-rounder’s rookie contract, setting him up for a first career trip to free agency this spring. With 23 starts (and counting) to his name, Mays could be one of top center options on the market in March.

The 26-year-old posted a career-best finish of 13th amongst centers for PFF grade last season. Mays lost a training camp competition for the starting gig, but injuries to Austin Corbett and others have allowed him to make eight starts in 10 appearances in 2025. Mays is PFF’s 21st-ranked center at this point. A new deal in his case would cost far less than a second Ekwonu contract, but it would give Carolina flexibility at the center spot for next year at a minimum.

Commanders Expected To Waive DB Darnell Savage

December 4th, 2025 at 9:48am CST by Adam La Rose

2025 has seen Darnell Savage lose out on a starting job and change teams midway through the season. The veteran defensive back could be on the move once again in the near future.

Savage has asked to be let go by the Commanders, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. He adds Washington is expected to grant the request. Provided that takes place, Savage will soon find himself on waivers. Interested teams could add him via a claim; otherwise, he would become a free agent once again.

During training camp, Savage lost his starting spot in Jacksonville. By mid-September, the team’s new regime led by GM James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen elected to move on despite the guarantees remaining on his contract. That left Savage on the open market, and he quickly lined up a visit with the Commanders which produced an agreement.

During eight games in Washington, Savage has handled a defensive snap share of just 33%. The former first-rounder has struggled in coverage, allowing three touchdowns as the nearest defender while playing in the nation’s capital. That will hinder his chances of being claimed and no doubt deal a blow to his earning potential moving forward. Presuming Savage, 28, becomes available once more, it will be interesting to see if he lines up any suitors for the stretch run.

The Commanders have lost seven straight games, and at 3-9 the postseason is not a consideration for the team. Washington will look to the remainder of the campaign as an evaluation period for players in contention for a roster spot in 2026. Savage understandably does not fit that description.

The Maryland product has made 82 starts and 95 appearances over the course of his career. After Savage secured $12.5MM guaranteed in 2024, it is safe to assume he will not be able to match that figure during his next trip to free agency (whether it comes in March or before the end of the season).

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