Eagles Activate S Marcus Epps
Marcus Epps will be in the lineup for the Eagles during tonight’s game. The veteran safety has been activated from injured reserve, per a team announcement. 
The Eagles opened Epps’ practice window last Tuesday. As a result, today’s news confirms he did not encounter any setbacks upon returning to football activities. Philadelphia could have waited to bring Epps back into the fold, but instead he will be available for Monday Night Football against the Chargers.
2025 marks Epps’ second stint with the Eagles. The 29-year-old played began playing in Philadelphia in 2019, and he remained there through the 2022 campaign. After emerging as a starter during the final year of his first stint, Epps landed a two-year, $12MM free agent pact with the Raiders. The former sixth-rounder’s Vegas tenure ended with an ACL tear last season.
That prompted a return to the Eagles this past offseason. Epps has played almost exclusively on special teams so far in 2025, but that is set to change tonight. Andrew Mukuba is on IR, leaving a vacancy in the starting lineup alongside fellow safety Reed Blankenship. Sydney Brown operated as a first-team defender during the Eagles’ Black Friday loss, but Epps will give them another option in that regard.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio recently confirmed (via Geoff Mosher of Philly Voice) Epps would start in Week 14 provided he was activated in time for the game. That has now taken place, so it will be interesting to see how he performs in an elevated role. Meanwhile, today’s move leaves the Eagles with three IR activations for the remainder of the regular season.
Bengals Waive WR Jermaine Burton
Jermaine Burton‘s Week 14 Bengals suspension invited questions about how much longer he would remain on the team. A parting of ways is now taking place. 
Burton has been waived, head coach Zac Taylor announced on Monday. This marks a rather unceremonious end to the wideout’s two-year tenure in Cincinnati. Burton has not played yet this season, and despite being healthy he did not travel with the team to Buffalo for yesterday’s game.
Coming out of college, Burton was regarded as a highly talented prospect. Character concerns hurt his stock, though, and the Georgia and Alabama product fell to the third round of last year’s draft. Making 14 appearances, Burton’s rookie season saw him receive only 14 targets and make just four catches. Instead of developing into a depth option in the passing game this season, he has remained a non-factor through to today.
Taylor declined to specify the details behind Burton’s suspension (h/t ESPN’s Ben Baby). In any event, that has proven to be the final chapter in his brief Cincinnati tenure. The 24-year-old will now hit the waiver wire. In the event he clears – which can certainly be expected, given the circumstances – Burton will become a free agent. It will be interesting to see where his next NFL opportunity will come from.
In the meantime, the Bengals will move forward with a receiving group led now and for years to come by Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Andrei Iosivas has remained a complementary No. 3 option at the position in 2025, and tight end Mike Gesicki represents another pass-catching presence for the closing stages of the season. Burton will not feature in that group moving forward.
Several positions on defense have been labeled as logical targets regarding offseason moves for the Bengals. Given Burton’s dismissal (and the fact Iosivas is a pending 2027 free agent), though, receiver could be seen as a secondary priority as well.
Lions Sign S Damontae Kazee
In need of safety depth, the Lions have found a veteran late in the year. Damontae Kazee is set to join Detroit for the stretch run. 
Kazee is signing with the Lions on their practice squad, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report. If all goes well, he will be on the team’s active roster in short order. Detroit lost Brian Branch to an Achilles tear on Thursday, ending his season. The Kazee signing has since been announced by head coach Dan Campbell.
Of course, Kazee will not be tasked with replacing Branch’s production or his place in the starting lineup. Nevertheless, he could provide the Lions with veteran depth in the secondary and on special teams. Kazee has made 111 regular season appearances in the NFL, including four earlier this season with the Browns.
Last month, Cleveland released Kazee. He remained on the open market since then, but this Detroit deal will allow for the ninth-year veteran to carve out a role on his latest team. The Lions are currently 8-5, good for third in the NFC North. Detroit is on the outside of the playoff picture right now, and inconsistent play on defense (fueled in no small part by injuries, just like in 2024) has played a key role.
The Lions rank mid-pack in a number of defensive categories this year, and they are 19th in the NFL in terms of passing yards allowed. Losing Branch will hinder the team’s ability to improve in a number of areas down the stretch, but managing to replace him represents a major goal for the next four games. Kazee – who has made 63 starts, many of which came early in his career – will look to contribute in some capacity. Doing so would provide a boost to his chances of landing a deal relatively soon in free agency come the spring.
Texans, TE Brevin Jordan Agree To Extension
Brevin Jordan has not played in 2025, but he will not be changing teams this offseason. The veteran tight end remains in the Texans’ plans for next year. 
Jordan and the Texans have agreed to a one-year extension, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. As a result, he will not reach free agency during the spring. Instead, Jordan will be able to compete for a role upon returning to full health.
A 2024 ACL tear limited the former fifth-rounder to just two games that season. Jordan managed to recover in time for training camp this past summer, but a torn patellar tendon suffered in practice resulted in the Texans placing him on injured reserve. The timing of that move ensured he would be sidelined for the entire campaign. Houston is confident Jordan will be able to contribute in 2026, however. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports the recovery process has gone to plan so far.
Jordan, 25, played out his rookie contract with the Texans, logging a rotational role on offense during that time. The Miami product did not serve as a consistent presence in the passing game, but his work as a run blocker helped lead to a one-year extension being worked out almost exactly one year ago. That 2024 pact was worth $2.1MM and included $850K guaranteed. It certainly stands to reason this new deal will be worth less on both counts.
Injuries at the tight end spot have been an issue for Houston during much of this season, although Dalton Schultz and Cade Stover are healthy at the moment. Those two will be counted on to lead the way at the position as the Texans aim to continue their five-game winning streak. Top spot in the AFC South is possible despite the team’s 0-3 start to the year. Regardless of what happens the rest of the way, Jordan will remain in the fold through to 2026.
Eagles Waive WR Xavier Gipson
Xavier Gipson‘s tenure with the Eagles has come to an end. Philadelphia has waived him and by doing so made a change at the returner spot. 
Gipson was cut by the Jets in September, but he managed to initially remain in New York. The third-year pro was claimed off waiver by the Giants, although he did not see any playing time with them. Gipson was waived once more in short order. That led to the Eagles’ decision to claim him.
In five games with Philadelphia, Gipson was targeted only twice on offense. As expected, his main contributions came on special teams. The 24-year-old returned six punts and seven kickoffs for the Eagles, totaling 246 yards in that capacity. Moving forward, though, Philadelphia will use Britain Covey in the returner role. Those responsibilities were primarily shared by Kenneth Gainwell and Isaiah Rodgers last year, although they both departed in free agency.
The Eagles have increasingly faced questions on offense, but OC Kevin Patullo is safe for the time being. Covey will not be counted on to make a major contribution in that regard, of course, although he will provide depth at the WR spot. Covey has returned one kick and one punt so far in 2025, and those totals will now increase moving forward.
Gipson, meanwhile, will now hit the waiver wire once again this season. Teams seeking a new option in the return game could look to put in a claim. Otherwise, Gipson will become a free agent and attempt to land with a contender for the closing stages of the season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/6/25
Here are the minor moves and standard gameday practice squad elevations for the Week 14 Sunday slate:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed from practice squad: LB Channing Tindall
- Elevated: WR Jalen Brooks, WR Trent Sherfield
- Placed on IR: WR Greg Dortch
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed from practice squad: WR Deven Thompkins
- Elevated: CB C.J. Henderson
- Placed on IR: S DeMarcco Hellams
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: S Sanoussi Kane, DT Josh Tupou
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: DE Morgan Fox, LB Baylon Spector
Chicago Bears
- Signed from practice squad: OL Jordan McFadden
- Elevated: LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
- Waived: LB Carl Jones Jr.
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: DE K.J. Henry
Denver Broncos
- Signed from practice squad: TE Marcedes Lewis
- Elevated: LB Jordan Turner
- Waived: LB Garret Wallow
Houston Texans
- Elevated: CB Alijah Huzzie, DT Haggai Ndubuisi
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed from practice squad: S Mike Edwards
- Elevated: G C.J. Hanson
- Placed on IR: S Christian Roland-Wallace
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: WR Shedrick Jackson, WR DJ Turner
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: OL Kion Smith
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed from practice squad: QB John Wolford
- Elevated: CB Dwight McGlothern Jr., DT Taki Taimani
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: WR Kevin Austin, K Charlie Smyth
New York Jets
- Signed from practice squad: QB Brady Cook, CB Jordan Clark
- Elevated: CB Tre Brown, CB Nik Needham
- Placed on IR: CB Jarvis Brownlee, LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: T Dylan Cook, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: RB Velus Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: S Marcus Banks
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: DE DeMarcus Walker
Dort becomes Arizona’s 26th placement on injures reserve this year. The Cardinals’ receiving corps has been stretched thin with Marvin Harrison Jr. out with a heel injury and Zay Jones on injured reserve with an injured Achilles tendon.
Earning more and more responsibility over the course of his sophomore campaign, former undrafted free agent Roland-Wallace will unfortunately head to IR after starting in the Chiefs’ two most recent contests. As a roaming safety, he’s been functioning lately as a nickelback alongside the versatile pair of starting safeties behind him.
With Bosa set to miss this weekend’s game with a hamstring injury, Fox has been called up from the practice squad in Buffalo to help bolster a thin group of defensive ends.
Smyth gets the call again this week as the primary placekicker in New Orleans. He’ll be kicking in his second straight game following the team’s dismissal of Blake Grupe.
For Spector in Buffalo, this will be his third elevation this season, meaning the Bills will need to sign him to the active roster in order for him to appear in another game in 2025. The same is true of Turner in Denver, Hanson in Kansas City, and Banks in Tampa Bay. On the other side of that, Tindall in Arizona, Lewis in Jacksonville, and Cook in New York were all signed to 53-man rosters today after they used up their three allotted practice squad elevations.
Texans Sign S Jalen Mills To Active Roster, Place S Jaylen Reed On IR
The Texans’ secondary is really starting to thin out with injuries. Friday’s injury report confirmed that rookie sixth-round safety Jaylen Reed will miss tomorrow night’s game in Kansas City with a forearm injury. With Jimmie Ward still on the reserve/physically unable to perform list and replacement starter M.J. Stewart recently placed on season-ending injured reserve, practice squad safety Jalen Mills has been signed to the 53-man roster to bolster the group. 
In a corresponding move, Reed has been moved to injured reserve. The sixth-round rookie broke a metal plate in his forearm in Week 13, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. Surgery will be required as a result. Today’s move ensures Reed will miss at least the next four weeks.
Mills signed to the Texans’ taxi squad following an 0-2 start to the season after he had spent two weeks of the preseason with the team but failed to make the initial 53-man roster. The 31-year-old defensive back has been elevated from the practice squad for three of the last four games, so with his presence on the defense still needed, Houston has promoted him up to the active roster.
While two of his elevations have simply seen Mills play in a special teams role with minimal time on defense, three weeks ago, the veteran was asked to start against the division rival Titans next to Calen Bullock. A similar situation can be expected for Week 14 given Houston’s injury situation in the secondary. Mills is of course familiar with heavy defensive workloads as a veteran of 92 starts (many of which, in fairness, came as a cornerback).
The LSU product is a pending free agent. As a result, his play down the stretch will be key in determining his value on a new Texans pact or one sending him elsewhere. In the meantime, Mills will look to chip in on a Texans defense which leads the league in points and yards allowed as the team aims to win the AFC South.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Commanders Activate Noah Brown From IR
The Commanders continue to return to health on the offensive side of the ball. Noah Brown will be back in the lineup for Week 14. 
The veteran receiver was activated from injured reserve on Saturday, per a team announcement. Brown has not been a full participant in practice this week, but head coach Dan Quinn predicted yesterday that he would be able to play against the Vikings. Today’s news ensures that will be the case.
Terry McLaurin was able to play in Week 13, and Jayden Daniels will make his return tomorrow. That will give the Commanders their highly productive QB-WR tandem late in the season, albeit far too late for a second straight playoff berth to be possible. Brown will look to resume his complementary role in the passing game upon returning to action.
The 29-year-old’s practice window was opened early last week, so Washington could have waited to activate him until after tomorrow’s game. Instead, Brown will be available for the first time since September. In 2024 – his debut season in the nation’s capital – the former Cowboy and Texan posted 453 yards and one touchdown on 35 catches. Matching that production will not be possible this year, but as a pending free agent Brown managing to serve a role of some kind down the stretch will be key in establishing his value.
In a corresponding move, the Commanders have waived fellow receiver Chris Moore. In 11 games this season, the veteran has logged a 55% snap share thanks to the absences of McLaurin, Brown and others. Moore will now hit the waiver wire and become a free agent in the event he clears.
S Julian Love, DT Jarran Reed Come Off IR For Seahawks
The Seahawks are getting healthy at a good time in the season with two big names coming off injured reserve. The team announced this afternoon that safety Julian Love and defensive tackle Jarran Reed have both been activated from injured reserve. 
Earlier this week, both Love and Reed had their practice windows opened. As such, today’s moves come as no surprise. Wideout Dareke Young also returned to practice on Wednesday, but at this point he remains on IR. Nevertheless, Seattle’s defense will welcome back a pair of key contributors in time for the stretch run.
Love played in the Seahawks’ first three games this season but a hamstring injury has kept him out of the lineup since. Getting the 2023 Pro Bowler back in the fold will be critical for the secondary. Seattle currently ranks 11th against the pass, a relative weak spot compared to the team’s other standout showings on defense. Love, 27, will reprise his starting role upon return.
Ty Okada has made nine starts in Love’s absence, finding success in his elevated role. It will be interesting to see if he manages to remain a regular defensive presence moving forward. In any case, Love’s return will represent a boost for the closing weeks of the season. The former Giant topped 100 tackles and reached double-digit pass deflections during each of his first two Seattle campaigns. A similar impact during the playoffs could go a long way toward a deep postseason run.
Reed has been on IR since November, and he has been recovering from wrist surgery since then. The 10-year veteran posted seven sacks as a full-time starter in 2023, but his playing time and production fell off. This season, Reed has only posted 1.5 sacks in eight games. He has been on the field for less than half of Seattle’s defensive snaps, and that will likely remain the case upon return with Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy set to continue as starters.
With Love and Reed now back on the active roster, the Seahawks have four IR activations remaining for the regular season. Young will account for one of those once he is brought back into the fold.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Jaguars S Eric Murray Activated Off IR
The Jaguars are set to see a key member of their defense return for an extremely important closing stretch of the season. Veteran starting safety Eric Murray is coming off of injured reserve with an activation made by the team today. 
Murray joined Jacksonville early into free agency, after five years with the division-rival Texans. He had first arrived in Houston as a full-time starter, but he got benched for a five-week stretch in his second season with the team. He spent the 2022 season essentially as a special teamer and depth piece for the Texans before returning to a starting role the next year, just to have his season ended after six games with a knee injury.
Murray rebounded well last year in Houston, starting 14 games while playing in all 17. That strong final campaign as a Texan helped Murray land a three-year, $22.5MM deal in Duval, and he was looking pretty good to start his first season with the Jaguars before going down with injury.
In Murray’s absence, Antonio Johnson has stepped into the starting lineup. Johnson’s seen plenty of playing time over his three years in Jacksonville, often coming off the bench and making 10 starts in 30 games played. He looked to be shaking off some rust in his first start of the season in place of Murray, but over the last four weeks, Johnson has looked like one of the Jaguars’ best players on defense.
Luckily for Johnson, he won’t likely be demoted immediately upon Murray’s return to the field. Fellow starting safety Andrew Wingard has been ruled out this weekend with a concussion, so Johnson may be lined up next to the man he replaced as the team hosts the division-rival Colts tomorrow. Even once Wingard is healthy, Jacksonville may need to work on finding packages that put all three safeties on the field if the three continue to play at a starting level.
In order to make room on the 53-man roster, the Jaguars waived reserve running back Cody Schrader, who failed to appear in any games after joining the roster in early-October. Additionally, the team announced that undrafted rookie safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig and wide receiver Austin Trammell will be called up tomorrow as standard gameday practice squad elevations. This is Silmon-Craig’s third such elevation, so if Jacksonville wants to see him in another game after this week, they’ll need to sign him to the 53-man roster.