Texans Waive G Laken Tomlinson
Laken Tomlinson opened the season as the Texans’ starting left guard, but the team is moving on three months later. The Texans waived Tomlinson on Tuesday. The 33-year-old will be free to sign anywhere if he clears waivers.
Tomlinson joined the Texans on a one-year, $4.25MM contract last March after dividing the first 10 seasons of his career among the Lions, 49ers, Jets, and Seahawks. He was a consistent and durable starter during that span, coming off the bench in just eight of 163 contests. Tomlinson didn’t miss a game between 2018-24.
Tomlinson was Houston’s top option at left guard during most of his time there, starting in seven of 10 games. However, the Texans replaced him with Jarrett Patterson in Week 10, and Tomlinson was inactive in back-to-back games before they cut him. Pro Football Focus ranks Tomlinson’s 2025 performance a below-average 51st among 79 qualifying guards.
With the playoff-contending Texans parting with Tomlinson, they’re left with Patterson, Juice Scruggs, and Jarrett Kingston as reserves along the interior. Tytus Howard, who has lined up at multiple spots this year, and Ed Ingram are operating as their starting guards.
Colts Add K Blake Grupe To Practice Squad
3:33pm: The Colts are signing Grupe to their practice squad, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com.
10:27am: Michael Badgley missed an extra point for the third time this season on Sunday. In response, the Colts are looking into potential kicking replacements. 
When asked about the possibility of moving on from Badgley yesterday, head coach Shane Steichen did not specify what the team’s plan was. He instead deferred to general manager Chris Ballard (h/t ESPN’s Stephen Holder). Holder predicted on Monday that the Colts would look into alternatives, and that has proven to be the case.
Kicker workouts are taking place today in Indianapolis. Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star reports Blake Grupe is among those who are auditioning. This comes shortly after Grupe was cut by the Saints during his third season with the team. Grupe was relatively consistent for his first two Saints campaigns, but in 2025 he has connected on just 18 of 26 field goal attempts. It thus came as little surprise when the Saints moved on.
It would be interesting if the Colts elected to sign Grupe given his struggles this season. Badgley has endured an unwanted run of inconsistency on extra points in 2025, but in seven games he has gone 10-for-11 on field goal tries. At a minimum, Indianapolis is looking into the possibility of using another new kicker to close out the campaign.
Spencer Shrader was available for the first five games of the season, but ACL and MCL tears suffered in October brought his campaign to an abrupt end. The Colts turned to a familiar face in the form of Badgley as his replacement. A veteran of five NFL teams, Badgley kicked for Indianapolis in 2021. His current stint with the team could be in jeopardy, though, depending on how the next few days play out.
After starting 7-1, the Colts have lost three of their last four games. They are no longer the lock to top the AFC South they once appeared to be, and improvement on offense down the stretch will be key. Efforts on that front could include a new kicker being added in the near future.
Colts Waive K Michael Badgley
After a costly missed extra point in Week 13, the Colts are moving on from kicker Michael Badgley. The team waived him on Tuesday.
Badgley’s PAT miss last Sunday proved crucial in a 20-16 defeat against the AFC South rival Texans. The four-point deficit prevented the Colts from potentially tying the game with a late field goal and sending it to overtime. They fell to 8-4 and into second place in the division behind the Jaguars, while the Texans improved to 7-5.
A Colt back in 2021, Badgley reunited with the team after starter Spencer Shrader tore his ACL and MCL in Week 5. Badgley hadn’t kicked in the regular season since 2023, but the 30-year-old went on to make 10 of his 11 field goal attempts in seven games with the Colts. However, Badgley hit a less impressive 18 of 21 extra points, which ultimately cost him his job.
The Colts have not lined up a replacement for Badgley, but that seems imminent after they worked out kickers on Tuesday. Former Saint Blake Grupe was among those to audition. It’s up for debate whether Grupe would be an upgrade over Badgley, though. While Grupe did convert all 15 extra points with the Saints this year, he connected on a paltry 69.2% of field goals (18 of 26). New Orleans waived him on Nov. 25 as a result.
Whether they sign Grupe or someone else, the Colts will turn to their third kicker of 2025 in a critical meeting with the Jaguars on Sunday. It will be the first time in franchise history that the Colts have used at least three kickers in a season, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan notes. That’s not ideal for an Indianapolis team that’s now clinging to a playoff spot after dropping three of its past four games.
Broncos, WR Elijah Moore Agree To Deal
Elijah Moore visited the Broncos yesterday. That workout obviously went well, as the sides have agreed to terms on a deal. 
Moore is signing to Denver’s practice squad, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. He will look to find playing time on his latest team down the stretch. For the Broncos, this move will provide depth at the receiver spot as they look to earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Buffalo’s Brandin Cooks addition led to a mutual decision with Moore’s camp to part ways. After clearing waivers, Moore became a free agent. In relatively short order, he managed to line up a Broncos visit and now a contract. It will be interesting to see if he receives a look on the active roster or finds himself as one of Denver’s gameday elevations over the near future.
A second-round pick of the Jets in 2021, Moore spent just two years in New York. He was traded to the Browns ahead of the 2023 season, the first of two he spent in Cleveland. The Ole Miss product totaled 25 starts during his tenure with the Browns. That included a career-high 640 yards in his first Cleveland season. Moore’s Buffalo signing did not result in a productive outing, though, as he managed only nine scoreless catches while handling a rotational role.
To no surprise, the Broncos have been led in receiving by Courtland Sutton this season. Wideouts Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant and Marvin Mims have chipped in on offense, but Denver sits just 17th in the NFL in passing yards per game. Moore, 25, will of course not be expected to make a major impact for the 10-2 team upon arrival. He could nevertheless serve as a depth option in the slot for Denver down the stretch and through the playoffs.
Vikings Waive Adam Thielen; WR To Retire Following 2025 Season
Adam Thielen‘s second stint with the Vikings has come to an end. The veteran receiver was waived on Monday, per a team announcement. 
Thielen was inactive for yesterday’s loss despite being healthy. Instead of finishing the season buried down the depth chart on a Minnesota team in line to miss the playoffs, he will now seek out a new situation for the stretch run. Thielen will hit the waiver wire and, provided he clears, become a free agent.
“Last week Adam’s representation approached the team and asked if we would be willing to release Adam, expressing his desire to play a bigger role in the remaining weeks of what he has indicated will be his final NFL season,” a team statement reads in part. “Following discussions through the weekend and out of respect for Adam, we have agreed to give him the opportunity to pursue more playing time elsewhere.”
Thielen spent his first 11 years and 10 NFL seasons with Minnesota. The former UDFA emerged as a key figure on offense for the Vikings, but a downturn in production ultimately led to his release in 2023. Thielen joined the Panthers in free agency, and during two years in Carolina he served as a full-time starter.
Amidst questions regarding a potential retirement decision, Thielen committed to playing one more season. The Panthers traded him back to the Vikings shortly before the start of the campaign. During his second run with his hometown team, the Minnesota State product has made just eight scoreless catches while handling a snap share of only 29%. The Vikings have struggled mightily on offense all season, something punctuated during yesterday’s shutout loss.
While the team looks for answers under center for 2025 and beyond, Thielen will look for a suitable fit over the closing weeks of the season. The two-time Pro Bowler hinted in May that this year would likely be his last. To no surprise, Thielen has since confirmed in a statement of his own that he will indeed be hanging up his cleats after the year comes to an end. It will be interesting to see if he lands with a contender and in doing so sets up a potential run at a first career Super Bowl.
The Panthers-Vikings trade included a conditional pick, but today’s news confirms its status. The final tally on the swap is Thielen, a 2026 seventh-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder in exchange for fifth- and fourth-round selections in the next two drafts. Thielen accepted a pay cut to facilitate the move.
Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are in line to remain atop the Vikings’ WR depth chart for years to come. The team will not have Thielen in place for the final few games of his career, however.
Packers Open Practice Window On RB MarShawn Lloyd, DE Brenton Cox, DE Collin Oliver
The Packers will soon be getting some reinforcement on both sides of the ball. Per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, running back MarShawn Lloyd and defensive end Brenton Cox had their practice windows opened today. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston adds that the team has also opened the practice window on defensive end Collin Oliver.
Lloyd landed on IR before the start of the 2025 season with a hamstring injury. The 2024 third-round pick also spent most of his rookie campaign on injured reserve, collecting 18 yards from scrimmage in a single appearance. Lloyd may have a tough time cracking Green Bay’s depth chart upon his return, as the team has relied on the trio of Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson, and Chris Brooks in 2025.
Cox suffered a groin injury back in Week 1 that ended up shelving him for close to three months. The former UDFA hasn’t gotten a lot of run through his three seasons in Green Bay, although he did show some pass-rush prowess in 2024. Despite being limited to about a third of his team’s defensive snaps in seven games, Cox finished last season with four sacks.
Oliver, a fifth-round pick out of Oklahoma State, has been sidelined since training camp with a hamstring injury that required surgery. The defensive lineman was a standout in the Big 12, earning three All-Conference shoutouts while tallying 40.5 sacks. He was limited to only a pair of games in 2024 that ultimately contributed to a falling draft stock. Considering his time off the field, Oliver likely won’t be counted on to contribute during the stretch run of the season.
The Packers will now have 21 days to activate any of these three players to the active roster.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/1/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: RB Brittain Brown
- Released: LB Dominique Hampton
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Andrew Armstrong, TE Giovanni Ricci, RB Jabari Small
- Released: CB Tre Flowers, OL Netane Muti
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: RB Royce Freeman
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: K Joshua Karty
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Terrace Marshall
Joshua Karty is already back with the Rams. After getting waived by the team the other day, the kicker has landed back with the Rams practice squad. Harrison Mevis will continue to operate as the team’s kicker for the time being, and the Missouri product continued his perfect season with four XP makes yesterday. The organization apparently isn’t completely ready to hand over the gig to Mevis, however, as Karty will stick around as insurance.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/1/25
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: RB Jermar Jefferson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed to active roster: CB Jalen Davis
- Placed on IR: LB Brian Asamoah
Detroit Lions
- Claimed off waivers (from Dolphins): TE Hayden Rucci
- Designated for return from IR: TE Shane Zylstra
- Placed on reserve/retired list: C Frank Ragnow
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: WR Will Sheppard
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived: WR Austin Trammell
New England Patriots
- Elevated: OL Brenden Jaimes, DT Jeremiah Pharms
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: LB Tomon Fox
- Elevated: LB Swayze Bozeman, WR Dalen Cambre
The Lions continue to work through their tight end depth with Sam LaPorta done for the season. The team’s first move today was claiming Hayden Rucci, who was waived by the Dolphins on Saturday. A former UDFA out of Wisconsin, Rucci spent much of the 2024 and 2025 campaigns in Miami. He got into four games with the organization this season, with the majority of his snaps coming on special teams.
The Lions also welcomed Shane Zylstra back to practice today. The tight end has been out since Week 2, when he suffered an ankle injury while blocking on a punt return. The veteran has gotten into 31 games with the Lions since the 2021 season, hauling in 15 catches for 116 yards and four touchdowns.
Otherwise, the Lions placed center Frank Ragnow back on the reserve/retired list after the veteran failed his physical.
Lions CB Terrion Arnold Done For Season
5:30pm: Arnold will indeed not return this season, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The cornerback is set to undergo shoulder surgery that will end his season prematurely.
5:03pm: Terrion Arnold is in line to miss further time in 2025. The second-year cornerback has been placed on injured reserve by the Lions, per Monday’s transactions wire. 
A shoulder injury has resulted in this move, one which will leave Arnold sidelined for at least four games. The Lions have five contests remaining in their regular season schedule. This news will deal another blow to the team’s secondary, a unit which has dealt with a slew of injuries over the course of the year.
Arnold has been limited to just eight games in 2025. The former first-rounder returned to action in time for Detroit’s Thanksgiving game after recovering from a concussion. Prior to that, Arnold dealt with a shoulder ailment which at one point threatened to cost him the remainder of the season. If he is to play again in 2025, another recovery process will need to be completed.
The Lions recently activated D.J. Reed and Khalil Dorsey from IR, giving them options at the cornerback spot. Shortly thereafter, veteran Arthur Maulet was waived. With Arnold now once again in store for an extended absence, it will be interesting to see if Maulet is brought back or if another move is explored. Detroit (7-5) sits 17th in the league in passing yards allowed per game.
Arnold served as a full-time starter during his rookie season, nothing 10 pass deflections along the way. The Alabama product has logged seven starts in 2025, but his snap share has dropped considerably (65% compared to 91% last year). Arnold has not developed as hoped in coverage, although his absence will still be felt as the Lions continue to deal with injuries in the secondary. The team will look to reach the playoffs with a strong finish to the season, and if that takes place Arnold could be available based on his recovery timeline.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/30/25
A rare Sunday transaction:
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: RB Israel Abanikanda
Abanikanda is set to join his third NFC team this season. Originally drafted by the Jets following a breakout junior year at Pitt, Abanikanda failed to find a role in New York. Working behind Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook in his rookie year, Abanikanda got a few looks near the end of the season but seemingly failed to make much of an impression. The next year saw New York draft Braelon Allen a round earlier than Abanikanda had been taken the year prior, and Abanikanda didn’t see any game action before eventually getting waived in December.
He was claimed by the 49ers, who held onto him until waiving him in July. Green Bay claimed him off waivers after that and placed him on the practice squad after he failed to make the 53-man roster. The Packers cut Abanikanda from their practice squad back in September, and nearly three months later, he’s now headed to Dallas.