DL Lawrence Guy Retires
Lawrence Guy‘s NFL career has officially come to an end. The veteran defensive lineman retired on Friday.
Guy finished his tenure on Friday by signing a one-day contract with the Patriots. That comes as no surprise, since 118 of his combined regular and postseason NFL appearances came with New England. The 35-year-old most recently played with the Bengals last season.
“I want to thank the Patriots organization and [owner Robert Kraft], it’s a full circle moment,” Guy said upon officially hanging up his cleats (via MassLive’s Karen Guregian). “I wanted to retire in New England because New England was my home. It’s a blessing that I get to be here to do this.”
A seventh-round pick of the Green Bay in 2011, Guy never wound up playing a regular season game with the team. His first action in the league instead came as a member of the Colts one year later, with his early years also including time spent as a member of the Chargers.
During a span from 2014-16, the Arizona State product took on a prominent role with the Ravens. He appeared in 11 games as part of the defensive line rotation in his first season in Baltimore. He posted 4.5 sacks in 2015 – his first since 2012 – along with eight tackles for loss. In 2016, his counting sacks ticked down to one sack and five tackles for loss, but he was a key cog in the Ravens’ fifth-ranked run defense.
That earned him a starting job with the Patriots for the next seven seasons. He never returned to his 2015 production level, but he started 103 games and played at least 500 snaps every year. After two four-year contracts with the Patriots, Guy was released before the 2024 season and eventually caught on with the Bengals for four games before he was released. Guy retires with $31,249,832 in career earnings, per OverTheCap.
Nikhil Mehta contributed to this post.
Bills To Place S Taylor Rapp On IR
The Bills will have a number of reinforcements available on defense as early as this week. The unit will be without another notable figure for the time being, however. 
Head coach Sean McDermott said on Friday (via Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic) safety Taylor Rapp will be moved to injured reserve. As a a result, he is in line to miss at least the next four games. That period will presumably begin with Week 8 against the Panthers.
Rapp has been dealing with a knee injury since training camp. The 27-year-old has managed to play in each of Buffalo’s six games so far this season, handling a starting role. Instead of continuing to play through the ailment, however, Rapp will now turn his attention to recovery.
After playing out his rookie contract with the Rams, the former second-rounder took a one-year deal with Buffalo. Rapp handled a part-time role that season, doing enough to land a three-year Bills pact in the process. The Washington product started each of his appearances last season and continued that trend through the opening stages of the current campaign. Being without him for an extended period will deal a blow to a Bills secondary which could see cornerback Maxwell Hairston make his regular season debut as early as this week.
While the first-round rookie will be able to aid Buffalo’s pass defense, the team’s play against the run so far has been an issue. The Bills rank 31st in the NFL with an average of 156 yards allowed per game on the ground. Improving in that regard will be key moving forward. The team could have reinforcements along the defensive interior as early as Week 8.
The six-game suspensions issued to defensive linemen this offseason Larry Ogunjobi and Michael Hoecht have come to an end. As such, both veterans are back on the active roster and could suit up on Sunday. At this point, though, it remains to be seen if either of them will make their debuts in Week 8.
“Let’s get them integrated and get them rolling here,” McDermott said when asked about Ogunjobi and Hoecht returning (via ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg). “There’s certainly a conditioning piece. There is a physical piece to it as well, and then there’s a schematic piece to it also.”
Having at least one of Ogunjobi or Hoecht in place would be welcomed news on a Bills defense dealing with a number of short-term injuries at the moment. In any case, that unit will be without Rapp for the time being. It will be interesting to see how much time he misses and whether the issue can be fully resolved through a notable period on the sidelines.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/23/25
Here are the latest practice squad moves from around the NFL:
New York Giants
- Released: DB LaMareon James
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: OLB Trevis Gipson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Lance McCutcheon
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/23/25
Here are the latest minor transactions from around the NFL, including the Chargers practice squad elevations for Thursday Night Football.
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: RB Nyheim Hines, RB Jaret Patterson
New York Jets
- Waived: OT Esa Pole
Philadelphia Eagles
- Practice window opened: WR Darius Cooper
Ravens Sign OLB Carl Lawson
The Ravens signed veteran edge rusher Carl Lawson on Thursday, per FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
The seven-year veteran will join Baltimore’s practice squad after a workout earlier this week, according to KPRC2’S Aaron Wilson. A shortage of outside linebacker depth could press Lawson into action right away, though he will have to get up to speed quickly after not signing with any team this offseason.
The Ravens currently have three healthy edge rushers on their active roster after trading Odafe Oweh to the Chargers and losing Tavius Robinson to a broken foot in Week 6. Robinson was placed on injured reserve and is not expected back until late November at the earliest. 2024 third-rounder Adisa Isaac started the year on IR and could return sooner than Robinson, but he barely played as a rookie and is still somewhat of an unknown quantity.
Lawson brings plenty of experience with 89 appearances and 34 starts in his career. The 2017 fourth-round pick logged 20.0 sacks for the Bengals in his first four seasons before signing a three-year deal with the Jets in 2021. A torn Achilles ended his season in training camp, but he came back strong in 2022, starting all 17 games with seven sacks and nine tackles for loss. Injuries hampered Lawson in 2023, but he rebounded again in 2024 with five sacks in a rotational role for the Cowboys.
The Ravens also waived tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden on Thursday, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, signaling that veteran fullback Patrick Ricard will be making his season debut on Sunday. Ricard missed the first six games with a nagging calf injury with Mitchell-Paden filling his role in the offense, but his absence has had a noticeable impact on the Ravens’ run game.
Vikings Activate RB Aaron Jones From IR
The Vikings are now halfway through their injury activations for the regular season. The fourth is being used on a quick activation. Aaron Jones is back on Minnesota’s active roster two days after being designated for return.
This certainly reveals the team’s confidence in its highest-paid running back, who will come off IR in time for tonight’s Vikings-Chargers matchup. The Vikings waived linebacker Kobe King to clear roster space. They are also making guard Henry Byrd a gameday elevation.
Minnesota used two of its injury activations this summer, taking advantage of the NFL’s 2024 rule change that allows for up to two IR-return slots to be used to preserve roster spots on cutdown day. Those went to fullback C.J. Ham and linebacker Tyler Batty. The team also activated linebacker Blake Cashman off IR. Jones, though, profiles as the most significant of Minnesota’s early-season IR-return moves.
Thursday’s move marks the second time Jones, who is coming off a hamstring injury sustained in Week 2, has been activated from IR. The Packers did so in 2023 and proceeded to watch him finish the season with five straight 100-yard rushing efforts. Jones is now 30, and trade pickup Jordan Mason has been the Vikings’ lead back this season. It will be interesting to see how Minnesota reintegrates Jones, who delivered a strong season in his Twin Cities debut.
On a one-year, $7MM deal in 2024, Jones posted a career-high 1,138 rushing yards and scored five touchdowns on the ground. The Vikings gave him a two-year, $20MM contract to re-sign, though they traded for Mason days later. Mason has played well in Jones’ absence, totaling 380 yards (4.5 per tote) and four rushing TDs. The duo will work in tandem again beginning tonight in Los Angeles, which will feature another Carson Wentz start. The team has still deemed J.J. McCarthy unready to return from a Week 2 high ankle sprain.
Only a one-time Pro Bowler despite having four 1,000-yard seasons on his resume and remaining a productive starting back into his early 30s, Jones has a chance to reestablish the momentum he did in Year 1 with Kevin O’Connell. A strong second half would give the ninth-year veteran a chance to stick in Minnesota for a third year.
The Vikings will see $2MM of Jones’ $9MM 2026 base salary become guaranteed on Day 3 of the ’26 league year. Jones may not be able to afford another injury absence, as that $9MM number — coupled with Mason’s more affordable deal and far lower mileage — makes the vet a cut candidate. For now, Jones will attempt to play a key role in the Vikings booking their third O’Connell-era playoff berth.
Titans Place CB L’Jarius Sneed On IR
L’Jarius Sneed has managed to play in each of the Titans’ first seven games this season. The veteran corner’s run of availability to begin the 2025 campaign has come to an end, however. 
Sneed has been placed on injured reserve, per a team announcement. The move ensures he will miss at least the next four games. Tennessee’s secondary will be shorthanded as a result.
After playing just five games in 2024, Sneed’s Titans future was a talking point ahead of the current campaign. The former Chief has operated as a full-time starter this year, though, posting three pass deflections. Sneed has surrendered three touchdowns in coverage, a continuation of his poor showing in that regard from his time on the field last season.
In spite of those numbers, Sneed was in position to continue operating as a key figure in Tennessee’s secondary. The team will instead move forward without him in the picture for the time being. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is dealing with a hamstring injury at the moment. As such, the Titans will be notably shorthanded on defense as interim head coach Mike McCoy prepares for his second game at the helm.
Sneed received the franchise tag from Kansas City last offseason before ultimately being traded to Tennessee. Upon arrival, the 28-year-old signed a $19.8MM-per-year pact. Sneed is under contract through 2027, with $7.5MM in next year’s salary shifting to a full guarantee on March 18. Depending on the severity of this injury, Sneed could find himself being let go before that date given his missed time on his second career team.
In a corresponding move, the Titans have signed linebacker Joe Bachie from the practice squad to the active roster. Bachie has made five appearances so far this season, each of them coming with the Colts. The 27-year-old was recently moved to IR and then released, though, leaving him free to sign with a new team. Shortly after doing so, Bachie will now have the opportunity to make his Tennessee debut.
Dolphins Restructure Jordyn Brooks’ Deal
In advance of the trade deadline, the Dolphins have freed up some 2025 cap space. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks‘ deal has been restructured, per ESPN’s Field Yates. 
This is a simple restructure, with part of Brooks’ $7.82MM base salary for the season being converted into a signing bonus. The move has created $3MM in cap space. Miami entered Thursday near the bottom of the league with $4.9MM in available funds.
As the trade deadline approaches, teams expecting to operate as buyers are generally the ones which carve out immediate cap space to absorb incoming contracts. Sitting at 1-6 on the year, though, the Dolphins are certainly not seen as a candidate to make a notable addition over the coming days. On the contrary, Miami is viewed as a seller and several notable players have drawn interest.
Brooks is not among them, and today’s move if obviously a sign he will remain in the fold moving forward. The former first-rounder easily topped 100 tackles during his final three seasons with the Seahawks before signing with Miami during his first trip to free agency in 2024. Brooks took a three-year pact averaging $8.75MM per season upon joining the Dolphins.
The 28-year-old totaled 143 tackles and three sacks during his debut Miami campaign. He has continued to operate as a full-time starter this season, and that will no doubt remain the case moving forward. Brooks is under contract through 2026. He is in line to stay in place with the Dolphins at a time when other members of the team’s defense could be on the move shortly. It will also be interesting to see how the team proceeds over the coming days with additional cap room.
Brandon Graham Re-Signs With Eagles
OCTOBER 23: Graham’s one-year pact carries a prorated value of just under $4.9MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. He will receive a total of $2.44MM over the remainder of the season; that figure includes a $1.68MM signing bonus.
OCTOBER 20: After a day of speculation, Brandon Graham is indeed returning to Philly. The veteran defensive end will be re-signing with the Eagles, reports Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter has confirmed the news. CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr reported earlier this evening that Graham was expected to make his announcement tomorrow morning. Graham has since hinted at the impending transaction via X.
A potential Eagles reunion has seemingly been in the cards since the defender announced his retirement this past offseason. After Graham left the door open to a potential return, there appeared to be growing momentum towards a move yesterday, when we learned that the player had discussed a potential deal with the organization. As Florio notes, the main hurdle to overcome was “an acceptable contract,” which the two sides apparently figured out in short order.
While the 2025 campaign will represent Graham’s age-37 season, this reunion is more than needed for the Eagles. The team has only generated 11 sacks this season, and the recent retirement of Za’Darius Smith has only further depleted their pass-rush corps. Besides filling in the leadership gap that Smith left behind, Graham should also help pick up some of the production. James Palmer of The Athletic passes along that the Eagles believe the veteran was the best pass rusher on their squad in 2024.
Of course, expectations have to be somewhat tempered following a 2024 campaign when Graham was getting into less than half of his team’s defensive snaps before he suffered a season-ending triceps injury (he returned in time for the Super Bowl, when he re-tore his triceps). Graham returned for the Super Bowl after a nonsurgical rehab route; as retirement commenced, he underwent surgery following the second tear. Considering that injury and his lack of a training camp/preseason, it seems unlikely that Graham will be able to contribute right away.
However, when Graham is ready to play, the Eagles will surely be plenty reliant on the familiar face. Graham will re-join an EDGE group that consists of Josh Uche, Jalyx Hunt, and (eventually) Nolan Smith, who is currently on IR while dealing with a triceps injury. Besides losing Smith to retirement, the Eagles also lost Ogbo Okoronkwo to a season-ending triceps injury. While that grouping should be enough to get by, Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com believes the Eagles aren’t done adding to the position as they look to make another run to a Super Bowl.
Graham hasn’t been a full-time player since the 2020 season, although that didn’t stop him from compiling 11 sacks during the 2022 campaign. He collected a combined 6.5 sacks between 2023 and 2024, and he appeared in pair of playoff games during that same span. Set to play in his 16th NFL season, Graham — already the longest-tenured player in Eagles history, with this in-season signing set to widen the gap between the popular edge rusher and the field in franchise annals — will now have an opportunity to add to his franchise records (including games player and TFLs).
Jets Designate LB Quincy Williams For Return From IR
The Jets are hoping to see the return of an All-Pro on defense soon after designating linebacker Quincy Williams for his return from injured reserve. Williams has been out since New York’s Week 3 loss to the Buccaneers, and will now face a 21-day practice window, during which he can return to the active roster at any time. If he fails to be activated, though, he will revert to season-ending IR. 
That likely is not a possibility, or at least, not an expected one. When the 29-year-old suffered a shoulder injury, the Jets realized that he would likely be out for a good stretch of time, but they did not consider him to be in danger of missing the remainder of the season. New York has been quiet on Williams’ progress coming back from injury so far, but his return to practice this week should provide some insight. He was a full participant today, and if that continues throughout the week, the team may not hesitate to get him back in the game.
The Jets typically run with two linebackers on defense, though a third starter is designated for formations that don’t require an extra defensive back. During Williams’ All-Pro year in 2023, he played next to C.J. Mosley, while Jamien Sherwood served as the occasional third starter. Last year looked to be a similar lineup, until Mosley saw toe and neck injuries limit him to only four games. With Mosley out, Sherwood stepped up next to Williams, and former college quarterback Chazz Surratt played the third-man role.
This season, following Mosley’s retirement and Surratt’s departure in free agency, it looked to be Williams and Sherwood reprising their roles with third-year linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball as the occasional third. McCrary-Ball had almost exclusively been a special teamer in his first two seasons, only appearing on the field for three defensive snaps before this year, and he had already set new career highs through three weeks of play when it was announced that he would be joining Williams on IR with a hamstring injury.
With both Williams and McCrary-Ball out, New York has turned to Miami (FL) fifth-round rookie Kiko Mauigoa. The 22-year-old has gone from appearing in a couple snaps here or there in the first two weeks to playing nearly full game snap shares alongside Sherwood. Over the last two weeks, former practice squad linebacker Mykal Walker has stepped into the third role of this thin linebacking corps.
If Williams is able to come back soon, Mauigoa will likely shift into the third-man role, at least until McCrary-Ball can also return from IR and compete for the job. Once he’s back in the starting lineup, Williams will work to get back up to the level of play he’s displayed over the past two years for the Green & White.