Texans Activate TE Cade Stover, FB Jakob Johnson Off IR
The Texans offense is getting some reinforcement at the tight end position this weekend. After suffering a broken foot in Houston’s season opener, second-year tight end Cade Stover has been activated off of injured reserve, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Full back Jakob Johnson will join Stover as an activation from IR today, according to an announcement from the team. 
Tight end has been a position of attrition for the Texans this year. It looked like Houston was set to come in with a fairly strong, diverse group in 2025. Dalton Schultz and Brevin Jordan are strong receiving options, while Stover gets a lot of run as a blocking tight end, though he has decent hands, as well. Unfortunately, Jordan, coming off an early-season ACL tear from the prior year, was placed on IR before the end of training camp, unable to be activated at any point this year.
Luckily, behind their trio, Houston also rostered Harrison Bryant, whom they had acquired in the trade that send John Metchie to the Eagles. Bryant started the year on the Texans’ practice squad but was signed to the 53-man roster upon Stover’s placement on IR. Both Schultz and Bryant have taken their lumps recently. Schultz is set to play through a reported shoulder injury and illness this week, while Bryant has been ruled out with neck and shoulder injuries. Bryant has now been placed on IR due to those injuries, making Stover’s return to the lineup that much timelier.
In order to make room for both Stover and Johnson on the 53-man roster, cornerback Damon Arnette was waived. He only spent a week on the active roster and will likely return to the practice squad. The Texans also announced that rookie cornerback Ajani Carter and veteran safety Jalen Mills will serve as the team’s standard gameday practice squad elevations for tomorrow.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/15/25
Today’s only practice squad update:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: G Jaxson Kirkland
Kirkland had been brought up twice as a standard gameday practice squad elevation but hadn’t seen any playing time this year. Now, he’ll be placed on the injured list to allow the team to sign a new practice squad player in his slot, if they so choose.
Cardinals Activate EDGE BJ Ojulari From PUP, Place LB Mack Wilson On IR
The Cardinals activated edge rusher BJ Ojulari from the reserve/physically unable to perform list and placed linebacker Mack Wilson on injured reserve, per team reporter Darren Urban.
Ojulari, a 2023 second-round pick, is coming off a major knee injury suffered during training camp last year. He tore his ACL, LCL, and lateral meniscus; during rehab, he also dealt with a subluxation of his kneecap that required another procedure in June, according to ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss.
The 23-year-old started the 2025 season on the PUP list and was designated to return on October 28. He has only been a limited participant in practice, which might not be enough to take the field for Sunday’s matchup with the 49ers. Even if Ojulari does play, he would likely have a limited workload. That still could be a boost to a Cardinals pass rush that ranks among the bottom 10 defenses in sacks and quarterback hits, especially with Baron Browning sidelined this week by a concussion.
Ojulari appeared in every game as a rookie with a 37% snap share and recorded 40 tackles, five tackles for loss, and four sacks. His 8.1 pass rush productivity and 13.4% pass rush win rate ranked fourth among rookie edge rushers (min. 100 snaps), per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Though the Cardinals defense is adding Ojulari, they will be losing a key player in Wilson. He signed with the team in 2024 on a three-year, $12.75MM deal and immediately took over as a starting linebacker. He put together a solid stat line during his debut season in Arizona – 75 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, and five passes defended – but was on pace to crush those numbers this year. Though he has yet to record a sack, he racked up 60 tackles, three tackles for loss, and six passes defended through the first eight games of the season.
Instead of putting up his best production since his rookie year in 2019, Wilson will be on the shelf for at least four games. He suffered a rib injury against the Cowboys and missed last week’s game against the Seahawks. His earliest return would come in Week 15 against the Texans. Until then, fourth-round rookie Cody Simon will start alongside six-year veteran Akeem Davis-Gaither in the middle of the Cardinals defense.
The Cardinals made a few other roster moves to prepare for Sunday’s game, including the promotion of linebacker Jared Bartlett from the practice squad to the active roster. The undrafted rookie was elevated last week for special teams duties and linebacker depth with Wilson sidelined; he should take up the same role against the 49ers.
Cornerback Darren Hall and tight end Pharaoh Brown were elevated from the practice squad. Hall will contribute on special teams and potentially in the secondary with cornerback Will Johnson and safety Dadrion Tayler-Demerson ruled out. Brown, a 31-year-old journeyman, will make his 2025 debut playing for his sixth NFL team, primarily as a run blocker with some run on special teams, too.
Patriots DT Milton Williams Placed On IR
The Patriots have placed starting defensive tackle Milton Williams on injured reserve, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The veteran in his first season away from Philadelphia suffered a high ankle sprain in Thursday night’s game, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, and will be out for at least four games. To fill Williams’ spot on the 53-man roster, New England has signed practice squad outside linebacker Bradyn Swinson to an active roster contract. 
After four strong years in Philadelphia, where the former third-round pick started 19 of 67 game appearances, Williams is in his first season with the Patriots and his first season as a full-time starter. He’s anchored a deep interior line alongside, most often, Christian Barmore and Khyiris Tonga. Joshua Farmer and Cory Durden have provided depth across the line this year, and they’ll be challenged even more during Williams’ absence.
When Williams left the game Thursday night, New England’s run defense appeared to take a hit, allowing 5.0 yards per carry over the course of the contest. Barmore, also working as a full-time starter for the first time in his fifth season with the Patriots, is likely to take on the biggest role in Williams’ absence. Tonga will likely be the other consistent starter next to Barmore, while Farmer and Durden could compete for the opportunity to see more time with the first-team defense.
Farmer, the fourth-round rookie out of Florida State, has one start under his belt this year, but Durden has been a pleasant surprise off the bench. Also a Florida State signee at one point, Durden went undrafted in 2023 after transferring to NC State and becoming a standout defender for the Wolfpack. He’s seen short stretches of playing time in four games as a rookie with the Rams and four games last year with the Giants. He’s made the most of his opportunities in New England so far this year, opportunities that have been increasing throughout the year.
Swinson was a fifth-round pick for the Patriots out of LSU after finishing his final season with 8.5 sacks and 13.0 tackles for loss. He failed to make the team’s initial 53-man roster and was signed to the practice squad. Coming up to the active roster in Williams’ place, Swinson may get a chance to make his NFL debut next weekend in Cincinnati.
There is still plenty of time left in the season for Williams to sit out his four weeks and return from IR in time to close out the regular season in preparation for a playoff run. With New England sitting atop the division at 9-2 and games against the Bengals, Giants, Jets, and Dolphins remaining on the schedule, a postseason berth is likely. Even the team’s tougher remaining opponents — the Bills and Ravens — will be seeing the Patriots immediately following their Week 14 bye. Williams will be eligible to return in Week 17.
Lions Place TE Sam LaPorta On IR
The injuries continue to pile up in Detroit. The newest one sees tight end Sam LaPorta being placed on injured reserve. He failed to practice at all this week due to a back injury, and he’ll now be sidelined for at least four games.
LaPorta picked up the injury in the Lions’ Week 10 victory over the Commanders, interrupting another solid season from the third-year tight end. He is on pace for career-highs in yards per game (54.3), catch rate (81.6%), and yards per target (10.0), all of which rank among the league’s top 10 tight ends. LaPorta’s 2.00 yards per route run are a career-high and the second-most of any tight end this season, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He has yet to record a drop this year and is seven-for-seven on contested catches. If that isn’t enough, LaPorta’s PFF blocking grades are the best of his career, too.
All of that adds up to a major loss for the Lions offense. Brock Wright, the team’s No. 2 tight end, is a known quantity as a blocker but does not offer much as a receiver. Third-stringer Ross Dwelley will be asked to step into Wright’s role, and the Lions will likely need to elevate or promote Anthony Firkser or Zach Horton from the practice squad. Head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator John Morton may also use more ‘jumbo’ packages with Dan Skipper as an extra offensive lineman.
LaPorta’s IR stint will force him to miss the Lions’ next four games, at least. That stretch includes a trip to Philadelphia this week that could factor into NFC playoff tiebreakers and a matchup with the Packers that could have a major impact on the NFC North. He will be eligible to return in Week 15 against the Rams, another game that could impact postseason seeding.
Detroit also made a number of minor roster moves to prepare for Sunday’s contest with the Eagles. Offensive lineman Michael Niese was signed to the active roster from the practice squad. He entered last week’s game at center amid multiple injuries to the Lions’ offensive line and will be on hand once again in Week 11. Wide receivers Tom Kennedy and Jackson Meeks were elevated from the practice squad. Both will contribute on special teams and could rotate in on offense as well.
Defensive lineman Pat O’Connor was also released with an injury settlement after being placed on IR on Friday.
Nikhil Mehta contributed to this article.
Bengals To Place DE Shemar Stewart On IR
The Bengals are placing rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart on IR with a knee injury, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports. Stewart will miss a minimum of four games. He’ll be eligible to return in Week 15.
Stewart, whom the Bengals chose 17th overall out of Texas A&M, made headlines after the draft during a lengthy contract dispute. After a protracted battle over default language in his contract, the 22-year-old finally inked his first NFL deal on July 26. The agreement came after the Bengals agreed to adjust his signing bonus payment schedule.
Stewart, who didn’t practice with the Bengals at all before signing, has gotten off to a slow start in the pros. A polarizing prospect who totaled just 4.5 sacks in 37 college games, Stewart hasn’t recorded any in his first five contests (four starts) with the Bengals. He previously missed four games as a result of a Week 2 ankle injury.
When healthy enough to play, Stewart has amassed 177 defensive snaps and picked up six tackles, including a personal-best three in a loss to the Bears in Week 9. With the Bengals on a bye last week, the Chicago game will go down as Stewart’s last for a while.
Trying to keep their faint playoff hopes alive, the 3-6 Bengals are heading into a huge matchup with the AFC North-leading Steelers (5-4) on Sunday. The Bengals’ last-ranked defense will have to make do without Stewart and superstar pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who will miss his third straight game with a hip/pelvis injury. Joseph Ossai, Myles Murphy, and Cameron Sample will serve as the Bengals’ top options at defensive end.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/14/25
Here are Friday’s practice squad transactions:
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Ambry Thomas
- Released: DE Titus Leo
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: RB Trey Sermon
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Tyler Hall
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: WR Tyrone Broden
A day after releasing Thomas to make room for Leo on the taxi squad, the Eagles have made the opposite transactions, bringing back Thomas while letting go of Leo. Sermon was waived to make room for sixth-round rookie quarterback Will Howard to come off of injured reserve, but he’ll stick around on the Steelers’ practice squad.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/14/25
Today minor transactions as we head into the 11th weekend of the regular season:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed from practice squad: DT Kentavius Street
- Placed on IR: DT Sam Roberts
Detroit Lions
- Placed on IR: DT Pat O’Connor
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed from practice squad: RB Owen Wright
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on IR: WR Bryce Oliver
The Buccaneers will see undrafted rookie running back Josh Williams miss the next six weeks after he was suspended without pay for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy, so Wright makes his way up to the active roster to reinforce Tampa Bay’s depth at the position.
Oliver has been out since suffering a knee injury in the Titans’ second game of the season. He was able to start practicing again by Week 6 but was still consistently ruled out for each game. He finally earned a “questionable” injury status in the final game before Tennessee’s bye week after three-straight limited-participation practices, and he held that status throughout limited practices this week. Ultimately, he was ruled out for the weekend, and his placement on injured reserve indicates that a setback may have occurred as he’s now guaranteed to miss at least four more games.
Cowboys Activate LB DeMarvion Overshown, CB Shavon Revel
NOVEMBER 14: Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones confirmed on 105.3 The Fan (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota) that Revel would make his NFL debut on Monday, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Overshown is expected to be on a pitch count, per Machota, though the 25-year-old linebacker said that he wanted to be on the field when “a play needs to be made.”
NOVEMBER 11: The Cowboys’ defense has been one of the NFL’s worst units this year, to the point the team made two deadline-day deals — for Logan Wilson and Quinnen Williams — to help stabilize it. When those two players debut with Dallas, the team will have more reinforcements en route.
DeMarvion Overshown and Shavon Revel are moving onto the 53-man roster Tuesday, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. The Cowboys will activate the third-year linebacker from the reserve/PUP list and the rookie third-round cornerback from the reserve/NFI list.
Each player’s 21-day activation clock would have expired today, a season-ending development, had the Cowboys not followed through with the expected activations. Both are expected to debut against the Raiders in Week 11, per WFAA’s Ed Werder. The team also placed safety Juanyeh Thomas on the reserve/non-football illness list, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson adds.
Overshown is coming back from a severe knee injury sustained in December 2024. The 2023 draftee has suffered two ACL tears since entering the NFL. Revel has been on the shelf since September 2024 after sustaining an ACL tear during his final East Carolina season. Next to nothing has gone right for the Cowboys’ defense this season, but the unit having four starter-level cogs returning at once does stand to provide a boost — as the club attempts to mount a last-ditch wild-card push.
While the topic of a 3-5-1 team being a deadline buyer has generated considerable debate, the Cowboys made that move by piecing together a surprising trade package — a 2027 first-rounder (the higher of Dallas’ two firsts), a 2026 second and defensive tackle Mazi Smith — to obtain Williams. As Williams will take his place as a D-line starter, Overshown has a path back to a first-string role at linebacker. He and Wilson will be tasked with helping that unit, which has been a low-priority position in Dallas for a while.
Week 11 has loomed as Overshown’s return point for a bit; he went down in Week 14 last season. In addition to suffering his second ACL tear as a pro, Overshown sustained MCL and PCL tears to lengthen his recovery timetable. A 2023 third-round pick, Overshown played well in a 13-game sample last season. He registered 90 tackles (eight for loss) and came through with an impressive five sacks despite manning an off-ball LB role in Mike Zimmer‘s defense. Overshown has now had three weeks to practice in Matt Eberflus‘ defense.
Pro Football Focus ranks both Kenneth Murray and Shemar James as bottom-10 linebackers (among qualified options) this season. The Cowboys have Jack Sanborn on IR as well. Wilson and Overshown should see immediate playing time, though it would not surprise if the latter is brought along slowly. Still, this represents a key stretch for Overshown, who will need to show sustained health if a lucrative second contract — from the Cowboys or another team — is considered. He has missed 30 games through 2 1/2 seasons.
Revel’s debut was expected to commence earlier than Week 11. A return within the Cowboys’ first five games was viewed as likely, with an earlier report pegging September as in play. It would then stand to reason for Revel to be brought along slowly as well. Though, it will be interesting to see how cautious the Cowboys will be with both recovering talents, as they are in danger of falling out of playoff contention — largely because of the defense’s struggles.
Viewed as a first-round talent before his injury, Revel still declared for the draft after his lost final college season. His return comes at an opportune time, as Trevon Diggs is on IR with a concussion. Diggs and DaRon Bland have struggled to stay healthy, and the Cowboys have fared poorly in coverage this season. Revel’s usage will be interesting to follow. While Diggs is more likely than not to be cut in 2026, Bland and Revel profile as a potential long-term tandem.
Jets Place WR Garrett Wilson On IR
NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Aaron Glenn said on Friday (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini) he thinks Wilson will be able to return late in the season. A final call on that front has yet to be made, and it will no doubt be influenced by the team’s place in the standings come December. The progress of Wilson’s recovery will be key in determining whether or not he suits up again in 2025.
NOVEMBER 13: The Jets are placing star wide receiver Garrett Wilson on injured reserve, per a team announcement.
Wilson was diagnosed with a knee sprain after exiting Sunday’s victory over the Browns with a projected return timeline of three to four weeks. The Jets have elected to free up a roster spot by placing him on injured reserve, which will sideline him for the team’s next four games.
That will deprive Justin Fields of his best wideout for another handful of games. Unsurprisingly, the fifth-year quarterback has been significantly better when Wilson has been on the field. The Jets have gotten precious little out of their other pass-catchers this year; rookie tight end Mason Taylor leads the pack at 27.3 receiving yards per game, and none of his healthy teammate are over 25.0 YPG.
Wilson already missed a few weeks with an injury to the same knee, which has multiple implications.
First, it shows that the Jets cannot necessarily rely on one of their other receivers to step up. They had the opportunity during Wilson’s first absence and could not deliver.
Second, it may encourage the team to take a more cautious approach with Wilson’s return. He could come back in Week 14 at the earliest with four games remaining in the season. The Jets are already all-but-mathematically eliminated from the playoffs right now, and by the time Wilson is eligible to play, they will likely be mathematically eliminated, too. They may want to keep Wilson on the shelf for the rest of the season to ensure he does not suffer another, more severe injury that could impact 2026.