Lions To Bring Back CB Arthur Maulet
Two weeks after waiving Arthur Maulet, the Lions are reuniting with the cornerback. Maulet will rejoin the Lions’ active roster, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.
A veteran of several teams, including the Ravens from 2023-24, the well-traveled Maulet first joined the Lions’ practice squad on Oct. 8. They were dealing with injuries to cornerbacks D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, and Khalil Dorsey at the time. Maulet went on to appear in six games after that, tallying 14 tackles and an interception.
With Reed, Arnold, and Dorsey healthy heading into a Week 13 Thanksgiving showdown with Green Bay, the Lions moved on from Maulet. However, the playoff contenders’ secondary has taken a beating since then.
Arnold is done for the season as a result of a shoulder injury that bothered him throughout the year. The Lions suffered an even worse blow when star safety Brian Branch tore his Achilles in a Week 14 win over the Cowboys.
Detroit addressed its safety depth to some degree with the signing of veteran Damontae Kazee to its practice squad on Monday. The team is now making a more aggressive move in committing an active roster spot to the 32-year-old Maulet ahead of a Week 15 meeting with the high-flying Rams, currently the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Maulet will rejoin Reed, Dorsey, Amik Robertson, and Rock Ya-Sin to comprise the 8-5 Lions’ cornerback group as they attempt to rally for a playoff berth.
Buccaneers Place G Ben Bredeson On IR
The Buccaneers’ offensive line has been dealt another blow late in the year. Ben Bredeson will not be able to play again during the regular season. 
The veteran guard was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, per a team announcement. That means Bredeson will be sidelined for at least Tampa Bay’s four remaining games until the playoffs. If the Bucs manage to reach the postseason, getting Bredeson back would be key for an O-line which has dealt with several injuries throughout the year.
A knee injury suffered on Sunday caused Bredeson to exit Tampa Bay’s upset loss against New Orleans. Yesterday, Fox Sports’ Greg Auman noted how the sixth-year blocker was already in line to miss the Buccaneers’ upcoming Thursday night game. He indicated an IR stint was a possibility in this case. As such, today’s move comes as little surprise.
Nevertheless, Bredeson’s absence will be acutely felt. Tampa Bay has already been without starting right guard Cody Mauch since September, and he will not return this season. Graham Barton missed time at the start of the year, and Bredeson replaced him at center until his return. The latter has totaled 11 appearances in 2025, his second straight season as a full-time Buccaneers starter. Bredeson, 27, is under contract through 2027.
In his absence, Auman predicts Tampa Bay will continue with a guard tandem of Michael Jordan and Dan Feeney moving forward. In other words, the 7-6 team will need to rely on a far different setup at that position than it envisioned at the start of the year. The struggling Buccaneers are tied with the Panthers for top spot in the NFC South as things stand, so a playoff berth is far from assured.
In a corresponding move, linebacker Nick Jackson has been signed from Tampa’s practice squad to the active roster. Jackson made a pair of appearances in September, and he will now be in position to contribute on special teams down the stretch.
Buccaneers Bring Back Jason Pierre-Paul
Jason Pierre-Paul is making an NFL comeback. The veteran edge rusher worked out for the Buccaneers on Monday, and things went well on that front. 
Pierre-Paul has a deal in place with Tampa Bay, Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report. Pelissero noted earlier today that a workout had been arranged. Now, the Bucs will seek out a pass-rush boost in the form of a familiar face. This practice squad pact is now official, per a team announcement.
Pierre-Paul’s first stint with the organization spanned four seasons, as the pass rusher collected 33 sacks across 54 games. The veteran also added another 2.5 sacks in six playoff appearances with Tampa Bay, including two sacks en route to the Buccaneers championship in 2020.
Since leaving the franchise after the 2021 campaign, JPP has bounced around the NFL. He started 13 of his 14 appearances for the Ravens in 2022 but finished with only three sacks. He then split the 2023 season between the Saints and Dolphins, when he was limited to only a pair of tackles in three games. The veteran has been pushing for an NFL return since getting cut by Miami two years ago, and he’s finally found that opportunity in Tampa Bay.
Considering the layoff, the Buccaneers shouldn’t expect a whole lot from their newest acquisition. Still, JPP will represent a healthy body on the defensive line as the organization makes a late-season push towards the postseason. The Buccaneers have relied on each of their edge defenders in 2025, with YaYa Diaby, Haason Reddick, Elijah Roberts, Anthony Nelson, and Chris Braswell all garnering at least 200 defensive snaps this season. Reddick is currently nursing an ankle injury, so perhaps Pierre-Paul could be a short-term stopgap for the defense.
When the Buccaneers are fully healthy, JPP may be forced to accept a practice squad role. If he could discover the fountain of youth, he could theoretically provide some pass-rush prowess to a unit that doesn’t have any one standout edge rusher. Diaby currently paces the team with only six sacks.
Ben Levine contributed to this post.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/8/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: S Damontae Kazee (story), DL Pat O’Connor
- Released: WR Andrew Armstrong
New England Patriots
- Signed: G Mehki Butler
- Released: G Bill Murray
New York Giants
- Signed: DL Casey Rogers
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/8/25
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Claimed off waivers (from Bears): LB Carl Jones Jr.
- Suspended: G Ben Cleveland
Houston Texans
- Claimed off waivers (from Jaguars): RB Cody Schrader
- Waived: FB Jakob Johnson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: S Andre’ Sam
San Francisco 49ers
- Claimed off waivers (from Broncos): LB Garret Wallow
- Placed on IR: G Ben Bartch (story)
- Practice window opened: QB Kurtis Rourke
The Ravens announced today that offensive lineman Ben Cleveland was slapped with a three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s Substances of Abuse Policy. While it’s uncertain if it’s related, Cleveland was arrested this past offseason on DUI chargers (per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic). The veteran has appeared in 10 games this season, with the majority of his reps coming on special teams.
The 49ers got some good news today, as seventh-round QB Kurtis Rourke had his practice window opened. The Indiana product continues to recover from offseason surgery on his torn ACL. While the 49ers realistically have 21 days to activate the quarterback to their active roster, Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group says the rookie is still expected to be redshirted for the 2025 campaign.
Justin Herbert Active For MNF; Chargers Make Handful Of Roster Moves
Justin Herbert‘s status for tonight’s game was still in doubt as of this morning. Well, the Chargers quarterback is officially active for Monday Night Football, per the team.
[RELATED: Chargers QB Justin Herbert’s Status Uncertain For Week 14]
NFL Network’s Omar Ruiz reported earlier that Herbert was expected to play tonight. After undergoing surgery to repair a fracture in his non-throwing hand, the quarterback will wear a padded glove for the time being. ESPN’s Kris Rhim notes that Herbert admitted that gripping the football was his biggest issue, and the reporter spotted the QB practicing handoffs and play-action sequences while gripping the ball with his left hand.
The Chargers were afforded a bit of extra time to evaluate Herbert’s progress thanks to their MNF showdown with the Eagles. The quarterback participated in both seven-on-seven drills as well as 11-on-11 work this week, although there were reports that he’s struggled to receive snaps from under center. This limitation will certainly require some watching tonight.
The Chargers made a handful of additional moves in anticipation of tonight’s game. Most notably, the team activated running back Omarion Hampton from injured reserve, a move that was reported last week. The team will also be welcoming back running back Hassan Haskins and defensive lineman Otito Ogbonnia from injured reserve.
Haskins suffered a hamstring injury in Week 7 that landed him on IR. In the two games preceding that injury, Haskins garnered 11 carries as the Chargers navigated a depleted RBs room following the injuries to Hampton and Najee Harris. While Haskins has been sidelined, Kimani Vidal ran with the starting RB job. Now, both backs are expected to serve as reserves behind Hampton. Ogbonnia hasn’t played since October thanks to an elbow injury. The former fifth-round pick has collected a single tackle in his four appearances this season.
The Chargers weren’t done making moves. Wide receiver Dalevon Campbell was elevated from the practice squad for tonight’s contest. To make room on the roster for all these moves, the Chargers placed tight end Tucker Fisk on IR and waived both defensive lineman Naquan Jones and running back Jaret Patterson.
Falcons Claim WR Malik Heath, Waive S Jordan Fuller
Jayden Reed‘s return led to the Packers waiving fellow receiver Malik Heath. The latter will not make it back to Green Bay on the team’s practice squad. 
Heath has been claimed off waivers by the Falcons, the team announced on Monday. The move will give Atlanta needed depth at the receiver spot as Drake London continues to deal with a PCL injury. The Falcons are on a short week as they prepare for a Thursday night game; if London remains sidelined during practice, he will face short odds of being able to play.
Especially with that in mind, today’s Heath acquisition makes plenty of sense. The former UDFA will look to carve out a role with the Falcons down the stretch. Heath has made each of his 37 regular season appearances to date with Green Bay, but that will now change. As part of the Packers’ logjam at the receiver spot, he has yet to log an offensive snap share above 30%. Heath is a pending restricted free agent.
In a corresponding move, veteran safety Jordan Fuller has been waived. The former Ram and Panther has plenty of first-team defensive experience (56 starts in 63 appearances), but he has not been a regular during his time with the Falcons. Fuller has played in six games for Atlanta in 2025, logging only 16 defensive snaps along the way. The 27-year-old will now hit the waiver wire. Fuller will become a free agent if he clears.
After Sunday’s blowout loss, the Falcons sit at 4-9 on the season. A playoff push will certainly not be in store for the final four games of the campaign, but Heath could play his way into a longer look in Atlanta depending on his performances. Fuller, meanwhile, will look to join a contender in time for the postseason.
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.