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Minor NFL Transactions: 1/4/25

January 4th, 2025 at 9:47pm CST by Ely Allen

The last minor moves and standard gameday elevations of the 2024 NFL regular season:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Ross’ new deal to the Texans’ 53-man roster is good through the 2025 season, as well. Ditto for Jones, signed to the active roster in New England today.

Sanders returned to practice this week, and his activation will allow him to close out his second Panthers season on the field rather than on the mend. His Carolina tenure has fallen well short of expectations and a release in the near future could be in the cards. Given the team’s backfield injuries, though, Sanders could handle a notable workload tomorrow while potentially auditioning for free agent suitors.

Gilman’s return will be welcomed by the Chargers’ defense. The 27-year-old has remained a full-time starter this season, his second straight handling first-team duties. Los Angeles is assured of a wild-card spot, but moving up to the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoff picture could be possible on Sunday. In any case, Gilman’s presence will be key for a Bolts defense which leads the league in points allowed per game (17.6).

Gardner’s campaign will come to an end after 15 games played. He fell short of a Pro Bowl nod for this first time in his young career, but the fourth pick of the 2022 draft remained a critical member of the team’s secondary when healthy. Gardner is eligible for an extension this offseason, and his financial future (which will include a fifth-year option decision in the spring) will be a key point of focus once New York’s head coach/general manager tandem is in place.

Minor NFL Transactions: 1/2/25

January 2nd, 2025 at 7:25pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Cincinnati Bengals

Detroit Lions

New England Patriots

  • Waived: DT Haggai Ndubuisi

Seattle Seahawks

The Patriots signed Haggai Ndubuisi off the Commanders practice squad just yesterday, but the team is already waiving the defensive tackle. As ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes, Ndubuisi is being waived with a non-football illness designation, an indication that something popped up during the player’s physical.

Brady Russell landed on IR today after the tight end dealt with a foot injury for much of the season. The special teamer got into 11 games with the Seahawks in 2024. In his place, the team signed John Rhys Plumlee from the practice squad. The rookie was listed by the Seahawks as a WR, but the former UCF QB served as an occasional signal-caller on Seattle’s scout team.

Mike Hilton Wants To Re-Sign With Bengals

January 2nd, 2025 at 10:34am CST by Adam La Rose

For the past four seasons, Mike Hilton has been a regular presence in the Bengals’ secondary. The pending free agent is looking to continue his career, but it remains to be seen if that will happen in Cincinnati.

“I’ve been here for a long time and really watched this place change a lot,” Hilton said (via Sports Illustrated’s Jay Morrison). “Obviously I would love to finish my career here. But the nature of the business is you never know. When that time comes, we’ll figure it out.”

The former UDFA spent four seasons in Pittsburgh, including the 2020 campaign in which he played on a restricted free agent tender. Hilton hoped to sign a long-term pact, but securing one required an intra-divisional move. The Bengals inked him to a four-year, $24MM deal and he has gone on to provide sold value since then.

Hilton will be playing his age-31 season in 2025, though, and the Bengals could look to younger options as potential replacements. The team has recent draftees Dax Hill, Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner in place as perimeter corners (although Taylor-Britt is a pending free agent), but Hilton has been a mainstay in the slot throughout his time in Cincinnati. As Morrison notes, that has included a lighter workload on third downs in particular this season, a potential signal the team could go in a different direction this offseason.

A veteran of 122 games and 55 starts, Hilton has remained consistent during his Bengals run. The Ole Miss product has recorded one or two interceptions in each of his past four seasons, adding between four and eight pass deflections each year along the way. Hilton’s coverage statistics and evaluation from PFF has also remained steady for the most part, although 2024 (a season in which the Bengals have collectively struggled on defense) has seen a regression.

Cincinnati is currently projected to be near the top of the league in cap space for the offseason, but the team has a number of pending financial priorities. A monster extension for Ja’Marr Chase and (if possible) a long-term deal for fellow receiver Tee Higgins are among them, but the Bengals will also need to make a decision on retaining Hilton or allowing him to depart. It will be interesting to see if the team reciprocates his desire for a new agreement. In any case, though, Hilton is not considering retirement at this point.

“I’ve still got two or three [years] in me,” he added. “That’s my honest opinion. I feel like there’s really not anybody who can do what I do. And I feel like that brings a lot of value to some teams.”

Bengals Place DT Sheldon Rankins On NFI List

December 30th, 2024 at 8:42pm CST by Ely Allen

The Bengals are going to attempt to make the playoffs next Saturday with a win over the Steelers and some help from a couple other teams. Much like they have throughout the closing stretch of the season, though, they’ll be doing it all without veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins. Rankins has been placed on the reserve/non-football illness list today, according to Ian Rapoport, ending his season, barring a Super Bowl appearance by Cincinnati.

Rankins battled through a hamstring injury that cost him three games early in the season, coming back to make five straight starts midseason. Ever since Week 10, though, Rankins has been ruled out with an illness designation on the injury reports. Since last appearing in a game on November 7, Rankins hasn’t even been a practice participant due to this illness.

After missing that much time, many have questioned why he’s just now being placed on an injured list. Per Jay Morrison of Sports Illustrated, “no one expected it to last this long.” Rankins has been “self-reporting symptoms” of an illness that has kept him out for nearly two months, and the Bengals’ hands have been tied in regard to his ability to play.

Rankins came to Cincinnati on a two-year, $24.5MM deal coming off a strong year in Houston. After spending the first five years of his career in New Orleans, Rankins had two productive years with the Jets before signing a one-year contract with the Texans. He’s had injury issues in the past but has appeared in double-digit games in every year since only playing nine his rookie season. He only played seven games for the Bengals this year.

Morrison also insinuates that with today’s designation comes the assumption that Rankins will not be returning to Cincinnati next season. Morrison claims that Rankins will “be playing for his fourth team in four years in 2025” and that the Bengals will end up saving $7.5MM by cutting him. His claim references the $2MM of dead money and $9.5MM of cap savings tied to Rankins’ contract should he be cut after only one year.

As an insider with Cincinnati, Morrison’s reporting delivers the sentiment that there is lots of frustration with Rankins in the building. There seems to be a feeling that Rankins has forced the team’s hand, and his actions will cost him a roster spot next season.

Jets Claim Phidarian Mathis; Three Other Teams Attempted To Add DT

December 30th, 2024 at 5:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

Washington broke up its Alabama trio at defensive tackle over the weekend, activating Jonathan Allen from IR and cutting Phidarian Mathis. This decision generated interest around the league.

Mathis did not make it far down the waiver wire, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reporting the young D-lineman is heading to the Jets. They are far from the only team to make a play for the former second-round pick, who has another season remaining on his rookie contract.

The Bengals, Lions and Texans also stepped in with waiver claims for Mathis, Rapoport adds. Sitting at 4-12, the Jets held the top waiver spot here and will almost certainly take the 2025 offseason to further assess Mathis, who came off the board early during the 2022 draft. He just has yet to justify that Commanders investment.

Despite this Washington regime change leading many Ron Rivera investments off the roster this offseason, Mathis played a career-high 34% of the playoff-bound team’s defensive snaps this year. He played in 12 Washington games but did not make much of a statistical impact, totaling only 17 tackles (two for loss). Mathis deflected a pass as well. He has yet to start an NFL game. Pro Football Focus has Mathis graded as the worst D-tackle regular (123rd overall) this season.

When Washington drafted Mathis 47th overall, questions about Daron Payne‘s long-term future loomed. Payne was set to play out his fifth-year option season; that year going well for the 2018 first-rounder led to a 2023 franchise tag and subsequent extension. With Allen signed long term and no strong consideration being given to trading the 2017 first-round pick, the Commanders’ youngest Alabama-produced DT lingered as a rotational player. Mathis also missed 16 games as a rookie due to suffering a season-ending injury in Week 1.

It is interesting the Jets have made this claim, seeing as they are without a GM and likely in the final days with interim HC Jeff Ulbrich. Mathis is set to carry a $1.8MM 2025 base salary. That price looks to have been fine for a few other teams to submit claims, but the next Jets regime will take a look at the 26-year-old defender.

Updated 2025 NFL Draft Order

December 30th, 2024 at 10:39am CST by Adam La Rose

Plenty of changes took place regarding the projected draft order on Sunday. Most notably, the Giants’ first home win of the year took them out of the top spot and greatly lowered their chances of securing the No. 1 pick.

Instead, the Patriots are now in pole position to select first in April. New England already has Drake Maye in place, so adding another Day 1 passer would be out of the picture. With Travis Hunter being seen as the top overall prospect in the class, the Heisman winner could be a suitable target as a key figure in New England’s rebuilding process.

Meanwhile, a number of teams which could be in the market for a first-round passer are near the top of the order. That includes the Browns and Raiders, teams which each face uncertainty under center for 2025 despite already having a number of quarterbacks under contract beyond this season. Bringing in Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders would provide another short-term option for next year along with a potential long-term answer at the position. Plenty could still change in the order over Week 18, though, and the evaluation process of both of the top signal-callers in the class obviously has a long way to go.

For non-playoff teams, the draft order will be determined by the inverted 2024 standings — plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule — with playoff squads being slotted by their postseason outcome and regular-season record. Here is an updated look at the current draft order:

  1. New England Patriots (3-13)
  2. Tennessee Titans (3-13)
  3. Cleveland Browns (3-13)
  4. New York Giants (3-13)
  5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
  6. Carolina Panthers (4-12)
  7. New York Jets (4-12)
  8. Las Vegas Raiders (4-12)
  9. Chicago Bears (4-12)
  10. New Orleans Saints (5-11)
  11. San Francisco 49ers (6-9)
  12. Indianapolis Colts (7-9)
  13. Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
  14. Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
  15. Miami Dolphins (8-8)
  16. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)
  17. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
  18. Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
  19. Houston Texans (9-7)
  20. Denver Broncos (9-7)
  21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
  22. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
  23. Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
  24. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
  25. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
  26. Washington Commanders (11-5)
  27. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
  28. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
  29. Buffalo Bills (13-3)
  30. Detroit Lions (13-2)
  31. Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
  32. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)

Bengals’ Orlando Brown Jr. Dealing With Broken Leg; Chase Brown Suffers Ankle Sprain

December 28th, 2024 at 8:51pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Bengals came out on top in an overtime thriller Saturday and in doing so kept their playoff chances alive. Two key members of their offense are far from healthy, however.

Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. played all 90 offensive snaps for Cincinnati during tonight’s game, one which marked his return to the lineup. Brown had been sidelined since Week 13, and his availability was welcomed by a Bengals team needing to win out to have a chance at a wild-card spot. Brown said after the contest, however, that his fibula is broken in two spots (h/t ESPN’s Ben Baby).

That is a rather notable disclosure given the severity of broken bones and the missed time such injuries often cause. Brown was not charged with a sack or pressure allowed in pass protection by PFF, though, a sign of how effective he was able to be on Saturday despite the injury. Having him available for another must-win contest would be critical up front for Cincinnati in Week 18 against the Steelers.

The Bengals’ backfield could be shorthanded for that contest, however. Running back Chase Brown was injured late in the fourth quarter and he did not return to the game. Head coach Zac Taylor said (via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network) the ailment is an ankle sprain, but the severity is unknown at this point. Missing Brown for the regular season finale would deal a notable blow to Cincinnati’s rushing attack.

Since Zack Moss was lost for the year in November due to a neck injury, Brown has taken on lead back duties. The second-year rusher produced at least 94 scrimmage yards in each contest since the one Moss was injured in heading into Saturday’s action. Brown has scored 11 total touchdowns in 2024 after recording only one as a rookie. The 24-year-old Canadian’s absence would thus be sorely missed if he were to be sidelined for Week 18.

If Brown cannot play against Pittsburgh, Cincinnati would turn to trade acquisition Khalil Herbert to handle RB1 duties. Of course, being shorthanded at the running back spot would also lead to an increased reliance on quarterback Joe Burrow and the team’s dynamic passing attack. In any case, updates on both Orlando and Chase Brown will be worth watching for closely given the Bengals’ status as a postseason hopeful.

Updated 2025 NFL Draft Order

December 24th, 2024 at 7:42pm CST by Adam La Rose

Two weeks remain in the regular season, and while a number of teams are jockeying for playoff spots several others are still in contention to land a coveted draft slot. It remains to be seen where the No. 1 selection will wind up.

The Giants and Raiders entered Sunday’s action with two wins apiece, and New York’s loss kept the team strongly in contention to kick off the draft in April. By virtue of winning against the Jaguars, though, the Raiders hurt their chances of finding themselves in that position. A top-two spot (or thereabouts) may be required to draft either of this year’s top passers, but a small move up the order positioning Vegas to add one could still be on the table.

Five teams currently sit a 3-12, and a head-to-head matchup between the Titans and Jaguars on Sunday will be key in deciding where each of them wind up. Another three squads own a 4-11 record, so plenty of potential exists in terms of changes being made to the order at the top of the board. Numerous expected suitors for a Day 1 quarterback (including teams like the Browns and Jets) may very well find themselves out of reach for Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders without a trade-up being necessary. The Panthers’ starting situation with Bryce Young is certainly not settled for 2025, but adding a passer on Day 1 would come as a surprise at this point.

For non-playoff teams, the draft order will be determined by the inverted 2024 standings — plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule — with playoff squads being slotted by their postseason outcome and regular-season record. Here is an updated look at the current draft order:

  1. New York Giants (2-13)
  2. New England Patriots (3-12)
  3. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12)
  4. Tennessee Titans (3-12)
  5. Cleveland Browns (3-12)
  6. Las Vegas Raiders (3-12)
  7. Carolina Panthers (4-11)
  8. New York Jets (4-11)
  9. Chicago Bears (4-11)
  10. New Orleans Saints (5-10)
  11. San Francisco 49ers (6-9)
  12. Miami Dolphins (7-8)
  13. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)
  14. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)
  15. Dallas Cowboys (7-8)
  16. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)
  17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
  18. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
  19. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
  20. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)
  21. Houston Texans (9-6)
  22. Denver Broncos (9-6)
  23. Los Angeles Rams (9-6)
  24. Washington Commanders (10-5)
  25. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5)
  26. Baltimore Ravens (10-5)
  27. Green Bay Packers (11-4)
  28. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)
  29. Buffalo Bills (12-3)
  30. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
  31. Detroit Lions (13-2)
  32. Kansas City Chiefs (14-1)

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/24/24

December 24th, 2024 at 5:23pm CST by Adam La Rose

Tuesday’s taxi squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

  • Signed: K Andre Szmyt

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New York Jets

Tennessee Titans

Szmyt spent time on the Bears’ practice squad last year before playing with the USFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks recently. The 26-year-old terminated his pact with the spring league club to take a deal in Cleveland. A former All-American and Lou Graza winner as the country’s top kicker during his college career, Szmyt could see time late in the year given the Browns’ kicking struggles in 2024.

Thomas appeared to be on his way to join the Colts after he was claimed off waivers by Indianapolis. The veteran corner failed his physical upon arrival with his new team, however, leading to another trip to the waiver wire. No teams put in a claim this time around, but shortly after reaching free agency Thomas has landed a deal. The former 49er has 42 games and 11 starts to his name, and he will provide Minnesota with cornerback depth through the closing stages of the campaign.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/23/24

December 23rd, 2024 at 8:30pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Tennessee Titans

The Titans’ decision to move on from Brayden Narveson comes as a bit of a surprise following this weekend’s roster machinations. The organization didn’t only promote the kicker from the practice squad…they also signed him through the 2025 campaign. With Nick Folk apparently approaching full health, the Titans have decided to stick with the veteran and move on from his fill-in.

Narveson’s stint with the Titans featured only a single appearance, when he missed his lone field goal attempt and converted two extra points in yesterday’s loss. Narveson spent the beginning of the season in Green Bay, where he converted 12 of his 17 field goal attempts.

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