HEADLINES

Brett Rypien

Colts Place Charvarius Ward On IR, Announce Philip Rivers Signing

December 10th, 2025 at 9:06am CST by Connor Byrne

The Colts have placed cornerback Charvarius Ward on IR for the second time this season and announced the signing of quarterback Philip Rivers to their practice squad. The team also signed quarterback Brett Rypien and kicker Blake Grupe from its practice squad to its 53-man roster.

With four games remaining, Ward’s regular season is over as a result of his third concussion of 2025. He may have a chance to return if the Colts qualify for the playoffs, but the club is on the outside of the bracket heading into Week 15. Once 7-1, the Colts have fallen to 8-5.

Ward, a former Chief and 49er, joined the Colts on a three-year deal worth up to $60MM last March. The move has paid off when Ward has been healthy enough to play. The 29-year-old has totaled 25 tackles and seven passes defensed in seven games (all starts), and Pro Football Focus ranks him as the sixth-best cornerback of 2025.

Ward’s latest concussion means the Colts will have to go without their top two cornerbacks for at least some portion of their four-game closing stretch. The team took an enormous gamble at the Nov. 4 trade deadline in sending two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to the Jets for star corner Sauce Gardner.

Quarterback Daniel Jones was healthy and enjoying a career season around the deadline, leading general manager Chris Ballard to take a home run swing for Gardner. Things have not gone according to plan since then. Jones is now done for the season after tearing his Achilles in a loss to the Jaguars last Sunday. The 44-year-old Rivers, who retired after 2020, may replace Jones down the stretch in a last-ditch effort to save the Colts’ season.

Before Jones went down for the year, Gardner strained his calf in his third game as a Colt, a Week 13 loss to the Texans. Gardner missed Week 14, and he’s likely to sit out again this Sunday in Seattle, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. At the earliest, Gardner could return Week 16 against the 49ers.

With Ward out of commission and the Colts waiting for Gardner to come back, they’re down to Kenny Moore, Jaylon Jones, Mekhi Blackmon, Johnathan Edwards, and Cameron Mitchell at corner. It’s a harsh development ahead of a meeting with the 10-3 Seahawks, who boast the NFL’s ninth-ranked passing attack. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, easily the league leader in receiving yards, won’t have to contend with Ward or Gardner.

Turning back to the offensive side, Rypien could at least serve as a backup option this week. Sixth-round rookie Riley Leonard is dealing with a PCL sprain that could force him to miss the game. Assuming the Colts elevate Rivers from their practice squad, Leonard’s absence would leave him and Rypien as the team’s choices under center. The 29-year-old Rypien, who joined the Colts’ taxi squad in mid-October, has combined for 17 appearances and six starts with the Broncos, Rams, and Bengals.

Grupe, a Dec. 2 practice squad pickup, has taken over at kicker since the Colts cut Michael Badgley after Week 13. Despite sloppy conditions in Jacksonville, Grupe hit both of his field goal attempts and converted his lone extra point last Sunday. Grupe, who began 2025 with the Saints, has gone 20 of 28 on field goals and 16 for 16 on PATs in 12 games this year.

Colts QB Anthony Richardson Uncertain To Return In 2025

December 8th, 2025 at 12:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

With Daniel Jones suffering what has widely been reported as an Achilles tear yesterday, the Colts are set to rely on other options under center. It is unclear if the team’s backup from early in the season will be one of them.

Anthony Richardson suffered an orbital bone fracture during warmups in October. That led to an injured reserve stint, one which has continued without any clear signs of when it will end. The Colts have left the door open to Richardson returning to action late in the campaign, but there is still nothing imminent on that front.

The former No. 4 pick was not able to take part in football activities last week, as noted by Fox59’s Mike Chappell. Meanwhile, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports Richardson remains sidelined at this point. He adds the Colts are still unsure of whether or not a return at any point this season will be possible. If Richardson does not return to practice, he will close out the campaign on IR.

That would deal another blow to the 23-year-old’s value, something which has steadily sunk since his arrival in the NFL. Richardson’s Indianapolis future is unclear, and the possibility of a trade allowing for a fresh start has been raised. Of course, the Colts appeared to be positioned for a long-term Jones commitment before his injury took place. It will be interesting to see if the team’s QB planning changes moving forward.

In the meantime, Riley Leonard is set to receive his first NFL start next week. The Colts have dropped to 8-5, and their playoff chances will now hinge in large part on the sixth-round rookie’s ability to guide the offense successfully. Brett Rypien resides on the practice squad, and he can be expected to sign to Indianapolis’ active roster in the near future. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports points to a quarterback acquisition being likely (video link). He names Sam Ehlinger – who began his career with the Colts and is currently with the Broncos – as a target on that front.

Richardson would be tasked with handling QB1 duties in the event he were to return for any or all of the Colts’ remaining four games. As things stand, however, it does not appear as though he will be able to do so.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/14/25

October 14th, 2025 at 7:55pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

  • Signed: G Karsen Barnhart, LB Garrett Nelson

Green Bay Packers

  • Released: K Mark McNamee

Indianapolis Colts

  • Signed: OT Bayron Matos, QB Brett Rypien
  • Released: OT Marcellus Johnson

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots

  • Signed: TE Marshall Lang
  • Released: DB Tyron Herring, TE Gee Scott Jr.

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Commanders

  • Released: G Tyler Cooper

With Anthony Richardson heading to injured reserve with an eye injury, the Colts are set to add some QB depth in veteran Brett Rypien, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The 29-year-old brings four games of starting experience to Indy, with his most recent start coming with the Rams in 2023. In total, Rypien has completed 58.3 percent of his career passes for 950 yards, four touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Riley Leonard will temporarily be the QB2 behind Daniel Jones, but there’s a chance Rypien eventually works his way up to the active roster.

The Chargers moved on from a notable edge defender today in Clelin Ferrell. The former Raiders first-round pick started all 17 games for the 49ers just two years ago, with the edge rusher finishing that campaign with 3.5 sacks and 13 QB hits. He started 10 of his 14 appearances with the Commanders in 2024, adding another 3.5 sacks to his resume. After being among Washington’s final preseason cuts, Ferrell caught on with the Chargers practice squad and ended up getting into one game with the big-league club.

The Eagles moved on from a pair of skill players today. Audric Estime was a fifth-round pick by the Broncos last year, with the running back compiling 337 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 81 touches. He was waived by Denver back in August and landed on Philly’s practice squad. Javon Baker was a fourth-round pick by the Patriots in last year’s draft, but he was limited to a single catch in 11 games.

Bengals Cut Brett Rypien, Mike White

October 7th, 2025 at 2:15pm CST by Connor Byrne

After adding Joe Flacco to their quarterback room on Tuesday, the Bengals are moving on from a couple of other signal-callers. The team has cut Brett Rypien (via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network) and Mike White. To take White’s place on their practice squad, the Bengals signed defensive tackle Howard Cross III.

With injured starter Joe Burrow out for the foreseeable future, the Bengals will go forth with Flacco and Jake Browning as their options under center. They also have Sean Clifford on their practice squad. Flacco, acquired from the division-rival Browns, could make his Bengals debut as early as this Sunday against the Packers.

The 29-year-old Rypien signed with the Bengals after the Vikings released him late in the summer. He saw regular-season action with the Broncos and Rams earlier in his career and has gone 98 for 168 for 950 yards, four touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 11 games.

White, who spent most of last year on Buffalo’s practice squad, became a Bengal in mid-September after failing to beat out Mitchell Trubisky for the Bills’ No. 2 QB job during the summer. The short-lived Jets starter and ex-Dolphins backup has completed 199 of 324 attempts with nine TDs and 13 picks in 15 contests.

Cross, an undrafted free agent from Notre Dame, made his lone NFL appearance in Cincinnati’s loss to Minnesota in Week 3. He played nine defensive snaps and made one tackle in that game. The Bengals waived him last week, but they’re reuniting just a few days later.

Bengals To Promote QB Brett Rypien

September 16th, 2025 at 1:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Bengals have a pair of new passers on the practice squad. Brett Rypien is, to no surprise, now in position to handle backup duties behind Jake Browning.

Rypien is being promoted from the taxi squad to Cincinnati’s active roster, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Browning is set to handle starting duties while Joe Burrow recovers from toe surgery. Rypien will now take on QB2 responsibilities with Mike White and Sean Clifford on the practice squad.

Rypien has 10 regular season appearances and four starts to his name at the NFL level. The 29-year-old saw time with the Broncos for three seasons before spending last year with the Rams. Rypien inked a futures contract with the Vikings in January, setting him up to spend the offseason in Minnesota. Shortly before the campaign, however, the team made a number of QB moves.

That included the decision to trade away Sam Howell and sign Carson Wentz for the backup gig. Shortly after that took place, Rypien was released. The Boise State product had a short-lived stint on the open market, quickly signing with the Bengals on their practice squad. Burrow’s latest injury has now opened to door to a stint on Cincinnati’s active roster.

The Bengals sit at 2-0 to begin the year. The team’s offense is of course in danger of seeing a downturn in production without Burrow, however. While Browning prepares to take on the starting gig for the foreseeable future, Rypien will serve as the next passer in line.

Vikings To Release QB Brett Rypien

August 24th, 2025 at 12:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Vikings’ quarterback moves continue. Veteran Brett Rypien is being released, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports.

Minnesota swung a trade with the Eagles earlier today to send Sam Howell to Philadelphia. That move paved the way for Carson Wentz to be signed as the Vikings’ new backup. In the wake of those changes, Rypien is no longer in the picture.

The Vikings are prepared to move forward with J.J. McCarthy as their starter despite the fact he has yet to play in the regular season. Wentz – who visited yesterday and has 94 starts to his name – represents a highly experienced backup. Today’s news means undrafted rookie Max Brosmer will operate as Minnesota’s QB3 in 2025.

Rypien, meanwhile, will hit the open market as teams continue to sort out their rosters ahead of Tuesday’s deadline for roster cuts. The 29-year-old will be free to sign with an interested suitor once his release is official. It would come as a surprise, though, if that were to take place until after the approaching deadline. Today’s cut will free up $1.06MM in cap space for the Vikings without incurring any dead money charges.

A UDFA in 2019, Rypien began his NFL career with the Broncos. He remained in Denver through 2022, making three starts and eight appearances along the way. The Boise State product spent part of the following year with the Rams, making one start for Los Angeles. Rypien signed with Minnesota in 2024; he did not see any game time with the team but was retained via a futures deal in January.

That set up a competition with Brosmer for the third-string role, one which has now been decided. Brosmer is a candidate for the practice squad later this week, whereas Rypien’s future is now uncertain.

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/15/25

January 15th, 2025 at 9:09pm CST by Ely Allen

Wednesday’s reserve/futures deals around the NFL:

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Minnesota Vikings

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Vikings Sign Daniel Jones To Active Roster

January 7th, 2025 at 5:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

After spending more than a month on the Vikings’ practice squad, Daniel Jones is making the move up. Minnesota is signing the veteran quarterback to its 53-man roster.

To make room for the former Giants starter, the Vikings waived Brett Rypien. This marks the second time this year Rypien has been let go; the Bears released him in August. Rypien had resided on Minnesota’s active roster since signing with the team two days later.

As this is a true signing rather than a practice squad elevation, Jones would now net the Vikings a compensatory pick — depending on how Minnesota proceeds in free agency — in the 2026 draft, the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling notes. Jones would have been in line to fetch the Giants a comp pick, but the NFC East team forfeited that right by waiving him.

Talent-wise, Jones would make sense as the player who would be best suited to replace Sam Darnold in the event of an injury, but backup Nick Mullens has been in Kevin O’Connell‘s system for three seasons now. Mullens, however, went 0-3 as a Minnesota starter last season. Jones went 2-8 with the Giants this year, as far as wins and losses go, and did not come close to justifying the four-year, $160MM extension the Giants bailed on midway through. That said, Jones played efficiently in 2022 and is a former No. 6 overall pick. It would stand to reason this move to the 53 would position him as a player the Vikings would strongly consider using in an emergency.

For the first time in his career, Darnold has not missed a start during a season. Illnesses and injuries have plagued the former Jets No. 3 overall pick during his starter seasons, removing Darnold’s 2023 49ers stay from this equation. The former Jets and Panthers starter missed three games apiece in 2018 and ’19 and then was sidelined for four in 2020. A broken collarbone sidelined Darnold for much of the 2021 season, and a high ankle sprain — sustained after Baker Mayfield had beaten him out for Carolina’s QB1 gig — kept him out for much of the 2022 slate. Though, the Vikings have seen Darnold provide stability after J.J. McCarthy‘s season-ending knee injury.

While Darnold has transformed his free agency stock — to the point the Vikings may use the franchise tag to keep him off the market — Jones’ is rather murky. A thin QB crop, even factoring in Kirk Cousins‘ likely release, would stand to help the six-year Giants starter. But his injury past and mostly shaky track record (zero seasons north of 7.0 yards per attempt) will make teams hesitant. For now, he is in place as insurance on a 14-3 Vikings team. Free agency will loom soon after.

Vikings Sign QB Brett Rypien, Waive QB Jaren Hall

August 29th, 2024 at 9:58am CST by Adam La Rose

Brett Rypien has not needed to wait long to find a new gig. The veteran quarterback signed with the Vikings on Thursday, per a team announcement.

In a corresponding move, 2023 fifth-rounder Jaren Hall has been waived. Minnesota’s depth chart is still set at the top with Sam Darnold and Nick Mullens. In the wake of rookie J.J. McCarthy‘s season-ending season-ending meniscus surgery, though, the team looked into options for the third quarterback role. Matt Corral was briefly with the team, but he was among the Vikings’ initial roster cuts.

That move had Hall positioned to remain on the 53-man roster, but instead he will now hit the waiver wire. The BYU product made three appearances and two starts during his rookie season after Kirk Cousins‘ Achilles tear. Minnesota allowed Cousins to depart in free agency, adding Darnold on a one-year deal and moving up in the first round of the draft to select McCarthy. The Vikings have moved quickly in adding Rypien as a Hall replacement for the QB3 role.

Rypien was joined by Austin Reed in attempting land a spot with the Bears in 2024. Both passers wound up being cut, although the latter has since been signed to the practice squad. Rypien immediately became a free agent upon being released, a move which left him on the move yet again in his career. The 28-year-old made three starts during a span between 2020 and ’22 with the Broncos, but he has bounced around since that point. He has landed deals with the Rams, Seahawks and Jets in addition to the Bears pact in signed in March. Now, Rypien will look to carve out a role with his next NFC North team.

For Hall, meanwhile, the waiver process will allow teams to put in a claim if they are interested in adding him to their active rosters. Failing that, he will become a free agent eligible to re-sign with the Vikings or join a new team via a practice squad agreement. Minnesota general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said (via Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune) the team does indeed hope to keep the 26-year-old in place via the taxi squad. That move will be possible by the end of the week if no claim is put in.

Load More Posts