Arizona Cardinals

• Elevated: T Jackson Barton, RB Michael Carter

Atlanta Falcons

• Signed to active roster: WR Chris Blair
• Elevated: WR Dylan Drummond
• Waived: LB Rashaan Evans

Buffalo Bills

• Elevated: S Kareem Jackson, WR Jalen Virgil

Carolina Panthers

• Elevated: RB Mike Boone, T Brandon Walton

Chicago Bears

• Signed to active roster: RB Darrynton Evans
• Placed on IR: G Ryan Bates

Cincinnati Bengals

• Elevated: DE Isaiah Thomas

Cleveland Browns

• Elevated: CB Kahlef Hailassie, WR James Proche

Dallas Cowboys

• Signed to active roster: CB Andrew Booth
• Elevated: LB Darius Harris, T Dakoda Shepley
• Placed on IR: CB Trevon Diggs (story)

Detroit Lions

• Activated from IR: S Ifeatu Melifonwu
• Signed to active roster: OLB Mitchell Agude, WR Tom Kennedy, DL Chris Smith
• Elevated: RB Jermar Jefferson, S Loren Strickland
• Waived (via injury settlement): DT David Bada
• Waived: WR Maurice Alexander

Las Vegas Raiders

• Signed to active roster: CB Kyu Blu Kelly
• Elevated: TE John Samuel Shenker

Los Angeles Rams

• Elevated: CB Charles Woods

Miami Dolphins

• Activated from reserve/PUP: LB Cameron Goode
• Elevated: WR Erik Ezukanma
• Waived: DT Neil Farrell

Minnesota Vikings

• Elevated: S Bobby McCain, TE Nick Muse

New England Patriots

• Signed to active roster: RB Terrell Jennings
• Elevated: WR Alex Erickson, LB Monty Rice

New York Giants

• Signed to active roster: DB Raheem Layne 
• Elevated: OLB Boogie Basham, T Tyre Phillips

New York Jets

• Elevated: DT Bruce Hector, S Jarius Monroe

Philadelphia Eagles

• Elevated: FB Khari Blasingame

San Francisco 49ers

• Signed to active roster: LB Jalen Graham, T Austen Pleasants
• Elevated: DT Alex Barrett, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn
• Waived: T Sebastian Gutierrez

Seattle Seahawks

• Signed to active roster: QB Jaren Hall
• Elevated: CB Artie Burns
• Placed on IR: OLB Trevis Gipson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Elevated: P Jack Browning

Washington Commanders

• Elevated: DT Carl Davis

After being activated from injured reserve in early November, Bates only played two games before suffering a concussion. The 27-year-old has not played since Week 11 and will now miss the remainder of the season on IR. Bates is under contract through 2025.

Atlanta Falcons

• Elevated: WR Chris Blair

Buffalo Bills

• Activated from IR: DT DeWayne Carter
• Elevated: S Lewis Cine, TE Zach Davidson

Carolina Panthers

• Elevated: WR Dan Chisena, LB Jacoby Windmon

Chicago Bears

• Elevated: S Adrian Colbert, RB Darrynton Evans

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Elevated: WR Joshua Cephus

Las Vegas Raiders

• Elevated: WR Kristian Wilkerson

Los Angeles Chargers

• Activated from IR: LB Junior Colson
• Elevated: RB Jaret Patterson, S Kendall Williamson

Los Angeles Rams

• Elevated: CB Charles Woods

Miami Dolphins

• Elevated: LS Zach Triner

Minnesota Vikings

• Activated from IR: LS Andrew DePaola, K Will Reichard (story)
• Elevated: OLB Gabriel Murphy
• Waived: K John Parker Romo

New Orleans Saints

• Signed to active roster: WR Kevin Austin, Dante Pettis

New York Giants

• Signed to active roster: DT Elijah Garcia, DE Casey Rogers
• Elevated: T Tyre Phillips, CB Greg Stroman
• Placed on IR: DT D.J. Davidson
• Waived: QB Tim Boyle

New York Jets

• Activated from IR: WR Allen Lazard, G Wes Schweitzer (story)
• Elevated: CB Kendall Sheffield
• Placed on IR: LB C.J. Mosley (story)
• Waived: C Connor McGovern

Philadelphia Eagles

• Signed to active roster: TE E.J. Jenkins
• Elevated: FB Khari Blasingame, S Andre’ Sam

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Signed to active roster: LB Antonio Grier
• Elevated: P Jack Browning, CB Dallis Flowers

Tennessee Titans

• Signed to active roster: WR Mason Kinsey, DB Kendall Brooks
• Elevated: G Arlington Hambright, TE Thomas Odukoya

Eagles starting tight end Dallas Goedert has been placed on injured reserve, so Jenkins will come up from the practice squad for a little added depth.

Arizona Cardinals

• Elevated: CB Divaad Wilson

Atlanta Falcons

• Elevated: WR Chris Blair, OLB Khalid Kareem

Buffalo Bills

• Elevated: WR Tyrell Shavers, WR K.J. Hamler
• Placed on IR: LB Baylon Spector

Chicago Bears

• Activated from IR: G Ryan Bates (story)
• Elevated: T Jake Curhan, LB Carl Jones Jr.

Dallas Cowboys

• Elevated: CB Josh Butler, WR Jalen Cropper

Denver Broncos

• Activated from IR: C Luke Wattenberg
• Elevated: FB Michael Burton, LB Zach Cunningham

Detroit Lions

• Signed to active roster: LB Abraham Beauplan, OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad, TE Shane Zylstra
• Elevated: T Jamarco Jones, LB Zeke Turner
• Placed on IR: LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
• Waived: DE Isaiah Thomas

Houston Texans

• Elevated: DT Tommy Togiai

Indianapolis Colts

• Elevated: WR Laquon Treadwell

Kansas City Chiefs

• Elevated: LB Cole Christiansen, WR Justyn Ross

Los Angeles Chargers

• Signed to active roster: TE Tucker Fisk
• Elevated: CB Eli Apple, OLB Caleb Murphy 

Miami Dolphins

• Waived: DT Brandon Pili

Minnesota Vikings

• Elevated: LS Jake McQuaide

New England Patriots

• Elevated: LB Joe Giles-Harris, TE Mitchell Wilcox

New Orleans Saints

• Elevated: WR Kevin Austin, WR Dante Pettis

New York Giants

• Elevated: LB Curtis Bolton, WR Isaiah Hodgins

New York Jets

• Elevated: K Spencer Shrader

San Francisco 49ers

• Elevated: S Tashaun Gipson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Activated from IR: LS Evan Deckers
• Elevated: WR Marquez Callaway, LB Vi Jones
• Waived: LS Zach Triner

Tennessee Titans

• Elevated: C Corey Levin, S Daryl Worley

Washington Commanders

• Signed to active roster: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
• Elevated: K Zane Gonzalez, DE Efe Obada
• Placed on IR: TE Colson Yankoff

Spector will miss at least the next four games as a result of the Bills’ move. He has remained a mainstay on special teams this year, having also done so in 2022 and ’23. The former seventh-rounder has made three starts on defense, however, so his absence will be felt moving forward. Linebacker has been a position hit hard by injuries this season, and Buffalo’s depth at the second level will now be tested even further.

Wattenberg had his 21-day practice window opened by the Broncos earlier this week, paving the way for today’s activation. The 27-year-old operated as the team’s starting center prior to going down after having won a summer competition for the gig with Alex Forsyth. Forsyth handled first-team duties over the past four games, drawing a superior PFF evaluation and therefore potentially playing his way into an extended look atop the depth chart. At a minimum, having Wattenberg back will give Denver – a team with three IR activations left – depth up front.

Atlanta Falcons

• Elevated: WR Chris Blair, CB Kevin King

Buffalo Bills

• Elevated: OL Will Clapp, DE Kameron Cline

Chicago Bears

• Elevated: DE Byron Cowart, LS Scott Daly

Cincinnati Bengals

• Elevated: WR Kendric Pryor

Cleveland Browns

• Signed to active roster: WR Jaelon Darden
• Elevated: CB Mike Ford, T Germain Ifedi

Denver Broncos

• Elevated: FB Michael Burton, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey

Detroit Lions

• Signed to active roster: DE Chris Smith
• Elevated: WR Tom Kennedy, DT Kyle Peko

Indianapolis Colts

• Elevated: CB Chris Lammons, K Spencer Shrader

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Elevated: S Terrell Edmunds

Las Vegas Raiders

• Elevated: CB Sam Webb

Los Angeles Chargers

• Signed to active roster: TE Eric Tomlinson
• Elevated: LB Shaquille Quarterman

Los Angeles Rams

• Elevated: T AJ Arcuri

Miami Dolphins

• Elevated: WR Robbie Chosen

Minnesota Vikings

• Elevated: RB Myles Gaskin, S Bobby McCain

New England Patriots

• Elevated: DT Trysten Hill, G Michael Jordan

New Orleans Saints

• Elevated: LB Khaleke Hudson, DT Kendal Vickers

New York Giants

• Elevated: LB Carter Coughlin, LB Ty Summers
• Released: LB Curtis Bolton

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Elevated: WR Ben Skowronek
• Placed on IR: DT Logan Lee

Seattle Seahawks

• Elevated: S Marquise Blair, CB Artie Burns

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Elevated: DT C.J. Brewer, DL Mike Greene

Tennessee Titans

• Elevated: LB Luke Gifford, DL James Lynch

With regular kicker Matt Gay listed as questionable for the season opener after hernia surgery, the Colts will call up Shrader from the practice squad as an emergency option. The 25-year-old has not made a regular season appearance in his career, but that could very well change tomorrow.

Atlanta Falcons

Signed:

Claimed:

Signed to practice squad:

• WR Chris Blair, CB Natrone Brooks, S Dane Cruikshank, OL Julién Davenport, WR Dylan Drummond, TE John FitzPatrick, DL Demone Harris, CB Kevin King, DT Zion Logue, DL LaCale London, WR Jesse Matthews, OL Andrew Stueber, RB Carlos Washington Jr.

Carolina Panthers

Signed:

Claimed:

• CB Shemar Bartholomew, CB Tariq Castro-Fields, CB Keenan Isaac, LB Jon Rhattigan, LB Jamie Sheriff 

Waived:

• WR Jalen Coker

Waived from IR:

• CB Lamar Jackson

Signed to practice squad:

• G Mason Brooks, RB Mike Boone, S Alex Cook, LB Kenny Dyson, TE Jordan Matthews, QB Jack Plummer, DL T.J. Smith, DL Walter Palmore, LB Chandler Wooten

New Orleans Saints

Signed:

Claimed:

Signed to practice squad:

• S Johnathan Abram, S Ugo Amadi, WR Kevin Austin, S Millard Bradford, LB Isaiah Stalbird, TE Treyton Welch

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed:

Claimed:

• G Royce Newman

Waived:

• OT Brandon Walton

Signed to practice squad:

• S Marcus Banks, DL C.J. Brewer, DL Mike Greene, LB Antonio Grier, OLB Daniel Grzesiak, OL Luke Haggard, LB Vi Jones, QB Michael Pratt, WR Sterling Shepard, TE Tanner Taula, P Seth Vernon, RB D.J. Williams, S Rashad Wisdom

Released:

• CB Dane Cruikshank
• T Julien Davenport
• DE Demone Harris
• CB Kevin King 

Waived:

• WR Chris Blair
• CB Natrone Brooke
• RB Spencer Brown
• WR Dylan Drummond
• LB Milo Eifler (injury designation)
• DT Prince Emili
• TE John FitzPatrick
• WR O.J. Hiliare
• CB Anthony Johnson
• DT Zion Logue 
• DT LaCale London
• WR Jesse Matthews
• LB Kenny Oginni
• CB Jayden Price
• OL Andrew Stueber
• S Tre Tarpley
• CB Josh Thompson (injury designation)
• DT Tommy Togiai
• RB Carlos Washington
• OL Barry Wesley

Placed on IR (designated for return):

• S DeMarcco Hellams

Taylor Heinicke was widely believed to be on the trade block, and it would have come as little surprise if the veteran passer had been released. Atlanta signed Kirk Cousins in free agency and drafted Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall in April. Those two are set to handle starting and backup duties in 2024 (and beyond, if things go according to plan), which suggested Heinicke was expendable. Instead, he will prepare for a second season with the Falcons.

King’s efforts to return to regular NFL action included a contract with the Falcons in March. The former Packers corner sat out the 2022 season while rehabbing multiple injuries. Last year, an Achilles tear forced him to miss another campaign. He was unable to carve out a roster spot in Atlanta, but as a vested veteran he will immediately hit free agency without needing to pass through waivers.

A number of recent draftees are included in the list of players being waived. As a former UDFA, Blair does not meet that criteria but his inclusion is a surprise. The 26-year-old was a standout in the preseason, and ESPN’s Marc Raimondi notes Atlanta is interested is retaining him via the practice squad. The same will no doubt be true of Logue, a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft.

Teams are allowed to designate two players to return from IR without naming them to the 53-man roster. A number of teams have taken advantage of that new rule today, and in Atlanta’s case it means Hellams will not occupy a spot for the time being. The earliest he can be activated is Week 5.

Arizona Cardinals

• WR Daniel Arias, CB Darren Hall, S Verone McKinley, OL Austen Pleasants

Atlanta Falcons

• WR Chris Blair, DB Natrone Brooks, S Lukas Denis, LB Milo Eifler, DE Demone Harris, T John Leglue, WR Austin Mack, LB Donavan Mutin, DT Willington Previlon, G Justin Shaffer, T Ryan Swoboda, T Tyler Vrabel, RB Carlos Washington, T Barry Wesley

Chicago Bears

• P Corliss Waitman

Indianapolis Colts

• S Kendell Brooks, G Lewis Kidd, S Michael Tutsie

Jacksonville Jaguars

• TE Josh Pederson

Los Angeles Chargers

• LB Brevin Allen, DT Jerrod Clark, RB Elijah Dotson, QB Max Duggan, WR Simi Fehoko, DB Matt Hankins, OL Brent Laing, LB C.J. Okoye, CB Chris Wilcox

Minnesota Vikings

• RB Myles Gaskin

New York Jets

• FB Nick Bawden, DT Tanzel Smart

Arizona Cardinals

• Elevated: DT Phil Hoskins, CB Divaad Wilson

Atlanta Falcons

• Elevated: WR Chris Blair, TE Parker Hesse

Baltimore Ravens

• Elevated: S Andrew Adams, LB Josh Ross
• Placed on IR: TE Mark Andrews (story)

Buffalo Bills

• Elevated: CB Ja’Marcus Ingram, WR Andy Isabella

Carolina Panthers

• Elevated: CB Lamar Jackson, DE Chris Wormley

Cleveland Browns

• Activated from IR: LB Jordan Kunaszyk
• Elevated: CB A.J. Green, S Tanner McCalister

Denver Broncos

• Elevated: DT Tyler Lancaster, WR David Sills

Indianapolis Colts

• Elevated: WR D.J. Montgomery

Las Vegas Raiders

• Activated from IR: S Roderic Teamer
• Elevated: C Hroniss Grasu, DE Janarius Robinson

Los Angeles Chargers

• Elevated: WR Alex Erickson, TE Hunter Kampmoyer

New York Giants

• Activated from IR: RB Eric Gray

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Elevated: LB Tariq Carpenter

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Elevated: WR David Moore, DL Pat O’Connor

Tennessee Titans

• Elevated: DT Ross Blacklock, LB Joe Jones
• Placed on IR: T Chris Hubbard (story)

Atlanta Falcons

• Signed: WR Chris Blair

Houston Texans

• Signed: DT Michael Dwumfour
• Released: DT Bruce Hector

Kansas City Chiefs

• Signed: WR Daniel Arias

Minnesota Vikings

• Signed: RB Myles Gaskin

New England Patriots

• Signed: DL Manny Jones

New Orleans Saints

• Signed: OL Mark Evans II, S Daniel Sorensen
• Released: RB Kirk Merritt

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Signed: WR Jalen Camp

San Francisco 49ers

• Signed: S Tre Norwood, CB Kendall Sheffield, TE Jake Tonges
• Released: RB Jeremy McNichols

Gaskin was released from the Vikings’ active roster yesterday, a likely result of the addition of former Rams rusher Cam Akers. It looks like he’ll remain in Minnesota, though, for the time being as a member of the team’s 16-man practice squad.

Sorensen, the nine-year veteran formerly of Kansas City, is back for a second year in New Orleans. Last year, Sorensen appeared in all 17 games for the Saints, making two starts. He recorded two interceptions, three passes defensed, and 17 tackles, including eight stops on special teams.

Atlanta Falcons

• Signed: CB Bless Austin
• Waived/injured: WR Frank Darby
• Released from IR: WR Chris Blair

Denver Broncos

• Signed: WR J.J. Koski
• Waived: LB Ray Wilborn

Detroit Lions

• Signed: WR Avery Davis, C Alex Mollette
• Waived/injured: WR Trey Quinn

Houston Texans

• Waived: WR Victor Bolden

Indianapolis Colts

• Signed: DB Teez Tabor
• Waived: S Aaron Maddox
• Released from IR: RB Zavier Scott

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Activated from active/PUP list: OL Ben Bartch
• Signed: LS Carson Tinker
• Placed on IR: DL Henry Mondeaux

Los Angeles Chargers

• Waived: RB Larry Rountree

Los Angeles Rams

• Waived: DB Richard LeCounte

Minnesota Vikings

• Signed: T Chim Okorafor
• Waived: T Jacky Chen

New York Giants

• Activated from active/PUP list: DL D.J. Davidson

New York Jets

• Signed: DE Jalyn Holmes
• Placed on IR: DE Ifeadi Odenigbo

Philadelphia Eagles

• Signed: DT Olive Sagapolu
• Placed on IR: LB Shaun Bradley (story)

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Signed: CB Nevelle Clarke, CB Lavert Hill
• Waived: CB Isaiah Dunn
• Waived/injured: CB Duke Dawson

Tennessee Titans

• Signed: RB Jacques Patrick, DL Kyle Peko
• Activated from active/PUP list: DB Josh Thompson
• Placed on IR: DT Shakel Brown
• Waived: DB Chris Jackson

Bartch started the Jaguars’ first five games last season but went down with a knee injury in October. The fourth-year veteran will give the Jags an option at left guard, where he started last season. A former fourth-round pick, Bartch also started 11 games in 2021. This marks a return for Tinker, whose NFL entrance came as a Jaguars UDFA in 2013. Tinker spent the first four seasons of his career with the Jags but did not see action in 2017, 2019 or 2020. He worked as the Seahawks’ full-time long snapper last season. Ross Matiscik has been Jacksonville’s deep snapper for the past three seasons.

Austin spent last season out of football but has 17 starts to his credit. Used as a regular Jets starter from 2019-20, Austin caught on with the Seahawks in 2021. Seattle used Austin as a backup. The young cornerback could not make the Broncos’ 53-man roster last summer. While a member of the 2022 Seahawks, Tabor converted from cornerback to safety. The former second-round pick played 10 games for the team last season.

Atlanta Falcons

• Placed on IR: WR Chris Blair, DL Ikenna Enechukwu, QB Feleipe Franks

Baltimore Ravens

• Reverted to reserve/NFI: CB Trayvon Mullen

Carolina Panthers

• Signed: CB Mac McCain
• Waived: CB Colby Richardson

Chicago Bears

• Released: DE Jalyn Holmes

Cleveland Browns

• Signed: LB Cam Bright, TE Miller Forristall, WR Jalen Wayne
• Waived/injured: WR Daylen Baldwin, CB Thomas Graham Jr.
• Waived: P Joseph Charlton, RB Nate McCrary, T Hunter Thedford

Denver Broncos

• Placed on IR: LB Jonas Griffith (story)

Detroit Lions

• Waived/injured: CB Jarren Williams

Houston Texans

• Signed: OL DJ Scaife
• Placed on IR: C Scott Quessenberry (story)
• Waived from IR: OL Dylan Deatherage

Miami Dolphins

• Waived/injured: FB John Lovett

Minnesota Vikings

• Signed: RB Abram Smith
• Waived: FB Zach Ojile

New England Patriots

• Reverted to IR: LB Terez Hall

New York Giants

• Signed: NT Donovan Jeter
• Waived/injured: WR Jeff Smith

Philadelphia Eagles

• Removed from commissioner’s exempt list: OL Josh Sills

San Francisco 49ers

• Signed: DE Daelin Hayes
• Placed on IR: DE Darryl Johnson

Sills was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list back in February when a grand jury indicted him on counts of rape and kidnapping. The charges stem from an event that allegedly took place back in December 2019. Today it was announced that Sills was acquitted of both charges, according to sources at The Athletic. The Eagles released a statement that, with his adjudication, he will return to the team’s active roster.

The 49ers announced that Johnson has been placed on season-ending injured reserve. They didn’t disclose the injury that will sideline the young edge they signed two months ago.

The Vikings are adding the XFL’s 2023 leading rusher in Smith. Smith had 791 rushing yards in 10 games last year.

The former UDFA entered the league as a signal-caller, but the team began transitioning to tight end last summer. Franks has yet to see much usage on offense in either capacity, logging only 68 offensive snaps to date. He has been a contributor on special teams, though, and an increased pass-catching role could have been in the cards for a team lacking in proven weapons in that regard.

Franks, 25, will revert to IR after clearing waivers. During his missed time, the Falcons will still have a tight end tandem facing considerable expectations. Kyle Pitts will look to return to full health and reach his potential as a former top-five pick, while trade acquisition Jonnu Smith and recent signing MyCole Pruitt should provide capable run blocking in head coach Arthur Smith‘s ground-based scheme.

On a busy day in Atlanta, the team also waived/injured wideout Chris Blair and defensive lineman Ikenna Enechukwu. Offensive lineman Ethan Greenidge has been placed on IR, meaning he will not be eligible to play during the 2023 season. Absences from each of those three players will not have the same effect as that of Franks, who should at least be able to retain his third phase duties upon return.

With the roster spots opened by the above moves, the Falcons have added Michal Menet, Matthew Gotel, Caeveon Patton and Mathew Sexton (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of KPRC2). No member of that quartet has regular season NFL experience, so they could face an uphill climb to secure a 53-man roster spot during cutdowns. While they vie for an NFL opportunity, Franks will focus on rehab and minimizing the time he misses in his third year in Atlanta.

Atlanta Falcons

• Signed: WR Chris Blair, DL Albert Huggins, K Matthew Trickett
• Placed on IR: RB Avery Williams (story)
• Released: QB Austin Aune, WR Justin Marshall

New York Giants

• Waived (injury designation): TE Andre Miller

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Released: S Scott Nelson

Trickett’s deal is three years in length, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link). That represents a sizeable commitment considering the Falcons are already set at the kicker position with Younghoe Koo. Trickett will have training camp and the offseason to earn himself an extended look on Atlanta’s practice squad during training camp and the preseason following his five-year college career. He spent time at Kent State and Minnesota, converting 79 of 100 field goal attempts and all but three of his 179 extra point kicks.

Baltimore Ravens

• Waived: DT Xavier Kelly

Carolina Panthers

• Waived: LB Azur Kamara

Chicago Bears

• Claimed (from Giants): TE Rysen John
• Waived/failed physical: TE Jesper Horsted

Detroit Lions

• Waived: QB Steven Montez

Green Bay Packers

• Claimed (from Colts): TE Eli Wolf
• Waived: WR Chris Blair

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Waived: OL Jared Hocker

New England Patriots

• Claimed (from Lions): TE Matthew Sokol

New Orleans Saints

• Waived: RB Josh Adams, DT Braxton Hoyett

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Reverted to IR: CB Isaiah Johnson

Arizona Cardinals

• P Nolan Cooney

Green Bay Packers

• QB Kurt Benkert, WR Chris Blair, CB Kabion Ento, QB Danny Etling, S Innis Gaines, LB La’Darius Hamilton, C Michal Menet, K J.J. Molson, OL Cole Van Lanen, LB Ray Wilborn

Miami Dolphins

• DB D’Angelo Ross

New England Patriots 

• DL Daniel Ekuale

Tennessee Titans

• DB Shyheim Carter, DB Rodney Clemons, LB Nate Hall