Minor NFL Transactions: 1/6/26
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves from around the NFL:
Carolina Panthers
- Designated for return from IR: G Chandler Zavala
Denver Broncos
- Activated from IR: LB Karene Reid
Green Bay Packers
- Signed from practice squad QB Desmond Ridder
- Waived: QB Clayton Tune
Houston Texans
- Activated from IR: DE Darrell Taylor
- Waived: S K’Von Wallace
Set to host the Rams in the wild-card round on Saturday, the Panthers have opened Zavala’s 21-day practice window. That will at least give Zavala a chance to return this week. Zavala has been on IR twice this year – once for a knee injury, again for a calf problem – which limited him to seven games and five starts during the regular season. He hasn’t played since Week 12.
The Packers rested starting quarterback Jordan Love in their regular-season finale against the Vikings. Backup Malik Willis was unavailable because of shoulder and hamstring issues, which led to Tune receiving his second NFL start. It went poorly for the 26-year-old Tune, who completed 6 of 11 passes for 34 yards in a 16-3 loss. Ridder, who combined for 18 starts with the Falcons and Raiders from 2022-24, will replace Tune on the Packers’ roster as they prepare for a playoff showdown with the rival Bears.
49ers To Sign LB Kyzir White
Battling a slew of injuries at linebacker as they prepare for a first-round playoff matchup against the Eagles on Sunday, the 49ers are adding veteran insurance at the position. They have agreed to a practice squad deal with Kyzir White, insider Jordan Schultz reports.
The 49ers went through most of the regular season without their best linebacker, four-time All-Pro Fred Warner, who broke and dislocated his ankle in Week 6. Tatum Bethune stepped in as his replacement, but he suffered a season-ending groin injury in Week 18. Meanwhile, the statuses of fellow banged-up linebackers Dee Winters (ankle) and Luke Gifford (quadriceps) are uncertain as San Francisco’s trip to Philadelphia draws closer.
Warner may return if the 49ers advance a couple of rounds in the playoffs. In the meantime, they have another much-needed healthy option in White, though a hamstring injury shelved him for most of 2025.
After signing a practice squad deal with the Titans in early September, White’s only appearance of the regular season came in Week 3. The Titans waived him Dec. 5. The 29-year-old hoped to land with a contender when Tennessee cut him. A month later, he’ll get his wish.
White, who now has 93 games and 73 starts on his resume, entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick of the Chargers in 2018. Also a former Cardinal and Eagle, White has gone over the 100-tackle mark on three occasions and logged two 17-start seasons. He was a full-time starter in 2024 in Arizona, where he finished with 137 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Although White has barely played since his two-year Cardinals tenure ended, he could factor into the 49ers’ postseason plans at linebacker. Eric Kendricks (currently on the practice squad), Curtis Robinson and Garret Wallow are among the injury-riddled team’s other options.
Rams Activate S Quentin Lake From IR
The Rams are getting one of their top defenders back ahead of a first-round playoff matchup in Carolina on Saturday. The team has activated safety Quentin Lake from injured reserve.
The Rams went a month and a half without Lake, who dislocated his left elbow in a Week 11 win over the Seahawks and had to undergo surgery. Los Angeles improved to 8-2 that day and looked like a strong contender for the NFC’s No. 1 spot, but a 4-3 mark without Lake led to a fifth-place finish in the conference.
A sixth-round pick from UCLA in 2022, Lake became a full-time starter in 2024 and continued in that role this year before landing on IR. Lake picked up 61 tackles, a sack, a personal-best 10 passes defensed and the first interception of his career over 10 games in 2025. He was on the field for 100% of defensive snaps during that span. Lake mostly played in the slot, but he also logged 80-plus snaps in the box and at free safety, and lined up along the edge at times.
Recognizing the versatile Lake’s importance to their defense, the Rams locked him up to a multiyear deal on Jan. 1. Lake had been on track to reach free agency in March before inking a three-year, $42MM deal with $25.7MM in guarantees. Healthy again, he’ll have a chance to make an impact during the postseason.
To make room for Lake’s return, the Rams placed linebacker Shaun Dolac on IR with a knee injury, ending his season. The undrafted rookie from Buffalo appeared in all 17 regular-season games and totaled 25 tackles. Dolac played 258 of his 300 snaps on special teams.
Bears Designate CB Kyler Gordon, LT Braxton Jones For Return
The Bears could have a pair of reinforcements in time for their playoff opener. Cornerback Kyler Gordon and left tackle Braxton Jones have been designated for return from injured reserve, per a team announcement. 
The move opens both players’ practice windows. Gordon and Jones can now be activated at any time within the next 21 days. Managing to do so in either case prior to Saturday’s matchup against the Packers in the wild-card round would of course be welcomed by Chicago.
Gordon has managed to play just three games so far this season. A groin injury led to his second IR stint of the year in December. No return in time for the end of the regular season was possible in his case, but the Bears have remained optimistic Gordon would be able to see time in the playoffs. Depending on how the next few days go, that could come to fruition.
Chicago has dealt with a number of injuries this season, and the defense in particular has been hit hard. Getting Gordon back in the fold against Green Bay’s passing attack and a healthy Jordan Love could prove to be critical if he is activated in time. The 26-year-old inked a $40MM extension this past offseason, and he is slated to operate as a key figure in the secondary for the foreseeable future.
Jones, by contrast, is a pending free agent. The former fifth-rounder has been on IR since October. His placement on injured reserve came not long after being benched for the first time in his career. Jones operated as a full-time starter during his first three seasons with Chicago, a team which has looked into numerous options on the blindside in 2025. Second-round rookie Ozzy Trapilo has handled left tackle duties for several weeks, and that should continue into the playoffs.
If he is activated, Jones will at least offer the Bears with depth on the blindside. His status, along with Gordon’s, will be worth monitoring over the next few days.
Panthers Activate WR David Moore, Waive WR Hunter Renfrow
The Panthers have made a few roster moves in advance of their upcoming playoff game. Wide receiver David Moore has been activated from injured reserve, per a team announcement. 
Moore’s practice window was set to expire tomorrow, so Carolina had to activate him to prevent him from reverting to season-ending IR. The veteran has been sidelined since suffering an elbow injury in Week 4. His return in time for the wild-card round will provide depth on offense as well as a special teams presence.
A pair of players have been waived in corresponding moves. That includes fellow wideout Hunter Renfrow, who saw early playing time during his return to NFL action. The former Pro Bowler was sidelined by ulcerative colitis in 2024 but managed to play in the Panthers’ first six games this season. Renfrow recorded a pair of touchdowns on 15 receptions but has not played since October.
Second-year safety Demani Richardson has also been waived. The former undrafted free agent has made 27 appearances and six starts in his career, each of which have come with the Panthers. As Joe Person of The Athletic notes, Richardson is a candidate to be retained via the practice squad provided he clears waivers.
Today’s move leaves the Panthers with five IR activations. The team has one open roster spot, and it could be used on guard Robert Hunt (who returned to practice two weeks ago) provided he is activated within the coming days.
Chargers Add OL Ben Cleveland To Practice Squad
Ben Cleveland has found a new home. Days after getting waived by the Ravens, the offensive lineman has signed with the Chargers practice squad, per the team. To make room, the Chargers have released safety Marcus Maye.
Cleveland served as a rotational offensive lineman after he was selected by the Ravens in the third round of the 2021 draft. He started seven of his 64 appearances for Baltimore, appearing in 673 offensive snaps across five seasons. He also had a consistent special teams role.
The veteran was limited to only three offensive snaps in 10 games to begin the 2025 campaign before he was hit with a three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s Substances of Abuse Policy. Instead of activating the 27-year-old back to the active roster, the Ravens opted to waive him instead.
Cleveland passed through waivers and has now landed with a playoff team. With Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater sidelined, the Chargers offensive line has struggled mightily this season. According to ESPN’s Kris Rhim, the team has shuffled through 29 different OL combinations, the third-most in the NFL. A player with Cleveland’s experience will provide some extra depth, but the team surely won’t turn to a newcomer ahead of a playoff game.
A former Jets second-round pick, Maye has spent parts of the past two seasons in Los Angeles. He made four appearances for the team in 2024, compiling 12 tackles and an interception. He joined the Chargers practice squad in December and was promoted for their season finale.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/5/26
We’ve got our first batch of reserve/futures contracts to pass along. These moves allow organizations to retain (routinely) young, practice squad players. Here are the latest transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- WR Chris Blair, P Trenton Gill, DB Tysheem Johnson, DT Ben Stille, OT Andrew Stueber, RB Carlos Washington Jr., DB A.J. Woods
Baltimore Ravens
- OT Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, WR Cornelius Johnson, DT David Olajiga, DB Amani Oruwariye, G Jared Penning, DB Marquise Robinson, LB Kaimon Rucker, FB Lucas Scott
Cincinnati Bengals
- LB Liam Anderson, C Jacob Bayer, RB Gary Brightwell, QB Sean Clifford, OT Andrew Coker, DT Howard Cross III, OT Javon Foster, WR Xavier Johnson, CB Jalen Kimber, CB Bralyn Lux, WR Jordan Moore, LB Antwaun Powell-Ryland, S Russ Yeast
Cleveland Browns
- TE Sal Cannella, G Jack Conley, WR Luke Floriea, RB Ahmani Marshall, OT Tyre Phillips, TE Caden Prieskorn
Dallas Cowboys
- WR ParrisCampbell, OL Nick Leverett
Detroit Lions
- OL Devin Cochran, WR Malik Cunningham, DE Ahmed Hassanein, TE Zach Horton, WR Jackson Meeks, OL Mason Miller, RB Jabari Small, DL Chris Smith, S Loren Strickland
Indianapolis Colts
- RB Ulysses Bentley IV, CB Wyett Ekeler, DE Viliami Fehoko Jr., G LaDarius Henderson, QB Seth Henigan, OT Bayron Matos, TE Sean McKeon, C Jimmy Morrissey, G Bill Murray, DE Durell Nchami, S Ben Nikkel, WR Coleman Owen, WR Eli Pancol, G Josh Sills, DT Tim Smith, S Trey Washington
Kansas City Chiefs
- LB Kam Arnold, DT Marcus Harris, WR Jimmy Holiday, OT Matt Waletzko
Las Vegas Raiders
- RB Chris Collier, G McClendon Curtis, LB Jamin Davis, WR Phillip Dorsett, DT Treven Ma’ae, OT Joshua Miles, TE Albert Okwuegbunam, WR Brenden Rice, G Layden Robinson, WR Justin Shorter, OL Laki Tasi, OT Dalton Wagner
Minnesota Vikings
- WR Joaquin Davis, OT Caleb Etienne, WR Dontae Fleming, S Kahlef Hailassie, WR Jeshaun Jones, TE Bryson Nesbit, G Vershon Lee, LB Josh Ross
New Orleans Saints
- CB Dalys Beanum, CB Beanie Bishop, WR Elijah Cooks, S Elliott Davison, DT Coziah Izzard, OT Easton Kilty, CB Jayden Price, OT Barry Wesley
New York Giants
- LB Swayze Bozeman, TE Tanner Conner, OLB Trace Ford, OL Reid Holskey, CB Patrick McMorris, CB Myles Purchase
New York Jets
- DE Paschal Ekeji, OL Liam Fornadel, LB Ochaun Mathis, WR Jamaal Pritchett, DB Samuel Womack
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- DB Marcus Banks, WR Dennis Houston, NT Nash Hutmacher, LB Nick Jackson, DT Jayson Jones, C Ben Scott, LB Benton Whitley, DB Damarion Williams, RB Josh Williams, RB Owen Wright
Tennessee Titans
- DE David Ebuka Agoha, DB Keydrain Calligan, DT Timmy Horne, LB Nate Lynn, WR Hal Presley, NT Isaiah Raikes, WR Xavier Restrepo, LB Cam Riley, RB Blake Watson, G Clay Webb, TE Joel Wilson
Washington Commanders
- Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, DT Ricky Barber, WR Ja’Corey Brooks, CB Tre Hawkins, DE D.J. Johnson, WR Jacoby Jones, DE TJ Maguranyanga, S Rob McDaniel, OT Tim McKay, CB Darius Rush, CB Car’lin Vigers
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/5/26
Today’s minor moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Extended: DE Isaiah Foskey, LB Joe Giles-Harris, TE Cam Grandy, LB Shaka Heyward, S PJ Jules, WR Mitchell Tinsley
Denver Broncos
- Signed from practice squad: QB Sam Ehlinger
- Waived: OT Geron Christian, TE Marcedes Lewis
Detroit Lions
- Extended: OL Michael Niese, RB Jacob Saylors, CB Nick Whiteside
Indianapolis Colts
- Extended: LB Austin Ajiake
- Claimed off waivers (from Buccaneers): LB John Bullock
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed from practice squad: DE Larrell Murchison
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: CB Tre Flowers
San Francisco 49ers
- Practice window opened: WR Jacob Cowing
Each of the players who were extended today received deals that last through the 2026 campaign. These contracts differ from reserve/futures contracts, which don’t count towards the team’s active list until after the Super Bowl.
The Bengals were especially active with these extensions today, handing out deals to a handful of players who could be in line for larger roles next season. Journeyman Joe Giles-Harris got into a career-high 10 games for Cincinnati this season, compiling 27 tackles while serving as a key special teamer. Shaka Heyward (16 tackles) and PJ Jules (18 tackles) saw similar roles for the 2025 Bengals. Mitchell Tinsley got some run on the Cincy offense this season, hauling in eight catches for 116 yards in 17 games.
Seahawks, LT Charles Cross Agree On Extension
As Seahawks left tackle Charles Cross missed his third game in a row with injury, he and the team were able to agree to a new extension. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Seattle and Cross have come to terms on a four-year, $104.4MM extension. The deal pays out $40.5MM in the first year and included $75MM in guaranteed money. 
The deal comes with little surprise. When Cross expressed his interest in an extension in the weeks leading up to his fourth season in the NFL, the Seahawks shut down any notion of that occurring during that time. The team had been operating under the notion that they don’t extend contracts that have more than a year left on them, and after Cross’ fifth-year option was exercised last April, the then-24-year-old still had two years left on his slate. As soon as one of those years was finished and Cross had only one year left, Seattle couldn’t even wait 24 hours to extend their blindside blocker.
The new contract makes Cross the fifth-highest paid offensive tackle (per annual average value) in the NFL behind Rashawn Slater, Tristan Wirfs, (right tackle) Penei Sewell, and Trent Williams. Perhaps more impressive, Cross’ contract is the largest for a non-quarterback in franchise history, according to ESPN’s Brady Henderson.
Cross is more than deserving of the new deal. Since getting drafted by the Seahawks at No. 9 overall in 2022, Cross has started in all but six games (consisting of two three-week absences). He established himself as one of the best tackles in the league last year as Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded him out as the ninth-best player at his position last year. He followed that up with a ranking at 27th out of 87 this year.
Though three of those six career absences have consecutively come in the past three weeks due to a hamstring injury, Cross is expected to be back in the lineup for the playoffs. Luckily for Cross and the Seahawks, the team’s victory over the division-rival 49ers secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye, so the 25-year-old will have a little extra time to work his way back to the field. They’ve clearly decided to be productive with the two weeks they have until their next game as they checked one thing off the offseason checklist nice and early.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/3/26
After the final standard gameday practice squad elevations of the 2025 regular season, the three-game elevation limit resets for the postseason, so only players getting signed to the 53-man roster because of the limit will be noted today. Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed from practice squad: WR Tejhaun Palmer
- Elevated: CB Jaden Davis, WR Steven Sims
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: P Trenton Gill
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: WR Keith Kirkwood, CB Amani Oruwariye
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: LB Keonta Jenkins, DE Matt Judon
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: TE Nikola Kalinic, LB Ty Summers
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: DT Howard Cross III, CB Bralyn Lux
Cleveland Browns
- Signed from practice squad: LB Edefuan Ulofoshio
- Elevated: TE Sal Cannella
- Placed on IR: LB Carson Schwesinger
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from IR: RB Phil Mafah
- Activated from reserve/PUP: CB Josh Butler
- Signed from practice squad: LB Justin Barron
- Elevated: G Nick Leverett
- Placed on IR: G T.J. Bass, RB Malik Davis, RB Javonte Williams
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Levelle Bailey
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: TE Zach Horton, OL Chris Hubbard
- Placed on IR: OL Trystan Colon
Green Bay Packers
- Signed from practice squad: WR Jakobie Keeney-James, G Lecitus Smith
- Elevated: TE Drake Dabney, LB Jamon Johnson
- Placed on IR: OL Donovan Jennings, WR Savion Williams
Houston Texans
- Elevated: DT Leki Fotu, S Kaevon Merriweather
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: QB Seth Henigan, TE Sean McKeon
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: TE Patrick Herbert
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: WR Jason Brownlee, WR Jimmy Holiday
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: LB Jamin Davis, T Dalton Wagner
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed from practice squad: S Marcus Maye
- Elevated: G Branson Taylor, QB DJ Uiagalelei
- Placed on IR: CB Nikko Reed
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: LB Derrick McLendon, RB Jeff Wilson
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: WR Jeshaun Jones, LB Sione Takitaki
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: TE Treyton Welch
- Elevated: QB Jake Haener, RB Nyheim Miller-Hines
New York Giants
- Signed from practice squad: CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse, WR Xavier Gipson, RB Dante Miller
- Elevated: TE Tanner Conner, DT Casey Rogers
- Placed on IR: CB Cor’Dale Flott, DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches Sr., WR Wan’Dale Robinson
New York Jets
- Signed from practice squad: QB Hendon Hooker, DE Kingsley Jonathan, G Kohl Levao
- Elevated: RB Raheem Blackshear, CB Samuel Womack III
- Placed on IR: RB Isaiah Davis, OL Xavier Newman-Johnson, TE Mason Taylor
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: LS Charley Hughlett, S Brandon Johnson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: CB D’Shawn Jamison
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: LB Eric Kendricks, T Brandon Parker
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: RB Cam Akers, CB Tyler Hall
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from IR: OLB Ali Gaye, WR Bryce Oliver
- Signed from practice squad: CB Kemon Hall
- Elevated: TE Cole Turner
- Placed on IR: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (story), WR Van Jefferson
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: DT Ricky Barber, WR River Cracraft
The Browns made it known yesterday that they were shutting down Schwesinger and tight ends David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr. for the final week of the season, but the Defensive Rookie of the Year-favorite is the only one to land on IR.
In Dallas, Williams failed to practice this week as he dealt with shoulder and neck issues. With Davis also being placed on IR, the Cowboys will rely on rookie fifth-rounder Jaydon Blue and the recently activated Mafah, a seventh-round rookie, in Week 18. The team used their eighth and final IR activation to bring Mafah back for a potential NFL debut.
Because Green Bay didn’t elevate recently signed practice squad quarterback Desmond Ridder, it appears either Malik Willis will be healthy enough to back up Clayton Tune or Jordan Love will serve as the potential QB2 for the Packers in Week 18.
Judon is set to make his Bills debut in the team’s regular season finale after signing to their practice squad two weeks ago.
With Saints backup quarterback Spencer Rattler not practicing this week with a finger injury, Haener gets the call to back up rookie Tyler Shough.
Hall in Tennessee had already been called up as a standard gameday practice squad elevation three times this season. In order for him to appear in the Titans’ regular season finale, the move to the 53-man roster was necessary.