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Alex Anzalone Returns To Lions Practice

January 1st, 2025 at 3:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Lions head into one of the biggest regular-season games in NFL history, the prospect of seeing key players back at work during the playoffs looms. Beyond the potential Aidan Hutchinson, David Montgomery and Carlton Davis returns, a key defender is already back at work.

On IR since suffering a broken forearm in November, Alex Anzalone is back at practice for the Lions. The 14-2 team listed the veteran linebacker as a limited participant. Anzalone had targeted a return before the playoffs, the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett notes. This return designation puts a Week 18 comeback in play.

Injuries have hurt this loaded Lions team at many positions this season; no position has been hit harder than linebacker. Derrick Barnes has missed most of this season, and Malcolm Rodriguez suffered a torn ACL. Anzalone has missed the past seven games, leaving the team desperate at the position. Barnes joins Rodriguez on IR, but it looks like Anzalone will return soon.

Part of the Saints’ impact 2017 draft class, Anzalone worked as a part-time starter in New Orleans. While he made contributions on four straight playoff teams on his rookie contract, the former third-round pick has done his best work in Detroit. Anzalone played a central role in the Lions’ emergence. Following Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn from New Orleans, Anzalone has been a Lions starter for four years. He did well to earn a second contract with the team, a three-year deal worth $18.75MM, but this season brought a hurdle for the eighth-year defender.

Anzalone, 30, entered this season riding back-to-back 120-plus-tackle campaigns. Pro Football Focus has Anzalone slotted 37th among linebackers this season; he is poised to rejoin blossoming 2023 first-rounder Jack Campbell soon. The Lions will have three weeks to activate Anzalone. Despite the spate of injuries, the Lions are in good shape in terms of activations. Three regular-season moves remain, playoff teams — thanks to an offseason rule change — will have two more at their disposals.

Beating the Vikings on Sunday night would give the Lions a bye, providing extra rest for its batch of injured players. Hutchinson is in play to come back by the NFC championship game, while Davis’ timeline points to a down-the-road return as well. Montgomery avoided a season-ending MCL injury; he joins Davis as players the Lions have opted to keep on their 53-man roster in hopes of returns during the postseason. If Anzalone looks good in practice this week, however, he figures to be part of the effort Detroit will use to secure that bye week.

Commanders Designate RB Austin Ekeler For Return

January 1st, 2025 at 1:37pm CST by Adam La Rose

Austin Ekeler was recently mentioned as a candidate to return to action before the end of the season. The veteran running back will indeed have the chance to suit up in Week 18.

[RELATED: IR Return Tracker]

The Commanders announced on Wednesday that Ekeler has been designated for return from injured reserve. Head coach Dan Quinn said last week Ekeler could be back in the fold shortly, so the news comes as little surprise. Washington will now have 21 days to activate him.

Ekeler has been dealing with the effects of the concussion he suffered in Week 12, at least the fourth of his career. He has been on IR since the end of November as a result, but being back in the lineup would be a welcomed development for team and player. The Commanders clinched a playoff spot with the overtime in Week 17, but they are not guaranteed to finish in the No. 6 slot in the NFC’s standing they currently occupy.

As a result, Ekeler could be available as soon as this Sunday. The 29-year-old would likely return to splitting backfield duties with Brian Robinson Jr. upon return. Ekeler has recorded 107 touches this season, his first in the nation’s capital. As expected, he departed the Chargers in free agency and joined several veteran backs in finding a new team during the spring. Ekeler inked a two-year, $8.43MM pact to join the Commanders and has played in role in the league’s No. 3 rushing offense.

Robinson leads the team in production on the ground with 789 yards, though, and he will be expected to remain a key member of Washington’s offense heading into the playoffs. Ekeler could provide a notable change of pace along with production in the passing game provided he is activated no later than Washington’s wild-card game. Managing to remain healthy through the remainder of the campaign will also be key for team and player given his injury history.

Eagles TE Dallas Goedert Returns To Practice

January 1st, 2025 at 12:43pm CST by Adam La Rose

Dallas Goedert went down with a knee injury at the start of December. One month later, he is in position to return to the lineup, though. The veteran tight end has been designated for return, the Eagles announced on Wednesday.

Goedert’s injured reserve stint ensured at least a four-game absence. The fact he has returned to practice after missing the minimum amount of action is an encouraging sign. The Eagles will now have 21 days to activate him, although by virtue of being locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC the team has little need to rush Goedert back onto the field.

Still, he should be expected to be available in time for the wild-card round of the playoffs, something which will be a welcomed development for Philadelphia’s offense. Goedert has remained a steady presence in the team’s passing attack, averaging 11.6 yards per reception and recording a career-high 82.6% catch percentage. The soon-to-be 30-year-old will fall short of 50 receptions for the first time since 2020, but his presence will be key for the Eagles’ first postseason game.

The team’s offense has of course leaned heavily on Saquon Barkley and the ground game for much of the season, and the passing attack has dealt with inconsistency at times. Provided quarterback Jalen Hurts along with wideouts A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are healthy in time for the opening round of the playoffs, though, expectations will be high for the unit. Goedert will reprise his role atop the tight end depth chart upon return and thus serve as a key secondary option in the passing game.

The Eagles have four IR activations remaining, but like all other playoff teams they will soon receive two more. Bringing Goedert back into the fold before or after their regular season finale is therefore possible, but in any event his return will be a key development as the team eyes a Super Bowl run.

Panthers Designate RB Miles Sanders For Return

January 1st, 2025 at 11:18am CST by Adam La Rose

Miles Sanders‘ Panthers tenure is likely to come to an end after the year, but he could suit up one last time for the team this Sunday. The veteran running back has been designated for return from injured reserve.

As a result, Sanders will be able to practice in advance of Carolina’s season finale. Such a move would likely not have been made if his high ankle sprain had not healed to the point where playing in Week 18 would be feasible. The 27-year-old has been on IR since late November.

During his Eagles tenure, Sanders demonstrated considerable efficiency and set a new career high with 1,269 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in the final year of his rookie contract. As expected, he managed to parlay that success into a notable deal; his four-year, $25.4MM Panthers contract was the most lucrative handed out to a running back in 2023. Things have not gone according to plan since his arrival, however.

Sanders played 16 games last year, but his 31% snap share and 129 carries both represented career lows. Chuba Hubbard surpassed him on the depth chart, something which has remained the case through to the current campaign. In spite of Hubbard’s strong play and the decision to draft Jonathon Brooks last April, Carolina initially intended to keep Sanders in place. The team’s stance about moving on changed in advance of the trade deadline, but no deal was ultimately worked out.

Given the time missed due to injury and his spot in the RB pecking order, Sanders has only recorded 237 scrimmage yards and one touchdown to date in 2024. With Brooks on the shelf with another ACL tear and Hubbard unavailable for the season finale, though, he could receive a notable workload against the Falcons. A strong showing could help rebuild his value to an extent, but with no guaranteed salary on his deal beyond this season a release would not come as a surprise. Sanders is due a $1MM roster bonus shortly after the start of the new league year, so being let go before that point would be a feasible move on Carolina’s part.

Brooks’ second ACL tear clouds his availability for the 2025 season, but with Hubbard inking a long-term extension recently his status as the Panthers’ lead back moving forward is assured. Sanders could be auditioning to potential suitors on Sunday provided he is brought onto the active roster in time to play. Carolina has one IR activation remaining.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/31/24

December 31st, 2024 at 6:59pm CST by Ely Allen

The last minor NFL transactions of the 2024 calendar year:

Arizona Cardinals

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/31/24

December 31st, 2024 at 6:35pm CST by Ely Allen

New Year’s Eve practice squad transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Cleveland Browns

Houston Texans

  • Signed: WR Jaxon Janke

Jacksonville Jaguars

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Steelers’ Cole Holcomb, Roman Wilson, Logan Lee Return To Practice

December 31st, 2024 at 1:28pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Steelers could have reinforcements on both sides of the ball as early as Week 18. The team announced on Tuesday that linebacker Cole Holcomb, along with receiver Roman Wilson and defensive lineman Logan Lee have returned to practice.

In the case of all three players, they now have up to 21 days to practice before being activated. Holcomb is on the physically unable to perform list, while the two rookies are on injured reserve. Bringing back Wilson and Lee would therefore use up Pittsburgh’s remaining regular season IR activations, although all playoff teams receive an additional two return slots.

Holcomb was a key figure in the Steelers’ efforts to reset at the linebacker spot last offseason, signing a three-year, $18MM pact in free agency. The 28-year-old had a strong start to his Pittsburgh tenure, serving as a full-time starter through eight games and recording 54 tackles along the way. A major knee injury brought his campaign to an abrupt end, though, and it threatened to linger well into the current season.

To no surprise, Holcomb was moved to the PUP list during roster cutdowns, allowing him to continue rehabbing. An adjustment was made to his contract during the offseason with an injury split being added to lower his base pay in the event of a PUP stint (although additional guarantees were brought in to compensate). If Holcomb can return to the lineup in time for Saturday’s game against the Bengals or the wild-card round, his presence will be welcomed by a LB unit now led by Patrick Queen.

Wilson was added in the third round of April’s draft, and he faced expectations of serving as a complementary option in the passing game early in his career. The Michigan product’s debut did not come until October, though, and he has been on IR since making his only appearance to date. Pittsburgh has leaned heavily on George Pickens at the receiver spot, and the team also has trade acquisition Mike Williams in the fold. Wilson could compete with Calvin Austin for playing time in the slot once he is activated.

Lee was selected in the sixth round of the draft as depth along the defensive interior. The Iowa alum could step into a rotational role upon activation, although given his missed time it would come as a surprise if he were to see a notable workload this year. In any case, the Steelers will likely welcome multiple players into the fold at least in time for their upcoming postseason game.

Jets Promote Greg Joseph; K Will Play In Week 18

December 31st, 2024 at 12:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

Greg Joseph signed with the Jets last week, giving the team another kicking option for late in the year. The veteran will indeed receive a look for the season finale.

Joseph was promoted to New York’s active roster on Tuesday, per an announcement from his agent. He will handle kicking duties in Week 18, making him the fifth different kicker the Jets have used in 2024. After Greg Zuerlein was moved to injured reserve, auditions were conducted by Riley Patterson and Spencer Shrader; both only received one game on the job, though.

New York has relied on Anders Carlson for the past six games (although in Sunday’s loss, he did not attempt any extra points or field goals). During his time with the Jets, the 2023 sixth-rounder has connected on eight of 10 field goal tries and nine of 11 extra point attempts. Carlson remains in the organization at this point, but Joseph will get the opportunity to compete for a spot next year.

The latter has been in the NFL since 2018, spending time with the Browns, Titans, Vikings, Giants and Commanders. Joseph’s three-year run in Minnesota included two with a field goal accuracy rate at or above 80%, but the team moved on this offseason and has enjoyed a relatively strong year with rookie Will Reichard. Joseph made six appearances in place of an injured Graham Gano this year with the Giants in addition to a single game with Washington; he has gone 15-for-19 on field goals and eight-for-eight on extra points in 2024.

Zuerlein is under contract for next season, but none of his salary for 2025 is guaranteed. The Jets could look for a replacement in the wake of his struggles prior to his injury, and Joseph will get the chance to earn a look in the offseason based on his Week 18 performance.

Patriots To Waive Yannick Ngakoue

December 31st, 2024 at 10:36am CST by Adam La Rose

Yannick Ngakoue is set to be on the move once again in 2024. The veteran edge rusher is headed to waivers today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Ngakoue was unsigned through the start of the season, but he landed a deal with the Ravens in September. That practice squad agreement allowed him to reunite with one of his former teams, but it ultimately resulted in only five games played with Baltimore. The Ravens waived the journeyman in November to create an opening on the active roster and open the door to a return on Ngakoue’s part via another practice squad deal.

That proved to be impossible, however, since the Patriots put in a waiver claim. Ngakoue was thus in position to close out the campaign with New England, but he will now hit the wire once again. In six Patriots games, the former Pro Bowler handled a rotational role and recorded nine tackles and two quarterback hits.

If a team puts in a claim, Ngakoue will again be on the move with one week remaining in the regular season. In the event he clears, though, he will be a free agent and therefore have the option of joining a contender in time for the playoffs. Given his limited production in 2024, the longtime sack artist does not figure to have a strong market, though.

Ngakoue had a four-year run with the Jaguars to begin his career, but since then he has enjoyed only short stints with the Vikings, Ravens, Raiders, Colts and Bears in addition to his split duties in 2024. The former second-rounder posted at least eight sacks during each of his first seven years in the NFL, but that figure fell to four last year in an injury-shortened season. Chicago discussed a new deal with Ngakoue once he was healthy, but a reunion at this point in the year would serve little purpose with the Bears well out of the playoff race. Teams will have until tomorrow afternoon to put in a claim; if he becomes a free agent, Ngakoue will be able to sign with his next team at any time.

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.

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