NFL teams trimmed their rosters to 53 players on Tuesday, and after the waivers process concluded earlier today, clubs are putting together their 16-man practice squads. That’s 512 additional players in addition to the 1,696 already on active rosters. Which clubs made the most interesting additions on Wednesday?
25 Most Notable NFL Practice Squad Signings
The NFL bumped up the practice squad size due to the COVID pandemic, and the league also loosened restrictions on who is eligible. While 10 players must have two or fewer years of NFL experience, clubs can add up to six players with no experience restriction.
Will Grier, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Will Grier became expendable for the Cowboys after they acquired fellow quarterback Trey Lance, but Grier’s Week 3 preseason performance — 29 of 35 for 305 yards with four total touchdowns — put him on the radar. He wasn’t claimed off waivers, but Grier has a chance to ascend with the Bengals.
358 total yards. 4 TDs. Will Grier got a preseason game to himself and took full advantage of it. 😤 @willgrier_ pic.twitter.com/7zKORORk7x
— NFL (@NFL) August 27, 2023
Jake Browning, who has never played in an NFL game, is Grier’s only obstacle as he attempts to become Joe Burrow’s backup. Browning won Cincinnati’s QB2 job mainly by default, and Grier could present a challenge if he picks up the Bengals’ offense quickly.
Bailey Zappe and Malik Cunningham, QBs, New England Patriots
Mac Jones remains the only quarterback on the Patriots’ 53-man roster. Bailey Zappe and Malik Cunningham both passed through waivers after being cut on Tuesday and will become backup options for New England.
However, the Patriots still prefer to find a veteran No. 2 signal-caller before the season starts, per Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal.
P.J. Walker, QB, Cleveland Browns
The Browns are rolling with fifth-round rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson as Deshaun Watson’s backup after trading Joshua Dobbs to the Cardinals this week.
But Cleveland has given itself another option under center. P.J. Walker’s poor preseason performance cost him the Bears’ QB2 job despite a $2 million guarantee, but he offers a mobile threat that could step into Kevin Stefanski’s offense if needed.
Malik Davis, RB, Dallas Cowboys
While Malik Davis entered the offseason with a chance to take over as the Cowboys’ RB2 behind Tony Pollard, he was part of Dallas’ cuts on Tuesday. Still, the Cowboys only kept Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn as backup options alongside Pollard, so Davis could work his way into the club’s plans later this season.
Zonovan Knight, RB, Detroit Lions
The Jets’ addition of Dalvin Cook pushed Zonovan Knight off their roster, but the 22-year-old RB landed in an excellent position with the Lions. Detroit kept only two running backs on Tuesday after surprisingly releasing Craig Reynolds.
MORE: Surprise NFL Roster Cuts 2023
Knight will become an immediate candidate for elevation on game days, although the Lions will probably try to add Reynolds to their taxi squad, too.
Andy Isabella, WR, Buffalo Bills
Andy Isabella has posted just 33 receptions since entering the NFL as a second-round pick in 2019, but 4.31 speed always gets noticed.
The ex-Cardinals receiver stood out during Buffalo’s training camp and nearly earned a roster spot. Isabella decided to stick with the Bills despite receiving offers from other teams, per Jordan Schultz of The Score.
Phillip Dorsett, WR, Denver Broncos
Even though Jerry Jeudy (hamstring) is expected to miss time to begin the season, Denver only kept three other wideouts — Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., and Brandon Johnson — on their initial roster alongside Jeudy.
#Broncos Payton on Dorsett, who is on practice squad pic.twitter.com/J5GvhAfu6N
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 30, 2023
Phillip Dorsett has 92 career NFL games under his belt and, if nothing else, can give the Broncos a speed threat. Denver also added fellow wideouts Lil’Jordan Humphrey, David Sills, and Michael Bandy to their practice squad.
Mike Strachan, WR, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts also went light at receiver. Even after re-signing Isaiah McKenzie on Wednesday, Indy has just four WRs on its roster.
Mike Strachan has only posted five receptions for 85 yards since being selected in the 2021 draft, but his size (6’5″, 225 pounds) and familiarity with the Colts could make him a candidate for elevation.
Austin Watkins, WR, Cleveland Browns
Sure, he benefited from playing in four preseason games, but Austin Watkins led all receivers with 257 yards during the 2023 preseason. But the Browns now have a deep enough WR depth chart that Watkins’ performance wasn’t enough for him to earn a roster spot.
He might have to battle fellow Cleveland practice squad addition Jaelon Darden for a promotion if the Browns suffer a wideout injury.
Britain Covey, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
As they did in 2022, the Eagles kept only four receivers on their initial roster. Britain Covey wasn’t part of that quarter last season, but he still appeared in all 17 games for Philadelphia while serving as the team’s primary returner.
Covey will make his way back to the Eagles’ 53-man roster, one way or another. Philadelphia also kept fellow receivers Greg Ward, Devon Allen, and Joseph Ngata on their P-squad.
Hakeem Adeniji, OL, Minnesota Vikings
Hakeem Adeniji couldn’t crack the Bengals’ roster, but he has a chance to become valuable depth for the Vikings, who only retained three reserve offensive linemen. A former sixth-round pick, Adeniji started seven playoff games for Cincinnati — including Super Bowl 56 — and can play everywhere but center.
Kellen Diesch, OL, Pittsburgh Steelers
Underdog’s Josh Norris has shown that offensive linemen with a sub-4.47 short shuttle often overperform their draft position. Kellen Diesch was a member of that club in 2022 but went undrafted. Broderick Jones is the Steelers’ future left tackle, but Diesch could eventually become a depth option on the right side.
Alex Leatherwood, OL, Cleveland Browns
Alex Leatherwood couldn’t make the Bears’ roster despite a $4.6 million salary guarantee, but he’s landed in arguably the best possible spot. If legendary Browns offensive line coach Bill Callahan can’t get the best out of Leatherwood (a first-round Raiders pick in 2021), no one can.
Tyre Phillips, OL, New York Giants
Tyre Phillips started five games for the Giants in 2022 and saw some time with the first-team offense during training camp. Capable of playing tackle or guard, Phillips should return to New York’s active roster at some point this season.
Christian Covington, DL, Los Angeles Chargers
Christian Covington is back with the Chargers, with whom he spent the 2021 and 2022 campaigns. Los Angeles is a little deeper up front than they were last year after adding Nick Williams this summer, but no one across the Chargers’ defensive interior scares you. Covington could work his way onto the Bolts’ roster later this season.
Christian Kirksey, LB, Buffalo Bills
Christian Kirksey was a surprise cut on Tuesday, even if his release from the Texans was more about money than talent. The veteran linebacker instantly became a notable addition when he joined the Bills’ practice squad on Wednesday.
MLB Christian Kirksey notes:
*Always setting the defense, communicating – LEADER
*Makes a lot of plays in the middle of the field *Can hypothetically "play off of" DTs when they penetrate/attack
*Can make plays at or behind the LOS vs run if given the green light (Run… pic.twitter.com/dAu3w2JeWC— Erik Turner (@ErikJTurner) August 28, 2023
Buffalo tried to stage a training camp competition to replace Tremaine Edmunds this summer, but the battle never really got off the ground. While Terrel Bernard and Tyrel Dodson remain the favorites, Kirksey could become an option later in the season if either of those LBs struggles.
A.J. Johnson, LB, Miami Dolphins
A.J. Johnson was one of the league’s best linebackers in 2020, but a 2021 pectoral tear derailed his career. Given his familiarity with Vic Fangio’s defense, Johnson could be the first linebacker called up if the Dolphins have an injury.
New Miami LB David Long Jr. doesn’t exactly have the world’s greatest track record of staying healthy.
Jabril Cox, LB, Washington Commanders
Injuries have also slowed Jabril Cox’s NFL tenure. The Cowboys cut the 2021 third-round pick on Tuesday, but he’s already landed with a division rival. Cox probably needs an injury ahead of him to get a chance with Washington, but his willingness to play special teams could get him a look.
Chase Lucas, CB, Detroit Lions
Although Chase Lucas produced during the preseason and posted an interception in Week 3, rookie undrafted free agent Steven Gilmore’s emergence pushed him off the roster.
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The Lions have far more defensive back depth than they did a year ago, but Lucas’ versatility to play inside, outside, or at safety could place him back in Detroit’s plans sooner or later.
Joejuan Williams, CB, Minnesota Vikings
Joejuan Williams, a former Patriots second-round pick who the Vikings signed in April, had seen plenty of time with Minnesota’s first-team defense and looked like a potential starting CB option.
However, he struggled in the Vikings’ second preseason game and wasn’t healthy enough for Week 3. Williams’ size (6’3″, 212 pounds) will always make him intriguing.
Trey Dean, S, New York Jets
Trey Dean didn’t get drafted this spring but latched on with the Jets as a UDFA after earning the Shrine Bowl’s defensive MVP award. While he nearly claimed a spot on New York’s 53, he was edged out by holdover Ashtyn Davis. Dean has all the makings of a longtime special teamer.
Eric Rowe, DB, Carolina Panthers
The Panthers went relatively light by keeping only nine defensive backs. That roster construction could benefit Eric Rowe, who might be a favorite to be elevated on game days. Rowe’s best attribute is his malleability, as he can play cornerback or safety.
Daryl Worley, DB, Baltimore Ravens
Melvin Gordon might be the bigger name, but Daryl Worley could have the more significant impact for the Ravens this year. Worley, who started 49 games at cornerback over the first four seasons of his career, has since morphed into a versatile defensive back who focused on safety this summer but can still play CB.
While Baltimore didn’t place Marlon Humphrey on injured reserve to begin the year, he’s expected to miss time at the season’s outset. Worley, who bounced between the Ravens’ practice squad and active roster in 2022 before ultimately starting the club’s regular-season finale, could see several elevations early in the year.
Cade York, K, Tennessee Titans
We’ve seen plenty of kickers — Daniel Carlson, Harrison Butker, and Jake Elliott, to name a few — become successful after getting released by the team that drafted them.
Yes, Cade York struggled for the Browns during the preseason, but it would only take a few misses from new Titans kicker Nick Folk for York to receive another opportunity.
