NFL Minor Transactions: 12/24/25

NFL minor moves this Christmas Eve:

Arizona Cardinals

• Activated from IR: DE L.J. Collier

Atlanta Falcons

• Designated for return from IR: CB Clark Phillips

Cincinnati Bengals

• Designated for return from IR: C Matt Lee

Cleveland Browns

• Signed to active roster: G Kendrick Green

Dallas Cowboys

• Signed to active roster: CB Corey Ballentine
• Elevated: LB Justin Barron

Detroit Lions

• Elevated: OL Kingsley Eguakun, TE Giovanni Ricci

Indianapolis Colts

• Designated for return from IR: WR Ashton Dulin

Los Angeles Rams

• Designated for return from IR: CB Roger McCreary

Minnesota Vikings

• Signed to active roster: G Henry Byrd
• Elevated: LB Sione Takitaki
• Placed on IR: TE Gavin Bartholomew, C Ryan Kelly

New York Jets

• Claimed off waivers (from Rams): S Chris Smith

Washington Commanders

• Signed to active roster: QB Sam Hartman
• Elevated: DT Ricky Barber, WR River Cracraft

A month after coming off injured reserve, Kelly is headed right back to the injured list. Kelly was initially placed on IR after two concussions limited him to only three games in the early stages of the season. It is unfortunately a third concussion this season — and the sixth of his career — that will end his 2025 campaign. This will conclude the first half of Kelly’s two-year deal with the Vikings, who will once again turn to backup Michael Jurgens in his absence.

Also in Minnesota, Byrd’s contract to join the 53-man roster will not just be a two-week deal. According to a post from the X account of his agency, JL Sports, Byrd is joining the active roster on a two-year contract.

In Detroit, this will be the third and final standard gameday elevations for Eguakun and Ricci. If the Lions want to see them in the regular season finale, they will need to sign them to the 53-man roster. That’s what Dallas is doing with Ballentine, who exhausted his third elevation last week.