In the high-stakes arena of NFL roster tweaks, where every signing and cut can tip the scales of a team's season, today's under-the-radar moves on November 18, 2025, are stirring up some intriguing possibilities – especially for teams battling injuries and depth issues. If you're new to football, these 'minor transactions' are like the behind-the-scenes adjustments that keep squads competitive without the fanfare of blockbuster trades. Let's dive into what went down across the league, starting with the details that could impact upcoming games.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns made a few defensive adjustments today to shore up their secondary, which has been a point of vulnerability this season. They brought in cornerback Sam Webb from the Tennessee Titans' practice squad – that's the developmental group where players hone their skills without counting against the active roster limit. For beginners, a cornerback, or CB, is a defensive player who shadows wide receivers to prevent catches. You can check out Webb's stats here: Sam Webb profile. On the flip side, they placed cornerback Dom Jones on injured reserve (IR), meaning he's sidelined for at least a few weeks due to injury – IR is essentially the NFL's way of protecting teams from long-term absences while freeing up roster spots. Jones' profile: Dom Jones. Finally, they waived wide receiver Kaden Davis, releasing him from the team – waiving a player gives them a chance to clear house if they're not fitting the current scheme. Davis' details: Kaden Davis. These moves suggest Cleveland is prioritizing health and fresh talent in their defensive backfield.
Dallas Cowboys
Ah, the Cowboys – America's Team never disappoints with roster drama. They activated defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey from IR, bringing back a big-bodied lineman who's been out with an injury. A defensive tackle, or DT, is a powerhouse on the front line who disrupts the offense's run game and rushes the quarterback. More on Winfrey soon, but his profile is here: Perrion Winfrey. To make room, they waived linebacker Damone Clark, a key special teams contributor. Linebackers (LB) are versatile defenders who cover the middle of the field, tackling runners and covering passes. Clark's info: Damone Clark. But here's where it gets controversial: Is cutting Clark, who showed promise early on, a smart gamble on Winfrey's upside, or a premature farewell to a homegrown talent?
Las Vegas Raiders
Keeping it simple for the Raiders, they waived safety Chris Smith today. Safeties are the last line of defense, patrolling the deep field to stop big plays. This move might signal a shift in their defensive strategy as the season progresses. Smith's player search: Chris Smith.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans took a tough hit with wide receiver Calvin Ridley heading to IR for the rest of the season – that's a devastating blow for their passing attack, as Ridley is a proven deep-threat who stretches defenses. Wide receivers (WR) are the speedsters who catch passes downfield. For the full story on Ridley's injury and its implications, check this out: Titans WR Calvin Ridley out for season. Ridley's profile: Calvin Ridley. To fill the void, they promoted wide receiver James Proche to the active roster from the practice squad, giving him a shot to contribute in real games. Proche's details: James Proche. And this is the part most people miss: How will Proche step up in Ridley's absence? Could this be a breakout opportunity for an under-the-radar player?
Washington Commanders
Rounding out the list, the Commanders waived wide receiver Jacoby Jones, potentially opening the door for other receivers on the depth chart to see more action. Jones' search: Jacoby Jones.
Now, let's zoom in on the Cowboys' moves, because Perrion Winfrey's journey back to the NFL is a rollercoaster worth unpacking. After earning MVP honors at the 2022 Senior Bowl – a prestigious college all-star game that showcases top prospects to NFL scouts – Winfrey was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of that year's draft. As a rookie, the 290-pound powerhouse played in 13 games, notching 22 tackles and half a sack (that's when a defender brings down the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage for a loss). But his time in Cleveland was short-lived. Just a few months after facing a misdemeanor assault charge in 2023 – a legal issue that raised eyebrows about his character and maturity – the Browns released him. For context, such off-field matters can complicate a young player's career, forcing them to rebuild trust with teams.
Winfrey bounced back with a brief appearance in one game for the New York Jets in his second NFL season, then took his talents to the UFL's Birmingham Stallions last year. There, he dominated, earning All-UFL recognition and proving his skills weren't dimmed. That performance caught the Dallas Cowboys' eye, leading to a signing in June 2025. Unfortunately, a nagging back injury landed him on IR in early September, sidelining him just as training camp heated up. With only three activations left from IR this season – the NFL limits these returns to prevent endless shuffling – the Cowboys' decision to bring him back now is a calculated risk. It bolsters their defensive line depth at a critical time, but what if the injury flares up again?
This activation came at the cost of Damone Clark, who's been with Dallas since they drafted him in the fifth round out of LSU in 2022. The former Tiger burst onto the scene as a starter in 17 games during 2023, piling up an impressive 109 tackles – a stat that measures total defensive stops and highlights his impact. However, his role shrank dramatically in 2024 and into this year. While he's suited up for eight games in 2025, making just two starts, the bulk of his 217 snaps (that's the number of plays he was on the field) – 138 of them, to be exact – were on special teams, like kickoff coverage and punt returns. For newcomers, special teams are the unsung heroes who handle kicks and punts, often deciding close games with big plays or penalties.
The Cowboys' recent moves make Clark's waiver sting a bit more. Earlier this month, they traded with the Cincinnati Bengals for linebacker Logan Wilson, a reliable tackler who's already making waves: Logan Wilson. And just recently, they welcomed back DeMarvion Overshown from his own injury stint, adding another athletic linebacker to the mix: DeMarvion Overshown. With these reinforcements locking down the linebacker corps, Dallas clearly saw Clark as surplus. But is this fair to a player who gave his all on special teams? Or does it underscore the NFL's brutal 'what have you done for me lately' mentality?
Nikhil Mehta helped put this roundup together. Stay updated by following @PFRumors on Twitter: Follow @PFRumors.
For more on these teams and players, explore: Cleveland Browns rumors here, Dallas Cowboys news here, Las Vegas Raiders updates here, Tennessee Titans info here, Washington Commanders coverage here, and all transactions here. Player spotlights: Calvin Ridley, Chris Smith, Damone Clark, Dom Jones, Jacoby Jones (UCF), James Proche, Kaden Davis, Perrion Winfrey, Sam Webb.
What do you think – does Winfrey's past make his return a risky bet for the Cowboys, or is it a redemption story worth rooting for? And should teams give more leeway to players like Clark who've contributed in niche roles? Drop your takes in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree or have a different view!
