NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/23/26 — The New England Patriots added outside linebacker Benton Whitley to their practice squad, per Pro Football Rumors. This quick update lists all midweek taxi-squad transactions reported on 9/23/26 and explains the exempt/commissioner permission list entry noted in the report.
Source: Pro Football Rumors — Ely Allen. Original story: https://www.profootballrumors.com/2026/09/nfl-practice-squad-updates-9-23-26 (Ely Allen / Pro Football Rumors, 9/23/26).
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/23/26 — Midweek transactions
Caption: Midweek NFL practice-squad transactions — 9/23/26. Reported by Pro Football Rumors (Ely Allen), 9/23/26.
What the exempt/commissioner permission list means
The Pro Football Rumors report uses the term “exempt/commissioner permission list” for certain signings. That designation indicates the league has restricted a player from practicing or playing with the team until the NFL grants formal clearance. While a player remains on that list they are typically not permitted to practice or be elevated for games and generally do not count against a team’s 16-player practice-squad limit until cleared. In this update, Malick Meiga is listed on Seattle’s exempt/commissioner permission list and his status is pending league approval.
Patriots note: Benton Whitley signing and immediate context
Per Pro Football Rumors, the New England Patriots signed OLB Benton Whitley to the practice squad on 9/23/26. This practice-squad addition provides the Patriots added edge depth on the taxi squad; the report does not indicate any active-roster promotions, releases, or injury-related moves tied to Whitley’s signing. Any roster-cardinal changes would be announced separately via team or league transaction logs.
Other notable moves (short notes by team)
- Arizona Cardinals: Signed DT Jay Toia to the practice squad, per Pro Football Rumors.
- Buffalo Bills: Signed DT Austin Johnson to the practice squad.
- Carolina Panthers: Signed LB Maema Njongmeta to the practice squad.
- Cleveland Browns: Signed CB D’Angelo Ross and released CB Myles Bryant.
- Detroit Lions: Signed LB Joe Bachie to the practice squad.
- Indianapolis Colts: Signed WR Eli Pancol to the practice squad.
- Los Angeles Chargers: Signed long snapper Spencer Triplett to the practice squad.
- Miami Dolphins: Signed LB Liam Anderson to the practice squad.
- Minnesota Vikings: Signed DT Jonathan Harris to the practice squad.
- San Francisco 49ers: Added DT Viliami Fehoko Jr. and released CB Jakob Robinson.
- Seattle Seahawks: Signed DT Uso Seumalo and placed WR Malick Meiga on the exempt/commissioner permission list (league clearance pending).
What to watch next
- Monitor Pro Football Rumors and official team transaction pages for any updates to these practice-squad entries, elevations, or releases.
- Watch for league clearance decisions on exempt/commissioner permission list players — especially the status of Malick Meiga — to see when they may begin practicing and whether they will count against practice-squad limits.
- Track New England Patriots practice reports and transaction logs for any follow-up moves after the addition of Benton Whitley, such as elevations, releases, or other administrative roster changes.
Source and verification
This update is based on the Pro Football Rumors story “NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/23/26” by Ely Allen. See the original Pro Football Rumors post for the full, original transaction list: https://www.profootballrumors.com/2026/09/nfl-practice-squad-updates-9-23-26 (Ely Allen / Pro Football Rumors, 9/23/26).
