Training camp churn: Cardinals place DT P.J. Mustipher on injured reserve, Patriots activate Gabe Jacas

Saturday’s NFL transaction slate reflected the kind of roster housekeeping that tends to follow the first weeks of training camp. The Arizona Cardinals placed defensive tackle P.J. Mustipher on injured reserve, a move that indicates he will not be available during the team’s current build-up period.

The Denver Broncos also made an injured reserve adjustment, reverting CB Blake Cotton to injured reserve. In practical terms, the club’s secondary depth will be managed without Cotton while coaches continue to evaluate other options in team drills.

On the other side of the roster-management coin, the Kansas City Chiefs signed DE Ethan Hurkett. New camp signings are often used to add competition at a position group and to widen the pool of players available for special teams and situational reps.

In New England, the Patriots activated OLB Gabe Jacas from the team’s active/non-football injury list. According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, head coach Mike Vrabel told the media that Jacas would still be held out of team drills for now, meaning the activation does not automatically translate into immediate full participation.

The Patriots’ move illustrates how “activated” does not always mean “ready to play” in the same way, especially early in the transition from a non-game-related injury status. Teams commonly bring a player back to practice eligibility in stages, maintaining caution while medical and coaching staffs confirm how the player responds.

In New York, the Jets signed DT Ben Barten. Similar to the Chiefs’ signing activity, adding a player to the roster during camp can provide a fresh look in the defensive front rotation as coaches sort through depth options behind the projected starters.

Meanwhile, the Jets also reverted WR Gee Scott Jr. to injured reserve. That change removes Scott from the active practice mix for the time being and shifts attention to the remaining wide receiver group during sessions where roles and timing are still being refined.

Taken together, the transactions underscore a familiar training camp reality: even when the headlines stay quiet, teams are continuously recalibrating availability, depth, and practice reps. For these clubs, the near-term focus is less about long-term narratives and more about who can consistently handle the work schedule once players return and while others remain sidelined.