The chaotic world of NFL emergency signings: 'You've got to roll with it, or you can go home'
ASHBURN, Va. — Jeff Driskel didn't have time to unpack, let alone unlearn everything he drilled the past seven weeks. In a whirlwind 12-hour span earlier this week, he went from being a practice squad quarterback on the sidelines during the Arizona Cardinals' Week 16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, to becoming the Washington Commanders' impromptu backup for their Christmas Day game against the Cowboys, with just three days to prepare. He received the call just minutes before kickoff, then hopped on a red-eye flight to the D.C. area, landing just in time for a physical and morning meetings before taking the field for a walkthrough and practice.
His locker, still without a nameplate, was designated by two suitcases parked in front. Driskel's experience is far from unique in the NFL, where injuries are a constant. Teams maintain emergency lists of free agents and practice squad players, ready to bring in new players on a moment's notice.
The Indianapolis Colts signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement earlier this month, elevating him from the practice squad to start his first game in 1,800 days. In 2023, the Vikings acquired Joshua Dobbs in a trade with the Cardinals and turned to him five days later, without him taking a single practice rep with the starters. Washington had its own emergency addition in 2020 when quarterback Taylor Heinicke, a little-known reserve, signed to the practice squad. Heinicke quickly became a cult hero, throwing for 306 yards and one touchdown in a playoff loss to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A year later, the Commanders signed quarterback Garrett Gilbert off the New England Patriots' practice squad to start a late-season game in Philadelphia, after he had only one practice with the team. Receiver Terry McLaurin recounted, 'When Garrett got here, fresh off the practice squad, the game plan was already in.'
Plucking a new guy off the street or another team's practice squad is almost daily in the NFL, but it's far from routine for those involved. Driskel, who spent the 2024 season with the Commanders as their third-string quarterback, was called back when Marcus Mariota suffered injuries. With the team's true starter shut down for the season and Sam Hartman having zero regular-season snaps, Washington needed reinforcement for the final two games. Driskel's familiarity with Kliff Kingsbury's system and the staff and roster gave him an advantage.
However, stepping into a game just days after arriving is undoubtedly challenging. In 2021, the Ravens signed Josh Johnson off the Jets' practice squad due to Lamar Jackson's ankle injury. Johnson started 11 days later, throwing for 304 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to the Bengals. Johnson's experience as an emergency QB continued with the San Francisco 49ers, replacing Brock Purdy in the NFC Championship Game.
The logistics of bringing in a replacement player or a new guy for depth have become almost everyday occurrences in the NFL. In Washington, the process is a multi-department collaboration, with the player personnel and football operations departments leading the way. However, timing is crucial. Injuries suffered during Sunday night and Monday night games can make it challenging to arrange workouts and visits with potential signings before other teams in need. The later kickoff dictates a later arrival, physical, and start for the player to get into a new routine.
Few players had less time to prepare than Matthew Wright, a journeyman kicker who agreed to fly to Kansas City ahead of Washington's Monday night meeting with the Chiefs in Week 8. The Commanders' starter, Matt Gay, informed the team of a back issue days earlier, giving them enough time to find a contingency plan. Wright, who had experience kicking at Arrowhead Stadium, flew to Kansas City that Sunday night, underwent a physical, and signed a practice squad contract at the team hotel. He was on the field in a Commanders uniform hours later, kicking only kickoffs and a single extra-point attempt.
The process of bringing in a replacement player or a new guy for depth has become almost an everyday occurrence in the NFL. In Washington, it's a multi-department collaboration, with the player personnel and football operations departments leading the way. Usually, it's a fairly standard ordeal, except when it's not, like when Washington was trounced by the Detroit Lions and was on a plane to Madrid the next evening.
