Sean Clifford Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Bengals vs Dolphins game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Nov 25, 2025
Back with Bengals on practice squad
The Bengals signed Clifford to the practice squad Tuesday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Clifford was waived by the Bengals on Monday in anticipation that Joe Burrow (toe) would be activated from injured reserve ahead of Thursday's game against the Ravens. Clifford has opted to stick around in Cincinnati on the practice squad, and he would be a candidate to be elevated to the active roster if Burrow, Joe Flacco (shoulder/finger) or Jake Browning were to miss time.
Nov 24, 2025
Waived by Bengals
Cincinnati waived Clifford on Monday.
ANALYSIS
Clifford had regularly served as the Bengals' emergency third-string QB since signing to the team's active roster Oct. 31, so this transaction is another likely sign that Joe Burrow (toe) will return from IR in time to start Thursday night against the Ravens. If he clears waivers, Clifford will be a candidate to resurface on Cincinnati's practice squad.
Nov 16, 2025
Serving as emergency QB again
Clifford (coach's decision) is inactive and will be Cincinnati's emergency third quarterback for Sunday's Week 11 matchup against Pittsburgh.
ANALYSIS
This has become the norm for Clifford since he was signed to the active roster Oct. 31. Joe Flacco will log another start for the Bengals on Sunday, while Jake Browning will work in the No. 2 role. Clifford could be pushed off the roster when Joe Burrow (toe), who returned in limited fashion to practice this week, is activated off IR.
Nov 2, 2025
Emergency QB for Week 9
Clifford (coach's decision) will be the Bengals' inactive third quarterback against the Bears on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
Joe Flacco (right shoulder) has been cleared to play Sunday, so Clifford will serve as the Bengals' emergency third quarterback while Jake Browning operates as the backup. As the emergency QB3, Clifford is restricted from playing unless both Flacco and Browning were removed from the game due to injury, illness or ejection.
Oct 31, 2025
Signs to active roster
The Bengals signed Clifford from the practice squad Friday.
ANALYSIS
With Joe Flacco (shoulder) questionable to face the Bears on Sunday, Clifford will provide insurance behind Jake Browning. Clifford has yet to attempt an NFL pass during the regular season.
Sep 16, 2025
Headed to Cincinnati
The Bengals signed Clifford to the practice squad Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Clifford was unable to make the Packers' active roster at the end of training camp. However, the 2023 fifth-rounder has a new opportunity in Cincinnati, where he and Mike White will join the practice squad after Brett Rypien was promoted to the active roster to serve as the QB2 behind Jake Browning. Clifford appeared in two regular-season games in 2023 with the Packers but did not start in either of those contests.
Aug 26, 2025
Cut by Green Bay
The Packers waived Clifford on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Both Clifford and Taylor Elgersma were cut by the Packers on Tuesday, leaving Malik Willis behind Jordan Love (thumb) at quarterback for the Packers. Clifford was a fifth-round pick out of Penn State in 2023 and performed three kneel-downs in two appearances with the Packers as a rookie. He hasn't played in a regular-season NFL game since and completed nine of 17 passes for a minuscule 44 yards this preseason, averaging a microscopic 2.6 yards per attempt.
Jan 11, 2025
Elevated for wild-card contest
The Packers elevated Clifford from their practice squad to their active roster Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Clifford was elevated twice during the regular season when Jordan Love was sidelined Weeks 2 and 3 due to a knee injury, though Clifford didn't see any action as Malik Willis' backup. Both Love and Willis are in line to suit up in Sunday's wild-card contest against the Eagles, but both were limited by injuries during practice this week, so Clifford is expected to serve as Green Bay's emergency third quarterback, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Sep 23, 2024
Reverts to practice squad
Clifford reverted to the Packers' practice squad Monday.
ANALYSIS
Clifford served as Malik Willis' backup for the second straight game while Jordan Love remained sidelined with a knee injury. If Love is unable to return versus the Vikings next week, Clifford will likely be elevated once again.
Sep 21, 2024
Elevated again
Clifford was elevated to the Packers' active roster Saturday, Zach Jacobson of 247Sports.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The elevation does not preclude a status update for Jordan Love, who practiced all week and is listed as questionable (knee) for Sunday's matchup against the Titans. In the event Love does get ruled out, Clifford would be the backup to Malik Willis, who performed well enough in the Week 2 win over the Colts.
Sep 16, 2024
Reverts to practice squad
Clifford reverted to Green Bay's practice squad Monday.
ANALYSIS
Clifford served as Malik Willis' backup during Sunday's win over the Colts as Jordan Love was out with a knee injury. Although Clifford didn't see any playing time, he could still be elevated once again for next week's matchup versus the Titans if Love remains out.
Sep 14, 2024
Elevated to backup Willis
The Packers elevated Clifford from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Jordan Love (knee) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Colts, and Clifford is slated to serve as the backup quarterback behind 2022 third-round pick Malik Willis. Dianna Russini of The Athletic relayed Saturday that the optimism is for Love to return for Week 4 against the Vikings, which means Clifford could also be elevated for Week 3 against the Titans.
Sep 9, 2024
Likely backup Week 2
Head coach Matt LaFleur stated Clifford will operate as the Packers' backup to Malik Willis on Sunday against the Colts if Jordan Love (knee) is ruled out, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Clifford is currently on the team's practice squad after failing to secure the No. 2 quarterback job during training camp. Instead, the team traded for Willis, who is now in line to get the start in Week 2. Although LaFleur seemed to leave open the possibility that Love could play, he's expected to miss at least three weeks after suffering an MCL sprain Friday against the Eagles.
Aug 28, 2024
Lands on Packers' practice squad
Clifford signed with the Packers' practice squad Wednesday, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
The Penn State product had been competing with Michael Pratt for Green Bay's No. 2 quarterback spot throughout the preseason, but with the Packers trading for Malik Willis on Monday, Clifford failed to make the team's initial 53-man roster. He could now serve as the team's emergency third quarterback in 2024.
Aug 27, 2024
Doesn't survive roster cuts
Clifford was waived by the Packers on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Clifford served as Green Bay's backup quarterback last season after the team selected him in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. However, the team has acquired Malik Willis from Tennessee, who is now slated to be the No. 2, behind Jordan Love.
Aug 19, 2024
Poor showing in preseason start
Clifford started Sunday's 27-2 preseason loss to the Broncos and completed six of 10 passes for 43 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed once for 11 yards.
ANALYSIS
With Jordan Love getting the night off in Green Bay's second preseason game, Clifford struggled during his four drives in the game, which included an incomplete pass on fourth down to end the opening drive and an interception on Clifford's final throw of the night. Michael Pratt threw for only 52 yards in the remainder of the game, and the team's only points came from the defense courtesy of a safety, so Clifford remains the favorite for the second spot on the quarterback depth chart behind Love heading into the Packers' final preseason game against the Ravens on Saturday.
Aug 14, 2024
Will see snaps first
Clifford will start Sunday's game against the Broncos, according to head coach Matt LaFleur, Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated reports.
ANALYSIS
Clifford will be followed by Michael Pratt with Jordan Love set to get the night off. The Penn State product completed 10 of 19 pass attempts for 111 yards in a 23-10 win over the Browns on Saturday.
Jan 23, 2024
Spends season as backup
Clifford completed one pass for 37 yards and had three carries for minus-2 yards over two appearances in the 2023 season.
ANALYSIS
Clifford spent his entire rookie season backing up Jordan Love, and he made brief appearances in both Weeks 1 and 17 and another in Green Bay's playoff opener. With Love perhaps receiving a lucrative extension over the offseason, Clifford is well-positioned to remain a cost-effective backup.
Jan 1, 2024
Completes first pass as pro
Clifford completed the lone pass he threw for 37 yards in Sunday's 33-10 victory over the Vikings. He also had two carries for minus-2 yards.
ANALYSIS
Clifford entered Sunday's contest in place of Jordan Love with the Packers holding a comfortable lead in the fourth quarter, and he did make a mark in the box score with one long play and a couple kneel-downs. He remains the only quarterback on Green Bay's active roster other than Love.
Apr 29, 2023
Added to Green Bay quarterback room
The Packers selected Clifford in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 149th overall.
ANALYSIS
Clifford started 46 games at Penn State and kept Will Levis -- a second-round selection in the 2023 draft -- on the bench. He is fearless in the pocket and has decent mobility, but he lacks arm strength, a factor that will likely limit him to a backup role throughout his NFL career. In the short term, he'll battle with Danny Etling for the second quarterback job in Green Bay.
Apr 29, 2023
Added to Green Bay quarterback room
The Packers selected Clifford in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 149th overall.
ANALYSIS
Clifford started 46 games at Penn State and kept Will Levis -- a second-round selection in the 2023 draft -- on the bench before Levis ultimately transferred to Kentucky. He is fearless in the pocket and has decent mobility, but he lacks arm strength, a factor that will likely limit him to a backup role throughout his NFL career. In the short term, he'll battle with Danny Etling for the second quarterback job in Green Bay.
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