Latest on Le’Veon. Le’Veon Bell is reportedly planning to report to the Steelers prior to the club’s Week 7 bye, but Pittsburgh is still willing to consider trade offers for the franchise-tagged running back. The Eagles and 49ers are among the teams with interest in Bell, who is reportedly being actively shopped by the Steelers. Philadelphia, for its part, is giving “serious consideration” to a Bell acquisition, and has been mulling a trade for some time. However, the latest reports (from earlier today) indicate that not only has Bell not relayed any of his plans to the Steelers, but he’s not inclined to accept a trade.
Travis Frederick heads to injured reserve. The Cowboys kept Frederick off IR to begin the season with the hope that could return later this year, and while that remains a possibility, Frederick will miss at least the next eight games of Dallas’ season. Frederick was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome earlier this year, and recent reports indicated he’s still dealing with numbness in his arms. The Cowboys needed a roster spot with defensive tackle David Irving returning from suspension, so the club could no longer afford to keep Frederick on the active roster. Veteran reserve Joe Looney will continue to man the pivot for the foreseeable future.
Bengals lose Tyler Eifert. Eifert will miss the majority of yet another season after suffering a gruesome broken ankle against the Falcons last Sunday. One of the NFL’s most talented tight ends when healthy, Eifert will complete the 2018 campaign having played in only 28 of Cincinnati’s past 80 games. With Eifert sidelined, the Bengals will turn to backups Tyler Kroft, C.J. Uzomah, and Mason Schrek for the rest of the year. Cincinnati did get running back Joe Mixon for Sunday’s win over the Dolphins, but No. 2 runner Giovani Bernard will miss several weeks with an MCL sprain.
Greg Olsen nearing return? After suffering a broken foot earlier this year, Olsen could potentially be back in time for the Panthers’ Week 6 game against the Redskins. Nearly every report since Olsen broke his foot in the season opener has indicated the positive nature of his recovery. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reported in early September that Olsen would return in a “few weeks,” while Ian Rapoport of NFL.com indicated Olsen was facing a four-to-five week timeline. From 2014-16, Olsen — who also fractured his foot in 2017 — earn Pro Bowl honors while topping 75 receptions and 1,000 yards in each campaign.
NFL suspends Mychal Kendricks indefinitely. Kendricks won’t be playing for the Seahawks any time soon, as the NFL suspended him indefinitely last week. Kendricks, of course, was charged with insider trading earlier this year and subsequently released by the Eagles. Seattle picked him up despite a suspension obviously coming down the pike, and got three games from him before the hammer fell. Kendricks won’t collect a salary while he’s banned, so the Seahawks aren’t out any money. Austin Calitro will take over at linebacker for Seattle.