HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Bills Open To Trading S Mike Edwards

October 30th, 2024 at 10:57am CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Bills signed Mike Edwards to a one-year, $2.8MM contract this offseason, but he has appeared in just three of the team’s eight games so far this season.

Edwards has played just 20 total snaps – seven on defense and 13 on special teams – with Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich preferring Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin to start at safety with Cam Lewis and Cole Bishop providing rotational depth.

As a result, Edwards is available on the trade block, according to ESPN’s Dan Fowler, with interest from the veteran safety in finding a new home and more consistent playing time this year. Four of Edward’s five absences this year have been healthy scratches with an illness holding him out of the Bills’ Week 7 matchup.

Edwards has just under $1MM remaining in salary and per game roster bonuses and will likely only cost a late Day 3 pick on the trade market, making him an affordable acquisition for a team looking for secondary help.

The Bills, however, could use improved play from their safeties, according to The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia. Rapp and Hamlin has sufficed as a starting duo, but Bishop and Lewis have registered Pro Football Focus grades of 50.3 and 45.5, respectively (subscription required).

If Buffalo elects to deal Edwards to another team, they may re-sign Micah Hyde, who hit free agency this past spring and declared that he would either retire or return to his longtime team. The Bills have left the door open to a reunion with Hyde, per Buscaglia, and his experience next to Rapp in 2023 would allow him to easily slide back into the defense.

Texans Looking Into WR Market; G Kenyon Green Drawing Trade Interest

October 30th, 2024 at 9:59am CST by Sam Robinson

The Texans have seen their wide receiver armada take some hits during the season’s first half. While Nico Collins is expected back fairly soon, Houston will be without Stefon Diggs the rest of the way due to a torn ACL. Diggs’ injury occurring before the trade deadline gives the AFC South leaders an opportunity.

This offseason bringing a change to the trade deadline helps teams like Houston, as clubs now have until 3pm CT on Nov. 5 to discuss deals. The Texans will be among those teams, and ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano indicates the team is looking into acquiring receiver help in the wake of Diggs’ injury.

Houston already made a deep dive into the WR pool this offseason, adding Diggs for a package fronted by a 2025 second-round pick. Diggs, 30, had avoided a major injury throughout his career; his first as a pro changes Houston’s equation, as it has gone from a Collins-Diggs-Tank Dell trio to depending on Dell, who is coming off a season-ending 2023 injury. Dell also sustained minor injuries in an offseason shooting. As it stands, the 2023 third-round pick is the Texans’ top active pass catcher, but his 2024 totals (24 receptions, 229 yards) are well off the pace Collins (32/567) and Diggs (47/496) have set.

Nick Caserio did well to pair Diggs’ $24MM-per-year contract with C.J. Stroud‘s rookie deal, as the Houston GM was far more active this offseason — after Stroud’s Offensive Rookie of the Year season — compared to his first three in charge. As Diggs, thanks to an agreement with the Texans to remove the final three years of his contract, heads toward free agency coming off a knee injury in Year 10.

The Texans still have some options at receiver, with Robert Woods and 2022 second-round pick John Metchie rostered. No one beyond Houston’s top three has cleared 75 yards this season, however, with second-year player Xavier Hutchinson‘s 64 leading the way among the team’s second-stringers.

Mike Williams, Darius Slayton, Adam Thielen and a few Patriots (K.J. Osborn, Kendrick Bourne and Tyquan Thornton) represent the known trade market. Some options may be in play beyond this group, depending on what teams are willing to trade. The Seahawks have seen teams check in on D.K. Metcalf, while the Chargers may be open to moving contract-year target Josh Palmer. It would not be a trade deadline without Courtland Sutton rumors, but like the Bengals and Tee Higgins, the Broncos do not appear likely to move on.

The Raiders may want to retain Jakobi Meyers, but it does not sound like they are committed to keeping the Josh McDaniels-era signing, and Graziano adds the Texans would likely be interested if the sixth-year vet — whose Patriots tenure overlapped with Caserio’s — was made available. Bourne’s 49ers tenure also overlapped with now-Texans OC Bobby Slowik‘s, providing some scheme familiarity. Though, the Patriots may be more interested in moving Osborn.

Elsewhere on the Texans’ roster, their No. 12 overall pick in 2022 (Kenyon Green) is drawing interest, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler adds. Teams had placed the third-year guard on their radars before the Texans benched him in Week 8. Missing all of last season due to a knee injury, Green rebounded and reclaimed a starting job. But the Texas A&M product has struggled, being benched for Jarrett Patterson. The latter’s concussion, however, led Green back into action. Among regulars, Pro Football Focus ranks Green as the NFL’s worst guard (77th overall) this season. He will retain his starting job in Week 9, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, who notes the Texans had considered Kendrick Green to start.

Teams do not look to view Green as a player the Texans will commit to in the long term. First-round O-linemen generally receive second chances, and some suitors appear ready to provide one for Green, who is signed through 2025. With Patterson in concussion protocol, the Texans may be less inclined to listen — especially as low-end offers figure to come in given Green’s woes to date.

Ravens Acquire WR Diontae Johnson From Panthers

October 29th, 2024 at 11:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

Diontae Johnson is indeed on the move. The veteran wideout is being dealt from the Panthers to the Ravens, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Schefter adds the teams will swap fifth-and sixth-round picks as part of the deal, one which will allow Johnson to return to the AFC North. Both selections are in this year’s draft, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network clarifies. As for the financial side of the deal, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports Carolina is retaining a portion of Johnson’s remaining salary.

As a result, the Ravens will only owe him roughly $625K for the rest of the season. Johnson is the latest rental receiver to be dealt, and it comes as little surprise he will be changing teams for the second time in 2024. The 28-year-old has been widely expected to be dealt, with multiple suitors believed to be in play (although the particulars of the deal point to a rather tepid market existing). As Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports notes, Johnson became “discouraged” by his situation; he will now depart a 1-7 franchise for one with a 5-3 record and aspirations of another playoff run.

Underscoring the compensation situation further, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones adds teams were initially discussing a Day 2 pick in a potential Johnson trade (video link). That price fell considerably, with suitors becoming increasingly aware a parting of ways with Carolina — stemming from what Jones terms as “communication issues” — would be imminent. The Panthers have moved quickly in taking an underwhelming offer.

Receiver has been floated as potential target in Baltimore’s case in 2024 (and many other years, of course), but recent first-rounders Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman have had a productive start to the season. Contributions from tight ends Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar have led to Baltimore boasting the league’s No. 1 passing attack. Free agent signing Derrick Henry has been as advertised in the backfield, forming a strong tandem with Lamar Jackson in terms of production on the ground (200 yards per game, which leads the league).

For that reason, it comes as something of a surprise Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta targeted offense in terms of a midseason acquisition. Scoring has generally not been an issue for the Ravens, but their defense has been a sore spot on more than one occasion. The team sits 26th in points allowed per game (26.1), owing in large part to the NFL’s worst pass defense. Bringing in help along the edge or in the secondary thus represented a logical course of action, but unless something further is done Baltimore’s incumbent options will be counted on to improve.

In place as GM since 2019, DeCosta has not been shy on the trade front during his tenure. He previously added Marcus Peters, Yannick Ngakoue and Roquan Smith via trade during the middle of the 2019, ’20 and ’22 seasons. Johnson becomes the latest name on that list, and he will aim to provide a notable contribution on offense while boosting his free agent stock in the process.

The former third-rounder had a productive five-year run in Pittsburgh, and he inked a two-year extension in 2022. In the lead-in to the final year of that pact, though, he asked to be dealt and the Steelers accommodated him. Carolina also took part in a pick swap in that deal, sending cornerback Donte Jackson back as well. The team’s investment has not proven to be particularly worthwhile given their struggles on offense and the decision to part ways after only eight weeks.

Johnson recorded at least 78 yards three times during his Carolina tenure, with his best showings coming during the time when Andy Dalton was in at quarterback. Bryce Young‘s development – on the field or otherwise – remains a key goal for Carolina during the second half of the campaign. That process could come about after other veterans are shipped out, but in any case Johnson’s performance on his new team will be a key storyline to follow.

Colts To Start Joe Flacco In Week 9

October 29th, 2024 at 11:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

Not long after Colts head coach Shane Steichen left the door open to a quarterback change, the team is indeed taking that route. Joe Flacco will get the nod over Anthony Richardson in Week 9, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler.

Flacco has already made four appearances and a pair of starts this season, but this will mark the first time in which he sees action while Richardson is healthy. The latter has struggled with accuracy issues during the 2024 season, one in which expectations were high for a notable step forward. Richardson also drew criticism for his decision to pull himself from the game in Week 8, something which was addressed by the team yesterday.

When speaking to the media on Monday, Steichen said Richardson temporarily remained atop the QB depth chart while adding an evaluation would be needed before naming a starter for the next contest. That process has now taken place, with Flacco getting the nod. The 39-year-old will take over on offense as the 4-4 Colts look to remain in the thick of the AFC playoff race.

Flacco’s NFL future was very much in doubt until the midway point of last season, when he took a depth role with the Browns. In short order, he found himself in place as Cleveland’s starter and helped guide the team to the postseason. The former Super Bowl MVP preferred to remain in place, but the team looked elsewhere for depth options under center. With Gardner Minshew pricing himself out of Indy, the Colts became the only team to make Flacco an offer.

Whereas Richardson has struggled to find consistent accuracy in 2024, Flacco has managed a completion percentage of 65.7% while throwing seven touchdowns (against just one interception). Avoiding turnovers – something which was an issue with Cleveland last year – will be key moving forward as the Colts’ offense looks for stability. Of course, Flacco does not offer Richardson’s rushing upside, but the return of running back Jonathan Taylor should help compensate for that.

Selected fourth overall last year, Richardson was understood to be a long-term developmental project after a college career which did not include many starts. Injuries limited the Florida product to just six games during his rookie campaign, and an oblique ailment cost him time this year. In all, Richardson has just 10 regular season starts to his name. After committing to a trial-by-fire approach with the 22-year-old, Steichen hinted the Colts may change their philosophy moving forward. That has certainly proven to be the case, and he will now be sidelined as Flacco (a pending free agent) takes over.

Texans’ Stefon Diggs Suffers Torn ACL

October 29th, 2024 at 10:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Assembling a high-end receiving corps this offseason, the Texans have received bad news on their highest-profile target. Stefon Diggs‘ test results revealed a season-ending injury.

Diggs’ non-contact malady is a torn ACL, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports. This is a crushing blow to a Texans team currently playing without Nico Collins. While Collins is expected back, Houston has a major question to answer after seeing its high-end trade pickup go down.

Despite Collins breaking out last year and earning an extension this offseason, the Texans acquired Diggs to give C.J. Stroud one of this era’s best wide receivers to target. GM Nick Caserio acquired Diggs’ Bills-constructed contract, pairing it with his quarterback’s rookie deal in his busiest offseason in charge.

While Stroud has certainly missed Collins since the fourth-year standout sustained a hamstring injury to lead him to IR, Diggs had loomed as vital insurance. The plan will change again for the AFC South leaders, who now may be interested in adding a piece before next week’s trade deadline.

The Texans acquired Diggs in a trade that sent a 2025 second-round pick to the Bills. Diggs had thrived in Buffalo, being a central figure in Josh Allen‘s ascent to superstardom. The Bills, however, had tired of the wideout’s antics. They were prepared to keep their longtime WR1 for at least one more season, holding onto him into April, but had discussed Diggs with the Texans at the Combine. The teams circled back to talks before the early-April trade, one that left the Bills with the most dead money in WR history and gave the Texans a perennial Pro Bowler. The Bills have since addressed the void Diggs created, trading for Amari Cooper; will the Texans consider a move before the Nov. 5 trade endpoint?

Houston still has Tank Dell, Robert Woods and 2022 second-round pick John Metchie. Xavier Hutchinson, a 2023 sixth-rounder, joins Dalton Schultz as parts of this Houston cadre. But Dell going from WR3 to Stroud’s top target would wound the Texans, despite the 2023 third-rounder’s early-career connection with Stroud. Collins cannot be activated until Week 10, and it is uncertain if the team’s receiving leader will be ready to return when first eligible.

For Diggs, this is obviously a significant setback. The former Vikings fifth-round pick had avoided major injuries throughout his career, playing in all but one Bills game during his four-year run with the team. Diggs ripped off four straight 1,100-yard seasons in Buffalo. He made a comment this offseason that suggested he sought a way out of Buffalo, reminding of his Minnesota exit, but the trade involved the strange step of the Texans removing the final three years of Diggs’ contract. This appeared to be at the request of Diggs’ camp to finalize a trade. As it stands, Diggs is soon to turn 31 and now headed toward free agency after this season-ending knee malady.

Diggs was on pace for a seventh 1,000-yard season, accumulating 496 (along with three TD catches) through eight games. Collins posted 567 yards despite finishing only four games. Dell sits third on the team with 229 yards. The diminutive talent will shift back into Stroud’s top option, while Diggs faces an uncertain future — one that will probably involve a significant value loss — following this development.

The presences of Woods, Metchie and Hutchinson may dissuade the Texans from giving up notable assets for help. But the team is 6-2 and competing for a Super Bowl berth with the 7-0 Chiefs, 6-2 Bills and others in a strong AFC. Suddenly, the team may benefit from the NFL moving the trade deadline back a week. It offers the Texans an emergency window to bolster their team.

While Cooper Kupp is not expected to be moved, Houston could have the likes of Diontae Johnson, Mike Williams and Darius Slayton to target if inclined. The team also may aim to lean on its Joe Mixon-fronted run game more going forward.

Patriots Shopping Multiple Receivers, Not Interested In Trading Jonathan Jones

October 29th, 2024 at 10:41pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Patriots made their first trade deadline move on Monday, sending edge rusher Josh Uche to the Chiefs for a sixth-round pick, and New England may have more moves in store as November 5 approaches.

The Patriots are “fielding calls on corners and receivers,” per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, with Tyquan Thornton and K.J. Osborn as the wideouts of interest.

New England has already been shopping Thornton for a few weeks, and Osborn may be frustrated after his playing time dropped in recent weeks. He is the more proven receiver after recording at least 500 receiving yards in each of the last three seasons for the Vikings, but he’s only averaging 27.3 yards per game this year as part of a struggling Patriots offense with turnover across the offensive line and under center. Osborn would also be an affordable acquisition for nearly any team; he is owed just over $1MM in salary and per game roster bonuses across the rest of the season.

Thornton also has just over $1MM of salary remaining this season, and he is under contract for 2.24MM in 2025, though that is not guaranteed. He has just four catches for 47 yards this season, but his speed is undeniable after a 4.28-second 40 yard dash at the Combine in 2022. He could be an affordable, speedy addition to a team that believes they can still get the best out of the 24-year-old.

New England is not interested in trading veteran cornerback Jonathan Jones, according to Breer, despite the fact that the 31-year-old Jones is a pending free agent who does not fit in the team’s long-term roster plans. Jones is set to earn $5M for the rest of 2024, making him a pricier acquisition for a team in need of secondary help. If the Patriots aren’t looking to trade him, Jones is unlikely to leave New England this season unless he requests a trade.

Instead of selling players, the Patriots could be buyers at the deadline despite their 2-6 record. After their Week 8 victory over the Jets, New England is “monitoring the trade market to potentially add talent,” per veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson.

The Patriots are specifically looking to upgrade at wide receiver, defensive tackle, and offensive tackle. Several offensive and defensive linemen are on injured reserve, forcing the Patriots to cycle multiple units in the trenches on both sides of the ball this year. However, sacrificing significant draft compensation for short-term upgrades in a losing season would be a surprise for a Patriots regime that seems committed to rebuilding under head coach Jerod Mayo and first-round quarterback Drake Maye.

Bucs Sign CB Troy Hill To Practice Squad

October 29th, 2024 at 10:05pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Buccaneers are signing veteran cornerback Troy Hill to their practice squad, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports, fortifying Tampa Bay’s injured secondary.

Hill, a 10-year veteran, appeared in six games with two starts for the NFC South rival Panthers this season, recording 32 total tackles across 236 defensive snaps. He was released on October 18 as Carolina elected to give their young cornerbacks more developmental playing time after a 1-5 start.

With 119 total appearances and 60 starts under his belt, the 33-year-old Hill brings valuable veteran experience to the Buccaneers as they contend with multiple recent injuries to defensive backs. Bryce Hall suffered a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle in Week 1, and Jamel Dean joined him on injured reserve with a hamstring injury on October 21.

Tampa Bay used just three cornerbacks on defense in Week 9’s loss to the Falcons, so Hill could be in line for elevations from the practice squad as soon as he acclimates to his new team. The Buccaneers will be his sixth NFL team, suggesting that the veteran corner should be able to pick up the scheme and contribute to the defense quickly.

The Buccaneers released undrafted rookie linebacker Kalen DeLoach from their practice squad in a corresponding move.

Packers Sign LB Jamin Davis To Practice Squad

October 29th, 2024 at 8:42pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Packers announced the signing of former first-round pick Jamin Davis to their practice squad on Tuesday.

The Commanders originally selected Davis with the 19th overall pick in 2021, but never lived up to his draft billing in Washington. He earned a starting role partway through his rookie year after an injury to Cole Holcomb and held onto it in 2022 and 2023, though he was place on injured reserve to end both seasons. Davis led the Commanders with 104 tackles in 2022, but only played in 13 games in 2023 before Washington declined his fifth-year option in the offseason.

Davis converted to defensive end under the Commanders’ new regime in 2024 and made the team’s 53-man roster to start the regular season. He appeared in five games with 13 tackles and a 30% snap share on defense. Washington then waived him on October 22; after going unclaimed, Davis became a free agent.

The Packers have a deep and healthy defensive line, so Davis is unlikely to see much playing time in Green Bay right away. Instead, he will have time to learn the playbook and refine his craft at defensive end behind veterans Rashan Gary and Preston Smith.

The Packers released linebacker Chris Russell from the practice squad in a corresponding move. The undrafted rookie had not appeared in any games for Green Bay this season.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/29/24

October 29th, 2024 at 8:13pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are the most recent practice squad transactions from around the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

The Vikings cut Gaskin from their active roster on Tuesday, but as a vested veteran, he did not need to pass through waivers before re-signing to Minnesota’s practice squad. Gaskin played in the Vikings’ first five games this season, but has not appeared since October 6. His familiarity with the offense could lead to activations from the practice squad if Minnesota needs running back depth.

Herndon will join the Saints after playing in Jacksonville for six seasons, with 83 total appearances and 34 starts for the Jaguars since 2018. The veteran cornerback only started five games over the last two years, but played in 15 games for almost 900 snaps as a rotational member of the Jaguars’ secondary. His experience could lead to quick elevations from the practice squad once he learns the Saints’ defense.

The Commander signed the 30-year-old Hart to give them more depth at offensive tackle. The veteran has 67 starts and 98 total appearances over his eight-year career, though he hasn’t played in the NFL since a 2022 stint with the Bills.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/29/24

October 29th, 2024 at 7:37pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are the latest transactions from around the NFL:

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tennessee Titans

Murray suffered a torn pectoral in the Bears’ loss to the Commanders on Sunday, thinning out Chicago’s offensive line depth. He played 37 snaps at left guard in Week 5 in relief of an injured Tevin Jenkins, who left Sunday’s game with another injury. After full participation in practice last week, Larry Borom should be ready to be activated from injured reserve to reinforce the Bears’ offensive line before Week 9.

The Texans officially played Diggs on injured reserve after tests confirmed a season-ending ACL tear, a non-contact injury that occurred in Houston’s Week 8 victory over the Colts. With Nico Collins already on IR, C.J. Stroud will turn to Tank Dell and Dalton Schultz to keep the offense afloat until Collins returns. Diggs’ injury could heavily affect his market in free agency after requiring the Texans to remove the final three years of his contact to facilitate his trade from the Bills.

Sutton is eligible to play for the first time this year after serving an eight-game suspension for violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He was suspended after he was arrested for domestic battery by strangulation in March, leading to his release by the Lions. The Steelers then signed him to a one-year deal in June before the league handed down his suspension in July, forcing Pittsburgh to turn to Beanie Bishop at nickel.

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