Here are the latest moves from around the NFL:
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Detroit Lions
Jacksonville Jaguars
New England Patriots
Markus Bailey will be unavailable to the Cardinals for much of the remainder of the regular season. The fifth-year linebacker was issued a six-game suspension on Tuesday for violating the NFL’s PED policy, the league announced. 
Bailey is on Arizona’s practice squad, and he has made one appearance so far in 2024. The 27-year-old spent his first four campaigns with the Bengals, totaling 60 appearances and four starts. He landed a one-year Cardinals deal in May after showing his ability as a backup defender and key special teams presence.
The Purdue product was among Arizona’s final roster cuts, but he was immediately retained on a taxi squad deal. Bailey was only elevated to the active roster for the team’s Week 7 contest, during which he did not see the field on defense but was involved on special teams. Now, he will not be eligible to suit up until the Cardinals’ regular season finale.
Arizona is currently riding a four-game winning streak, and the team leads the NFC West as a result. The Cardinals’ success has come in spite of the fact their defense sits in the bottom half of the league in both passing and rushing yards allowed per game. Overall, a 12th-place ranking in terms of defensive scoring is an encouraging sign for the team’s chances to win a wide-open division and qualify for the postseason in head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Offenfort‘s second year at the helm.
Bailey did not seem to be in Arizona’s linebacker plans when available, so his absence will not be felt to a large degree while he serves the ban. If he remains with the organization over the coming weeks, though, he will be an option to see playing time in Week 18 and/or the playoffs should the Cardinals continue their run of recent success.
Ifeatu Melifonwu was activated from injured reserve on Monday, a move which made him eligible to suit up as early as Week 12. It will still be several weeks before he makes his season debut, however. 
The fourth-year safety was moved back to IR on Tuesday, per a team announcement. As a result, he will be out for at least the next four games. Melifonwu has yet to suit up in 2024 while rehabbing an ankle injury, and his efforts to return to full health will continue for the foreseeable future. A finger issue encountered in practice will lead to this second stint on the sidelines.
Briefly activating the 25-year-old prevented him from seeing his original 21-day return window expire, something which would have ended his season. Instead, Melifonwu will reset the process of returning to practice later in the campaign once he is in position, health-wise, to do so. Head coach Dan Campbell said (via Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News) there is still a possibility the former third-rounder could suit up in 2024.
For the time being, though, the Lions will carry on with their current safety tandem of Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. That pairing has drawn praise, and if it remains intact Melifonwu will be slated for a backup/special teams role whenever he returns to the lineup. The Syracuse product is a pending free agent, so his missed time in 2024 will hinder his market value, and his performances if he does mange to see the field this year could be key in boosting his stock.
Detroit ranks 27th against the pass with an average of 233 yards surrendered per game through the air. Getting a key member of the secondary back in the form of Melifonwu (who made nine combined regular and postseason starts last year) would thus be a welcomed development for the NFC-leading Lions. The team has six IR activations remaining, and using a second one on Melifonwu will be needed for him to see playing time.
The Ravens were in the market for a cornerback addition leading up to the trade deadline, with the team being outbid for Marshon Lattimore. That led to a deal being worked out which brought Tre’Davious White to Baltimore. 
The team is still making moves in the secondary after the deadline. Desmond King is set to sign with the Ravens, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports. This will be a practice squad agreement. Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic adds King recently worked out with Baltimore. The team has since announced the move.
The 29-year-old has spent time with four teams during his career, with most of his recent games coming as a Texan. King had 28 starts and 40 appearances with Houston to his name ahead of the 2024 season, but he was among the veterans let go during roster cutdowns. He was ultimately retained on the practice squad before being elevated for one contest. King was cut once more last week, however, leaving him on the open market.
Baltimore’s secondary had a strong showing in Sunday’s low-scoring loss to the Steelers, but on the whole the unit has struggled in 2024. The Ravens rank last in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (285), and the safety position has seen a rotation of players in the starting lineup. At corner, the top of the depth chart is set with Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, first-round rookie Nate Wiggins and White.
King could play a depth role as part of that group, but his experience also includes considerable time spent as a returner. The former fifth-rounder earned a first-team All-Pro nod for his special teams work in 2019, the first of two straight seasons in which he recorded a punt return touchdown. King has remained involved in the return game through to his single appearance this year, and Baltimore is currently without primary returner Deonte Harty.
By virtue of signing on the taxi squad, King can be designated a gameday elevation up to three times. After that, he will need to be added to the active roster to avoid being placed on waivers.
Terrell Edmunds recently saw his second Steelers tenure come to an end, but he may not need to wait long to find a new team. The veteran safety has a Tuesday free agent visit lined up with the Bears, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. 
Edmunds started the year with the Jaguars, but he made only one appearance with the team. Pittsburgh added him off Jacksonville’s practice squad in September, a move which allowed him to return to where his NFL career began. The former first-rounder spent four years as a Steeler, serving as a full-time starter during that period. Edmunds then split his time with the Eagles and Titans in 2023.
Should today’s workout go well, the 27-year-old could join a third team for the campaign. In the case of the Bears in particular, of course, a deal would allow Edmunds to play alongside his brother. Tremaine Edmunds joined Chicago as a free agent in 2023, and the two-time Pro Bowler has been a key defender during his time in the Windy City. His 113 tackles last season were the second most of his career, and he set a new personal mark with four interceptions.
Aside from a family reunion, a deal with the Bears for Terrell Edmunds would of course address the team’s need for depth in the secondary. Chicago placed Jaquan Brisker on injured reserve last week, and there is a strong possibility he will not return in 2024. Edmunds would not be expected to handle starting duties if he were to sign, but he could provide veteran depth in Brisker’s absence.
Chicago moved on from longtime safety Eddie Jackson this offseason, a move which came as little surprise at the time. The Bears have leaned on Kevin Byard as a starter in his first campaign with the team, and Brisker’s injury has left the door open to more playing time for the likes of Elijah Hicks, Tarvarius Moore and Jonathan Owens. Depending on how today’s workout goes, Edmunds could join that group.
NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Zac Taylor said on Tuesday Turner is indeed dealing with a broken clavicle; he is headed to injured reserve as a result. That will guarantee at least a four-game absence, but Taylor did not rule out the possibility of a return later in the campaign.
NOVEMBER 18: The Bengals’ secondary was already shorthanded heading into Week 11, and the unit was dealt another blow last night. Cornerback DJ Turner exited the game after a pass breakup, and he may not return in 2024. 
The team fears Turner suffered a fractured clavicle, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. A second opinion is being sought out, but a confirmation of that injury would require season-ending surgery. In any event, a lengthy absence should be expected for one of Cincinnati’s starting cover men.
The Bengals lost Dax Hill to an ACL tear last month, ending his first campaign as a perimeter corner. That injury left the team’s secondary increasingly reliant on other options, including Turner. The 2023 second-rounder made 12 starts as a rookie, posting eight pass deflections and 50 tackles. Turner surrendered four touchdowns as the nearest defender and allowed an opposing passer rating of 111.6, however, leaving plenty of room for improvement in coverage.
2024 did see a step forward in both areas, an encouraging sign for Turner’s long-term outlook in Cincinnati. For the time being, however, the 24-year-old will need to turn his attention to recovery in anticipation of a return to the lineup no earlier than Week 1 of the 2025 campaign. Cincinnati has Cam Taylor-Britt and Josh Newton set to handle starting duties on the outside at corner moving forward with veteran Mike Hilton in place as the top slot option.
Defense has been a sore spot throughout the year for the Bengals, a team which sits at 4-7 despite their league-leading passing attack. Cincinnati ranks 23rd against the pass, and the loss of Hill and now Turner will make it increasingly challenging to improve in that department. Without finding a way to do so, a postseason berth will not be feasible.
Turner has two years remaining on his rookie pact. The Michigan product’s long-term health will be a key concern on the team’s part as another contingency plan is sought out at the CB position.
Eric Rowe is on his way back to Pittsburgh. The veteran safety has signed to the Steelers’ practice squad, per a team announcement. 
Almost exactly one year ago, Rowe joined the Steelers en route to playing a key role for the team down the stretch and into the postseason. The 32-year-old recently visited Pittsburgh as a free agent, as noted by KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. He was joined in that regard by Marquise Blair, but to little surprise the Steelers have elected to go with the familiar option.
Rowe started all three of his regular season appearances for Pittsburgh last year, remaining a first-team presence during the team’s wild-card loss. He was not re-signed in the offseason, however, and no agreement was reached with any other suitors on the open market. Having remained a free agent well into the campaign, he will aim to join Pittsburgh’s active roster in short order. The Utah product will be an option for a gameday elevation up to three times, and succeeding in that regard could land him on the active roster.
The Steelers’ defense has been among the league’s best in a number of areas, but there is room for improvement against the pass. Pittsburgh sits 18th in terms of passing yards allowed per game (215), and Rowe could step into at least a depth role in a bid to help in that department. The former second-rounder has recorded six interceptions and 43 pass deflections in 103 games, and some of that ball production came during his brief 2023 period as a Steeler.
Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott have operated as safety starters for Pittsburgh in 2024. Provided they remain healthy, that will likely be the case through the rest of the season. As the 8-2 Steelers look to remain atop the AFC North, they will have an additional option in the secondary for the second half of the campaign.
Upon taking over as interim head coach, Jeff Ulbrich has maintained his role as the Jets’ defensive play-caller. That remains the case for the time being, but in the wake of the unit’s struggles he could wind up delegating those duties. 
Under Robert Saleh, New York allowed an average of 17 points and 255 yards per game this season. Ulbrich served as the team’s defensive coordinator over that span, but Saleh’s firing added to Ulbrich’s day-to-day responsibilities. The latter has continued to lead the defense during his tenure as interim HC, but in that time the Jets have regressed defensively. The team has surrendered 26.2 points and 346 yards per contest under Ulbrich across the past six games.
“It’s extremely hard to see the unit not perform as well as they’re capable of performing,” Ulbrich said (via Jared Schwartz of the New York Post). “That’s on me and our staff, and on every defensive player in there to regain the standard that we’ve created here in the last couple of years because we’re not playing as well as we need to play and we’re not playing as well as we’re capable of playing. Part of that will be this week and getting back on track.”
Ulbrich made it clear he is not ceding play-calling duties “as of today,” but he added the next few days will include an assessment of where things stand. Delegating would allow the 47-year-old to focus on his other duties during his first career head coaching opportunity. Given the Jets’ 1-5 record since Ulbrich took over, a change may help spark a rebound to close out the campaign.
Schwartz names senior defensive assistant Tony Oden and defensive backs coach Marquand Manuel as options to take on play-calling responsibilities in the event Ulbrich were to give them up. How the team proceeds on that front during its bye week will be interesting to follow. Sunday’s loss leaves the Jets with a record of 3-8, making a postseason berth highly unlikely.
Ulbrich is of course a candidate to land the full-time HC spot for 2025, but the Jets are already looking into options outside the organization. How the team performs after the bye will be key in determining Ulbrich’s future, something which may include a different defensive play-caller being installed soon.
With Dawand Jones out for the season, more shuffling is required along the Browns’ offensive line. The left tackle spot could see a familiar face in play for Week 12, but in any event veteran depth is being added. 
Geron Christian is heading to Cleveland, per an announcement from his agency. The 28-year-old is a veteran of 59 games and 25 starts at the NFL level. That includes the 2023 campaign, during which he split his time between the Texans and Browns. He made nine starts on the blindside for Cleveland that year, so he will be a familiar option to step into that role down the stretch if need be.
Christian signed with the Rams in September as part of the team’s effort to find healthy O-linemen early in the campaign. He made only one appearance for Los Angeles and, after being elevated for Week 11 but not playing, he reverted back to the Rams’ practice squad. Today’s move will allow the former third-rounder the chance to spend time on an active roster even if it is only in a backup capacity. The Rams are in better shape now than they were at the start of the campaign with respect to tackle depth, but losing a veteran option could prove to be detrimental later in the year.
While Christian will be one option to operate as a left tackle starter as the Browns play out the remaining weeks of the season, another is Jedrick Wills. The former first-rounder has been dealing with a knee injury which has left him in and out of the lineup in 2024. Wills’ struggles when on the field led to his demotion ahead of Week 11, a move which paved the way for Jones to handle starting blindside duties the rest of the way. With that no longer being an option, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal notes Wills could step back into a starting spot if healthy.
The Alabama product was listed as a non-participant in practice for Monday’s estimated injury report ahead of the Browns’ Thursday night game. If his knee is healthy enough to suit up, he could return to the starting lineup ahead of his contract expiring. As a pending free agent, Wills’ future is in question, and Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot writes the team may only be interested in retaining him in a swing tackle role. Wills could find himself with one more stretch of games to play his way into a new Browns deal.
In addition to Wills and Christian, Cleveland has Germain Ifedi as an option to handle the LT spot. Ifedi replaced Jones after his injury on Sunday, and he has started 83 of his 110 NFL appearances. Christian’s return will give the team additional contributors to close out the year, one in which the 2-8 outfit will look to sort out its O-line possibilities for 2025.
The Giants are using their bye week to make a change under center. Daniel Jones is headed to the bench, as first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The move marks another sign his tenure in New York is coming to an end this offseason. 
ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds Tommy DeVito will take over starting duties in Jones’ place. His first game action will come in Week 12 against the Buccaneers with Drew Lock representing the team’s other quarterback option. It remains to be seen where Jones will now sit on the QB depth chart.
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Lock missed time during the preseason after joining the Giants in free agency. DeVito, by contrast, is familiar with head coach Brian Daboll‘s scheme dating back to last season. The former UDFA made nine appearances and six starts in 2023, and he is now positioned to add to those totals as New York searches for an answer at the quarterback spot. Jones is now out of the picture for at least the time being and quite possibly the rest of the campaign.
Daboll has committed to Jones on a number of occasions, but the team’s loss against the Panthers resulted in a 2-8 record heading into the bye week. A change under center was deemed possible, meaning today’s news comes as little surprise. Jones remains attached to the four-year, $160MM pact he signed last offseason – one which allowed New York to apply the franchise tag to Saquon Barkley before his free agent departure this spring. That pact falls short of the top of the quarterback market, but Jones has not lived up to the expectations it generated.
No salary beyond this season is fully locked in for Jones, but he of course has a $23MM injury guarantee for 2025. Failing a physical would trigger that guarantee in March, so speculation has long pointed to a benching at some point during the campaign to protect against injury. That move will now be made as the Giants begin planning for another offseason driven by the pursuit of an upgrade under center.
New York attempted to trade up to No. 3 in April’s draft, something which would have allowed the team to select Drake Maye. Attempts on that front – which obviously did not sit well with Jones – were unsuccessful, leaving the 27-year-old in place to handle QB1 duties for 2024. Jones has fallen short of his career averages in completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating this year, and those statistical showings (coupled with the health factor) left Daboll and Co. with a key decision to make. Now, attention will turn to Jones’ offseason outlook with respect to his future.
A post-June 1 release would result in $30.5MM in cap savings along with a dead money charge of $11.11MM, making such a move a financially feasible one on the Giants’ part. Lock is a pending free agent, and if DeVito delivers a strong showing he may not end up seeing any regular season action with New York. If Jones were to be cut and Lock were to depart on the open market, filling out the remainder of the QB depth chart would become a multi-step process for the Giants. The draft would no doubt once again be a target at that position, although this year’s class of passers is not held in particularly high regard.
DeVito, 26, posted a 3-3 record during his starts last year. His 8:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio was encouraging, but with an average of only 122 passing yards per game volume will be an area to watch this time around. A postseason run is not in the cards for New York, something which will lead to further speculation surrounding Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen‘s job security. For the time being, however, DeVito will take over on offense with the Jones era now over in all likelihood.