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Marty Hurney

Commanders Hire Lions’ Lance Newmark As Assistant GM; Martin Mayhew, Marty Hurney Reassigned

February 14th, 2024 at 1:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Commanders transition to the Adam Peters regime, this new era will involve a longtime Lions executive holding a key position. In place since the 1990s, Lance Newmark will leave the Lions for the Commanders.

The Commanders are hiring Newmark as their assistant GM, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. Newmark finished his Lions tenure as the team’s senior director of player personnel. Newmark’s Lions stay overlapped with Martin Mayhew‘s. With Mayhew sticking around in Washington despite Peters displacing him atop the front office, he will reunite with Newmark.

While Newmark showed a tremendous commitment to Detroit and was onboard for this Brad Holmes-overseen rebuild effort, he had been tied to some GM pursuits in the past. The Lions interviewed him for the job that went to Holmes, and the Jets considered him for their GM post — a race Joe Douglas won — back in 2019. Newmark served as the Lions’ senior player personnel director for two years, being part of the team’s ascent that nearly produced a Super Bowl berth.

It is interesting this will be Newmark’s move up the ladder, considering the time he put in with the Lions. Newmark has come up on the scouting side, working his way up from the area-scouting tier. Newmark held multiple scouting director positions during his run in Detroit, serving as the team’s assistant director of college scouting for seven years.

Arriving in Detroit in 1998, Newmark joined the team under Chuck Schmidt‘s GM tenure — one that covered Barry Sanders‘ career. While Sanders’ arrival predated Newmark’s, the latter was in place when the Lions chose Calvin Johnson. Detroit, of course, missed on other first-round receivers during Matt Millen‘s GM tenure. This helped lead to Mayhew’s turn in charge. The team crafted a turnaround with Johnson and Matthew Stafford leading the way, and the Lions keeping Newmark despite four GM hires (Millen, Mayhew, Bob Quinn, Holmes) illustrated the organization’s respect for the veteran exec.

Given his relationship with Peters, Mayhew sticking around was not too surprising. Though, teams obviously do not make a habit of retaining GMs after hiring a new FO boss. Washington’s GM from 2021-23, Mayhew will now work as an advisor to Peters. The Commanders’ new personnel chief had not worked with Newmark previously, though Mayhew has an extensive past alongside Newmark.

Although Mayhew spent time with Peters in San Francisco, he is mostly known for his Detroit and Washington GM stays. Mayhew did elevate the Lions following the Millen years, as the team booked playoff berths in 2011 and 2014 on his watch. But it is interesting Josh Harris will make two staffers from a Lions organization mostly known for modern-era futility as key lieutenants.

The Lions hired the former NFL cornerback in 2001, and he climbed to the assistant GM role in 2004. Mayhew and Newmark worked together for 15 years in Detroit, making the former’s presence a presumable draw for the entrenched Lions staffer. Peters will have final say on personnel matters, representing a pivot after Washington had Ron Rivera in that role. Newmark and Mayhew figure to be key parts of that process as the team attempts to craft its own rebuild operation.

The Commanders also announced Marty Hurney will remain with the team as an advisor. This certainly represents an interesting path for the team, which has fired Rivera but kept his top two personnel staffers in place.

A two-time Panthers GM, Hurney rejoined Rivera in Washington in 2021. He had served as the team’s executive VP of player personnel under Rivera. Following Rivera’s ouster, Hurney and Mayhew stood in limbo as the organization evaluated their statuses. An NFL staffer since beginning his career under Hall of Famer Bobby Beathard — an ex-Washington Super Bowl-winning GM — with the Chargers in 1990, Hurney served as Panthers GM from 2002-12 and again from 2017-20. Newmark also received his start as a Chargers staffer under Beathard in the ’90s, overlapping with Hurney during that period.

Commanders Fire Ron Rivera; Bob Myers, Rick Spielman Added As Advisors

January 8th, 2024 at 8:06am CST by Adam La Rose

Black Monday has seen the next head coach dismissed in the NFL. As expected, the Commanders have parted ways with Ron Rivera, marking an end to his four-year run with the team.

Owner Josh Harris has taken a unique approach to begin the process of finding Rivera’s replacement. Former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers as well as former Vikings GM Rick Spielman have been hired as advisors to assist in the search, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Adrian Wojnarowski.

A house cleaning on the sidelines in particular has been expected for some time now, and Harris has indeed followed through with the expected move of dismissing Rivera. The latter posted a 4-13 record this season, the worst in his career. As a result of the team’s losing skid to close out the campaign, Rivera’s overall mark in the nation’s capital stands at 26-40-1. None of his four seasons at the helm resulted in a winning campaign, although that stretch did include a playoff appearance in 2020.

General manager Martin Mayhew – himself listed as a hot seat occupant – along with executive VP of football/player personnel Marty Hurney will remain in place for at least the time being, per the team. They will assist in the search process for Rivera’s successor as well as a new head of football operations. The latter position points to an organizational restructuring compared to how the franchise operated under former owner Dan Snyder. The fate of Mayhew and Hurney will be decided after the new hires are in place, per the ESPN report.

Rivera took the Washington posting after eight-plus years with the Panthers. His time in Carolina included a Super Bowl appearance and aided his reputation as a top defensive mind. However, struggles on both sides of the ball limited the Commanders’ ability to contend during his time at the helm, and the team’s actions around the 2023 deadline pointed to major changes being forthcoming. Edge rushers (and pending free agents) Montez Sweat and Chase Young were dealt at the deadline, even though Rivera and then-defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio preferred to retain the former.

After a lopsided loss on Thanksgiving, Rivera fired Del Rio. That move came as little surprise given the lack of success on defense the team had with that pair on the sidelines despite the presence of four former first-rounders along the defensive line. Issues on that side of the ball, along with inconsistent play from first-year starting quarterback Sam Howell, led to an eight-game losing streak to close out the season. Major changes throughout the organization are due to take place as a result.

As CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports, Harris is believed to be seeking a culture-builder allowing the Commanders to emulate teams such as the Patriots, Chiefs and Ravens. An emphasis on analytics has been mentioned as a factor to watch amidst the remolding of the franchise, including the appointment of a president of football ops. To no surprise, Harris’ effort on that front will include assistance from the NBA world; in addition to the Commanders, Harris owns the Philadelphia 76ers as well as the NHL’s New Jersey Devils.

Myers served as general manager of the Warriors beginning in 2012 and he held the post through this past season. In his tenure, Golden State built one of the NBA’s modern dynasties, winning four championships. Myers was named Executive of the Year twice, and he currently works as an analyst with ESPN.

Spielman had a nine-year run with the Vikings which ended in 2021. He was linked to a high-ranking post with the Jaguars in the 2022 offseason, but this temporary appointment will be his first in the NFL since the end of his Minnesota tenure. Spielman has more than 30 years of experience in the league, something which will be leaned on in the coming weeks. Minority owners Magic Johnson, Mitch Rales and David Blitzer will also participate in the search process.

The Commanders currently lead the NFL in projected cap space, and the results of Week 18’s matchups has left the team with the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft. With plenty of roster flexibility, the Washington opening could be an attractive one to interested candidates. Regardless of which changes are made to the front office and on the sidelines, a quarterback capable of at least competing with Howell for the starting role is also expected to be added.

“Today, we made the decision to part ways with Ron Rivera,” a statement from Harris reads in part. “I want to thank Ron and his wife Stephanie for all they did for the Commanders and DMV community, especially during the ownership transition. Ron helped navigate this organization through some challenging times. He is a good man and thoughtful leader who has positively contributed to this organization and the NFL. I wish the Rivera family nothing but the best moving forward.”

Panthers QB Notes: Darnold, Mayfield, Rhule, Herbert, Stafford, Tepper, Watson

November 19th, 2022 at 6:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the Panthers are starting Baker Mayfield in Week 11, they want to see Sam Darnold in action this season. Steve Wilks said he would like to give Darnold some work, though the interim HC did not indicate that would be certain to happen this week against the Ravens. “I’m interested in winning the game. This is not pay $250 to get to play,” Wilks said, via The Athletic’s Joe Person (on Twitter).

Carolina used one of its injury activations to move Darnold onto its 53-man roster last week, but the former No. 3 overall pick did not see any action against the Falcons. P.J. Walker is out of the picture for the time being, after becoming the third Carolina QB this season to suffer a high ankle sprain. Mayfield will make his first start since sustaining his ankle injury in Week 9. Here is the latest from what has become one of the more complex QB situations in recent NFL history:

  • After playing hurt last season, Mayfield has not turned it around. On the radar for a potential franchise-QB deal in 2021, Mayfield is on track for free agency for the first time. The market for the former No. 1 overall pick may check in at $5-$7MM on a prove-it deal, David Newton of ESPN.com notes. Mayfield’s 17.7 QBR ranks last in the NFL.
  • This situation has been in flux since Cam Newton‘s 2019 foot injury. Prior to the team making the Newton-for-Teddy Bridgewater change, GM Marty Hurney and most of the Panthers’ scouts were high on Justin Herbert. But Matt Rhule did not view 2020 as the window to draft a quarterback, with Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com indicating in an expansive piece the team saw a jump from No. 7 overall to No. 4 — ahead of the QB-seeking Dolphins and Chargers — as too costly. While then-Giants GM Dave Gettleman was not keen on trading down, going most of his GM career without ever doing so, the Panthers not making a push for Herbert has led to QB chaos.
  • After the Panthers determined Bridgewater — a preference of former OC Joe Brady — would be a one-and-done in Charlotte, they made a big offer for Matthew Stafford. Negotiations between new Panthers GM Scott Fitterer and Lions rookie GM Brad Holmes at the 2021 Senior Bowl led to Panthers brass leaving Mobile believing they were set to acquire Stafford, Fowler notes. It is interesting to learn how far the GMs progressed in talks, because Stafford made it known soon after he did not want to play for the Panthers. The Rams then came in late with their two-first-rounder offer, forcing the Panthers and others to look elsewhere.
  • Rhule then pushed hard for Darnold, Fowler adds, after Panthers staffers went through film sessions evaluating he, Carson Wentz and Drew Lock. The Panthers sent the Jets second-, fourth- and sixth-round picks for the former No. 3 overall pick and picked up his guaranteed $18.9MM fifth-year option. Owner David Tepper begrudgingly picked up the option but became irked by the 2023 cost hanging over the franchise, per Fowler. Tepper is believed to have held up this year’s Mayfield trade talks in order to move the Browns to pick up more money on his option salary. The delay was connected to the Panthers already having Darnold’s fifth-year option to pay.
  • Tepper’s main prize during this multiyear QB odyssey, Deshaun Watson, was leery of the Panthers’ staff uncertainty, Fowler adds. All things being equal between the four finalists — Atlanta, Carolina, Cleveland, New Orleans — the Panthers were not believed to be Watson’s first choice. The Falcons were viewed as the team that would have landed Watson if the Browns did not make that unprecedented $230MM guarantee offer.
  • Fitterer offered support for a Mitch Trubisky signing this offseason, according to Fowler, who adds the team never engaged in extended talks with Jimmy Garoppolo‘s camp. While Garoppolo said the Panthers were in the mix, the team was believed to be leery of his injury history. Trubisky is in Year 1 of a two-year, $14.3MM deal. While Trubisky may well be available again in 2023, the Panthers — having added six draft picks from the Christian McCaffrey and Robbie Anderson trades — will be connected to this year’s crop of QB prospects.

Martin Mayhew To Be Washington’s GM

January 22nd, 2021 at 11:33am CST by Sam Robinson

Jan. 22: Mayhew will indeed be the GM, and Hurney’s official title will be Executive Vice President of Football/Player Personnel, as Rapoport tweets. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network says that both men will report to head coach Ron Rivera, who is still heading football operations (Twitter link).

Jan. 21: Washington was connected to hires of both Marty Hurney and Martin Mayhew this week, with the former being expected to lead the team’s front office. This structure may not be Washington’s preferred hierarchy, however.

It could be Mayhew in line to become Washington’s GM. The former Lions GM is the candidate Washington will go with as general manager, according to ESPN.com’s John Keim (on Twitter). Mayhew, who was with the 49ers for four years, will receive a second chance in a GM post.

Washington will still hire Mayhew and Hurney, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, but the latter will be part of a Mayhew-led front office (Twitter link). The ex-Panthers GM will serve as a high-ranking Washington staffer. The Panthers fired Hurney in December, ending his second stint as their front office boss.

The Lions fired Mayhew in 2015, doing so despite the former Washington Super Bowl-winning cornerback helping Detroit to two playoff berths after the franchise sunk to the NFL’s basement during the 2000s. Mayhew spent a year with the Giants before joining John Lynch‘s 49ers staff. The 49ers promoted Mayhew to VP of player personnel in 2019 and stand to benefit from Mayhew’s Washington hire.

The NFL’s Rooney Rule changes last year will mean the team that loses a head coach or executive is entitled to third-round draft compensation. Because the Jets hired Robert Saleh, the 49ers’ third-round pick for Mayhew will come in 2023, according to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows (subscription required). The Saleh move will provide San Francisco with third-rounders this year and next. Overall, the haul stands to be three total Round 3 picks for the 49ers, Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News tweets. These selections will come at the end of the round.

Washington Likely To Hire Marty Hurney As GM?

January 18th, 2021 at 4:09pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

It looks like Washington may be zeroing in on its new general manager. Team brass, including head coach Ron Rivera, are meeting with former Panthers GM Marty Hurney today, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).

Rapoport adds “Hurney is the top candidate to be their new GM, a hire that could be official this week,” so it sounds like this is close to being a done deal. That’s not too surprising, since Rivera and Hurney worked closely together for a while during their days with Carolina. Hurney was originally the Panthers’ GM from 2002-12, and hired Rivera in 2011. He was then fired, got brought back in 2017, and then was fired again back in December.

Rivera operated as the team’s GM for the 2020 season, and had final say on personnel decisions. It’s unclear whether he’ll retain that authority in this new arrangement, but whatever the case Rivera will certainly still have a lot of power and will report directly to ownership and not to Hurney.

We heard Hurney connected to this opening very shortly after he was fired by Panthers owner David Tepper, and it seems like he was always the top target. Washington is coming off an improbable NFC East title, and whoever the new GM is they’ll have an excellent young core on defense to work with.

Also no matter who the new GM is, they’ll need to figure out what to do at quarterback. It’s unclear if Alex Smith plans on playing beyond this season and is 36 anyway, Dwayne Haskins has been cut, and Kyle Allen doesn’t inspire much confidence as a quarterback of the future. It’ll be very interesting to see what they do this offseason.

2021 NFL General Manager Search Tracker

January 12th, 2021 at 8:02pm CST by Zachary Links

This year’s NFL GM carousel figures to be more active than usual. The Falcons, Lions, Panthers, Texans, and Jaguars are all on the hunt for a new front office leader. And that’s only the official list. The real tally shows six clubs looking for a GM, since the Washington Football Team is expected to install a GM to work alongside head coach Ron Rivera. By mid-January, we could easily see a couple more jobs opening up — that’d put ~25% of the NFL on the market.

We’ll keep track of the GM candidates for each club here, along with their current status. If and when other teams decide to make general manager changes, they’ll be added to this list. Here’s the current breakdown:

Updated 1-19-21 (7:02pm CT)

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers 

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Washington Football Team

Coaching/GM Notes: Hurney, Lewis, Morris, Lynn, Gettleman

December 21st, 2020 at 6:33pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The Panthers made a big splash Monday by firing GM Marty Hurney. Although the timing was interesting since Carolina’s season will be over in just a couple of weeks, it wasn’t the result of any sudden developments or changes. The move had apparently been in the works for a while, as Albert Breer of SI.com was told that Hurney was in the final year of his contract and that he and owner David Tepper had been talking about an exit for weeks now (Twitter link). Breer adds that the analytics-minded Tepper wants to “modernize” the personnel side. As for names to keep an eye on for the now vacant role, Breer tweets that 49ers VP of player personnel Adam Peters is one to watch. Peters played for Panthers head coach Matt Rhule back when Rhule was the defensive line coach at UCLA.

It sounds like Tepper knows more or less what he wants, and accordingly the relatively new owner told the media on Monday he won’t be using an outside search firm like some teams for the GM opening. To clarify on the modernization, David Newton of ESPN.com reiterates that the Panthers will look for a new GM who “is driven by data and analytics, characteristics that didn’t define” Hurney. Carolina seems to have found their coach of the future with Rhule but they’ve still got plenty of questions to address moving forward, like whether or not Teddy Bridgewater is the long-term answer under center. Who they hire here should tell us a lot about the direction they plan to take.

Now that we’ve broken down most of the Hurney fallout, let’s pivot to the rest of the front office and coaching staff talk around the league:

  • Former Texans GM Rick Smith looks like a hot candidate this cycle. Smith recently interviewed with the Falcons, and sources told Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports that he’ll interview with the Lions soon. That’s not all, as sources also told La Canfora that Washington is interested in having Smith run their football operations. We heard back in January that Washington almost hired Smith before electing not to hire a front office head for the time being, so this isn’t too surprising. VP of player personnel Kyle Smith is currently overseeing things for Washington, but sources told La Canfora that the team is “very likely to fill a traditional general manager spot” this offseason. Smith left Houston after the 2017 season when his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, and is generally well regarded around the league.
  • Speaking of guys looking to get back into the league after a hiatus, we might not have seen the last of Marvin Lewis. The former long-time Bengals coach is “under consideration for several head coaching opportunities in 2021,” sources told La Canfora. Lewis was never able to make a deep playoff run in Cincy, but he undeniably did an incredible job turning them from a perennial laughing stock and doormat to annual contender in the AFC North for a while. After spending an impressive 16 season roaming the Bengals’ sideline, he’s spent the past couple years on Herm Edwards’ staff at Arizona State. La Canfora writes that “numerous teams have indicated an interest in speaking to Lewis,” although he doesn’t specifically name any. Lewis reportedly received strong interest from both the Cowboys and Washington during last year’s cycle, and it sounds like this could be the year he makes it back in.
  • Finally, a few notes via Tony Pauline of ProFootballNetwork.com. The Falcons managed to turn their season around a bit after firing Dan Quinn, although things have started to go off the rails again in recent weeks. The initial success led to some buzz that interim coach and former Bucs head coach Raheem Morris could be a candidate for the full-time job, although Pauline throws some cold water on that. Pauline says there’s a “very slight chance” they keep Morris, noting people who he has talked to won’t completely rule it out. That being said, he hears that Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy is still at the top of their list.
  • Anthony Lynn and the Chargers have now won back to back games, but Pauline writes he’ll need a “miracle” to save his job. One source he talked to put the odds of Lynn returning at 20 percent, and he writes that’s a best-case scenario for the embattled Los Angeles coach. Lynn has made a number of high profile game management blunders in recent weeks, and Pauline writes the consensus of “well-connected” people is that he’ll be fired. With a talented roster and a stud young quarterback in Justin Herbert, the Chargers’ job should be an attractive one.
  • While a lot of these decisions already appear to be more or less set in stone, Pauline says that Giants GM Dave Gettleman’s status is genuinely undecided and up in the air. He writes that it’ll depend on what happens the rest of the year (presumably whether the G-Men win the NFC East), and that there’s been no “definitive decision.” However, Pauline does say that as of right now he hears the Giants are “more comfortable” getting rid of Gettleman and bringing in someone new to work alongside first-year coach Joe Judge, who people inside the building are apparently “ecstatic” about. As one that could seemingly go either way, the situation in New York will be one of the most interesting to monitor the last couple weeks. What happens with Gettleman could also very well determine whether the team runs it back with Daniel Jones or looks for a new quarterback this offseason.

Washington To Consider Marty Hurney?

December 21st, 2020 at 9:59am CST by Zachary Links

Marty Hurney is out of work, but it might not be long before he finds his next job. The former Panthers GM will be a candidate to run Washington’s front office if the team decides to open up the position, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). 

[RELATED: Panthers Fire Marty Hurney]

Hurney, of course, has history with Washington head coach Ron Rivera dating back to their Carolina days. Hurney partnered with Rivera during the coach’s early Panthers seasons and returned to the front office as Rivera’s GM from 2017-2019. A reunion would make plenty of sense, though it would likely still leave Rivera with final say over the 53-man roster.

As Rapoport notes, the timing of Hurney’s dismissal could benefit the veteran executive. Now, he gets a head start on talks with the Washington Football Team. If they do choose to hire a GM in this cycle, they’ll join the Panthers, Falcons, Jaguars, Lions, and Texans in the market. In the next few weeks, we may see a few more NFL teams added to that list.

In the meantime, Washington will prepare to face the Panthers (oddly enough) in Week 16.

Panthers Fire GM Marty Hurney

December 21st, 2020 at 9:45am CST by Zachary Links

On Monday morning, the Panthers fired GM Marty Hurney. Apparently, the Panthers wanted to get a jump on their GM search and didn’t want to wait another week.

“I think sometimes you just need a restart, a refresh,” owner David Tepper said. “We did it last year on the coaching side. Maybe you could say it should have been done before on the GM side. Maybe it should have been. I’m sure people may say that, or otherwise, on both sides. I think it’s just time, on both sides, to do that. It just seems like the right time to move forward.”

Hurney first joined the Panthers in 1998 as the team’s director of football administration. The Panthers reached the Super Bowl in 2003 with Hurney in the front office and he was widely credited for helping to build the team that reached the Super Bowl in 2015. Hurney was fired in 2012, before that second SB appearance, but he was brought back in 2017 after the firing of Dave Gettleman.

This time around, Hurney got the axe just before the conclusion of a disappointing season. Things might have been different with a healthy Christian McCaffrey, and Tepper notes that the Panthers were the victim of some close losses.

“This team could easily have another four wins,” Tepper said. “The eight games that we had the ball last to win or tie — seven to win, one to tie — if you win four of those games, you’re in a totally different position right now with this young team. So looking at next year, I’m very hopeful where we will be and what we will do.”

The Panthers are now the fifth team in the NFL with a GM vacancy, joining the Falcons, Jaguars, Lions, and Texans.

Extra Points: Bieniemy, Giants, Panthers

October 21st, 2020 at 6:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the Giants are just one game back of the NFC East lead, they are 1-5 and appear on the verge of their fourth straight double-digit loss season. GM Dave Gettleman has presided over the previous two 10-plus-loss campaigns, and some around the league have tabbed the Giants GM job as a potential opening ahead of the 2021 offseason, Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com note. The Panthers‘ GM spot has also surfaced around the NFL as one to monitor. Marty Hurney, in place long before Matt Rhule‘s arrival, has been rumored as a potential chopping-block candidate because of Rhule’s overhaul and seven-year contract. Hurney’s contract runs through 2020. Gettleman made his way back to New York shortly after his Carolina ouster, but his rebuild has not taken off. The Giants have never lost double-digit games in four straight seasons.

Here is the latest from around the league:

  • Sticking with staffs, the Texans are indeed expected to strongly consider Eric Bieniemy. Deshaun Watson has advocated for Patrick Mahomes‘ OC, and Graziano and Fowler note the Texans “definitely” have interest in the Chiefs assistant. The Chiefs are prepared to lose Bieniemy this offseason, which would mark the third time they have lost an OC since 2016. Houston is believed to be seeking a quarterback guru and will have Josh McDaniels (again) and Bills OC Brian Daboll on its target list as well.
  • The Bears may not need to make it back to the playoffs for their current power brokers to stay in place. Both Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace are believed to be on track to stick around for 2021, per Fowler and Graziano. Chicago’s 5-1 start has come with just a plus-12 point differential, and the team benched Pace’s handpicked quarterback early in the season. Despite Mitchell Trubisky‘s struggles and current backup status, Pace is currently believed to be safe to receive a seventh year as GM.
  • It does not sound like the Chargers are expecting to have Austin Ekeler back anytime soon. The Bolts’ starting running back is battling what Anthony Lynn calls a “very serious” hamstring injury that has him set to be sidelined for the foreseeable future, Daniel Popper of The Athletic tweets. Given a four-year, $24MM extension this offseason, Ekeler went down in Week 4. The Bolts have been without many key players on offense since turning to Justin Herbert in Week 2.
  • Adoree’ Jackson returned to Titans practice Wednesday. The team designated the former first-round cornerback as an IR-return player, making him eligible to face the Steelers in Week 7 — if the team activates him by Saturday afternoon. Jackson landed on IR before Week 1 with a knee injury.
  • The Panthers placed Joey Slye on their reserve/COVID-19 list and brought in kickers for workouts this week. Carolina has auditioned Casey Bednarski (Minnesota State), Taylor Bertolet and Austin Parker (Duke), per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). Bednarski began his coronavirus testing with the team Tuesday, Joe Person of The Athletic tweets. None of these kickers has NFL experience. Slye has not tested positive but came in contact with someone who had, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com notes. The Panthers do not have a kicker on their practice squad, but Slye has not been at the team’s facility since Sunday and could still kick in Week 7.
  • The Dolphins conducted an interesting workout Wednesday. They brought in former Seahawks second-round pick Malik McDowell for an audition, per Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The 2017 draftee has not played an NFL down, with an ATV accident and subsequent legal troubles harpooning his career. The former Michigan State defensive lineman recently spent time in prison after a bevy of charges stemming from a 2019 arrest.
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