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NFL Injury Updates: Evans, Mosley, Ravens

November 20th, 2024 at 10:05pm CST by Ely Allen

The Buccaneers have lost four games in a row, the last three without veteran wide receiver Mike Evans as he has dealt with a hamstring injury. According to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, Evans has returned to practice this week and plans to play this weekend against the Giants.

Without Evans, the team’s offense has struggled. Baker Mayfield failed to surpass 200 passing yards in each of the teams last two contests. Though fellow veteran wideout Chris Godwin remains on injured reserve likely until the postseason, Evans’ return should provide a boost to the passing game.

Though Evans was able to rack up six touchdowns in seven games, he’s been averaging the fewest yards per game of his career. Combined with the three-game absence, Evans is in danger of falling short of 1,000 receiving yards in a season for the first time in his 11-year career. He’ll 665 yards in Tampa Bay’s seven remaining games (an average of 95 yards per game) in order to keep his record streak alive.

Here are a couple other injury updates from around the NFL:

  • Veteran Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley has now missed seven games this season. His first couple absences were due to a toe issue, but he has missed New York’s last four games with a herniated disc in his neck. Per Brian Costello of the New York Post, Mosley hopes to return after the team’s bye this week.
  • The Ravens defense has been without veteran nose tackle Michael Pierce for the past three weeks as he sits on IR with a calf injury. According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, while the plan is for Pierce to return sometime this season, the team hasn’t set a timeline to bring him back. Additionally, Zrebiec gave an update on veteran cornerback Arthur Maulet, who didn’t make his 2024 season debut until Week 8 because of a knee injury that landed him IR-designated to return at the 53-man roster cut deadline. He missed last Sunday’s game against his former team in Pittsburgh with a calf injury, but Zrebiec claims that Maulet likely won’t need to join Pierce on IR.

Injured Reserve Return Tracker

November 19th, 2024 at 6:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

This offseason brought a change in how teams could construct their 53-man rosters while retaining flexibility with injured players. Clubs were permitted to attach return designations to two players (in total) placed on IR or an NFI list before setting their initial rosters.

In prior years, anyone placed on IR before a team set its initial 53-man roster could not be activated in-season. All August 27 IR- or NFI-return designations, however, already count against teams’ regular-season limit of eight. This introduces more strategy for teams, who will be tasked with determining which players injured in-season will factor into activation puzzles as the year progresses.

All players designated for return on August 27 are eligible to be activated beginning in Week 5, though any player placed on IR after a team set its initial 53 has not been designated for return and therefore does not yet count toward a club’s eight-activation limit. Players who receive return designations after Week 5 also appear on this list.

Here is how teams’ activation puzzles look going into Week 12:

Arizona Cardinals

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Atlanta Falcons

Designated for return from IR (August 27): 

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

Baltimore Ravens

Eligible for activation:

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 5

Buffalo Bills

Designated for return from IR (August 27):

Eligible for activation:

Activations remaining: 6

Carolina Panthers

Designated for return:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 3

Chicago Bears

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

Cincinnati Bengals

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 5

Cleveland Browns

Reverted to season-ending IR:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 2

Dallas Cowboys

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 7

Denver Broncos

Reverted to season-ending IR:

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 3

Detroit Lions

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Green Bay Packers

Eligible for activation:

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 6

Houston Texans

Designated for return from IR (August 27):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 2

Indianapolis Colts

Designated for return from IR (August 27):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Jacksonville Jaguars

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 3

Kansas City Chiefs

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 7

Las Vegas Raiders

Eligible for activation from IR:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Los Angeles Chargers

Designated for return from IR:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Los Angeles Rams

Designated for return from IR (August 27):

  • OL K.T. Leveston (practice window opened Nov. 20)

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 1

Miami Dolphins

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation from IR:

Eligible for activation from reserve/NFI list:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Minnesota Vikings

Designated for return from IR (August 27):

Designated for return:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

New England Patriots

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

New Orleans Saints

Activated:

Activations remaining: 3

New York Giants

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

New York Jets

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Philadelphia Eagles

Designated for return from IR (August 27):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Pittsburgh Steelers

Designated for return from IR (August 27):

  • OL Dylan Cook (released Oct. 31)

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 4

San Francisco 49ers

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 4

Seattle Seahawks

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Eligible for activation:

Designated for return:

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 5

Tennessee Titans

Eligible for activation:

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 7

Washington Commanders

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/18/24

November 18th, 2024 at 6:54pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

  • Waived from IR: LB Deion Jennings

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

New England Patriots

New York Jets

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

MarShawn Lloyd‘s path back to the Packers active roster has taken an unusual turn. The rookie third-round pick landed on IR in September with an ankle injury. He returned to practice last week but suffered appendicitis only a few days later, putting his activation within the 21-day window in doubt.

Worried that Lloyd wouldn’t be ready to play by his early-December activation deadline, the Packers consulted with the NFL about the best route forward (per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky). That ultimately led to today’s transaction, which is only the start of several transactional machinations. As Tom Silverstein of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes, Lloyd will temporarily join the active roster before landing on the non-football injury list. That means he won’t count against the team’s roster limit until he’s healthy enough to return to the field.

Lloyd doesn’t have a return timetable from this recent setback. While the rookie entered the year as the hopeful RB2 behind Josh Jacobs, there’s a good chance he’ll also behind Emanuel Wilson for the stretch run of the season.

Bucs Designate CB Jamel Dean For Return

November 18th, 2024 at 1:33pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Buccaneers’ defense could receive a boost in time for Week 12. Cornerback Jamel Dean returned to practice on Monday, per a team announcement.

As a result, his 21-day activation is now open. Dean must be brought back onto the active roster within that span to avoid reverting to season-ending IR. Once he is back in place, he will be positioned to reprise his role as a starter in Tampa Bay’s secondary.

A hamstring injury set Dean up to miss multiple weeks, so it came as little surprise when he was moved to IR. After spending the required four games on the sidelines, it is an encouraging sign that the 28-year-old has returned to practice when first eligible to do so. The Buccaneers’ defense will certainly welcome Dean back into the fold once he is cleared to do so.

The Auburn product has been a first-team presence for much of his six-year Tampa Bay tenure, and that includes the 2024 campaign. Dean has amassed 43 tackles and four pass deflections this season, and he has yet to allow a touchdown in coverage. His return could provide a much-needed boost to a defense which ranks 30th against the pass and which has dealt with other injuries in the secondary over the course of the year.

Dean remained with the Bucs when he inked a four-year, $52MM deal last March. Especially with Carlton Davis no longer in place, that pact has increased expectations for the former third-rounder to be an impactful player in the secondary. If the 4-6 Buccaneers are to make a run at the postseason (either in the form of another NFC South title or a wild-card berth), Dean’s level of play once healthy will be a key determining factor.

Tampa Bay will have four IR activations remaining once Dean returns to the active roster. If that moves takes place within the coming days, he will be in line to return to action against the Giants.

Buccaneers Claim S Mike Edwards

November 14th, 2024 at 4:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Buccaneers are big on safety reunions this year. Months after bringing back Jordan Whitehead following his two seasons with the Jets, they are greenlighting a Mike Edwards comeback.

Cut by two teams recently, Edwards is coming back to Tampa via waiver claim, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. A former third-round Bucs draftee, Edwards played four seasons in Tampa before signing with the Chiefs last year. Edwards has three career pick-sixes and has made 28 starts, but he was unable to secure much playing time with the Bills or Titans this season.

Buffalo brought in Edwards as part of its post-Jordan Poyer/Micah Hyde solution but saw Damar Hamlin commandeer the starting job alongside the re-signed Taylor Rapp. The Bills drafted Cole Bishop in Round 2, further protecting them at safety despite the exits of two seven-year starters. The Bills cut Edwards last week, while the Titans dropped him Wednesday.

The Bucs passed on Edwards last week, but his situation changed slightly. Because the Bills cut him before the trade deadline, Edwards was released. Tennessee booting him after the deadline sent the sixth-year vet to the waiver wire, and the 4-6 Bucs will pounce this time. Edwards, 28, will rejoin ex-teammates Whitehead and Antoine Winfield Jr. at safety.

Edwards has considerable playoff experience, being with the Bucs throughout their Tom Brady partnership and then replacing an injured Bryan Cook during the second half of last season with the Chiefs. Edwards signed one-year deals with Kansas City and Buffalo; his one-year, $1.13MM Tennessee contract will now transfer to Tampa Bay’s payroll. The part-time starter will aim to use familiar surroundings to bounce back, as 2024 has not gone especially well for him.

With the Bucs, Edwards operated as a spot starter from 2019-21; though, he did start in 11 games in that span. That stretch included a two-pick-six game against the Falcons in September 2021. Drafted as part of a Day 2 DB wave that included Winfield, Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting from 2018-20, Edwards started 12 games alongside Winfield in 2022 — after the Bucs had let Whitehead join the Jets. The team re-signed Whitehead to a two-year, $9MM deal in March.

After playing 621 defensives snaps before the playoffs with the Chiefs last season, when he started three more games and played 97% of Kansas City’s defensive snaps in Super Bowl LVIII, Edwards has logged all of seven this year. The Bucs have safety/slot Tavierre Thomas and 2023 UDFA Kaevon Merriweather stationed as second-stringers behind Winfield and Whitehead. Tampa Bay waived cornerback Keenan Isaac to make room on its roster, ESPN.com’s Jenna Laine tweets.

Bucs’ Tristan Wirfs Suffers MCL Sprain

November 11th, 2024 at 10:36am CST by Adam La Rose

NOVEMBER 11: An MRI has confirmed that Wirfs is indeed dealing with an MCL sprain, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. A short-term absence should be expected as a result, but the worst-case scenario has certainly been avoided.

NOVEMBER 10: The Buccaneers’ offensive line has been dealt a notable blow in Week 10. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs exited the game with a knee injury and needed assistance to make it back to the locker room.

Wirfs was ultimately ruled out for the rest of the day, and it remains to be seen what his full prognosis is. At this point, however, the possibility exists for a notable injury. The three-time Pro Bowler is believed to be dealing with an MCL sprain, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.

An MRI will be needed to determine the full extent of the damage, but a sprain would certainly not constitute the worst-case scenario. Wirfs would likely be able to return to the lineup at some point during the regular season if he does indeed wind up with a sprain being confirmed. Of course, missed time of any duration would be acutely felt up front for Tampa Bay.

Wirfs had a strong start to his career at right tackle, then took over on the blindside last season. The Iowa product continued his streak of top-10 PFF evaluations in 2023, remaining the anchor of the Buccaneers’ O-line during his debut at left tackle. Given his age and status as one of the league’s top tackles, it quickly became clear the 25-year-old be in line for a monster extension this offseason. One was worked out in August, and Wirfs secured an AAV of $28.13MM on a five-year pact. That deal makes him the league’s highest-paid offensive lineman.

As a result, Wirfs’ health over both the short and long term will be a major priority for the Buccaneers. The former No. 13 pick entered today as PFF’s eighth-ranked tackle, so being without him for any stretch would be signficant up front. Of course, Tampa Bay is already shorthanded on offense with Chris Godwin out for at least the remainder of the regular season. Fellow receiver Mike Evans could be back by Week 12, but the team’s passing attack will be tested regardless of which pass-catching options are in place if Wirfs misses time.

The Buccaneers have just lost to the 49ers, leaving them with a 4-6 record. Top spot in the NFC South is not yet out of reach, but overtaking the Falcons in that respect would be difficult with further injuries on offense. Wirfs’ outlook will be worth watching closely given his significance to Tampa Bay’s O-line and the team’s postseason chances as a whole.

Bucs WR Mike Evans Expected To Return In Week 12

November 10th, 2024 at 12:48pm CST by Rory Parks

Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans, who is missing his third straight game today due to a hamstring injury, is hoping to return to the field after Tampa Bay’s Week 11 bye, as ESPN’s Jenna Laine reports. That is in keeping with the club’s initial prognosis.

Evans, 31, was already dealing with the hamstring ailment when he entered the Bucs’ Week 7 contest against the Ravens, and he aggravated it during the game. That proved to be a brutal outing for Tampa Bay, which lost Evans for a time and his top running mate, Chris Godwin, for at least the remainder of the regular season.

The Bucs were 4-2 going into the Baltimore game, but they lost to the Ravens and are now in the midst of a three-game losing streak. They nonetheless have a reasonable chance of making the postseason – particularly if they knock off the 49ers today – and getting Evans back on the field would go a long way towards achieving that goal.

Prior to the opening of free agency in March, Evans re-signed with Tampa Bay, agreeing to a front-loaded two-year, $41MM deal. While Godwin was off to the better start to the 2024 season and was in second place in the league in terms of receiving yardage when he suffered his injury, Evans was also playing well. Last year’s receiving TDs leader, Evans recorded six scores though six-plus games this year while catching 26 balls for 335 yards. 

Though tight end Cade Otton has stepped up in the absence of Evans and Godwin, quarterback Baker Mayfield has not yet developed a rapport with rookie wideout Jalen McMillan, and offseason acquisition Sterling Shepard has just 15 catches despite seeing a fairly significant snap share over the past six games. Second-year pro Trey Palmer has also failed to make much of an impact.

Knowing that there was a good chance Evans would be cleared after just three missed games and the Week 11 bye, Tampa Bay opted against placing him on injured reserve, which would have required him to miss the Week 12 matchup with the Giants as well. Evans, who has famously topped the 1,000-receiving yard mark in each of his first 10 professional seasons – which is a reflection of both his skill and durability – will be hard-pressed to make it 11 for 11. Still, his return should provide a lift to the Bucs’ offense. 

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/9/24

November 9th, 2024 at 9:11pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves, including standard gameday practice squad elevations:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

  • Elevated: LB Curtis Bolton, WR Isaiah Hodgins

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Spector will miss at least the next four games as a result of the Bills’ move. He has remained a mainstay on special teams this year, having also done so in 2022 and ’23. The former seventh-rounder has made three starts on defense, however, so his absence will be felt moving forward. Linebacker has been a position hit hard by injuries this season, and Buffalo’s depth at the second level will now be tested even further.

Wattenberg had his 21-day practice window opened by the Broncos earlier this week, paving the way for today’s activation. The 27-year-old operated as the team’s starting center prior to going down after having won a summer competition for the gig with Alex Forsyth. Forsyth handled first-team duties over the past four games, drawing a superior PFF evaluation and therefore potentially playing his way into an extended look atop the depth chart. At a minimum, having Wattenberg back will give Denver – a team with three IR activations left – depth up front.

2024 NFL Trades

November 5th, 2024 at 10:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

We have reached the 2024 trade deadline, which came one week later than the league’s usual endpoint. An offseason measure to move the deadline back one week passed, sliding the deadline beyond Week 9 after it had resided the Tuesday following Week 8 since 2012. That opened the door to more activity this year.

The 2024 offseason also featured extensive work, as teams added starters and depth pieces. Here are the trades involving veteran players (or rookies already drafted) to take place this year:

March 4

Bears chose defensive end Austin Booker at No. 144

March 9

Broncos sent Seahawks No. 136, included 203 in trade with Jets for QB Zach Wilson

March 10

Patriots chose QB Joe Milton at 193

March 11

Bucs drafted WR Jalen McMillan at No. 92; Lions traded No. 201 to Eagles

Panthers traded down from No. 39, giving Rams access to DT Braden Fiske; team moved No. 141 in Bills deal that sent WR Xavier Legette to Carolina. Giants chose RB Tyrone Tracy at 166.

March 12

Bengals chose DB Daijahn Anthony at No. 224 

March 13

Texans traded No. 232 to Vikings

Ravens chose WR Devontez Walker at No. 113, QB Devin Leary at 218; Jets drafted RB Braelon Allen at 134

March 14

Commanders traded Nos. 78, 152 to Eagles in trade that sent CB Cooper DeJean to Philadelphia; Seahawks moved down from No. 102, drafted G Sataoa Laumea at 179

Bolts traded No. 110 to Patriots 

March 15

Steelers chose LB Payton Wilson at No. 98; Eagles traded No. 120 to Dolphins in package that brought back 2025 third-rounder

March 16

Fields must play in 51% of Steelers’ offensive snaps for pick to elevate from sixth to fourth round

March 22

Chiefs traded No. 221 to Bills; Titans chose OLB Jaylen Harrell at 252

March 29

Pick would have become second-rounder had Reddick played 67.5% of Jets’ 2024 defensive snaps and recorded at least 10 sacks. Reddick’s holdout ensured Philly’s pick will land in Round 3.

April 3

Texans dealt No. 189 to Lions for Nos. 205, 249

April 12

Browns chose CB Myles Harden at No. 227

April 22

In trade that gave Vikings J.J. McCarthy draft real estate at No. 10 overall, Jets sent No. 203 to Minnesota; Broncos chose C Nick Gargiulo at 256

April 27

May 9

August 9

August 11

August 14

Dallas carried Phillips on its active roster for two games, meeting minimum requirement for conditional sixth to transfer

August 22

Pick did not convey due to Commanders cutting York before he played in two games with team

August 23

August 24

August 26

August 27

August 28

October 14

October 15

Pick would upgrade to second-rounder if Adams earns first- or second-team All-Pro recognition or is on Jets’ active roster for 2024 AFC championship game or Super Bowl LIX

October 23

Pick would become fourth-rounder if Hopkins both plays 60% of Chiefs’ remaining offensive snaps and Kansas City advances to Super Bowl LIX

October 28

October 29

Robinson’s playing time will determine if Jags pick climbs to a fourth-rounder and whether Vikings will end up receiving 2026 seventh

November 4

November 5

Sixth-rounder going to New Orleans comes from pick Saints sent Commanders for John Ridgeway 

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/4/24

November 4th, 2024 at 6:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Monday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Detroit Lions

Kansas City Chiefs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

For one game, at least, the Buccaneers have the Chiefs outflanked in the wide receiver injury department. Chris Godwin is out until at least the playoffs, should Tampa Bay qualify, and Mike Evans is expected to miss at least two more games due to the hamstring injury he suffered. The team endured another blow recently, with third-round rookie Jalen McMillan sustaining a hamstring injury during a Friday practice. A former Saints regular, Callaway has not played in a game this season.

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