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Cowboys Acquire LB Logan Wilson From Bengals

November 4th, 2025 at 8:22am CST by Adam La Rose

Jerry Jones stated on Monday one trade was in place with more deals being worked on. Dallas has in fact finalized at least one swap ahead of the deadline.

Linebacker Logan Wilson is being dealt from the Bengals to the Cowboys, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Wilson’s trade request has thus been honored, and this swap should allow him to return to full-time playing duties. Cincinnati is receiving a 2026 seventh-round pick, Rapoport adds. The deal is now official.

Today’s news comes as little surprise on a number of levels. Dallas was among the teams known to have shown interest in Wilson, whose entire career has taken place with the Bengals. Each season from 2021-24, the 29-year-old reached or surpassed 100 tackles while operating as a full-time starter. This year, however, Wilson has seen a sharp reduction in playing time. That made him one of the members of Cincinnati’s beleaguered defense to request a change of scenery.

Wilson inked a $9MM-per-year extension in 2023, and his contract runs through 2027 with no major spikes in cap hit scheduled for future years. No contract adjustments were made as part of this agreement, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. As a result, Dallas – a team which entered Tuesday with over $30MM in cap space and was not only looking into rentals – will take on the remaining $2.68MM in Wilson’s compensation for this year. This move clears that figure from the Bengals’ books in 2025, although the team will have a $4MM dead cap charge next season.

Last night’s loss dropped the Cowboys to 3-5-1 on the year. Defense has been an issue throughout the campaign, and making an addition anywhere on that side of the ball should produce at least an incremental improvement. Jones’ remarks from Monday indicated the acquired player in the then-mystery swap would see the field immediately. That means Wilson will add to his 65 career starts once his Cowboys tenure begins. Dallas will also receive notable reinforcements at the second level when DeMarvion Overshown is activated.

Cincinnati’s Joe Flacco acquisition has stabilized the quarterback spot as hoped. As Joe Burrow continues to recover, though, the team’s poor showings on defense have led to questions about the realistic chances of a playoff berth. The Bengals are 3-6 heading into their bye. No staffing changes will take place, but attention will turn to the possibility of this move being followed by others on the trade front today.

With Wilson no longer in the fold, Cincinnati’s linebacking corps will lean increasingly on a group featuring rookies Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter. Those two have not fared well early in their careers, but their ability to develop over time will be key in bringing about needed improvements on defense. Wilson, meanwhile, will look to establish himself as a consistent playmaker with his new team while the Cowboys continue to explore other additions.

Eagles Acquire Jaelan Phillips From Dolphins

November 3rd, 2025 at 10:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

At least one member of the Dolphins‘ pass rush tandem will be on the move ahead of the trade deadline. A deal involving Jaelan Phillips was discussed late Sunday night, with the terms emerging early Monday morning.

The Dolphins are sending Phillips to the Eagles, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. A 2026 third-round pick is heading the other way. Schefter clarifies the selection Miami is acquiring is Philadelphia’s own (one of two picks in that round the team had). The deal is now official.

This move represents yet another piece of midseason business on the part of Eagles GM Howie Roseman. The team had already swung three trades since the beginning of the campaign, with the two most recent deals (for Michael Carter II from the Jets and fellow cornerback Jaire Alexander from the Ravens) being aimed at adding depth on defense. Pass rush remained an area of concern heading into the deadline, however. As such, many pointed to Philadelphia as a destination for an edge rusher in general and Phillips in particular. This swap was discussed for more than one week, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated adds.

The 26-year-old overlapped with Vic Fangio in 2023. Fangio was in Miami as the team’s defensive coordinator for that campaign before taking on the same role with the Eagles. That season, Phillips notched 6.5 sacks despite being limited to just eight games. The former first-rounder only managed to play four games last season, and injury concerns were a talking point with respect to his trade value. Nevertheless, Phillips – alongside teammate Bradley Chubb – has long been mentioned as a player on the radar of interested teams. He is attached to his fifth-year option, making this a rental move.

Phillips’ base salary for 2025 ($13.25MM) made him one of the more expensive options in terms of finances, even with a portion of that figure already having been paid out. To help facilitate this deal, Miami is taking on money. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the Dolphins are retaining some of Phillips’ remaining salary in return for a higher draft pick. The Dolphins converted $5.13MM of Phillips’ remaining base salary into a signing bonus, per Field Yates of ESPN.com. The Eagles will pay Phillips a $1.5MM salary through the end of the season.

A third-rounder appears to be a relatively steep price for a rental, but the Eagles have been in need of help along the edge all year. The defending Super Bowl champions lost Josh Sweat in free agency and traded away Bryce Huff this past offseason. Za’Darius Smith elected to hang up his cleats during the campaign, while Brandon Graham recently unretired to play a 16th season with Philadelphia.

When Graham makes his season debut, it will be as a depth member of a defensive end group now featuring Phillips along with the likes of Nolan Smith (when healthy) and Jalyx Hunt. Phillips has handled a snap share of 71% or higher three times in his career, and a notable workload can be expected down the stretch as a member of the Eagles. Returning to the form he showed under Fangio would provide a critical boost to Philadelphia’s front seven while also helping his free agent stock (something which would be welcomed since the UCLA and Miami alum has notched just three sacks in 2025).

For the Dolphins, meanwhile, this news comes as little surprise. The decision to move on from general manager Chris Grier came just before the trade deadline, leading many to believe a shift in approach would take place. Indeed, reports from the past few days have indicated interim GM Champ Kelly will be more willing to entertain offers leading up to tomorrow afternoon’s deadline. It will thus be interesting to see if more moves are coming for Miami, a 2-7 team which will use the remainder of the season to evaluate head coach Mike McDaniel‘s job security.

As a result of this trade, the Dolphins now have three third-round picks in 2026. That capital will be key in helping the team add needed cost-controlled players moving forward, regardless of who is in place as general manager by the time April’s draft takes place. As for the Eagles, they entered Monday with roughly $11.5MM in cap space. This Phillips deal will eat into that figure but room for even more activity on the trade front could exist if Roseman finds a low-cost rental in the near future.

Texans Extend LB Jake Hansen

November 3rd, 2025 at 4:20pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Texans signed linebacker and special teams ace Jake Hansen to a one-year contract extension, per a team announcement.

The deal will keep Hansen in Houston through the 2026 season for a maximum value of $3MM, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.

Hansen, 27, signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois in 2022. He made the 53-man roster as a rookie and appeared in 11 games with 205 snaps on defense and 148 on special teams. During the subsequent offseason, Houston brought in DeMeco Ryans as the team’s new coach, and Hansen could not carve out a role in his system.

He has only played 183 snaps on defense in the last three years, but his role on special teams has expanded. He contributes to every unit except the Texans’ kicking team, and this season, his 89.6 special teams grade and eight special teams tackles are top-10 marks in the league, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Hansen earned a total of $2.57MM in his first three seasons and re-signed with the Texans for $1.7MM this offseason, per OverTheCap. He will earn another pay bump on his new deal, and Houston will keep one of their core special teams contributors around for another year.

Special teams work isn’t the most glamorous, but it is a reliable way to stick around in the NFL. As long as Hansen stays healthy, he will likely have a job in Houston, and may be prized by other special teams-focused teams in the league.

Cardinals Activate DL Walter Nolen, CB Garrett Williams

November 3rd, 2025 at 3:35pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Cardinals will have a pair of defenders available in time for tonight’s game. Most notably, Walter Nolen is positioned to make his NFL debut against the Cowboys.

The first-round rookie has been activated, per a team announcement. Nolen was shifted to the reserve/PUP list during roster cutdowns while continuing to recover from a calf injury. The Cardinals opened his practice window on October 15, though, which began the 21-day period for him to be activated.

To no surprise, Nolen has been brought into the fold in time to play tonight. The Texas A&M and Ole Miss product stood out as one of the top prospects in a loaded 2025 defensive tackle class. Expectations are high in his case as a result, although given his missed time a long-running acclimation period can be expected. Nevertheless, any contributions early on will be key for the Cardinals’ defensive front.

Arizona will also have an important figure available in the secondary beginning in Week 9. Cornerback Garrett Williams has been activated from injured reserve. The 24-year-old retuned to practice less than one week ago, and he has clearly not encountered any setbacks. Williams totaled 17 starts across his first two seasons in Arizona, and he was a first-team presence for each of his two appearances in 2025 before being sidelined with a knee injury.

Having him back will be critical against a high-powered Cowboys offense. Beyond that, Williams will be expected to reprise his role as a starter as the Cardinals look to end their streak of close defeats and remain in contention for the postseason. The team ranks just 24th against the pass this season, but having the Syracuse product back in the fold could bring about needed improvements. This move leaves Arizona with five IR activations available.

Nolen has plenty of time to develop as he plays out his rookie contract. Williams, on the other hand, will be eligible for an extension as early as this coming offseason. A strong run from this point on would help the latter’s chances of landing a new deal or at least cementing his status as an impact player for 2026. Both defenders could prove to be notable contributors for years to come if all goes according to plan.

With the Cardinals still thin in the backfield, Michael Carter is the team’s only gameday elevation for tonight. He has bounced on and off the roster while also seeing time on the practice squad, and he will look to chip in on offense during his fifth appearance of the campaign.

Bucs Designate RT Luke Goedeke For Return

November 3rd, 2025 at 3:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Buccaneers have continued to withstand body blows on offense, but they may be getting some help after the bye. Tampa Bay will see right tackle Luke Goedeke back at practice this week.

Down since aggravating a foot injury in Week 2, Goedeke received a return designation, according to the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud. This injury came before the spree of skill-position maladies — affecting Mike Evans, Bucky Irving, Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka — to plague the NFC South leaders. A Goedeke return would help a Bucs O-line that has missed other pieces at points.

While Goedeke has been sidelined, the Bucs lost right guard Cody Mauch for the season. They have yet to deploy Goedeke and starting left tackle Tristan Wirfs in a game together this season, with the All-Pro not debuting until Goedeke landed on IR. Having that duo back together would give Tampa Bay four of its five starting O-linemen — along with left guard Ben Bredeson and center Graham Barton — together. This would certainly benefit Baker Mayfield, whose MVP push has included a shorthanded squad throughout.

Goedeke made a second-year move from guard to tackle, and his work on the edge moved him into position to secure a late-summer extension. The Bucs gave Goedeke a four-year, $90MM extension, locking him in through the 2029 season a year after extending Wirfs through 2030 at a then-record tackle rate. The Bucs have 21 days to activate Goedeke, and it certainly sounds like the team will have him available soon.

Tampa Bay is hoping to have Evans back at some point in December; the future Hall of Fame wideout suffered a broken clavicle last month. The team has not used IR for Godwin or Irving, but each has missed extensive time. Irving has been out for four games with foot and shoulder injuries, while Godwin — who did not debut until Week 5 due to his fractured ankle — has missed the past three contests with a fibula issue. Neither is assured to be back for Week 10, but the running back and wide receiver landing on IR remains a positive sign regarding near-future returns.

While Evans’ reemergence is a long way off, the Bucs could have nine of their 11 offensive starters back fairly soon. Goedeke, who will turn 27 this month, has started 40 career games. This will be his third season as a Wirfs bookend, with the Bucs having kicked the standout to left tackle in 2023. That duo helped Mayfield stabilize his career, and the resurgent quarterback having played well without several key pieces on offense bodes well for his form when most are back.

Browns Designate Cedric Tillman To Return From IR

November 3rd, 2025 at 1:54pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Browns designated wide receiver Cedric Tillman to return from injured reserve on Monday, per a team announcement. Cleveland also released veteran safety Damontae Kazee from the 53-man roster.

Tillman started the first four games of the season and caught 11 of his 20 targets for 106 yards and two touchdowns. That is somewhat disappointing given his 71% snap share across those contests. The 25-year-old wideout suffered a hamstring injury in Week 4 that landed him on IR, but he will return to practice this week after the Browns’ Week 9 bye. He will have 21 days to practice with the team before he must be added to the active roster or revert to season-ending IR. Freeing up a 53-man roster spot right away indicates that Tillman will be activated sooner rather than later.

The Browns have struggled to get much production out of their wide receivers this season. Jerry Jeudy has regressed from his career-best production in 2024, and Jamari Thrash and Isaiah Bond have not impressed in their first NFL action. The rookie will likely step back into rotational roles when Tillman returns to the lineup.

The team’s quarterback woes are certainly a factor in their passing game struggles, as well. In theory, the return of a big-body receiver like Tillman could make life easier on Dillon Gabriel, but the 2023 third-rounder has not lived up to his draft profile of a physical deep threat with only 11.0 yards per catch and a 10.5-yard average depth of target in his career.

Kazee, a nine-year veteran, signed a one-year deal with the Browns during the offseason. He appeared in four games this year with 11 snaps on defense and 37 on special teams. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network notes this parting of ways was a mutual decision, with Kazee forfeiting his remaining guarantees (more than $200K) to allow for a fresh start.

Cowboys Activate C Cooper Beebe, Place LB Jack Sanborn On IR

November 3rd, 2025 at 1:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Cowboys’ 31st-ranked defense is losing another piece. The team is placing linebacker Jack Sanborn on IR, according to The Athletic’s Jon Machota. This move will make room for Cooper Beebe‘s return, however.

Beebe is being activated from IR ahead of tonight’s Dallas-Arizona game. The Cowboys’ starting center has been out since Week 2 with foot and ankle injuries. The second-year blocker suffered a lateral ankle sprain along with a bone fracture in his foot in September; his return comes within the initial recovery timeline.

Dallas has been using Brock Hoffman at center in place of Beebe, but the more experienced player will be set to return to backup status. Beebe has started all 18 games he has played as a pro. The Cowboys plugged he and fellow 2024 draftee Tyler Guyton into the lineup as rookies. They will now have three first- or second-year players, with Tyler Booker in the lineup, starting up front against the Cardinals. Beebe’s development will remain a priority for the Cowboys, who turned to their 2024 third-rounder to replace departed free agent Tyler Biadasz last year.

This activation will leave the Cowboys with four injury activations remaining. The team already activated cornerback Caelen Carson and used summer IR-return designations on wide receiver Jonathan Mingo and defensive end Payton Turner. The latter has not yet returned to practice, but by virtue of the summer IR-return move, he already counts toward Dallas’ eight-activation total.

Pro Football Focus has Hoffman rated 31st among centers, pointing to Beebe’s return providing a boost. The Cowboys have been wildly inconsistent this season, but they do sport one of the league’s best offenses. Beebe’s comeback figures to help Javonte Williams continue his bounce-back season.

Sanborn has started five of the six games he has played with Dallas. The team continues to wait on DeMarvion Overshown‘s return from a major knee injury. Overshown remains in the PUP-return window, having begun practicing late last month. PFF slots Sanborn 55th among qualified linebackers this season.

The former Bears defender is on a one-year, $1.5MM deal, coming over as one of a few low-cost Cowboys linebackers in recent years. A groin injury will move Sanborn off the 53-man roster for at least four games, per the Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins. Sanborn started five games before coming off the bench in Week 7. He missed the team’s Week 8 Broncos matchup.

The Cowboys also signed running back Malik Davis from the practice squad and used their standard gameday elevations on defensive back Zion Childress and tight end Princeton Fant.

Panthers Place OL Brady Christensen On IR, Sign QB Mike White To Active Roster

November 2nd, 2025 at 9:01am CST by Nikhil Mehta

NOVEMBER 2: The thumb on Dalton’s throwing hand is actually broken, per Person (subscription required). Dalton broke the thumb during the second series of the Buffalo contest, though he did not immediately tell the coaching staff about the injury.

Young returned to practice as a full participant on Wednesday, and he has no injury designation for Week 9. He will therefore return to his QB1 post.

OCTOBER 30: Panthers offensive lineman Brady Christensen underwent surgery for a torn Achilles on Wednesday and was placed on injured reserve Thursday, per team reporter Darin Gantt.

Christensen went down in the Panthers’ Week 8 loss to the Bills and will miss the rest of the season. He had started the last four games at right guard after Robert Hunt and Chandler Zavala both landed on injured reserve. Five-year veteran Jake Curhan finished the game at right guard.

Christensen’s injury was one of several to the Panthers’ offensive line on Sunday. Center Cade Mays injured his ankle and right tackle Taylor Moton injured his knee; they were replaced by Austin Corbett and Yosh Nijman, respectively. Head coach Dave Canales said this week (via Gant and his colleague Kassidy Hill) that Mays was not expected to play in Week 9, but Moton might. That would keep Corbett at center and potentially insert Nijman into the starting lineup.

At right guard, the Panthers could stick with Curhan, but Zavala is expected to be activated from IR ahead of Sunday’s game against the Packers, according to The Athletic’s Joe Person. That will likely position him to start, potentially for the rest of the season if Hunt does not come back.

With the open spot on their roster, the Panthers promoted veteran quarterback Mike White from the practice squad. That may not be a good sign for Andy Dalton‘s availability this week. He is dealing with a thumb injury on his throwing hand and did not practice on Wednesday. Bryce Young is trending towards a return after missing Week 8 with a high ankle sprain; if Dalton can’t go, White would be Young’s backup on Sunday.

The Panthers also filled the open practice squad spot created by White’s promotion by re-signing defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy.

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