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CB Asante Samuel Jr. Cleared To Play, Lining Up Visits

November 5th, 2025 at 1:23pm CST by Connor Byrne

Despite starting for the Chargers during the first four years of his career, free agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. has gone without a deal since last season ended. Injury concerns have played a major role in that. After playing just four games in 2024, Samuel underwent spinal fusion surgery last April. The 26-year-old was finally cleared for football activities earlier this week, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Now ready to resume his career, Samuel is drawing interest from teams and could serve as a second-half reinforcement for the club that signs him. He has already lined up visits with the Panthers, Packers, and Vikings, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz (Matt Schneidman of The Athletic first reported Green Bay’s interest).

Carolina is hosting Samuel on Wednesday, Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer relays. The Panthers weren’t expected to contend for a playoff spot this year, but they’re in the mix at 5-4 after upsetting the Packers in Lambeau Field last week.

After Jaycee Horn, their No. 1 cornerback, Mike Jackson and slot corner Chau Smith-Wade have gotten most of the playing time at the position. With a middle-of-the-pack pass defense that ranks 15th in the NFL, the Panthers may regard Samuel as a worthwhile addition.

The Packers have allowed just 197 passing yards per game, good for ninth in the league, but their interest in Samuel comes as corner Nate Hobbs is dealing with a Grade 1 MCL sprain. Hobbs, who left the Packers’ loss to the Panthers with the injury, is expected to miss at least two games, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

With Hobbs temporarily unavailable, the Packers are down to Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Bo Melton, and Kamal Hadden at corner. Melton, a converted receiver, and Hadden bring minimal defensive experience to the table. With that in mind, the Packers’ interest in Samuel makes sense.

The 4-4 Vikings, trying to catch the NFC North-leading Packers (5-2-1), rank one spot ahead of Green Bay against the pass. Minnesota has 2024 Pro Bowler Byron Murphy and offseason free agent signing Isaiah Rodgers on hand as starting corners. Murphy and Rodgers have each logged a defensive snap share upward of 91% this year, but depth concerns may lead to a Samuel signing. Jeff Okudah, the third overall pick of the Lions in 2020, has struggled when healthy and is now battling his second concussion of the season. Meanwhile, Fabian Moreau and Dwight McGlothern have combined for just 57 defensive snaps in 2025.

Considering Samuel is a former second-round pick who intercepted two passes in each of his first three seasons, even more suitors could emerge now that he’s healthy. With the trade deadline having passed, Samuel may be the best hope for a team to acquire an impact player over the final couple months of the season.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/4/25

November 4th, 2025 at 7:37pm CST by Ely Allen

With lots of roster movement surrounding the trade deadline, practice squads needed rearranging, as well. Here are today’s practice squad updates:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

The Texans are bringing Wright on as an emergency option as regular kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn works through an injury. Wright has plenty of experience in this role as this will be his fourth team this year alone.

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.

Panthers Activate G Chandler Zavala Off IR

November 1st, 2025 at 2:06pm CST by Connor Byrne

NOVEMBER 1: Carolina will, in fact, see Zavala return at an opportune moment as the Panthers activated him from injured reserve today. Considering Christensen was placed on IR shortly after suffering his Achilles injury, Zavala should have the opportunity to step right back into the position that Christensen had been filling for him.

In order make space on the 53-man roster, the Panthers released veteran running back DeeJay Dallas, who had been inactive in two games since Hubbard’s return to health. Carolina also announced that it would call up outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon as a standard gameday practice squad elevation.

OCTOBER 29: The Panthers’ offensive line took a hit when guard Brady Christensen suffered an Achilles injury in a loss to the Bills in Week 8. While Christensen may miss the rest of the season, the Panthers could welcome back guard Chandler Zavala in the next three weeks. The Panthers opened Zavala’s practice window on Wednesday, giving them 21 days to activate him from IR.

Zavala has mostly served as a backup in Carolina since the team used a fourth-round pick on the former NC State blocker in 2023. He opened this season in a reserve role before right guard Robert Hunt tore his left biceps in Week 2. With Hunt on IR, Zavala started back-to-back games. However, Zavala sustained a knee injury in Week 4, forcing him to join Hunt on the shelf.

The Panthers are dealing with other injuries along their line, including to center Cade Mays (ankle) and right tackle Taylor Moton (knee). It’s unclear if they’ll play this Sunday against the Packers and their Micah Parsons-led defensive front. Likewise, Zavala may not be ready for an immediate return to the lineup. Alongside Damien Lewis, the Panthers’ starting left guard, Austin Corbett, Jake Curhan, and Nick Samac could all be candidates to fill in the interior of a banged-up line this week.

Regardless of who’s doing the blocking in Week 9, it appears running back Rico Dowdle will take on a larger role. With Dowdle off to an excellent start this year, Panthers head coach Dave Canales said the Panthers are considering a heavier workload for him (via David Newton of ESPN).

Previously with the Cowboys, Dowdle signed a one-year deal with the Panthers last offseason to work behind starter Chuba Hubbard. While Dowdle was a 1,000-yard rusher last year, he has found another gear this season. The 27-year-old has already piled up 605 yards on 106 carries (5.7 YPC). He combined for a franchise-record 473 total yards (389 rushing, 84 receiving) during wins in Weeks 5 and 6. Hubbard missed those games with a calf injury.

Dowdle has seen less action since Hubbard returned, though he still combined for a strong 133 yards on 25 rushes during the Panthers’ previous two games. Hubbard, on the other hand, totaled just 65 yards on 26 carries in that same stretch. The 26-year-old has averaged an underwhelming 3.6 yards on 79 carries this season.

Although Hubbard is seemingly in line for fewer touches, the Panthers “don’t want to move” him before the Nov. 4 trade deadline, Joseph Person of The Athletic writes. With Hubbard in the early stages of an 1,195-yard, 10-touchdown rushing season in 2024, the Panthers signed him to a four-year, $33.2MM extension last November. He’s earning a $4MM guaranteed salary this year and has another $4.5MM guaranteed in 2026.

A talent evaluator with another team told Person that it may be hard for the Panthers to find someone to take Hubbard’s contract while also surrendering a draft pick to acquire him. With Hubbard an important part of the Panthers’ culture, they’re content to keep him as a complement to Dowdle. If Dowdle leaves as a free agent in the offseason, Hubbard could reclaim the No. 1 role in 2026.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/28/25

October 28th, 2025 at 8:44pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s practice squad transactions from across the NFL:

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

Denver Broncos

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

The Steelers have seen injuries ravage their secondary in recent weeks. They made a big move not long ago to address the position, but Forrest comes in with some additional experience, providing depth at safety.

The 49ers are letting go of Parker, a former third-round pick who failed to find success with the Raiders, in order to make room for Dillard, a former first-round pick who failed to ever establish himself as a full-time starter in the NFL. Dillard spent the offseason with San Francisco, eventually getting released from injured reserve with an injury settlement. He’s been a free agent ever since and now signs his first ever practice squad deal.

After getting signed to the Commanders’ practice squad to fill in for an injured Matt Gay last night, Wright returns to free agency. In a low-scoring Sunday night affair, Wright made his only kick — a single extra point attempt.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/28/25

October 28th, 2025 at 7:28pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are Tuesday’s minor NFL moves as the headlines are taken up by bigger names due to the impending trade deadline:

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Denver Broncos

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New York Giants

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tennessee Titans

The Bengals cleared out a few roster spots today as Heyward will need about four weeks to work his way back from a hairline fracture in his fibula. Pennel, a 12-year veteran on the interior defensive line, had started to cede his defensive snaps to younger options and found himself falling down the depth chart despite appearing in every game this season. He requested his release from the team, and it was granted.

Similar to when San Francisco brought Greenlaw back from injured reserve, the 49ers are releasing Ehlinger to make room on the 53-man roster. Like last time, the plan is for Ehlinger to remain in Denver via an addition to the practice squad tomorrow.

Panthers Fear Achilles Tear For G Brady Christensen

October 26th, 2025 at 4:46pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Panthers saw their three-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday. Several offensive linemen were injured along the way, including Brady Christensen.

A return this season is unlikely to take place in this case. When speaking after the game, head coach Dave Canales said (via Joe Person of The Athletic) Christensen is feared to have suffered an Achilles tear. Provided that is confirmed by further testing, he will be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.

Christensen was carted off the field during Carolina’s game against Buffalo. The fifth-year veteran was in the midst of starting for the fourth consecutive game at right guard when he suffered the injury. Christensen missing the rest of the season would deal another blow to a Panthers O-line which was already shorthanded.

First-choice right guard Robert Hunt suffered a torn biceps last month, creating a vacancy at that position. That ailment could prove to be season-ending, in any case Hunt is not in position to the lineup any time soon. Christensen took over from Hunt in Week 4 and then played every snap for each of the following three games. That setup was set to continue, but now another change up front will be necessary.

Over the course of his rookie contract, Christensen made 51 appearances and 30 starts. The former third-rounder was limited to just one contest in 2023 but otherwise he managed to avoid major injuries. Christensen re-signed on a one-year pact this spring, but today’s news will obviously hinder his market value. He will look to recover in time for the start of the 2026 campaign; especially if that does not take place, the 29-year-old could remain unsigned for an extended period.

In the wake of today’s lopsided loss, the Panthers sit at 4-4 on the year. The team’s rushing attack will continue to be leaned on moving forward, particularly if quarterback Bryce Young misses any further time. With another lengthy absence up front likely, though, it will be challenging to remain among the league’s best in that regard.

2025 Injured Reserve Return Tracker

October 25th, 2025 at 8:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 2024 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 26 IR- or NFI-return designations, however, already count against teams’ regular-season limit of eight. Teams 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 26 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. Playoff teams will receive two additional injury activations at that point.

Here is how the 32 teams’ activation puzzles look for Week 10:

Arizona Cardinals

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Atlanta Falcons

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Baltimore Ravens

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activations remaining: 6

Buffalo Bills

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Carolina Panthers

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

Chicago Bears

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Cincinnati Bengals

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Cleveland Browns

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activations remaining: 7

Dallas Cowboys

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

Denver Broncos

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Detroit Lions

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activations remaining: 8

Green Bay Packers

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activations remaining: 6

Houston Texans

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Indianapolis Colts

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Jacksonville Jaguars

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Activations remaining: 7

Kansas City Chiefs

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Activations remaining: 6

Las Vegas Raiders

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 7

Los Angeles Chargers

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

Los Angeles Rams

Eligible for activation:

Activations remaining: 8

Miami Dolphins

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activations remaining: 6

Minnesota Vikings

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

New England Patriots

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 7

New Orleans Saints

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

New York Giants

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

New York Jets

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Philadelphia Eagles

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Pittsburgh Steelers

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

San Francisco 49ers

Designated for return:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Seattle Seahawks

Designated for return (Aug. 26):

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 6

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activations remaining: 8

Tennessee Titans

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Washington Commanders

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 7

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/25/25

October 25th, 2025 at 5:29pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are Saturday’s minor moves and standard gameday practice squad elevations for tomorrow’s slate of games:

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Recently named QB2 Shedeur Sanders found his way to the injury report today with a back injury. By elevating Zappe, Cleveland is ensuring Sanders won’t play tomorrow, since in order to have three quarterbacks dressed for gameday, all three passers must be on the 53-man roster. Zappe will back up Dillon Gabriel, and Sanders will likely be in sweats. Similarly in Carolina, with Bryce Young set to sit this week, Hooker has been called up to back up Andy Dalton.

Both Buccaneers quarterbacks, Baker Mayfield and Teddy Bridgewater, were on the injury report this week, though neither received a “questionable” injury designation as result of their ailments. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that both passers are expected to be available, but with Bazelak taking up a spot on the active roster, it seems likely that only one other quarterback will be suited up alongside the practice squad callup. Because Bazelak’s not on the 53-man roster, only two passers can be active. Tampa Bay can still designate Bazelak as the inactive third quarterback, but doing so would seemingly be making this elevation moot.

There is no corresponding move necessary for Philadelphia to add Cooper. The team received a two-game roster exemption after signing veteran defensive end Brandon Graham, so they had an open roster spot.

For Basham in Carolina and Jennings in New England, this will be their third and final standard gameday practice squad elevations. If either of their respective teams want them to play in another game this season, they will need to first be signed to the 53-man roster.

Panthers QB Bryce Young Dealing With High Ankle Sprain, Will Miss Week 8

October 24th, 2025 at 12:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

OCTOBER 24: Young has been listed as doubtful on the Panthers’ injury report. While that would leave the door open to him playing in theory, as team spokesperson has since said (via ESPN’s David Newton) Dalton will get the start for Week 8 regardless of whether or not Young is able to dress.

OCTOBER 20: The Panthers won their third straight game on Sunday, but quarterback Bryce Young was unable to finish the game. Further missed time is likely in store.

Young suffered a high ankle sprain on Sunday. X-rays taken yesterday on the injury were negative, per Joe Person of The Athletic. That still left an MRI for today, though, and it provided more clarity on the ailment. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports Young is expected to miss Week 8 given the results of today’s imaging.

A precise timeline is not in place at this point. As Pelissero notes, however, injuries such as this generally carry a recovery timeframe of two to four weeks. That could put Young in line to miss more than one contest, but for now the Panthers hope that only one week on the sidelines will be needed. In any case, Andy Dalton is now in position to handle QB1 duties for a period.

Young’s third season in the NFL (and second under head coach Dave Canales) has been inconsistent. The former No. 1 pick has managed to essentially duplicate his performances from 2024 in terms of completion percentage and passer rating. He has thrown 11 touchdown passes but also five interceptions, and a true breakthrough as a franchise quarterback has proven to be elusive. Still, being shorthanded under center will be an unwanted development for Carolina in advance of a matchup against the Bills.

Thanks to their winning streak, the Panthers sit at 4-3 on the year. That puts them in second in the NFC South for now. Remaining in postseason contention would be key for the team as stability on the sidelines and under center is sought out. It is still uncertain at this point if Young will be tasked with handling starting duties for the long term, but he will be extension-eligible after this season. A decision will need to be made on the former Heisman winner’s fifth-option during the spring as a result, with a long-term commitment also being possible.

Part of how the Panthers proceed with Young will depend on his availability. The 24-year-old has avoided significant missed time through injury to date, and continuing in that regard will be important as he aims to develop further under Canales and Co (although his rookie season resulted one game sidelined due to the same injury). As such, it will be interesting to see how quickly Young manages to return to action.

Dalton has been in Carolina since 2023. The soon-to-be 38-year-old has made six starts as a Panther, and that figure is now set to increase. Dalton is under contract through 2026 after re-signing on an $8MM pact this offseason. That investment on the part of the Panthers was aimed at keeping a high-floor backup in the fold with Young continuing to be evaluated as a potential long-term answer under center. The decision to keep Dalton in the mix saw him handle the close stages of yesterday’s win, and he will be tasked with maintaining Carolina’s momentum against a Bills team coming off its bye.

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