Brandon Aiyuk Trade Viewed As Possible; Latest On 49ers’ WR Outlook
Before the start of the current season, the 49ers voided a 2026 option bonus for Brandon Aiyuk. That has fueled speculation a parting of ways will take place after the current campaign. 
Further details have emerged regarding the team’s decision to void Aiyuk’s guarantees. As ESPN’s Fowler writes, the sixth-year receiver declined to attend appointments for his knee rehab during the offseason. That is believed to be among the reasons San Francisco proceeded with voiding Aiyuk’s guarantees, a move he chose not to contest by means of an NFLPA grievance.
Aiyuk’s 2024 campaign ended when he suffered ACL, MCL and meniscus tears. He has yet to play since, despite a number of updates before and during this season pointing to him being cleared at some point. There is still optimism the 27-year-old will be cleared, although that would in turn lead to an interesting question of whether or not Aiyuk would be willing to play given where things stand at this point.
Fowler adds that some teams around the league see an Aiyuk trade as being possible, especially with his contract being easier to move in the absence of guaranteed compensation for next season. The former first-rounder’s deal still runs through 2028, however, so a release allowing him to choose his next destination is still a more realistic outcome. That would leave Aiyuk in the same situation as Christian Wilkins, after the Raiders voided his guarantees and moved forward with a release.
Aiyuk topped 1,000 yards for the first time in 2022. The following season, he set a career high in yards (1,342) and yards per catch (17.9), helping lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl along the way. The process of working out an extension was far from smooth, to say the least, and even with a long-term deal in hand Aiyuk’s future is once again a talking point.
Elsewhere at the receiver position, Matt Barrows of the Athletic writes (subscription required) the 49ers are likelier to retain Kendrick Bourne this offseason than Jauan Jennings. The latter was in the team’s long-term plans as of September, but as a pending free agent he could depart on the open market this spring. Jennings landed a two-year pact in 2024, the season in which he comfortably posted career-best numbers. Things have not been the same in 2025 for the former seventh-rounder.
Bourne’s second San Francisco stint has seen him make seven starts with the team dealing with several injuries. He has posted 482 scoreless yards while serving as an experienced secondary option in the passing game. Retaining Bourne, 30, will likely come at a lesser cost than re-signing Jennings once more. Of course, Aiyuk will play a large role in determining how the team operates at the WR spot once his situation becomes clearer.
Ravens Place RB Justice Hill, DT Taven Bryan On IR
Justice Hill and Taven Bryan have already been ruled out for the Ravens’ game tonight against the Bengals. Both veterans will be unavailable for an extended period. 
Hill and Bryan have been moved to injured reserve, per a team announcement. As such, today’s Thanksgiving finale will mark the first of at least four games they are required to miss. A neck ailment has shut Hill down for the time being; Bryan has a knee injury.
As was the case last year, Derrick Henry has led the way in terms of backfield usage for Baltimore. The future Hall of Famer has essentially alternated between productive and quiet games in 2025, however, adding to the importance of the Ravens’ other backfield options. That has included Hill, whose seven-year career has been spent exclusively with Baltimore.
The 28-year-old has received more than three carries only once so far this season, but he has remained a regular presence in the passing game. Hill’s injury ensures he will not come close to matching the career-high 42 receptions he made in 2024, but his absence will be felt moving forward. Keaton Mitchell and Rasheen Ali will serve as Henry’s backups down the stretch.
Since the season-ending neck injury suffered by Nnamdi Madubuike, depth along the defensive interior has been a question for the Ravens. Bryan joined the team’s practice squad in September, and he has since found his way onto the active roster. A veteran of 118 games, he has made five appearances in a rotational capacity this season. Bryan’s absence will lead to an increased workload for the likes of Travis Jones, John Jenkins and Brent Urban along the D-line.
The Ravens designated edge rusher Adisa Isaac and receiver Dayton Wade for return from IR during roster cutdowns, meaning their activations have already been accounted for. The team has yet to use any of its remaining six activations so far, but in Hill and Bryan’s case doing so will be needed if they are to play again this season.
Giants QB Jaxson Dart Clears Concussion Protocol
Jameis Winston has started each of the past two games as a fill-in for the Giants. He will return to backup duties in Week 13. 
Jaxson Dart has cleared concussion protocol, per a team announcement. That sets the first-round rookie up to return to action on Sunday against the Patriots. Avoiding any further injury-induced absences the rest of the way will be a key goal for team and player in this case.
Including the preseason, Dart has already been evaluated for a concussion four times this year. Concerns about the number he hits he takes during a game have been raised since he took over QB1 duties. As such, few were surprised when Dart suffered a concussion in Week 10. He remained in the multi-step protocol from that point until today.
Dart was a full participant in practice yesterday (h/t ESPN’s Jordan Raanan). That was a clear indication a return in time for Week 13 would be in store. The Giants are still shorthanded on offense, with wideout Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo out for the season. Dart’s return will allow for his development to continue, though, while also giving interim head coach Mike Kafka more time to audition for the full-time gig alongside New York’s QB of the future.
The fate of general manager Joe Schoen is also uncertain at this point, although signs point to him being safe. It was Schoen who traded back into the first round to select Dart in April’s draft, a move which seems to have helped his standing in the organization. A strong finish to the campaign would not move the Giants into postseason contention, but it could offer promise for 2026.
Winston guided New York to close losses against the Packers and Lions during his two starts. Defensive breakdowns remained an issue during that period, prompting the dismissal of DC Shane Bowen. As the team looks to make needed improvements on that side of the ball, Dart will be back in the fold beginning on Sunday.
Lions DE Josh Paschal Will Not Play In 2025
On November 5, Josh Paschal returned to practice for the Lions. The fourth-year defensive end’s 21-day activation window was opened as a result. 
Yesterday marked the point at which the Lions needed to activate Paschal from the reserve/NFI list for him to be eligible to play in 2025. As Justin Rogers of the Detroit Football Network notes, however, that did not take place. Paschal has therefore reverted to season-ending IR and he will not be available this year.
That news will deal a blow to the Lions’ depth along the defensive front. Pachal saw an uptick in usage over the course of his first three seasons in the Motor City, making 10 starts in 2024. The 25-year-old recorded only two sacks but he comfortably set a new career high with 17 QB pressures. Instead of having the opportunity to contribute in that capacity late in 2025, Paschal will remain focused on recovery.
The former second-rounder has been rehabbing from back surgery dating back to the summer. It came as little surprise when he landed on the reserve/NFI list during cutdowns, something which ensured at least a one-month absence during the regular season. Now, though, team and player will proceed knowing Paschal will not be available at any point down the stretch or (if applicable) in the playoffs.
The timing of this development is particularly impactful given the fact Paschal is approaching his first trip to free agency. The Kentucky product’s rookie contract is set to expire in March, and an entire season on the sidelines will obviously deal a major blow to his value. It would come as little surprise if Paschal were to take a one-year pact with Detroit or another team for 2026 with the hopes of delivering a healthy campaign.
Entering their Thanksgiving contest, the Lions ranked mid-pack in several defensive categories. Detroit’s D-line will need to finish the year without any reinforcement on the part of Paschal being in the fold.
Vikings Bring Back QB Desmond Ridder
Desmond Ridder is back in Minnesota. The journeyman quarterback has signed a practice squad deal with the Vikings, per a team announcement. 
J.J. McCarthy is in concussion protocol, and today’s news essentially confirms he will (expectedly) miss at least one week. With Carson Wentz sidelined for the remainder of the season, undrafted rookie Max Brosmer will get the nod in Week 13. Ridder could very well dress as his backup against the Seahawks.
After Minnesota’s quarterback depth chart changed late in the summer (with Wentz being added as a veteran backup and Sam Howell being traded away), McCarthy’s ankle injury created the need for insurance under center. That resulted in Ridder working out for the Vikings in early September and landing a deal on the active roster. The former third-rounder departed the Raiders in free agency but he was among the Bengals’ final roster cuts at the end of training camp.
Ridder did not wind up seeing any playing time during his brief Minnesota stint. The 26-year-old has not played at all this season. A workout with the 49ers took place in October, but no contract came about as a result. Ridder will now head back to the Vikings at least until McCarthy clears concussion protocol.
During his rookie year, Ridder started the final four games of the season. His showing in that role resulted in a 13-game stretch of starts the following campaign, but the Cincinnati product again put up underwhelming numbers. Ridder made a total of six appearances last season as a member of the Raiders, including one start. In all, he has totaled 18 regular season starts, posting a passer rating of 82.6 along the way.
The Vikings have lost five of six games since their bye week, with poor play under center representing a major problem. It will be interesting to see how Brosmer fares in his NFL debut, but Ridder will give Minnesota a more experienced replacement option if necessary.
Bears Activate CBs Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon From IR
When the Bears take on the Eagles in this year’s Black Friday game, they will do so with a pair of notable reinforcements in the secondary. Both Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon are set to play tomorrow. 
Johnson and Gordon will be activated from IR in time for Friday’s game, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Both players remained on IR through Week 12. Each have continued to make progress in their respective recoveries, however. As such, they will be available against the Eagles after drawing a questionable designation on the team’s injury report. The moves are now official.
Johnson seemed to be lost for the year after just one game played following his core muscle surgery. He returned to practice roughly two weeks ago, however, setting up an activation in relatively short order. Getting the two-time Pro Bowler back in the fold will represent a major boost for Chicago’s CB room, particularly on the perimeter.
Similarly, Gordon’s return will give the Bears their preferred option in the slot. His practice window opened last week. Gordon inked a three-year, $40MM extension in April, making him (like Johnson) a key figure on defense for Chicago now and into the future. Both starters will look to remain healthy the rest of the way as the Bears (8-3) attempt to maintain their lead in the NFC North.
With that said, takeaways have not been an issue for the team during its shorthanded stretch in the secondary. Chicago’s 16 interceptions lead the NFL, and Nahshon Wright has enjoyed a stellar campaign with five interceptions and 10 pass deflections through 11 games in a first-team role. It will be interesting to see if Wright’s role and playing time are affected with Johnson and Gordon back in the fold.
This news will leave the Bears with three IR activations for the remainder of the regular season. Offensive tackles Braxton Jones and Kiran Amegadjie remain on injured reserve at this time. Bringing one or both of them onto the active roster will leave Chicago near the limit of eight for the campaign.
Chargers Designate RB Omarion Hampton For Return From IR
NOVEMBER 26: A day after his 21-day practice window opened, Hampton revealed some previously unknown details on the injury that put him on IR for the past seven weeks. While we had known it was a left ankle injury that sidelined the North Carolina rookie, Hampton revealed that the nature of the injury was a fracture, per ESPN’s Kris Rhim. He’ll have a chance to make his return as soon as this weekend, if Los Angeles opts to activate him by Saturday.
NOVEMBER 25: Najee Harris will not play again this season for the Chargers. The other member of the team’s backfield tandem from the start of the season could be back soon, however. 
Head coach Jim Harbaugh announced on Tuesday (via ESPN’s Kris Rhim) Omarion Hampton will return to practice today. That means his 21-day activation window will open. Hampton must be brought back onto the active roster within that time to avoid reverting to season-ending injured reserve.
Harris suffered an Achilles tear in Week 3, something which ended the chances of Hampton being eased into action in terms of workload. The first-round rookie was slated for a clear-cut RB1 role with Harris out of the fold, but that setup did not last long. Hampton suffered an ankle injury in early October, and he has resided on IR ever since. Getting him back in the fold at some point late in the season will be key.
The Chargers’ offense has been without left tackle Rashawn Slater all season. His replacement on the blindside, Joe Alt, thrived in that role when healthy be he too has been lost for the remainder of the campaign. Los Angeles traded for Trevor Penning at the deadline, but the team’s O-line will remain a major point of concern moving forward.
The Bolts find themselves in the top 10 in the league in scoring but they sit just 20th in total offense. Improvement on the ground would be welcomed, and having a healthy Hampton could go a long way in that regard. The North Carolina product received double-digit carries in four of his five appearances prior to going down. Overall, Hampton produced 450 scrimmage yards while averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
Hampton could be back as early as Week 13, and the same is also true for defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia. The latter’s practice window is also being opened, per Harbaugh (h/t Daniel Popper of The Athletic). Ogbonnia has been sidelined since Week 7 due to an elbow injury, but he will likely be back in the fold shortly barring a setback in practice over the coming days.
The Chargers have been hit hard by injuries throughout the campaign, and they have only three IR activations remaining. Bringing back Hampton and Ogbonnia will leave them with one for the closing weeks of the regular season.
Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins Aiming For Super Bowl Return
NOVEMBER 26: Sean Payton also did not dismiss a Dobbins return from a Lisfranc injury. Not generally forthcoming on injuries, the veteran HC said (via the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel) a return “has a chance” to take place. The Broncos have five injury activations remaining, not using them on Patrick Surtain or Alex Singleton — who are both on track to return in Week 13 — and would receive two more if/once they make the playoffs.
Dobbins has told some in the building he wants to be back by the time Denver’s playoff docket starts, per Gabriel. Based on previous reporting, that sounds quite optimistic. But the prospect of the injury-prone running back not being shut down does provide some intrigue for the Broncos’ backfield, which is attempting to replace one of this season’s most productive runners.
NOVEMBER 23: J.K. Dobbins‘ latest injury has him unavailable for the foreseeable future. The veteran running back has his eyes set on a Broncos return if their season goes the distance, however. 
A Lisfranc injury suffered earlier this month will leave Dobbins sidelined through at least the remainder of the regular season. Surgery has already taken place, and a lengthy recovery process is underway as a result. If all were to go well on that front, Dobbins could find himself available at the tail end of the playoffs.
Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post reports there is a “hope” Dobbins will be able to return in the event the Broncos reach the Super Bowl. That would amount to a recovery timeline of roughly three months, something which would fall well short of how long severe Lisfranc injuries require to heal. Even a less severe version of the injury will require a notable period out of game action.
“If it’s a more subtle injury, it’s potentially something you can rehab more quickly and get back on your feet quicker,” Dr. Nicholas Strasser told Gabriel (while adding he is not involved in Dobbins’ particular case). “It’s not totally unrealistic for February, thinking through the timeline. A lot of things would have to go his way and probably have to have a lot of luck as well.”
Indeed, a Super Bowl appearance representing the best-case scenario in this situation illustrates how unlikely it is to take place. The Broncos are on their bye week, but with a 9-2 record the AFC West leaders are certainly in the mix with respect to contenders for a championship in 2025. The team’s running game will be determined in large part by the play of second-round rookie RJ Harvey, who has recorded 469 yards from scrimmage and scored six total touchdowns this season.
Injuries have been a consistent issue throughout Dobbins’ career. The 26-year-old had been enjoying a strong debut campaign with the Broncos (5.0 yards per carry, four touchdowns) before going down. Dobbins is a pending free agent, and another short-term contract is no doubt in store given the time he will miss down the stretch. At the moment, at least, the door is nevertheless open to him making a final contribution to the Broncos should they parlay their performances to date into a championship run.
Colts Place WR Ashton Dulin On IR
Ashton Dulin suffered a hamstring injury in Week 12. The veteran receiver/special teamer will be sidelined for a notable period as a result. 
Dulin has been placed on injured reserve, per a team announcement. He will thus miss at least the next four games. Dulin’s absence will deal a blow to Indianapolis’ special teams while also leaving the AFC South leaders thin in terms of receiver depth.
Special teams have been a strong point for the Colts in 2025. Dulin serves as their top gunner for punt coverage, so being without him for an extended period will be notable. The 28-year-old has spent his entire career in Indianapolis, and he missed the entire 2023 campaign due to an ACL tear. Dulin managed to play 15 games last season, though, and he landed a new deal as a result.
The former UDFA inked a two-year, $6.5MM pact in March to stay in place. Dulin secured $2.94MM guaranteed, a similar commitment to the one made by the Colts on his last contract. So far in 2025, Dulin has remained a rotational presence on offense with a 20% snap share, topping 100 receiving yards for the third time in a season. The NFL’s first and only Malone alum has also continued to operate as a regular presence on special teams, something he has done dating back to his rookie season.
To fill Dulin’s roster spot, the Colts have signed safety George Odum from the practice squad to the active roster. A veteran of 105 regular season games, Odum has yet to play this season. If he suits up over the coming weeks, however, he will no doubt do so on special teams as the Colts look to compensate for Dulin’s absence.
Steelers Optimistic Aaron Rodgers Will Return In Week 13
The fracture in Aaron Rodgers‘ left wrist left him sidelined for Week 12. With the Steelers coming off a loss, they will likely have their starting quarterback in the fold once more. 
When speaking to the media on Tuesday, head coach Mike Tomlin said (via Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) he has “great optimism” about Rodgers being able to suit up this week. Plenty will depend on how the coming days play out in practice, of course. At this point, though, Tomlin is “comfortable with [Rodgers’] general trajectory.”
That update comes as little surprise. It quickly became clear last week that Rodgers will not require surgery, and as such a lengthy absence has not been expected. The 41-year-old wore a brace on his non-throwing hand during practice, and pain management is not believed to be a major issue in this case. After Rodgers pushed to be able to play last week, he will no doubt do the same ahead of Week 13’s game against the Bills.
Pittsburgh turned to Mason Rudolph against the Bears. The veteran completed 24 of his 31 attempts, but that yielded just 171 yards and one touchdown (to go along with one interception). The Steelers lost 31-28 and they now sit at 6-5 on the year. With the Ravens riding a five-game win streak, Baltimore now sits atop the AFC North. Rebounding against the Bills will be critical for Pittsburgh’s postseason outlook.
While Rodgers is on track to be available, the news on other injury fronts is less positive. Tomlin said (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor) defensive tackle Derrick Harmon is dealing with a knee injury. He specified this is a separate issue from the MCL sprain which left the first-round rookie unavailable early in the season. Tomlin is unsure if the same knee has been affected by this latest ailment.
Harmon will be out for at least Week 13, and the same is also true of left tackle Broderick Jones. The third-year blocker is thus in line to miss a game for the first time in his career. Tomlin noted (h/t Pryor) swing tackle Calvin Anderson and offseason acquisition Andrus Peat will share first-team reps on offense this week. Those two will compete for the starting gig on the blindside while Rodgers continues to prepare for his return.