Teams Reaching Out To Daniel Jones; 2024 Starting Gig Still Possible?
NOVEMBER 25: The veteran quarterback has indeed cleared waivers, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. He is now a free agent. A number of contending teams are believed to have interest, and each can now pursue the longtime starter.
NOVEMBER 24: Daniel Jones will become a free agent tomorrow afternoon, and no shortage of teams have been linked to a potential pursuit. Several have already made contact in advance of a potential quarterback addition for the latter stages of the season. 
Ten teams have reached out to Jones, Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reports (video link). That comes as little surprise given the number of potential destinations which have been floated since he and the Giants agreed to part ways. Suitors – especially those in contention for a deep playoff run – will of course not be interested in taking on the balance of Jones’ 2024 salary by claiming the remainder of his contract.
[RELATED: Numerous Contenders Tied To Ex-Giants QB]
Joining a contender is believed to be of interest to Jones, who will evaluate the outcome of Week 12’s games to get a clearer picture of the QB landscape over the immediate future. A number of teams eyeing a Super Bowl run could upgrade their QB2 spot by signing the former No. 6 pick to a prorated league minimum pact, something which would not lead to an immediate path to playing time. If Jones prefers to see the field before free agency begins, he could turn his attention to a team in need of a reset under center and use the coming weeks as an audition period.
While Glazer’s report does not specify which teams have checked in, it does add that at least one suitor is prepared to use Jones as a starter immediately upon signing. Many have pointed to the Raiders as a logical landing spot with neither Aidan O’Connell nor Gardner Minshew impressing in 2024, and Vegas is among the teams which have been tied to Jones in recent days. The 27-year-old could play his way into an extended look with the Raiders depending on his success down the stretch and how the team proceeds regarding the draft.
Super Bowl hopefuls like the Lions and Bills have been connected to Jones, and teams such as the Ravens, Dolphins and 49ers (along with others) could be among those worth watching closely once his free agent sweepstakes begin. Given the level of communication which has already taken place on this front, it would come as no surprise if a deal were to be worked out quickly.
Panthers TE Ja’Tavion Sanders Avoids Serious Injury
NOVEMBER 25: An update from Canales (via the Charlotte Observer’s Mike Kaye) brings encouraging news. Sanders avoided a serious neck injury and was at the Panthers’ facility today. While an absence of some sort moving forward should probably be expected, the rookie not suffering a major injury is obviously the best-case scenario at this point.
NOVEMBER 24, 5:25pm: Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that Sanders has been discharged by the hospital, per The Charlotte Observer’s Mike Kaye.
2:36pm: Ja’Tavion Sanders will miss the remainder of the Panthers’ Week 12 contest due to a neck injury. The rookie tight end has been taken to hospital for evaluation, per a team announcement. 
Sanders was flipped out of bounds after making a catch during the second quarter of Sunday’s matchup with the Chiefs. He hit his head upon landing and was ultimately placed on a backboard and carted off the field. ESPN’s David Newton notes Sanders showed movement on his way out of the stadium, and the team has confirmed that remains the case as he receives further evaluation (h/t Joe Person of The Athletic).
That could leave his time in hospital as a quick precautionary measure, but in any event this injury could lead to notable time on the sidelines. Sanders had appeared in every game so far this season, logging a 60% snap share. The fourth-rounder drew at least five targets four times during a five-game span recently, a sign of his increasing role in Carolina’s passing game. With fellow tight end Ian Thomas landing on IR this past week, an opportunity exists for Sanders to solidify his status as a key skill-position figure down the stretch.
However, this injury could leave him unavailable for an extended period. The Texas product recorded 253 yards and one touchdown on 26 catches entering Sunday’s action. Continuing that production once back in the fold will be key in establishing Sanders’ role on offense moving forward. Part of the Panthers’ overall efforts to add playmakers on offense via the draft this spring, he could develop into a long-term contributor over time as Carolina looks to rebuild.
In the meantime, attention will turn to Sanders’ recovery. With the Panthers sitting at 3-7 on the year heading into Week 12, a hurried return to action to help a postseason push is not in the cards. If he can suit up at some point later this year, though, Sanders could continue what has been a relatively encouraging rookie campaign.
Titans Designate Chidobe Awuzie For Return
Chidobe Awuzie has been out of the Titans’ lineup since September, but he could be back in the picture soon. The veteran corner will return to practice this week, head coach Brian Callahan announced on Monday. The team has since confirmed the return designation.
Awuzie suffered a groin injury in Week 3, and he landed on injured reserve shortly thereafter. The IR designation ensured at least a four-game absence, but the 29-year-old has been unavailable well past the point when he first became eligible to resume practicing. Today’s news is a positive update regarding Awuzie’s ability to take part in the latter stages of the campaign, though.
Once the free agent pickup officially returns to practice, his 21-day activation period will begin. Awuzie will need to be moved to the active roster within that span to avoid reverting to season-ending IR. Provided that happens, he will give Tennessee another starting option in the secondary after he handled first-team duties during his opening Titans contests.
Awuzie followed Callahan from Cincinnati to Tennessee this offseason, inking a three-year, $36MM deal. Expectations were high for the former second-rounder in particular and the Titans’ secondary overall entering the year. The trade acquisition of L’Jarus Sneed and the hiring of Dennard Wilson as defensive coordinator has helped Tennessee lead the NFL in passing yards allowed per game so far (170). That success has come in spite of Sneed being limited to only five contests in 2024; he is now on IR.
While Sneed is set to continue missing time, Awuzue could return to action as soon as Week 13. He will not play a role in a postseason run given Tennessee’s 3-8 record, but remaining healthy upon activation would be a welcomed development for team and player ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Giants Intend To Start Tommy DeVito In Week 13
The start of the post-Daniel Jones era did not go well for the Giants. The team’s lopsided Week 12 loss will not lead to another change on the quarterback depth chart, however. 
Head coach Brian Daboll said after Sunday’s 30-7 loss that Tommy DeVito will get the start on Thanksgiving if healthy. DeVito was forced to briefly exit the game during New York’s final drive before returning. His status will be worth watching closely over the coming days, but Daboll said on Monday (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo) he is “hopeful” DeVito will be available on a quick turnaround.
Jones was benched in the wake of New York’s loss against Carolina in Munich. That move did not come as a total surprise given the Giants’ record and the looming 2025 injury guarantee in Jones’ pact. Eyebrows were raised, though, when it was DeVito – not Drew Lock – who got the nod for Week 12. Lock had dressed as the backup all season, with DeVito serving as New York’s emergency third quarterback.
Lock inked a one-year, $5MM deal in free agency to operate as the Giants’ QB2. Despite that, Jones’ benching paved the way for DeVito to return to the lineup after he stepped in late in 2023. The former UDFA posted underwhelming numbers during his audition period last year, and on Sunday he threw for 189 scoreless yards at an average of 6.1 yards per attempt. He has the backing of the coaching staff, however, and Garafolo reports DeVito himself believes he will be at full strength for Thanksgiving’s contest against the Cowboys.
With the Giants sitting at 2-9 on the year, they are on track to have the chance to draft a new franchise passer this spring. Their spot in the order will depend in part on their showings over the coming weeks, including DeVito’s ability to lead the offense to improved performances compared to Sunday. A matchup with Dallas could provide a strong opportunity to do so, but struggles could give Daboll increased incentive to turn to Lock.
Plenty of speculation has been tied to the future of Daboll and Giants general manager Joe Schoen, although both could remain in place through the offseason. The decision to start DeVito had previously been tied to the potential of Daboll being on the hot seat, but for at least the time being that move is on track to be repeated.
Lions’ Derrick Barnes: 2024 Return Possible
Derrick Barnes remains out of the lineup for Week 12 as he continues to recover from the knee injury he suffered in September. The fourth-year linebacker is in danger of missing the remainder of the campaign, but he has left the door open to a return in 2024. 
When speaking to the media, Barnes noted his knee suffered MCL and PCL damage, but added his ACL is intact. In the wake of that encouraging detail, the chance remains that his rehab could see him available to Detroit late in the regular season or in the playoffs. The 25-year-old is thus in a similar situation to teammate Aidan Hutchinson in terms of a return late in the campaign being an outside possibility.
“ACL was fine, so recovery obviously is shorter now than it would’ve been,” Barnes said (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “Thank God I woke up and he said he didn’t have to do anything with the ACL.”
Regardless of if Barnes manages to suit up again in 2024, his missed time will hurt his market value. That is especially notable since the former fourth-rounder is a pending free agent. Barnes acknowledged that shortly after the injury, he gave thought to the fact his rookie deal is set to expire this offseason. His attention for the time nonetheless being remains on his rehab process. Returning to the field would allow him to play at least a depth role at the second level of Detroit’s defense and help his case for a re-up in the spring.
Barnes saw a notable uptick in usage during the 2023 season, and after starting each of his three appearances this year he was expected to remain a key linebacking figure for the Lions. The team enters Sunday with a 9-1 record (good for top spot in the NFC), but that position has been hit with injuries. Alex Anzalone is currently sidelined with a broken forearm, an injury which prompted the addition of David Long. Getting Barnes back would provide another option at the LB spot, but Anzalone managing to return would help compensate if that turns out to be untenable.
Mike McDaniel Vetoed Dolphins-Ravens Calais Campbell Trade
The Ravens made a pair of moves leading up to the trade deadline. Wideout Diontae Johnson was added in a deal with the Panthers, one which was followed up by the acquisition of cornerback Tre’Davious White from the Rams. Baltimore’s efforts also included the pursuit of a familiar face along the D-line. 
The Ravens and Dolphins discussed a Calais Campbell trade, but it ultimately did not go through. The reason why has now become clear: Miami head coach Mike McDaniel stepped in to keep the veteran in place. It was McDaniel’s actions (which included a face-to-face conversation with Campbell himself) that prevented the trade from taking place, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Remaining was Campbell’s preference, Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald adds.
At one point, many – including the former Walter Payton Man of the Year winner – believed a deal would be consummated. If that had been the case, Campbell would have returned to Baltimore after he spent three seasons there from 2020-22. During that time, the 38-year-old was a mainstay along the D-line in addition to providing leadership qualities; replicating that in 2024 would have provided a boost along the defensive front to the Ravens down the stretch. Rapoport notes the trade would have seen a 2026 fifth-round pick head the other way.
Instead, Campbell remained in Miami (where he played in college) past the deadline. He has helped lead the Dolphins to two straight wins entering Sunday’s action, giving the team a 4-6 record. Continuing that momentum will be key if a postseason push is to be possible over the coming weeks. Miami ranks 10th against the run, a sign of Campbell’s continued effectiveness during the waning stages of his career.
As a pending free agent, he would have represented a valuable rental addition on the part of the Ravens as part of their own aim to make a deep postseason run. Campbell would have factored into a defensive line rotation including Nnamdi Madubuike, Michael Pierce, Travis Jones, Broderick Washington and Brent Urban. Especially considering the injuries that unit has dealt with in 2024, having Campbell available as at least a depth option would have been welcomed. Baltimore’s secondary has been a sore spot this year, but the team has exceled against the run even without him.
Campbell has started all 10 of his appearances in 2024, his first season as a Dolphin. With a 58% defensive snap share, he has handled a notable workload in Miami, and that should be expected to continue down the stretch (although Kelly notes the team has given thought to waiving him later in the campaign if the playoffs become out of reach). Retirement could again receive consideration after the season, but if he elects to continue playing Campbell could elect to re-sign with Miami in part due to McDaniel’s commitment to keeping him in place beyond the deadline.
Daniel Jones Notes: 2024 Draft, Giants Departure, Potential Landing Spots
Daniel Jones and the Giants have mutually parted ways. He is currently on waivers, but the nature of his contract ensures he will go unclaimed and thus have the opportunity to join his next team as a free agent. In the wake of this week’s news, a number of updates have emerged regarding the nature of his situation in New York and his potential market. 
As has been well documented (in no small part by the Giants’ status as the subject of this summer’s Hard Knocks series), the team showed considerable interest in a move up the board for a rookie passer. Efforts to acquire the No. 3 pick – and thus the chance to draft Drake Maye – fell short, but Jones made clear his feelings on the subject of nearly being replaced on at least a post-2024 basis. To little surprise, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reports the Giants’ desire to draft a successor added extra pressure for Jones ahead of the 2024 campaign.
This season also, of course, represented Jones’ return from the ACL tear which shut him down the year prior. He struggled leading up to his Week 12 benching, throwing nearly as many interceptions (seven) as touchdowns (eight) and taking 29 sacks. The 27-year-old was in position to occupy the fourth spot on New York’s QB depth chart once Tim Boyle was added, insurance against him seeing the field and thus being unable to pass a physical this offseason. Jones spoke with head coach Brian Daboll about his future before taking time to contemplate his next steps.
Part of that brief period included time on the scout team defense (something NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes Jones volunteered for) at practice and what has turned out to be a public goodbye to the franchise. The sixth-year passer faced the issue of needing to initiate an arrangement with the organization regardless of what form it took. Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reports simply leaving the team while remaining on the books – like Derek Carr did after his 2022 Raiders benching – was not an option in this case without an agreement in place between team and player.
Instead, Jones requested the Giants move on before no doubt doing so this offseason anyway, something Daboll noted was a surprising development in the wake of the decision to bench him (video link). Indeed, Dan Duggan of The Athletic adds New York would have been willing to carry Jones as a fourth-string quarterback for the balance of the season, but the former No. 6 pick’s request to be let go made that a moot point. Jones will begin the process of seeking out a new team shortly as the Giants prepare to start Tommy DeVito for the time being and (in all likelihood) select a new franchise passer in the 2025 draft.
Jones will be on waivers until Monday afternoon, after which point he will be eligible to join an interested suitor. His base salary for the rest of the year is already locked in, so a league minimum pact is expected once his next deal is in place (along the same lines as Russell Wilson‘s Steelers pact checking in at a low cost since the Broncos are still on the hook for most of his 2024 compensation). New York will receive a small degree of cap relief via an offset once Jones has a new deal in place, as noted by CBS Sports’ Joel Corry.
The fact a prorated league minimum investment is all that will likely be required could make Jones an attractive option to teams seeking experienced depth under center down the stretch. A market could be generated quickly, but The Athletic’s Dianna Russini writes the Duke product could instead prefer to remain unsigned for a period and take advantage of a starting gig opening up through injury or other circumstances (subscription required). In any case, the opportunity to join an organization interested in exploring a deal for 2025 should present itself.
Any number of teams have been floated as logical suitors for at least a short-term run to close out the year. That includes the Cowboys, but veteran insider Josina Anderson reports they are not currently looking into adding Jones. Cooper Rush is in place atop the depth chart now that Dak Prescott is out for the year, and Trey Lance could see time if Rush were to suffer an injury or be demoted in the coming weeks. Dallas owner Jerry Jones does not (at least publicly) view the end of the 2024 season as a lost cause best spent as an evaluation period, making it likely the team’s incumbent passers will continue to be leaned on in Prescott’s absence. 
Even without the Cowboys in the running, executives around the league informed both ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Jori Epstein of Yahoo! Sports that multiple teams will likely pursue Jones as a high floor backup and/or a potential bridge quarterback for next year. Teams with young passers in need of development now – or those which will add one this spring – could stand to let Jones at least compete for a short-term gig atop the depth chart. As a result, Fowler names the Raiders (whose staff includes Fred Walker, Jones’ former college offensive coordinator) as a “sensible option.” Vegas could look to move on from one or both of Gardner Minshew or Aidan O’Connell in the offseason, given their respective 2024 struggles.
Epstein, meanwhile, notes that multiple league personnel pointed to the Vikings as a logical landing spot. Provided Sam Darnold were to depart in free agency, Minnesota could look to insulate first-rounder J.J. McCarthy (whose meniscus tear has left him sidelined for his entire rookie campaign) for 2025. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has drawn praise for his work with Darnold, who could be the top veteran passer on the market this offseason. Duplicating that success with Jones could help put him on a similar path while giving McCarthy more time to develop.
Regardless of how things play out on the Jones front, his situation will be interesting to monitor over the coming days. The Giants’ next steps at the QB spot will dominate their offseason plans, while it remains to be seen how the end of the current season and the setup of the next one will fit into Jones’ NFL future.
Buccaneers Activate CB Jamel Dean
Jamel Dean returned to practice this week, giving him the chance to suit up for Week 12. The veteran corner has indeed been activated from injured reserve, per a team announcement. 
A hamstring injury kept Dean out of the fold for each of the past four games. It was an encouraging sign when he resumed practicing at the first point at which he was eligible to do so, something which opened his 21-day activation window. With Dean back in place, Tampa Bay now has four IR return spots remaining.
“I’m ready now,” the 28-year-old said (via ESPN’s Jenna Laine). “I spent the whole bye week getting back into football shape… It was a whole circuit of different things. Shoutout to our trainers for running me to failure.”
Dean was a full participant in practice every day this week, so he should reprise his role as a full-time corner starter upon return. That will especially be true if fellow starter Zyon McCollum is unable to suit up; he is dealing with his own hamstring injury, and it cost him practice time this week. Third-round rookie Tykee Smith – the team’s starting slot corner – remains out of the lineup as he deals with a knee injury.
Tampa Bay traded away Carlton Davis this offseason, but the team retained Dean on a four-year, $52MM deal the previous spring. That led to continued expectations in the latter’s case for him to remain a staple of the Buccaneers’ secondary, and when healthy he has done so. With the team sitting at 4-6 on the year, Dean’s return to the lineup will certainly be welcomed.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/23/24
Saturday’s minor moves, including gameday elevations for Week 12:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: S Andre Chachere
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: DB Adrian Colbert
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Zach Cunningham, OL Nick Gargiulo
Houston Texans
- Elevated: DL Tommy Togiai
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: LB Cole Christiansen
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: CB Kyu Blu Kelly, RB Sincere McCormick
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: DB Cam Lampkin, DE Jonah Williams
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: LS Tucker Addington, T Jackson Carman
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from IR: TE Nick Muse
- Elevated: LS Jake McQuaide
New England Patriots
- Elevated: LB Keshawn Banks, TE Jack Westover
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed to active roster: S Tashaun Gipson
- Placed on IR: LB Tatum Bethune
- Elevated: LB Jalen Graham, CB Nick McCloud
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: TE Tyler Mabry, LB Patrick O’Connell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: LB Vi Jones
- Waived: LB Antonio Grier
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on IR: CB L’Jarius Sneed (story)
- Elevated: S Daryl Worley
Washington Commanders
- Activated from IR: DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste
- Waived: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Lions Activate Emmanuel Moseley, Place Ennis Rakestraw On IR
The Lions’ cornerback depth chart will look different for Week 12. Veteran Emmanuel Moseley was activated from injured reserve on Saturday, while second-round rookie Ennis Rakestraw was moved to IR. 
Moseley’s Lions debut in 2023 did not last long. An ACL tear – the second one he suffered in quick succession – shut him down for the remainder of that campaign. The 28-year-old nevertheless re-signed with Detroit this offseason, allowing him the chance to put together a healthy season. A torn pec suffered in August prevented that from happening, though.
That latest injury left Moseley on the sidelines for months, but two weeks ago he was designated for return. That move allowed him to resume practicing and opened his 21-day activation window. The timing of today’s move will allow the former UDFA to suit up as early as tomorrow’s game against the Colts. Moseley could occupy a depth corner role upon return, and expectations will be tempered given his missed time in recent years. A healthy finish to the season would be welcomed by team and player and it would allow Moseley to boost his free agent stock for 2025.
Rakestraw was the second consecutive corner selected by the Lions in April. The draft’s hosts added Terrion Arnold on Day 1, and he has served as a full-time starter during his rookie season. Trade acquisition Carlton Davis and free agent pickup Amik Robertson have been regular presences in the secondary as well, limiting Rakestraw’s workload. The 22-year-old has only handled 42 defensive snaps to date, and his absence (which will last at least four games) will be softened by Moseley’s return to the fold.
Detroit ranks fifth in the NFL in defensive scoring, but the team has plenty of room for improvement against the pass (233 passing yards allowed per game, 27th in the league). Getting Moseley back will provide secondary depth for the second half of the campaign; his activation leaves the Lions with five on the year. One will be needed to bring Alex Anzalone back, but for now the linebacker added in the wake of his injury is set to make his Lions debut.
David Long has been elevated from the practice squad. Long joined Detroit’s taxi squad earlier this week, paving the way for the team to use him as a gameday elevation up to three times. The 28-year-old went unclaimed after being let go by the Dolphins, but the Anzalone injury gave him a path to playing time with the Lions. It will be interesting to see how large of a workload Long handles over the coming weeks on his new team.