Giants Activate OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, Promote QB Tim Boyle
To no surprise, Kayvon Thibodeaux will be back in action for the Giants in Week 12. The third-year edge rusher was activated from injured reserve on Saturday, per a team announcement. 
Thibodeaux returned to practice earlier this week, opening his 21-day activation window. The team expected to have him back in time for tomorrow’s game against the Buccaneers, and that will indeed be the case given today’s move. Having recovered in full from wrist surgery, Thibodeaux will reprise his role as a starter along the edge for the Giants.
The former No. 5 pick has been out since Week 5, and in his absence Brian Burns and Azeez Ojulari have handled heavy workloads at the OLB spot. The latter was the subject of trade talk leading up to the deadline earlier this month, but New York elected to retain him. That move came as something of a surprise given Ojulari’s status as a pending free agent and the lack of contract talks which have taken place in his case. Nevertheless, it allowed him to continue adding to his sack total (which now sits at six) ahead of a potential trip to the open market.
Ojulari will return to rotational duties with Thibodeaux back in the fold, though. The Oregon product has started each of his 36 games with the Giants, including the entirety of the 2022 campaign during which Thibodeaux took a major step forward in production. He posted 11.5 sacks, raising expectations for this season (the first with Burns in the fold). Thibodeaux only managed a pair of sacks before landing on IR, but now that he is healthy he will look to deliver a strong finish to the year. Doing so could help his chances of landing an extension this offseason, the first during which he will be eligible for a new deal.
The Giants also promoted Tim Boyle from the practice squad. The journeyman quarterback was added to the taxi squad this week, suggesting he could replace Daniel Jones as New York’s emergency third quarterback for the rest of the season. With Jones now out of the organization, Boyle is set to handle QB3 duties behind Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock.
In a corresponding move, outside linebacker Tomon Fox was waived. The former UDFA has made 24 combined regular and postseason appearances, all with the Giants. A regular presence on special teams, Fox could remain with New York on a practice squad deal provided he clears waivers.
Colorado’s Travis Hunter Will Declare For 2025 Draft
The 2024 campaign was widely expected to be Travis Hunter‘s final one at the collegiate level. The two-way Colorado star confirmed on Thursday he is indeed headed for the NFL draft this spring. 
When asked if he will be declaring, the true junior said “that’s definitely for sure” (h/t ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg). To no surprise, then, Hunter will be among the top prospects in the 2025 class. One of the main talking points over the coming months will be whether NFL teams evaluate him as a corner or receiver, but in any case he will not need to wait long to hear his name called on draft night.
One of head coach Deion Sanders‘ top recruits during his time at Jackson State, Hunter made history as the first five-star recruit to commit to an FCS school. The nation’s top prospect was limited to eight games during his one and only season at Jackson State, but he flashed considerable potential on both sides of the ball during that time. He followed Sanders to Colorado last offseason, and in 2023 Hunter scored five offensive touchdowns while adding three interceptions.
That success resulted in a first-team All-American nod as well as the Paul Hornung award (given to the country’s most versatile college player). Hunter entered 2024 with high expectations, and he has delivered so far with a 74-911-9 statline as a receiver (to go along with one rushing touchdowns). On defense, he has matched last year’s interception total while adding eight pass deflections. After averaging nearly 115 total snaps per game last year, Hunter has remained a mainstay on both sides of the ball in 2024.
It will be interesting to see if teams near the top of the draft board consider Hunter as a corner, receiver or a player capable of handling a role on offense and defense. To little surprise, he said (via Troy Renck of the Denver Post) he wants to play both ways at the NFL level, but plenty of time remains for a determinization on that front to be made.
Only one defensive back in NFL history has been selected first overall (Gary Glick in 1956), while four receivers have had that honor (the most recent being Keyshawn Johnson in 1994). In a year where the quarterback position is not highly thought of, Hunter could find himself in contention to hear his name called first during the opening night of the draft. In any case, NFL suitors can now proceed knowing he will be turning pro ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Ravens To Start S Ar’Darius Washington
The safety spot has seen plenty of developments this season for the Ravens, one in which the team has struggled against the pass. Veterans Marcus Williams and Eddie Jackson have each seen time out of the lineup, and neither are in position to operate as a starter moving forward. 
Williams was benched in Week 8, a move which appeared to mark an end to his time as a first-team option. The 28-year-old instead reprised his starting role for each of the following two games. Jackson, meanwhile, was a healthy scratch for Sunday’s contest against the Steelers. Williams logged just one defensive snap during the loss.
In the wake of both players losing out on playing time, Ar’Darius Washington stepped into a starting role. The former UDFA was on the field for every defensive snap, forming a tandem on the backend with Kyle Hamilton. Washington has only five starts to his name across his four-year Baltimore tenure, but (in the wake of an increased workload being projected this summer) that figure is set to grow over the coming weeks.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh confirmed (via The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec) the “formula” at the safety spot moving forward will include Washington in the starting lineup alongside Hamilton. If both members of that pairing remain healthy, Williams (who has two more years left on his deal but no guaranteed salary over that time) and Jackson (a pending free agent) will be slated for special teams responsibilities down the stretch.
The Ravens did not allow a touchdown on Sunday, but they still sit last in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (285). The secondary received an addition at the trade deadline in the form of cornerback Tre’Davious White, but the team’s play at safety will be key in any potential turnaround on defense. Washington will get the opportunity to solidify a first-team role over an extended period having already set a new personal mark in tackles (36) along with recording his first career interception in 2024.
The TCU product is a pending restricted free agent, and strong play during the rest of the season could confirm his status as at least a candidate for a notable RFA tender this offseason. Washington could play his way into a long-term Ravens commitment depending on his performances over the coming weeks.
Colts Sign G Mark Glowinski
Mark Glowinski has returned to the Colts. The veteran offensive lineman signed to Indianapolis’ practice squad on Thursday, per a team announcement. 
Glowinski has 124 starts to his name in the NFL; 59 of those (including 55 starts) came during his first stint with the Colts. The former fourth-rounder was with Indianapolis from 2018-21, handling right guard duties during that time. He landed a three-year, $20MM Giants deal in free agency based on his Colts success.
The 32-year-old played a pair of seasons in New York, operating as a full-time starter in 2022 but seeing his usage drop last campaign. Glowinski was let go in a cost-shedding move in March, leaving him on the open market. That remained the case deep into the season, but he will now return to a familiar environment for the second half of the year. The West Virginia product could be used as a gameday elevation up to three times before the Colts would need to sign him to the active roster.
Will Fries began the season as Indianapolis’ starting right guard, but a leg injury which required surgery landed him on injured reserve last month. Undrafted rookie Dalton Tucker has stepped into a first-team role since Fries went down, but his PFF evaluation has left plenty of room for improvement. Glowinski could reprise his role as a starter opposite left guard Quenton Nelson, or at a minimum provide the Colts with experienced depth along the interior.
In a corresponding move, cornerback Tre Flowers was released from Indianapolis’ taxi squad. The 29-year-old has made four appearances for the Colts this season, and late October marked the most recent point at which he signed to the team’s practice squad. Flowers has yet to see any playing time since, and he will now seek out an opportunity elsewhere.
49ers’ Dre Greenlaw Nearing Return To Practice
Dre Greenlaw has been out of the 49ers’ lineup throughout the 2024 season so far, but a return to action midway through the campaign has been the target for team and player. The sixth-year linebacker continues to make progress while rehabbing his Super Bowl Achilles tear. 
As a result, Greenlaw is now able to take part in individual drills. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the 27-year-old remains on the PUP list at this point, but he could begin participating in team practices as early as next week. Having his activation window opened would give San Francisco 21 days to move Greenlaw back onto the active roster, something which would likely not happen right away.
“I think once he gets in practice, you open that window up, he probably takes a little bit of that window,” general manager John Lynch said during an appearance on KNBR (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle). “Coming off an Achilles, it’s not a simple thing. It’s not easy. You just really have to go through all the steps.”
Indeed, it would come as no surprise if Greenlaw were to have a lengthy ramp-up period once he returns to practice. He has been a key figure on defense for most of his career, topping 100 tackles in 2022 and ’23. The former fifth-rounder is a pending free agent, so his play upon reuniting with Fred Warner at the LB spot will be critical in determining his market value.
It will also, of course, be a key factor in the 49ers’ ability to qualify for the postseason. With a 5-5 record, the team sits last in the NFC West (albeit only one game behind the Cardinals for the top spot). San Francisco ranks in the top 10 in several defensive categories on the year, but an average of 22.2 points allowed per game sits only 16th in the NFL. Getting Greenlaw back in the fold for the stretch run could help the 49ers improve in terms of defensive scoring and boost their playoff chances.
Provided the Arkansas product takes considerable time between having his practice window opened and being activated, Week 14 against the Bears or the following contest – a Thursday night affair against the Rams – would represent potential return dates. If all goes well on the recovery front, Greenlaw could be designated for return in the coming days and in doing so have his countdown to see the field again begin.
Jets Fire GM Joe Douglas
Weeks after dismissing head coach Robert Saleh, the Jets have also cleaned house in the front office. General manager Joe Douglas has been fired, as first reported by SNY’s Connor Hughes. The move is now official, with the team announcement noting veteran executive Phil Savage will serve as interim GM.
2024 marked the final year of Douglas’ deal, leading to plenty of speculation at the the start of the season regarding his job security. He, Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett received a mulligan after the 2023 campaign was marred by Aaron Rodgers‘ Achilles tear. The current season has not gone according to plan, however, and Saleh was fired in October. Hackett remains on staff, but he was replaced by Todd Downing as the team’s offensive play-caller in the wake of Saleh’s departure.
[RELATED: GM Lost Authority Following Saleh’s Firing]
Douglas was not involved in the decision to make a coaching change, something which created the recent appearance of a disconnect between he and owner Woody Johnson. With the campaign headed toward another finish outside of the playoffs, the latter has chosen to make another major organizational change. New York’s efforts in the coming offseason will certainly be a central league storyline.
Naturally, the midseason coaching alterations led to a fresh round of questions concerning Douglas’ standing in the organization. A report from last month indicated both Douglas and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich were held in high regard by Johnson, however, which suggested the pair would have the remainder of the season to try and oversee a playoff push. Ulbrich has gone 1-5 since taking over, and as such the postseason is out of reach at this point. Rather than allowing Douglas to finish his contract, the team has moved on ahead of time.
Douglas took New York’s GM gig in 2019 after tenures with the Ravens, Bears and Eagles. His time in various capacities across those organizations boosted his stock and led to high expectations for the Jets’ rebuilding efforts with him at the helm. The first year of the Douglas era resulted in a 7-9 campaign with Sam Darnold at quarterback and Adam Gase in place as head coach.
That pairing remained in the fold for one more year, one which resulted in a 2-14 record and sweeping changes being made. Gase was replaced by Saleh, while Darnold was traded away. The latter’s replacement – Zach Wilson – was viewed as the central focus of New York’s ability to return to the postseason. Instead, the former No. 2 pick struggled throughout his Jets tenure, posting a 12-21 record and throwing more interceptions (25) than touchdowns (23). The Saleh-Douglas tandem was retained to oversee another overhaul at the QB spot, with Rodgers being acquired via trade from the Packers last offseason.
That move (which has been followed by a number of other ones aimed at accommodating the four-time MVP’s wishes) was aimed at providing stability under center to complement a roster seen as having a number of capable producers at several other positions. That includes the likes of Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Jermaine Johnson and Breece Hall. Each of those players were selected in the 2022 draft, and they profile as long-term building blocks for Douglas’ successor to inherit. Still, the failure of the Jets to find an effective solution at the QB spot under Douglas will form much of his legacy.
Rodgers has been in place for 2024, but – despite swinging a deal for Davante Adams ahead of the deadline and working out an agreement which ended the much-maligned Haason Reddick holdout – the Jets sit at 3-8. Rodgers’ future for next season is in the air, and it remains to be seen who will be in place as the team’s head coach and general manager by that time. Johnson may also have another ambassador position in place once the 2025 campaign begins, something which could accelerate the timing of hiring decisions on the sidelines and/or in the front office.
Overall, Douglas will depart the Jets with a record of 30-64. Each of his five full campaigns ended with a losing record, and that will likely be the case for 2024 as well. The Jets’ postseason drought has continued under his supervision, and ending it will be a top priority for whomever Johnson brings in for 2025 and beyond. Douglas’ attention will likely focus on a return to scouting or a player personnel role with his next organization; given his run in charge of the Jets, another GM opportunity should not be expected to be on the horizon.
Giants Sign QB Tim Boyle, OL Tyre Phillips
Daniel Jones‘ benching will ensure he does not suffer an injury late in the season. The Giants are moving forward with Tommy DeVito under center, but they are also adding further depth at the quarterback spot. 
New York is adding Tim Boyle on a practice squad deal, Art Stapleton of NJ.com reports. Boyle was among the players who worked out for the team on Tuesday, and he will now give the Giants an insurance option at the position. Drew Lock will serve as DeVito’s backup, an indication that not triggering Jones’ 2025 injury guarantee was a central factor in the decision to bench the former No. 6 pick.
This move is another sign Jones will not see the field again in 2024 even if DeVito and/or Lock suffer injuries. Boyle has made 22 appearances and five starts during his NFL tenure, one which has spanned five teams. His most recent action came earlier this year with the Dolphins while Tua Tagovailoa was injured, but his last two starts came in 2023 with the Jets. The 30-year-old sports a record of 0-5 and has thrown just four touchdown passes compared to 12 interceptions.
The Giants’ taxi squad moves also include a deal for Tyre Phillips. The fifth-year offensive lineman is re-joining the team, per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. Phillips played for New York in 2022 and ’23, but his campaign came to an abrupt end last year due to a torn quad. Now that he is healthy, the 27-year-old has managed to land another Giants pact for the second half of the season. Like the Boyle addition, the Philips signing has since been announced by the team.
The offensive tackle spot has been an issue for New York, with Andrew Thomas suffering a season-ending foot injury last month. On the right side, a number of options have received a look, including 2022 first-rounder Evan Neal. Phillips has some experience on the blindside, but he has primarily played at right tackle in his career; if he finds himself on the active roster, he could represent a depth contributor at RT.
Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports linebacker Curtis Bolton is being released from the Giants’ practice squad in a corresponding move. He has made 29 appearances in the NFL, including one this season for New York during which he handled a notable special teams workload. Bolton’s third phase abilities will likely be targeted by his next team.
Cardinals LB Markus Bailey Issued Six-Game PED Suspension
Markus Bailey will be unavailable to the Cardinals for much of the remainder of the regular season. The fifth-year linebacker was issued a six-game suspension on Tuesday for violating the NFL’s PED policy, the league announced. 
Bailey is on Arizona’s practice squad, and he has made one appearance so far in 2024. The 27-year-old spent his first four campaigns with the Bengals, totaling 60 appearances and four starts. He landed a one-year Cardinals deal in May after showing his ability as a backup defender and key special teams presence.
The Purdue product was among Arizona’s final roster cuts, but he was immediately retained on a taxi squad deal. Bailey was only elevated to the active roster for the team’s Week 7 contest, during which he did not see the field on defense but was involved on special teams. Now, he will not be eligible to suit up until the Cardinals’ regular season finale.
Arizona is currently riding a four-game winning streak, and the team leads the NFC West as a result. The Cardinals’ success has come in spite of the fact their defense sits in the bottom half of the league in both passing and rushing yards allowed per game. Overall, a 12th-place ranking in terms of defensive scoring is an encouraging sign for the team’s chances to win a wide-open division and qualify for the postseason in head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Offenfort‘s second year at the helm.
Bailey did not seem to be in Arizona’s linebacker plans when available, so his absence will not be felt to a large degree while he serves the ban. If he remains with the organization over the coming weeks, though, he will be an option to see playing time in Week 18 and/or the playoffs should the Cardinals continue their run of recent success.
Lions Place S Ifeatu Melifonwu On IR
Ifeatu Melifonwu was activated from injured reserve on Monday, a move which made him eligible to suit up as early as Week 12. It will still be several weeks before he makes his season debut, however. 
The fourth-year safety was moved back to IR on Tuesday, per a team announcement. As a result, he will be out for at least the next four games. Melifonwu has yet to suit up in 2024 while rehabbing an ankle injury, and his efforts to return to full health will continue for the foreseeable future. A finger issue encountered in practice will lead to this second stint on the sidelines.
Briefly activating the 25-year-old prevented him from seeing his original 21-day return window expire, something which would have ended his season. Instead, Melifonwu will reset the process of returning to practice later in the campaign once he is in position, health-wise, to do so. Head coach Dan Campbell said (via Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News) there is still a possibility the former third-rounder could suit up in 2024.
For the time being, though, the Lions will carry on with their current safety tandem of Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. That pairing has drawn praise, and if it remains intact Melifonwu will be slated for a backup/special teams role whenever he returns to the lineup. The Syracuse product is a pending free agent, so his missed time in 2024 will hinder his market value, and his performances if he does mange to see the field this year could be key in boosting his stock.
Detroit ranks 27th against the pass with an average of 233 yards surrendered per game through the air. Getting a key member of the secondary back in the form of Melifonwu (who made nine combined regular and postseason starts last year) would thus be a welcomed development for the NFC-leading Lions. The team has six IR activations remaining, and using a second one on Melifonwu will be needed for him to see playing time.
Ravens Sign CB Desmond King
The Ravens were in the market for a cornerback addition leading up to the trade deadline, with the team being outbid for Marshon Lattimore. That led to a deal being worked out which brought Tre’Davious White to Baltimore. 
The team is still making moves in the secondary after the deadline. Desmond King is set to sign with the Ravens, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports. This will be a practice squad agreement. Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic adds King recently worked out with Baltimore. The team has since announced the move.
The 29-year-old has spent time with four teams during his career, with most of his recent games coming as a Texan. King had 28 starts and 40 appearances with Houston to his name ahead of the 2024 season, but he was among the veterans let go during roster cutdowns. He was ultimately retained on the practice squad before being elevated for one contest. King was cut once more last week, however, leaving him on the open market.
Baltimore’s secondary had a strong showing in Sunday’s low-scoring loss to the Steelers, but on the whole the unit has struggled in 2024. The Ravens rank last in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (285), and the safety position has seen a rotation of players in the starting lineup. At corner, the top of the depth chart is set with Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, first-round rookie Nate Wiggins and White.
King could play a depth role as part of that group, but his experience also includes considerable time spent as a returner. The former fifth-rounder earned a first-team All-Pro nod for his special teams work in 2019, the first of two straight seasons in which he recorded a punt return touchdown. King has remained involved in the return game through to his single appearance this year, and Baltimore is currently without primary returner Deonte Harty.
By virtue of signing on the taxi squad, King can be designated a gameday elevation up to three times. After that, he will need to be added to the active roster to avoid being placed on waivers.