Bucs’ Tristan Wirfs Suffers MCL Sprain
NOVEMBER 11: An MRI has confirmed that Wirfs is indeed dealing with an MCL sprain, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. A short-term absence should be expected as a result, but the worst-case scenario has certainly been avoided.
NOVEMBER 10: The Buccaneers’ offensive line has been dealt a notable blow in Week 10. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs exited the game with a knee injury and needed assistance to make it back to the locker room. 
Wirfs was ultimately ruled out for the rest of the day, and it remains to be seen what his full prognosis is. At this point, however, the possibility exists for a notable injury. The three-time Pro Bowler is believed to be dealing with an MCL sprain, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.
An MRI will be needed to determine the full extent of the damage, but a sprain would certainly not constitute the worst-case scenario. Wirfs would likely be able to return to the lineup at some point during the regular season if he does indeed wind up with a sprain being confirmed. Of course, missed time of any duration would be acutely felt up front for Tampa Bay.
Wirfs had a strong start to his career at right tackle, then took over on the blindside last season. The Iowa product continued his streak of top-10 PFF evaluations in 2023, remaining the anchor of the Buccaneers’ O-line during his debut at left tackle. Given his age and status as one of the league’s top tackles, it quickly became clear the 25-year-old be in line for a monster extension this offseason. One was worked out in August, and Wirfs secured an AAV of $28.13MM on a five-year pact. That deal makes him the league’s highest-paid offensive lineman.
As a result, Wirfs’ health over both the short and long term will be a major priority for the Buccaneers. The former No. 13 pick entered today as PFF’s eighth-ranked tackle, so being without him for any stretch would be signficant up front. Of course, Tampa Bay is already shorthanded on offense with Chris Godwin out for at least the remainder of the regular season. Fellow receiver Mike Evans could be back by Week 12, but the team’s passing attack will be tested regardless of which pass-catching options are in place if Wirfs misses time.
The Buccaneers have just lost to the 49ers, leaving them with a 4-6 record. Top spot in the NFC South is not yet out of reach, but overtaking the Falcons in that respect would be difficult with further injuries on offense. Wirfs’ outlook will be worth watching closely given his significance to Tampa Bay’s O-line and the team’s postseason chances as a whole.
49ers To Sign CB Nick McCloud
Nick McCloud has not needed to wait long to find a new home. The former Giants corner has a deal in place with the 49ers, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports. 
McCloud was let go last Tuesday after he declined to take a pay cut. New York attempted to reduce his base salary before the start of the campaign, and with no agreement being reached on that front a decision was made to move on at the trade deadline. McCloud started five of his seven appearances this season, handling a rotational role on defense while remaining a core special teams contributor. Heading to a contender as a midseason free agent was a priority for him, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan adds.
The 26-year-old will now join San Francisco’s practice squad with the potential to be used as a gameday elevation up to three times. McCloud will offer depth in the secondary, although his third phase ability may represent his largest addition to the 49ers. San Francisco currently ranks 30th in special teams DVOA, and taking a step forward in that department would help the 5-4 team’s chances of reaching the postseason.
The 49ers have a number of options to choose from at the cornerback spot for the remainder of the 2024 season, but questions loom at that position with respect to free agency. Both Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir are set to hit the open market this spring, and keeping both in place will be a challenge given San Francisco’s multitude of financial commitments on offense (not to mention the pending extension for quarterback Brock Purdy). McCloud could play his way into an extended stay in the Bay Area based on how he performs down the stretch with his new team.
The former UDFA was attached to a deal with just under $3MM in base pay prior to the Giants moving on from him. McCloud will be in line for much smaller earnings in San Francisco, but he could help his market value with a strong showing over the coming weeks.
Brian Daboll: Giants Not Considering Staffing Changes
The Giants fell to 2-8 on the year with today’s loss to the Panthers. New York will now prepare for the bye week, a logical point in the schedule for changes on the sidelines to be made. 
In spite of that – coupled with the Giants’ increasingly bleak prospects for the 2024 campaign – no such moves should be expected. Head coach Brian Daboll said after the game he remains confident in the team’s incumbent personnel. A turnaround in the win-loss column remains the obvious goal for the remainder of the campaign.
“I believe we’ve got the right people,”Daboll said when asked about the possibility of any changes being under consideration (video link). “Results aren’t there yet.”
The Giants entered Week 10 last in the league with an average of just 15.4 yards per game. The team did not help its average very much in that respect with a 17-point outing against Carolina. Quarterback Daniel Jones threw a pair of interceptions while in scoring range, a key factor in today’s loss. The sixth-year passer has not developed as hoped under Daboll, and it remains to be seen if he will be retained at the end of the campaign. Replacing Jones under center could be coupled with a new approach on the sidelines and/or the front office by way of moving on from general manager Joe Schoen.
Both Daboll and Schoen – in the midst of their third year together at the helm of the Giants – recently received a vote of confidence from owner John Mara. A postseason berth was not deemed mandatory ahead of the 2024 season, but improvement on last year’s 6-11 record was expected. Reaching that goal will be difficult as things stand, and executives around the league are skeptical the Daboll/Schoen pairing is firmly safe at this point.
New York has Mike Kafka (whose tenure has seen him handle and be stripped of play-calling duties) in place as offensive coordinator along with Shane Bowen in charge of the team’s defense. The latter is in his first year on Daboll’s staff, and he has overseen a strong showing in certain categories on that side of the ball. It would come as a surprise if major changes were to be made at the coordinator level based on Daboll’s remarks, although criticism will likely continue if the Giants maintain the status quo in terms of coaches coming out of their bye.
Chiefs OC Matt Nagy Could Be 2025 HC Candidate
After his first NFL head coaching gig came to an end following the 2021 season, Matt Nagy returned to the Chiefs’ staff. The ex-Bears head coach has served as Kansas City’s offensive coordinator since the start of last year, and his work in that capacity could have him on the radar of another HC gig. 
Nagy “should be in the mix” for a second opportunity to be a head coach during the 2025 hiring cycle, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports. The 46-year-old served in that capacity for the Bears from 2018-21, winning Coach of the Year honors during his first season at the helm. The Bears went 12-4 that year, one which represented the high point of Nagy (and quarterback Mitch Trubisky‘s) time in Chicago. The team went 8-8 each of the following two campaigns, qualifying for the postseason once during that span.
The Bears lost in the wild-card round both times they made the playoffs under Nagy, and the 2021 season produced a record of just 6-11. He was fired and replaced by Matt Eberflus, who oversaw Chicago’s unsuccessful attempt to develop Justin Fields as a long-term answer at quarterback. Expectations are higher for Eberflus and Co. in 2024, the first year with Caleb Williams and an upgraded offensive skill-position corps in place. The Bears’ defense will play a key role in their ability to reach the playoffs, something which would ease doubts about Eberflus’ job security.
Regardless of how Chicago proceeds this offseason, a number of openings are sure to be in place. The Jets and Saints have made mid-season coaching changes, and while Jeff Ulbrich and Darren Rizzi will be eligible to be retained on a full-time basis, those teams will no doubt conduct outside searches as well. Once Black Monday comes and goes after the end of the regular season, more potential suitors will be in play to at least consider looking into Nagy.
“He does everything,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said of Nagy. “He sets up the offense. He coordinates the offense is what he does. And he’s so creative. I knew that when he was a quarterbacks coach, and I saw it when he was a coordinator, and then you saw it in Chicago as their head coach. And then he comes back here, and I want the best out of the guys. So with him you just cut him loose and let him go.”
2024 marks Nagy’s eighth total season on Reid’s staff with the Chiefs, and his third as OC. Of course, the fact he does not call plays is a factor which could work against his candidacy for a second head coaching gig, and other staffers with the same title (like Ben Johnson of the Lions) figure to once again be in high demand. Nevertheless, Nagy’s name could be one to watch over the coming months.
Giants Activate K Graham Gano
Graham Gano will be available to the Giants in Week 10. The veteran kicker was activated from injured reserve on Saturday, per a team announcement. 
Gano has been out since he injured his hamstring on the opening kickoff of New York’s Week 2 game. The team operated without a healthy kicker for the rest of that contest, then turned to veteran Greg Joseph with Gano being moved to IR. Once Joseph suffered an injury of his own, the Giants relied on Jude McAtamney in his NFL debut last week.
The former Gaelic footballer converted his lone field goal try and connected on his only extra point attempt as well. While McAtameny also recorded four touchbacks on five kickoffs, the Giants will of course prefer to keep him on the practice squad with Gano back in the fold. The latter was limited to eight games by a knee injury last year, so this season’s missed time has become increasingly notable for team and player. Both parties will hope Gano can remain healthy through the remainder of the campaign.
The 37-year-old has generally been a consistent producer in the kicking game for the Giants since his arrival in 2020. Gano only connected on 11 of his 17 field goal tries last year before undergoing season-ending surgery, a stark contrast to his accuracy in his previous New York campaigns. Returning to his previous form would be welcomed by Gano and the Giants, a team averaging a league-low 15.4 points per game.
The Florida State product landed an extension last September, and he is on the books through 2026 as a result. This season is the last one of that pact which includes guaranteed salary, and the team would see cap savings by moving on as early as this spring. Gano’s performance beginning tomorrow in Munich will go a long way in ensuring his Giants future.
Chargers Activate RB Gus Edwards
The Chargers’ backfield will have both of its two offseason additions in place tomorrow. Running back Gus Edwards was activated from injured reserve on Saturday, per a team announcement. 
Edwards had his practice window opened earlier this week, giving Los Angeles 21 days to activate him. With no setback occurring, he has returned to the active roster in time for the Bolts’ Week 10 matchup with the Titans. The Chargers have five IR activations remaining for the year.
After bringing in Jim Harbaugh as head coach, the Chargers (now with Greg Roman in place as offensive coordinator and Joe Hortiz as general manager) added Edwards and J.K. Dobbins in free agency as familiar options to the former Ravens staffers in the organization. Dobbins has remained healthy so far in 2024, racking up 727 scrimmage yards and six rushing touchdowns along the way. That is an encouraging output given his injury history, and it figures to boost his market value this spring.
Despite Dobbins’ success, the Chargers rank only 20th in the league in rushing (114.5 yards per game). Edwards retuning to the fold could help in that department. The former UDFA averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry in his first four healthy seasons, and he ran for a career-high 810 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. Edwards logged double-digit carries in each of his first two games with Los Angeles, and he and Dobbins figure to split the workload moving forward.
While Dobbins is a pending free agent, Edwards is on the books through 2026 on his $6.5MM pact. None of his base salary ($3MM) for next season is guaranteed, though, so whether or not he remains with the Chargers after this year will depend on his production upon returning to action. The Bolts sit at 5-3 on the year, and their ability to earn a playoff berth will be impacted by their effectives on the ground with both Dobbins and Edwards in play.
Saints Place Chris Olave On IR, Activate Shane Lemieux, Will Harris
The Saints have officially placed Chris Olave on injured reserve. The third-year wideout will miss at least the first four games as a result, although his availability for the remainder of the season is in question. 
Olave is dealing with his second concussion of the season, which also represents his fourth in less than three full campaigns in the NFL. The 24-year-old’s visits with specialists will determine his next steps, but for at least the immediate future he will be unavailable to the 2-7 Saints as they begin life with Darren Rizzi as head coach. New Orleans has already lost fellow WR starter Rashid Shaheed for the season.
Olave is under contract through 2025 as things stand, but his fifth-year option for the following season could be exercised this spring. A decision on that front – or any approach with respect to a long-term extension, of course – will be dictated in large part by the Ohio State product’s prognosis. Given how far the Saints are from postseason contention along with the long-term approach being taken by team and player, attention will increasingly turn toward Olave’s Week 1 availability in 2025.
New Orleans will have a pair of returnees in the lineup for Week 10, however. The team also announced on Saturday that offensive lineman Shane Lemieux has been activated from IR. The 27-year-old took over as the first-team option at center once Erik McCoy was injured; McCoy has been ruled out for tomorrow’s contest, so Lemieux could reprise that role now that he is healthy. If not, he will be an option in the middle but also at guard as the Saints look to establish a consistent lineup along the O-line to close out the year.
Safety Will Harris has also been activated from IR. A hamstring injury led him to injured reserve roughly one month ago, interrupting his debut campaign in New Orleans. Harris started each of his five appearances prior to going down, serving in a first-team role after he did so during parts of his five-year Lions tenure. Harris, 28, will look to aid a defense which ranks 27th against the pass this season.
These moves will leave the Saints with five IR activations on the year. Bringing Olave back into the fold at some point would lower that figure, but it appears signficant progress will need to be made in his recovery for that to become a consideration.
Cowboys’ Dak Prescott Headed To IR, Aiming To Avoid Surgery
NOVEMBER 9, 1:36PM: In an interesting decision, the Cowboys have elected not to place Prescott on injured reserve today. According to Ian Rapoport, they have only submitted their standard gameday practice squad elevations today, deciding not to make a transaction for their injured quarterback.
While this does leave open the possibility that Prescott may not need to miss four weeks, allowing him to return earlier, it could hinder a comeback, as well. If Prescott is, indeed, still headed for IR, and the Cowboys wait until after tomorrow’s game to make the move, it will delay his return one week more than it would be if they made the move today.
NOVEMBER 8, 4:00PM: Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said that the team is planning to put Prescott on injured reserve on an appearance on 105.3 The Fan, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Prescott will be sidelined for at least the Cowboys’ next four games, though Jones indicated that the team is not sure how long his absence will last.
“Right now, I don’t think anyone knows whether it will be four weeks, six weeks or the season. We’ll just have to continue to monitor that and see where it takes us,” said Jones on Friday.
NOVERMBER 8, 12:38PM: The hamstring injury which left Dak Prescott sidelined for the end of the Cowboys’ Week 9 contest will lead to missed time. It remains to be seen if season-ending surgery will be required, but the quarterback’s preference would be to avoid it. 
“He doesn’t want surgery,” owner Jerry Jones said of Prescott during a Friday appearance on 105.3 The Fan (h/t Jon Machota of The Athletic). “He wants to be on the field and go for it. We’ll just see how it goes here.”
Nevertheless, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reports the Cowboys plan to move Prescott to injured reserve today or tomorrow. That move will ensure at least a four-game absence and leave the team shorthanded on offense while attempting to return to playoff contention. Sitting at 3-5 on the year, Dallas’ postseason prospects were already in question, but shutting Prescott down for a notable stretch would hurt them even more.
Updates from earlier in the week pointed to an IR move, so it would come as no surprise if Dallas ultimately takes that route. Provided the team does so, Cooper Rush will be in position to handle QB1 duties with Trey Lance being elevated to the status of backup. The latter is not under consideration to serve as the Cowboys’ starter at this point, something which is signficant since both signal-callers are pending free agents. Rush has made six starts and 30 appearances in his career, all with the Cowboys.
The 30-year-old’s most recent run atop the depth chart came in 2022, when he logged five starts in place of an injured Prescott. Rush went 4-1 in those contests, although he managed only 116.8 passing yards per game during that span while throwing five touchdowns and three interceptions. Improved efficiency through the air will be critical over the coming weeks for Rush and the offense given Dallas’ lack of success on the ground this season.
Considering Prescott’s $60MM-per-year extension signed this offseason, a cautious approach on the team’s part would be sensible. That is especially true given Dallas’ record and steep path to the playoffs as things stand. As Jones noted, however, more time will likely need to elapse before a final decision is made with respect to surgery. As Rush prepares to take over for the foreseeable future, Prescott’s health status remains uncertain.
Saints’ Chris Olave Visiting Concussion Specialists; IR Under Consideration
10:08pm: Rizzi said on Friday a move to injured reserve is under consideration in Olave’s case (h/t Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football). That would ensure at least a four-game absence and allow for an extended period of further evaluation and recovery similar to how the Dolphins proceeded with Tua Tagovailoa earlier in the year. The Saints – who have officially ruled Olave out for Week 10 – currently have seven IR return slots available for the rest of the season.
9:54am: Chris Olave was knocked out of the Saints’ Week 9 game with his latest concussion. The third-year wideout was quickly discharged from hospital after the injury, but he and the team are taking a slow approach to his recovery process. 
Olave was diagnosed with one concussion in each of his first two seasons in the league. In 2024, he has dealt with two more brain injuries, a concerning trend for his short- and long-term health. The 24-year-old is meeting with specialists in the wake of his latest concussion, as detailed by ESPN’s Katherine Terrell.
“He wants to go thoroughly through the process and making sure he’s making the best decision for Chris Olave, removing football from that equation… What’s the best decision for the person?” interim head coach Darren Rizzi said. “So, my conversations with him and our medical staff, we’ve been thorough and his family’s going to be thorough with the process. I completely support that.”
Olave changed helmets after his first concussion of the season to a model designed for better protection against further brain trauma. He considered wearing a Guardian Cap upon return, but elected not to do so. Regardless of if his stance on that front changes, the Ohio State product’s ability to remain on the field once he receives clearance will be a key storyline for the Saints. New Orleans is without wideout Rashid Shaheed for the remainder of the campaign, so having Olave back in the near future would be crucial for the team’s passing attack down the stretch.
With the Saints sitting at 2-7 on the year, however, the long-term outlook for his injury status is of course much more important. Olave will be eligible for an extension this offseason, and a decision on his 2026 fifth-year option will need to be made during the spring. The former No. 11 pick will be in line for $16.63MM that year if his option gets picked up, and a long-term deal would require a signficant investment on the Saints’ part if they were to commit to a second contract in this case.
Olave topped 1,000 yards as a rookie, averaging 14.5 yards per catch. He took on a larger target share last year, increasing his catch, yardage and touchdown totals along the way. Expectations therefore remain high for the rest of 2024 and beyond, but for the time being attention will remain focused on the outcome of his medical evaluations.
Bears To Activate OL Ryan Bates
The Bears are dealing with a number of injury issues along the offensive line, but the unit will have a new contributor available for Week 10. Ryan Bates will be activated from injured reserve, head coach Matt Eberflus announced on Friday. 
Bates suffered shoulder and elbow injuries during his Bears debut in Week 1, and he has been on IR ever since. His absence has left Chicago without a veteran presence along the interior, something of particular significance this season given Nate Davis‘ struggles. The former high-priced free agent pickup has not lived up to expectations with the Bears, and his future beyond this season is in doubt.
The team opened Bates’ 21-day return window on October 30, so waiting until after Week 10 to activate him was an option. Instead, the team will bring him into the fold in time for Sunday’s matchup with the Patriots. Bates could step in at right guard, the position he has predominantly played during his time in the NFL. The former Bill has also seen time at left guard and center, though, versatility which could be needed in the second half of the season.
Bates is still on the books from the four-year, $17MM pact he signed in 2022 upon receiving offer sheet interest from the Bears that year. Buffalo agreed to send him to Chicago this offseason, paving the way for what could have been a full-time starting gig after not logging any first-team action in 2023. Bates did not win out a starting role during the summer, but now that he is healthy he will once again have the chance to see playing time.
Chicago will be without left tackle Braxton Jones and right tackle Darnell Wright on Sunday. Third-round rookie Kiran Amegadjie will also be unavailable, leaving the team thin on options at both tackle spots. Improved play on offense for the 4-4 Bears will be key in their bid to qualify for the playoffs, and having healthy options up front will be central to their success in that respect. Bates will look to remain available for the rest of the way as the team sorts out its ideal lineup along the line moving forward.