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.
Will Levis To Start For Titans In Week 10
As expected, Will Levis is set to return to action this week. Titans head coach Brian Callahan announced on Friday the second-year quarterback will get the start against the Chargers. 
Levis has been out since suffering an AC joint sprain in Week 6. Veteran Mason Rudolph has handled starting duties in his place with Levis recovering. The latter has practiced in full this week, positioning him to reclaim his spot atop the depth chart. Tennessee’s staff had previously made it clear Levis would serve as starter once healthy.
The 2023 second-rounder has not developed as hoped in his first full campaign as QB1, which has doubled as Callahan’s first season in place. Levis lost one fumble in each of his first three games in 2024, and across his five total starts he threw seven interceptions. Improved ball security will be critical over the coming weeks as team and player look for positive momentum in the second half of the campaign.
The Titans sit at 2-6 on the year, and the decision to trade away DeAndre Hopkins is a sign of the team’s outlook for the rest of the season. Tennessee is also shorthanded along the offensive line with center Lloyd Cushenberry suffering a season-ending Achilles injury and on defense with Quandre Diggs out for the year due to his Lisfranc ailment. A postseason berth is not feasible, but better production from Levis and Co. would be welcomed ahead of an offseason in which changes could be made under center.
Rudolph completed only 59.4% of his passes upon taking over from Levis, throwing as many touchdowns (four) as interceptions along the way. The former Steeler joined Tennessee on a one-year deal, beating out Malik Willis for the backup gig during the summer. His free agent stock has no doubt taken a hit given his struggles in 2024, and it would come as no surprise if the Titans were to target a different veteran option on the open market this spring. As for Levis, his grip on the 2025 starting role will surely depend in large part on how he performs upon returning to the lineup.
Texans Designate WR Nico Collins For Return, Place G Kenyon Green On IR
The Texans’ receiving corps could see a notable boost in time for Week 10. The team announced on Friday that wideout Nico Collins has been designated for return. 
Collins now has 21 days to practice before being activated or reverting to season-ending IR. A hamstring injury shut him down for a four-game stretch, interrupting his impressive start to the campaign. The 25-year-old led the NFL in receiving yards at the time of the injury, and Houston’s passing attack has suffered in his absence.
Of course, the Texans’ WR room was dealt another blow recently when Stefon Diggs suffered an ACL tear. The pending free agent will miss the remainder of the season as a result, but Collins being back in the fold would compensate for that to an extent. Houston was optimistic the latter could be back in the fold this week, so today’s move comes as little surprise. It will be interesting to see how involved Collins is in today’s practice and as such what his status is for Sunday night’s contest.
The Michigan product landed an extension this offseason, and he is now attached to a $24.25MM-per-year deal. Collins faces high expectations as a result, but his 113.4 receiving yards per game when healthy this year suggests he is capable of living up to them over the long term. He will reprise his WR1 role once activated, with second-year wideout Tank Dell operating in a key complementary role. The Texans were floated as a potential buyer at the receiver position ahead of the trade deadline, but no moves were made on that front.
Houston was also considered a team to watch with respect to making an addition along the offensive line given the team’s struggles up front. Another reason to be active, of course, was the injury to guard Kenyon Green; the former first-rounder is dealing with a dislocated shoulder and has now officially be placed on injured reserve. After suffering the injury in Week 9, that was the expected outcome. Green could return at some point in the year, depending on his rehab process and how deep of a run the Texans make should they qualify for the postseason.
The team has five IR activations remaining as things stand. That figure will drop to four once Collins is brought back into the fold, but his return will be welcomed on offense as the 6-3 Texans prepare for a primetime matchup against the Lions in their attempt to remain in control of the AFC South.
Jets Waive K Riley Patterson, Sign K Anders Carlson To Practice Squad
Riley Patterson made a single appearance for the Jets, but his time with the team may be coming to an end. The veteran kicker was waived on Friday, per a team announcement. 
Patterson was added in the wake of Greg Zuerlein‘s injury, one which landed him on injured reserve. Patterson and Spencer Shrader were signed to the practice squad initially, and to no surprise New York went with experience in Week 9. Patterson was elevated for that contest, and he connected on all three of his extra point attempts in the Jets’ 21-13 win.
In spite of that success (and the continued presence of Schrader on the taxi squad), Patterson will now hit the waiver wire as a post-trade deadline cut. Any interested team could put in a claim, but if that does not happen the 25-year-old will be free to remain with New York by re-signing to the practice squad. Patterson is a veteran of 40 games, and he has a career accuracy rate of 88.1% on field goals while connecting on 96 of his 100 extra point kicks. To fill his roster spot, defensive tackle Bruce Hector was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.
Today’s move does not necessarily pave the way for Schrader to handle kicking duties moving forward, however. The Jets have signed Anders Carlson to the practice squad, giving the 2023 Packers draftee another opportunity. Carlson joined the 49ers last month after Jake Moody‘s injury replacement (Matthew Wright) suffered an injury of his own. Carlson wound up making a pair of appearances for San Francisco, going five-for-five on field goals and three-for-four on extra points. He was let go after the 49ers reunited with safety Tashaun Gipson on Tuesday.
Consistency in the kicking game – regardless of who it comes from – would be a welcomed development for the Jets considering Zuerlein’s struggles before his injury. The 36-year-old received a vote of confidence earlier in the week from general manager Joe Douglas (as noted by ESPN’s Rich Cimini), but once healthy Zuerlein figures to have competition for his spot.
Panthers Extend RB Chuba Hubbard
Ahead of the trade deadline, it was clear the Panthers would not be willing to deal away Chuba Hubbard. The fourth-year running back was on track to reach free agency this offseason, but that is no longer the case. 
Hubbard and the Panthers have agreed to a four-year extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The deal (which is now official) has a base value of $33.2MM, but it can increase by $5MM through incentives. In terms of guaranteed compensation, Hubbard will receive $15MM fully locked in.
The Athletic’s Joe Person predicted on Thursday that Hubbard would translate his 2024 campaign, on track to be the best of his career, into a new contract before the end of the year (subscription required). That has proven to be accurate, and the 25-year-old Canadian will now be on the books through 2028. Hubbard has handled RB1 duties for much of the past two seasons despite the presence of Miles Sanders, and his 14.8 carries per game are slightly higher than last year’s workload. He is averaging 5.0 yards per attempt in 2024, the best mark of his career.
After Christian McCaffrey was traded away midway through the 2022 campaign, the door opened for other Panthers to take on a larger workload in the backfield. Hubbard has been the primary beneficiary of that move, and the Oklahoma State product topped 1,100 scrimmage yards while rushing for five touchdowns last year. Hubbard has already matched the latter figure through nine games this season, and he is comfortably on pace reach 1,000 yards on the ground for the first time in 2024.
Sanders landed a four-year, $25.4MM deal on the open market last offseason, leading to high expectations with Carolina. He has not managed to live up to them so far, though, and Hubbard’s success has relegated the former Eagle to a minor role on offense. That could especially be true moving forward with second-round rookie Jonathon Brooks now healthy. None of Sanders’ base salaries for 2025 or ’26 are guaranteed, making him a logical cut candidate for the upcoming offseason.
With a base value of $8.3MM per season, Hubbard’s pact places him ninth amongst running backs in terms of annual average value. The former fourth-rounder will be expected to continue delivering in the backfield now and in the future as the Panthers sort out their quarterback situation. Bryce Young‘s tenure with the franchise beyond 2024 remains uncertain, but stability in the backfield will be welcomed.
It will be interesting to see how the Hubbard-Brooks tandem takes shape now that both are in the picture. Brooks will be attached to his rookie contract through 2027, so for several years the Panthers’ situation at the running back spot appears to be settled.