Ravens’ Justice Hill Did Not Expect Extension
Ahead of the Ravens’ Week 3 contest, the team agreed to a two-year extension with Justice Hill. The sixth-year running back has spent his entire career with Baltimore, but he did not anticipate receiving a new deal at this point. 
Hill said in the wake of the pact being signed that he was surprised by it. The Ravens inked him to a two-year deal last March, so the team had the option of remaining patient on the contract front. Instead, Hill received $6MM on his latest pact, one which represents a slight raise and has him on the books through 2026.
“I just come to work every single day,’ the 26-year-old said when addressing the deal (via Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic). “I wasn’t paying much attention to [the contract]… I’m a Raven, man. This is where I want to be. Grass isn’t always greener on the other side.”
Hill had minimal production during his first two seasons while logging a special teams role. He suffered an Achilles tear ahead of the 2021 campaign, but since then he has not had any major injury problems. The former fourth-rounder stepped into the largest offensive role of his career last season with the Ravens experiencing injuries elsewhere on the running back depth chart. Hill amassed 593 scrimmage yards and four total touchdowns while also handling part-time special teams duties.
The Ravens, like many other teams, used free agency to make a notable backfield addition this offseason. Derrick Henry was added on a two-year deal to handle a starter’s workload following the departures of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards on the open market. Keaton Mitchell – who impressed during a brief healthy stretch as a rookie – is set to occupy a role once fully recovered from the ACL tear which ended his 2023 season. Hill will still be in the backfield mix once that takes place, though.
The Oklahoma State product is clearly in the team’s plans beyond 2024 given the renewed commitment. As much as it was not expected, Hill clearly moved quickly in accepting the extension and his ability to reward Baltimore with continued steady play will be worth following over the coming years.
Latest On Saints-Alvin Kamara Negotiations
Alvin Kamara walked out on the final day of the Saints’ minicamp as part of his effort to secure a new contract. No agreement was reached, but the veteran back has enjoyed a stellar start to the season while putting negotiations on hold. 
A deal was within reach at times during the offseason. As Ian Rapoport of NFL Network writes, talks on a new pact took place throughout the spring with a resolution appearing to be “close” at points during that process. At issue, to no surprise, was the 2025 season. The final year of Kamara’s deal calls for a non-guaranteed base salary of $22.4MM and an untenable cap hit of just over $29MM. Both team and player have operated on the assumption that year will not play out as it is currently projected to.
New Orleans’ efforts to work out an agreement were aimed to attaining clarity for 2025 (and, no doubt, lowering Kamara’s cap hit in the process). The 29-year-old sought a market-level agreement with respect to guaranteed compensation, a price point which changed as the offseason unfolded. Saquon Barkley landed an Eagles deal averaging over $12.5MM per season; that pact includes $26MM in locked in compensation. Christian McCaffrey then agreed to a 49ers extension and in doing so moved the top of the RB market to $19MM per season.
Kamara sits second at an AAV of $15MM, but that figure is inflated by his projected 2025 earnings. The Barkley and McCaffrey accords, Rapoport notes, altered the nature of negotiations between Kamara and the Saints. The sides were unable to come to terms on a pact including a new figure for 2025 but also years tacked onto that point, resulting in the eventual stalemate.
A strong season would help the five-time Pro Bowler’s chances of landing another lucrative Saints contract in the spring. Kamara racked up 110 scrimmage yards in the season opener, then topped that with a four-touchdown showing in Week 2 which included 180 total yards. New Orleans’ offense has been impressive to date, and remaining a focal point for the unit would increase his leverage during the next round of contract talks.
Kamara is due a $2MM roster bonus on the fifth day of the 2025 league year, so it would come as no surprise if a new arrangement were to be in place before that point. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the campaign unfolds as it pertains to Kamara’s production after he had a career-low output in 2023. A mutual interest clearly exists between team and player, though, and the coming offseason is unlikely to see as many financial developments at the running back position as the 2024 one, meaning clarity could emerge in this case.
Packers’ Jordan Love Inactive For Week 3
SEPTEMBER 22: Although the Packers have not yet announced Love’s status, the second-year starter is once again expected to be sidelined, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero note. Considering Week 5 had surfaced as an early Love return window, it is not exactly surprising Green Bay will continue to exercise caution despite its starter’s return to practice. Thus, Willis’ Tennessee return will take on far greater significance. Love has since been declared inactive.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2:15pm: Love practiced on a limited basis once again on Thursday. Head coach Matt LaFleur said the team is prepared to wait until 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday (when inactives are announced) before making a final call, indicating the extent to which Love is a candidate to return in Week 3. His status could still easily change in the coming days, of course, depending on his recovery progress.
9:44am: While Malik Willis won in his Packers debut, Jordan Love‘s ability to return to the lineup remains a key talking point for the team. Green Bay’s starter returned to practice on Wednesday, and he now has at least an outside chance of suiting up in Week 3. 
“I’m hopeful that I’ll get to that point where I can get in there,” Love said, via The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman (subscription required). The second-year starter practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, and day-to-day evaluations will take place during the immediate future to determine his status. A cautious approach on the team’s part would come as no surprise, of course, but the fact Love could be an option to play on Sunday is notable.
An MCL sprain suffered during the Packers’ season opener led to the expectation of a multi-week absence. A stint on injured reserve was not deemed necessary, though, and a recent update indicated Week 5 was Love’s targeted return date. Even if he does not progress to the point where playing is feasible on Sunday, continued practice time could allow the 25-year-old to return to the lineup in Week 4 after just two missed contests.
Love is currently using a brace, and his mobility over the coming days will be key in determining whether or not he plays against the Titans. If that does not end up being the case, Willis will be in line for a second straight start. A contest against Tennessee would be particularly significant given the fact he began his career there before being traded to Green Bay shortly before the start of the regular season.
Willis – who did not expect to be dealt upon losing the Titans’ backup competition to Mason Rudolph – had a solid, if unspectacular, Packers debut in Week 2. The former third-rounder completed 12 of his 14 pass attempts for 122 yards and one touchdown while adding 41 rushing yards. Willis did not take any sacks or commit any turnovers, and a similar outing would be welcomed by team and player against Tennessee if it were necessary. Plenty will depend on how Love progresses over the coming days before a final decision is made.
Broncos Place OLB Baron Browning On IR
On Friday, Broncos head coach Sean Payton acknowledged Baron Browning could find himself on injured reserve. The fourth-year edge rusher has indeed now been moved to IR. 
As a result, Browning will be sidelined for at least the next four games. A foot injury kept the former third-rounder out of practice all week, and today’s move confirms an extended recovery process will be needed. His absence will leave Denver without a starter along the edge as the team looks to rebound from its 0-2 start.
Browning posted five sacks in 2022, his first season after transitioning from inside to outside linebacker. The Ohio State product was limited to 10 games last year, but his 4.5 sacks during that span showed his potential as a key figure in the Broncos’ edge rush setup. 2024 was set to be an important campaign for team and player, and as a pending free agent Browning will look to get back on the field as soon as possible.
In the meantime, 2021 seventh-rounder Jonathon Cooper, 2022 second-round selection Nik Bonitto and third-round rookie Jonah Elliss will be counted on for the Broncos along the edge. Bringing Browning back into the fold will use up one of the seven IR activations Denver has available. The 25-year-old’s rehab will be worth monitoring over the coming weeks.
To fill his roster spot, wideout Lil’Jordan Humphrey was promoted from the practice squad. One of several former Saints who made his way to the Mile High City to reunite with Payton, Humphrey bounced on and off the Broncos’ active roster last season. He was a gameday elevation for each of the first two weeks of the year, and the 26-year-old has logged a notable 52% snap share so far. It comes as no surprise he is now in position to handle a more permanent role on the roster.
Denver elevated running back Tyler Badie along with defensive back Tanner McCalister for tomorrow’s contest. Both could handle depth roles as the Broncos look to take a needed step forward on both sides of the ball in Week 3. Browning will not be in the picture for the foreseeable future, though.
Seahawks Sign T McClendon Curtis To Active Roster, Place T George Fant On IR
George Fant suffered a knee injury in Seattle’s season opener, and it kept him sidelined for Week 2. The ailment will now lead to an extended absence. 
Fant was placed on injured reserve Saturday, per a team announcement. The 32-year-old represented a veteran swing tackle option to fill in for Abraham Lucas as right tackle while also being capable of handling time on the blindside if Charles Cross were to miss time. Lucas remains on the PUP list, so he will be out until Week 5 at the earliest. Fant will be unavailable for at least the next four games.
To fill his roster spot, the Seahawks promoted McClendon Curtis from the practice squad. Curtis spent the offseason competing for a role of some kind along the O-line, and he found himself in the mix for the right guard spot at one point. The former UDFA was next on the depth chart behind Fant at right tackle, though, and he was quickly re-signed by Seattle not long after a brief tenure with the Raiders following Seattle’s decision to cut him at the end of the summer. Curtis, 25, has just two regular season appearances to his name.
Seattle also made a pair of gameday callups from the practice squad ahead of tomorrow’s contest. Linebacker Patrick O’Connell was elevated, opening the door for him to make his first appearance of the season and second of his career. The team’s other callup is edge rusher Tyus Bowser. The former Ravens second-rounder joined the Seahawks on a practice squad deal after roster cutdowns, reuniting him with head coach Mike Macdonald, and Week 3 could mark his Seattle debut.
Bowser suffered an Achilles tear in 2021, and his recovery from the injury limited him to nine games the following campaign. The 29-year-old then missed all of last season due to a knee injury, making it no surprise he was released by Baltimore. Bowser – who took workouts with the Titans and Cowboys by signing in Seattle – could offer healthy depth along the edge with Uchenna Nwosu on the mend and both Boye Mafe and Derick Hall listed as questionable for tomorrow.
The Seahawks have all eight of their IR activations as things stand after they did not designate anyone for return at the roster cutdown deadline. Bringing Fant back into the fold will use up one activation, and for the time being Seattle’s tackle play with limited depth will be worth watching.
Jets RT Morgan Moses Facing Multi-Week Absence
TODAY, 10:35am: After undergoing “a battery of tests” on his injured knee, it’s been determined that Moses will only miss two to four weeks, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The veteran lineman has officially been diagnosed with an MCL sprain and a bone bruise.
FRIDAY, 12:55pm: The Jets’ offensive line suffered a blow during Thursday night’s win. Right tackle Morgan Moses is dealing with a knee injury which is set to keep him sidelined for a stretch. 
Head coach Robert Saleh said the team was confident the worst-case scenario had been avoided when speaking about Moses’ status (h/t ESPN’s Rich Cimini). Further testing is still required, but veteran insider Jordan Schultz reports the 33-year-old is currently expected to miss “at least” a couple weeks due to the injury. Encouragingly, Schultz adds surgery will likely not be required.
The worst-case scenario has thus been avoided, but Moses’ absence will leave the Jets in need of a change to the starting lineup up front. First-round rookie Olu Fashanu is now set to handle a first-team role after spending time in the summer working at both tackle spots. The Penn State product was selected as a successor to Tyron Smith on the blindside, but the former Cowboys All-Pro has played every snap to date with his new team.
Moses began his career in Washington before a one-year stint with the Jets. The former third-rounder inked a free agent deal with the Ravens in 2022, and he served as the team’s full-time right tackle starter through the end of last season. With one year remaining on his pact, Baltimore dealt Moses back to New York in March as part of the Ravens’ youth movement up front.
The Virginia product has drawn a career-worst 51.2 PFF grade through three weeks, a steep decline from his past evaluations. He will aim to rebound once healthy, but for the time being Fashanu will be counted on to provide stable play at the right tackle spot while the Jets attempt to build off the momentum of a 2-1 start. It will be interesting to see if injured reserve (which would require a four-game absence) is deemed necessary for Moses once a full evaluation takes place.
Deshaun Watson Accuser To Meet With NFL; Browns Preparing For Suspension?
Deshaun Watson‘s on-field performance has not matched expectations in 2024, but the more pressing storyline surrounding the Browns passer is the latest lawsuit filed against him for sexual assault. Watson’s most recent accuser is set to speak with the NFL, and a league investigation into the matter could result in another suspension.
Attorney Tony Buzbee – who is representing the woman accusing Watson of sexual assault in October 2020 and was a key figure for the plaintiffs in Watson’s original batch of lawsuits – said in a recent statement his client will cooperate with the league’s investigation noting the presence of “pertinent” video evidence. Non-league employees cannot be compelled to do so, making that development a notable one as it pertains potential discipline. Watson has (through attorney Rusty Hardin) denied the allegations and he will not be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list. 
While the 29-year-old is therefore free to remain in place with the Browns for the time being, the potential of a second suspension has led to renewed questions about his contract. Cleveland guaranteed all of Watson’s five-year, $230MM deal in 2022 with the expectation he would face a ban at some point. Watson was indeed sidelined for the first 11 games of the season stemming from sexual assault lawsuits (all but one of which have since been settled).
Written correspondence between the former Texan Pro Bowler’s camp and the Browns referred to the possibility of a suspension and how it would not affect the guarantees in the deal. However, as ESPN’s Dan Graziano writes, protection against a suspension only covered the 2022 and ’23 seasons. This new allegation is separate from the ones which have already been dealt with, and as a result a new suspension could allow the team to void the remaining guaranteed money ($92MM between 2025 and ’26) contained in the pact.
The Browns have restructured Watson’s contract in each of the past two years in cap-related moves, converting base salaries into signing bonuses. The most recent of those moves may have removed suspension protection entirely, Graziano adds.
Players’ salaries are affected by suspensions, so a ban being handed down in 2024 would produce minimal consequences in that regard. Given Watson’s showings when healthy during his Browns tenure, though, the possibility of getting out of the remainder of his pact would likely be enticing. A decision on that front will not be possible unless and until any league suspension is handed down, the timeline of which remains uncertain. Cleveland could be preparing for a new ban, however.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports the presence of “chatter in league circles” that a personal conduct suspension could be coming, although nothing firm is in place with respect to when it could happen. Florio adds that some around the league believe the Browns are evaluating outside quarterback options, something which would become necessary in the event Watson were to miss time this year. Cleveland allowed backup Joe Flacco – who stepped in as the team’s starter after Watson’s season-ending shoulder injury – to depart in free agency. At the moment, veteran pickup Jameis Winston and 2023 fifth-rounder Dorian Thompson-Robinson round out the QB depth chart.
Plenty is still to be determined in this situation, and more clarity will likely emerge once the anonymous accuser speaks with league officials. A suspension – either covering the end of the current season or a portion of future years – would be signficant for Watson and the Browns in its own respect, but if possible the team’s ability to void his remaining locked in money would of course create a major storyline.
Bryce Young Open To Panthers Trade?
Week 3 will mark the first time in Bryce Young‘s career that he sits for a reason other than injury. The Panthers are relying on Andy Dalton under center for the time being, a move which has led to questions about Young’s future with the team. 
[RELATED: Bryce Young Did Not Expect Benching]
The 2023 first overall pick is in place as the Panthers’ backup, and no consideration is currently being given to a trade. Carolina’s return in any Young swap would of course fall well short of the price which was paid to acquire the No. 1 selection last spring, giving the organization incentive to keep him in the fold for now. If a trade were to be worked out, though, Young would appear to be on board.
ESPN’s David Newton reports the 23-year-old is “open to anything” regarding his future, whether that consists of a continued stay in Charlotte or a deal sending him to a new team. Young’s value is low as things stand based on his underwhelming production to date (59.3% completion percentage, 11:13 touchdown-to interception ratio, 5.4 yards per attempt average, 70.9 passer rating), but he is attached to a rookie contract through 2026. For his part, the former Heisman winner has publicly stated a commitment to remaining in Carolina.
“I’m a day-by-day kind of person,” Young said (via Newton). “I’ve talked about that consistently. Big picture stuff, that’s out of my hands. That’s organizational stuff, for the people upstairs. I’m super grateful to be part of the team, with our organization. I want to help in every way I can.”
The Panthers were shut out during the final two games of 2023, and they have scored just 13 points through two weeks this season. Dalton and rookie head coach Dave Canales will be tasked with delivering an improved showing on offense with a unit which saw additions made up front and at the skill positions this offseason. Dalton – who made one start last year when Young was injured – is a pending free agent, and his value will be affected by his performances in the QB1 gig.
How the Panthers proceed with Young will remain a talking point during the 2024 campaign, one which was projected to be founded on Canales’ work in developing him. A trade would be surprising given the lack of a market which presumably exists for him, but Young himself could benefit from (and perhaps even welcome) a change of scenery.
Giants Not Considering WR Jalin Hyatt Trade
The Giants traded up in the third round of the 2023 draft to select wideout Jalin Hyatt. Through the first two weeks of the current season, though, he has not emerged as a regular contributor in the passing game. 
Hyatt has logged only 28 offensive snaps to date, and he has been targeted once so far. The Tennessee product spent much of the offseason competing with veteran Darius Slayton for a starting role, but he sits fourth on the depth chart as things stand. Slayton, Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson represent the Giants’ preferred trio on the first-team offense, so an injury will be needed for Hyatt to handle a notable workload.
During the summer, the 22-year-old expressed frustration with his situation, with ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reporting Hyatt told the Giants they should trade him if they kept him pegged for a backup role. Raanan adds no consideration is being given to to a trade, and head coach Brian Daboll said on Friday he never received a trade request in the offseason (h/t Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News). Hyatt himself also offered a denial of the report (video link via SNY). For now, attention from team and player will be focused on preparing for an evantual uptick in usage.
“I thought I had a very, very good training camp and they told me I did,” the Tennessee product said (via Raanan). “They told me I had a great training camp, but there are things that I can’t control, and I am disappointed about it, but at the end of the day, I’m just going to keep getting better and my chance will come, and when it comes I will be ready.”
Hyatt put up modest production during his first two seasons with the Volunteers. During his junior campaign, however, he racked up 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns en route to winning the Biletnikoff Award as the country’s top receiver. That helped his draft stock, although questions remained with respect to his overall skillset at the NFL level. Hyatt was primarily viewed as a vertical threat upon entering the league, and that was demonstrated by his 16.2 yards per catch average as a rookie.
Since he is attached to his rookie contract through 2026, it would have come as a surprise if the Giants had given serious thought to a trade involving Hyatt during the summer. Since he does not play on special teams, though, he is in line to remain a relative afterthought for the team’s WR room barring a change on the depth chart and a resultant increase in opportunities.
Eagles’ Devin White Addresses Backup Role
Devin White was added in free agency as part of the Eagles’ efforts to rebuild at the linebacker position. The former Buccaneers Pro Bowler appeared to be on track for a starting role during the offseason, but that has not proven to be the case early in 2024. 
White lost out on a first-team defensive gig to Nakobe Dean, with the Eagles counting on the 2022 third-rounder to remain healthy and take a step forward in his development. White inked a one-year deal in free agency while aiming to rebuild his value. The former top five pick lost out his starting spot at the end of his Bucs tenure, and he expected to reclaim it upon signing with Philadelphia.
“At the end of the day, that’s not my call,” White said when expressing his surprise at being a backup (via PHLY’s Zach Berman). “I’m going to do what’s asked of me and stay ready — whether that’s the last two minutes of the game or the first two minutes of the game… That’s what I came here to do, rewrite the story for my career. However that plays out, I don’t control that… Just come to work and be a pro about everything.”
An ankle injury kept the LSU product from being able to play in the season opener. He returned to full health in time for Week 2 but was a healthy scratch. White does not have extensive experience playing special teams, and it is uncommon for backup linebackers in particular to dress for games without handling third phase responsibilities. It will be interesting to see how Philadelphia proceeds with White over the coming weeks as he seeks to boost his stock ahead of the 2025 offseason.
Inconsistency against the run was an issue during his Buccaneers tenure, and it was a factor in the team’s decision not to authorize a big-money extension. White originally sought out a deal at or near the top of the LB market, but he settled for a $4MM accord with the Eagles. His market value would, of course, take a hit if he were to spend a long stretch on the sidelines and ESPN’s Dan Graziano names White as a potential trade candidate if he does not work his way into the starting lineup.
The Eagles have Dean and Zack Baun in place atop the depth chart for the time being. White joins special teamer Oren Burks and rookie Jeremiah Trotter Jr. as backup options, but it remains to be seen how he will fit into the team’s plans moving forward.