NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/25/25
Saturday’s lone taxi squad move:
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: OL Esa Pole
Pole was among the Chiefs’ final roster cuts this summer, leading to a waiver claim from the Jets. After being let go by New York earlier this week, though, he was free to sign with any team. Pole is now back with Kansas City on the team’s practice squad.
NFL Mailbag: Trades, Giants, 49ers, Stroud
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag touches on the wide receiver angle as it pertains to the trade deadline, the Giants' offseason outlook and the 49ers' and Texans' quarterback situations.
Ian asks:
If the Dolphins and Saints aren't posturing about keeping [Jaylen] Waddle and [Chris] Olave, which WRs are truly available at the deadline? Will the Steelers land one?
First off, I would agree in thinking neither Waddle nor Olave will (or should) be dealt. Both teams require an influx of young talent to rebound from where they are now. Trading away players in their 20s who have term remaining on their deals is the opposite of what Miami and New Orleans need to be doing.
With that in mind, let’s focus on pending free agents who have been mentioned as trade candidates. Jakobi Meyers is the top name to watch; he asked to be dealt this summer, the Raiders are (all but) out of playoff contention and he topped 1,000 yards last year. Teams have called about Meyers, and he would no doubt welcome the chance to help his market value on a contender as opposed to riding out the season in Vegas – something the team would apparently be onboard with as well.
Giants, Brian Daboll, Cam Skattebo Fined For Concussion Protocol Violations
In the wake of their Week 6 game, the Giants have been the subject of an investigation over their handling of the league’s concussion protocol. That process has now concluded with discipline being handed down. 
The organization has been fined $200K, per a joint NFL-NFLPA announcement. In addition, head coach Brian Daboll has been issued a $100K fine. Running back Cam Skattebo has also received a financial penalty; the fourth-round rookie has been fined $15K.
During the Giants’ Thursday night contest against the Eagles, quarterback Jaxson Dart was taken to the medical tent to be evaluated for a potential concussion. Daboll and Skattebo entered the tent to check on Dart, with Daboll also engaging in a heated discussion with the team’s medical staff. In the immediate aftermath of the game, it was widely believed discipline of some kind would be forthcoming. Today’s news thus comes as little surprise.
“While the parties agreed that Coach Daboll’s and Mr. Skattebo’s actions had no actual impact on the exam or the care that Mr. Dart received, their conduct was inconsistent with and demonstrated a disregard for the concussion protocol’s requirements and therefore constituted a violation,” the announcement reads in part.
Dart was able to return to the game and then played every snap last week against the Broncos. He is in line to remain the Giants’ starter moving forward barring any missed time due to injury. Both Daboll and Skattebo issued apologies for their actions following the incident, and the announcement notes “immediate remedial steps” have been taken to ensure a repeat of this situation will not take place moving forward.
DL Lawrence Guy Retires
Lawrence Guy‘s NFL career has officially come to an end. The veteran defensive lineman retired on Friday.
Guy finished his tenure on Friday by signing a one-day contract with the Patriots. That comes as no surprise, since 118 of his combined regular and postseason NFL appearances came with New England. The 35-year-old most recently played with the Bengals last season.
“I want to thank the Patriots organization and [owner Robert Kraft], it’s a full circle moment,” Guy said upon officially hanging up his cleats (via MassLive’s Karen Guregian). “I wanted to retire in New England because New England was my home. It’s a blessing that I get to be here to do this.”
A seventh-round pick of the Green Bay in 2011, Guy never wound up playing a regular season game with the team. His first action in the league instead came as a member of the Colts one year later, with his early years also including time spent as a member of the Chargers.
During a span from 2014-16, the Arizona State product took on a prominent role with the Ravens. He appeared in 11 games as part of the defensive line rotation in his first season in Baltimore. He posted 4.5 sacks in 2015 – his first since 2012 – along with eight tackles for loss. In 2016, his counting sacks ticked down to one sack and five tackles for loss, but he was a key cog in the Ravens’ fifth-ranked run defense.
That earned him a starting job with the Patriots for the next seven seasons. He never returned to his 2015 production level, but he started 103 games and played at least 500 snaps every year. After two four-year contracts with the Patriots, Guy was released before the 2024 season and eventually caught on with the Bengals for four games before he was released. Guy retires with $31,249,832 in career earnings, per OverTheCap.
Nikhil Mehta contributed to this post.
Panthers QB Bryce Young Dealing With High Ankle Sprain, Will Miss Week 8
OCTOBER 24: Young has been listed as doubtful on the Panthers’ injury report. While that would leave the door open to him playing in theory, as team spokesperson has since said (via ESPN’s David Newton) Dalton will get the start for Week 8 regardless of whether or not Young is able to dress.
OCTOBER 20: The Panthers won their third straight game on Sunday, but quarterback Bryce Young was unable to finish the game. Further missed time is likely in store. 
Young suffered a high ankle sprain on Sunday. X-rays taken yesterday on the injury were negative, per Joe Person of The Athletic. That still left an MRI for today, though, and it provided more clarity on the ailment. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports Young is expected to miss Week 8 given the results of today’s imaging.
A precise timeline is not in place at this point. As Pelissero notes, however, injuries such as this generally carry a recovery timeframe of two to four weeks. That could put Young in line to miss more than one contest, but for now the Panthers hope that only one week on the sidelines will be needed. In any case, Andy Dalton is now in position to handle QB1 duties for a period.
Young’s third season in the NFL (and second under head coach Dave Canales) has been inconsistent. The former No. 1 pick has managed to essentially duplicate his performances from 2024 in terms of completion percentage and passer rating. He has thrown 11 touchdown passes but also five interceptions, and a true breakthrough as a franchise quarterback has proven to be elusive. Still, being shorthanded under center will be an unwanted development for Carolina in advance of a matchup against the Bills.
Thanks to their winning streak, the Panthers sit at 4-3 on the year. That puts them in second in the NFC South for now. Remaining in postseason contention would be key for the team as stability on the sidelines and under center is sought out. It is still uncertain at this point if Young will be tasked with handling starting duties for the long term, but he will be extension-eligible after this season. A decision will need to be made on the former Heisman winner’s fifth-option during the spring as a result, with a long-term commitment also being possible.
Part of how the Panthers proceed with Young will depend on his availability. The 24-year-old has avoided significant missed time through injury to date, and continuing in that regard will be important as he aims to develop further under Canales and Co (although his rookie season resulted one game sidelined due to the same injury). As such, it will be interesting to see how quickly Young manages to return to action.
Dalton has been in Carolina since 2023. The soon-to-be 38-year-old has made six starts as a Panther, and that figure is now set to increase. Dalton is under contract through 2026 after re-signing on an $8MM pact this offseason. That investment on the part of the Panthers was aimed at keeping a high-floor backup in the fold with Young continuing to be evaluated as a potential long-term answer under center. The decision to keep Dalton in the mix saw him handle the close stages of yesterday’s win, and he will be tasked with maintaining Carolina’s momentum against a Bills team coming off its bye.
Mickey Loomis: Saints Receiving Trade Calls
Given their 1-6 record, the Saints are an obvious candidate to adopt a seller’s stance on the trade front. A number of players have been linked to interest from contending teams, and general manager Mickey Loomis recently confirmed calls have been coming in. 
“I don’t know that we go in with any particular philosophy,” Loomis said about the trade deadline during an appearance on WWL radio (via ESPN’s Katherine Terrell). “We obviously have been the subject of a lot of rumors, I’m assuming, and we have gotten a few calls about different guys.”
Indeed, a long list of trade candidates has emerged recently in the case of New Orleans. A number of pending free agents could feasibly be dealt, while longtime defensive stalwarts like Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis have also been mentioned as players who could be on the move. Many see receiver Chris Olave and running back Alvin Kamara as key targets for trade suitors, but both would prefer to remain in New Orleans.
A report from earlier this week added cornerback Alontae Taylor to the group of Saints players drawing interest. The former second-rounder is playing out the final year of his rookie contract, but as a starting presence on New Orleans’ defense it would come as a surprise if a trade were to take place. At the age of 26, Taylor is certainly a candidate for a long-term pact this offseason.
A key factor in decisions on that front, of course, is the fact a new coaching staff is in place compared to last season. Loomis remains in place (as he has since 2002), but first-time head coach Kellen Moore could look to oversee a large degree of roster overhaul as the Saints look to establish a new, cost-controlled core. Things have not gone well in the win-loss department so far this season, but Loomis offered (via Terrell) a vote of confidence in Moore and his staff.
Loomis also noted how the 2025 campaign was always viewed as a developmental one for many of the Saints’ players. That of course includes quarterback Spencer Rattler and second-round rookie Tyler Shough, who could see the field at some point late in the year. Part of the Saints’ plan under center could depend on their record and overall outlook in the second half of the campaign, something which will in turn be shaped by their actions on the trade front.
Bills To Place S Taylor Rapp On IR
The Bills will have a number of reinforcements available on defense as early as this week. The unit will be without another notable figure for the time being, however. 
Head coach Sean McDermott said on Friday (via Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic) safety Taylor Rapp will be moved to injured reserve. As a a result, he is in line to miss at least the next four games. That period will presumably begin with Week 8 against the Panthers.
Rapp has been dealing with a knee injury since training camp. The 27-year-old has managed to play in each of Buffalo’s six games so far this season, handling a starting role. Instead of continuing to play through the ailment, however, Rapp will now turn his attention to recovery.
After playing out his rookie contract with the Rams, the former second-rounder took a one-year deal with Buffalo. Rapp handled a part-time role that season, doing enough to land a three-year Bills pact in the process. The Washington product started each of his appearances last season and continued that trend through the opening stages of the current campaign. Being without him for an extended period will deal a blow to a Bills secondary which could see cornerback Maxwell Hairston make his regular season debut as early as this week.
While the first-round rookie will be able to aid Buffalo’s pass defense, the team’s play against the run so far has been an issue. The Bills rank 31st in the NFL with an average of 156 yards allowed per game on the ground. Improving in that regard will be key moving forward. The team could have reinforcements along the defensive interior as early as Week 8.
The six-game suspensions issued to defensive linemen this offseason Larry Ogunjobi and Michael Hoecht have come to an end. As such, both veterans are back on the active roster and could suit up on Sunday. At this point, though, it remains to be seen if either of them will make their debuts in Week 8.
“Let’s get them integrated and get them rolling here,” McDermott said when asked about Ogunjobi and Hoecht returning (via ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg). “There’s certainly a conditioning piece. There is a physical piece to it as well, and then there’s a schematic piece to it also.”
Having at least one of Ogunjobi or Hoecht in place would be welcomed news on a Bills defense dealing with a number of short-term injuries at the moment. In any case, that unit will be without Rapp for the time being. It will be interesting to see how much time he misses and whether the issue can be fully resolved through a notable period on the sidelines.
Steelers Interested In Trading For WRs Jakobi Meyers, Calvin Ridley?
To no surprise, the Steelers are among the teams reported to be in the market for a receiver addition prior to the upcoming trade deadline. Specific targets on that front have now emerged. 
Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda reports Pittsburgh is interested in Jakobi Meyers. That comes as little surprise given the market in place for the pending free agent. Meyers is still open to being moved (as he was in the summer), and the Raiders now appear to be willing to swing a trade. Coming off a 1,000-yard campaign in 2024, Meyers is one of the top trade targets at the receiver position this year.
While he will have a strong market as a result, the same may not be true of Calvin Ridley. Per Pauline, the Titans veteran is also a target of the Steelers. Ridley topped 1,000 yards during his single campaign with the Jaguars in 2023 and did so again last year while debuting in Tennessee. The 30-year-old has not enjoyed the same level of success this season with the Titans undergoing a coaching change in the midst of quarterback Cam Ward‘s rookie campaign. Ridley has surpassed 57 receiving yards just once in 2025 and he has yet to score a touchdown.
The former Falcons first-rounder is playing out the second season of his four-year, $92MM free agent deal signed last spring. Ridley is therefore not a rental, and taking on even a portion of his $22.49MM base salary for this year would not be feasible for many suitors. His contract also contains $3MM already locked in for next season with a $1MM roster bonus due in March. The Titans recently granted Tyler Lockett‘s request to be released, so moving on from another veteran wideout as part of a rebuilding phase would not entirely come as a surprise.
Pauline adds that Jaylen Waddle is also on Pittsburgh’s radar, although the Dolphins are not expected to deal away the fifth-year receiver. Waddle (like Ridley) would be viewed as more than a rental in the event of a swap, and absorbing his contract would be challenging compared to other WR options. The Steelers have shown interest in notable wideout additions even before their offseason decisions to trade away George Pickens and add D.K. Metcalf. The team’s depth chart beyond the former Seahawk is a question mark, so a move of some kind would be feasible given Pittsburgh’s approach to the 2025 campaign.
At this point, the Steelers have roughly $6.3MM in cap space. That figure could change if a restructure or cost-shedding move is to be made before the November 4 deadline, something which would signal a trade being imminent. Pittsburgh remains a team to watch closely over the coming days, and in particular it will be interesting to see if Meyers or Ridley become heavily linked to a trade there.
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy To Start When Healthy; Week 9 Return Being Targeted
Carson Wentz handled quarterback duties once again during the Vikings’ lopsided loss on Thursday. By the time Minnesota plays again, though, J.J. McCarthy may be back in the fold. 
McCarthy has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury in Week 2. The 2024 first-rounder has dressed as the Vikings’ emergency No. 3 quarterback in each of the past two games, a further sign he is nearing a return to full health. That could be the case in time for Week 9. When McCarthy is back at full strength, he will return to QB1 duties.
“If J.J. is healthy, J.J. will play,” head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed after yesterday’s game (via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert). “That’s been the case since the injury. That’s always been kind of my mindset, and I believe we’re right — hopefully — around the corner from seeing him be healthy, have a week of preparation and go compete.”
With Minnesota having played on a Thursday, the team now has an extended period to prepare for Week 9. The Vikings will take on the Lions in their next contest, and having McCarthy available would of course be a welcomed development for the team’s offense in the short term and his ability to continue developing over the remainder of the season. McCarthy, 22, missed his entire rookie campaign while recovering from meniscus surgery before his current stretch of absences due to a high ankle sprain.
Aside from his fourth-quarter performance against the Bears in Week 1, McCarthy has not met expectations when on the field so far. Improving on his early showings once healthy will be critical for the Michigan product’s long-term development and Minnesota’s playoff chances. The Vikings sit at 3-4 on the year at a time when each of the NFC North’s other teams sport a winning record.
Last night’s game was the latest example of the “significant left shoulder injury” Wentz has been playing through for most his five-game run as the team’s starter. The 32-year-old said (via Seifert) Thursday’s performance included “quite possibly” the most pain he has played through in an NFL contest. Wentz will have time to heal provided McCarthy starts in Week 9, however, something which looks to be the team’s plan at this point.
Negotiations On 18-Game Schedule Paused During NFLPA Leadership Search
David White is currently in place as the NFLPA’s interim executive director. The search for his permanent replacement is underway, and that process will be at the center of the union’s attention until it is complete. 
A new full-time executive director is expected to be in place at some point next year. Until a hire is made, negotiations on the next collective bargaining agreement – in particular, expanding the schedule to 18 regular season games – will understandably be put on hold. Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed as much when speaking at the league’s fall meeting.
“I can’t see anything of significance happening on our side as far as starting formal negotiations until that’s determined,” Goodell said (via Mark Maske of the Washington Post). “In the meantime, we spent a lot of time even in the last couple days talking about our priorities.
“You can’t start negotiations or discussions until both parties are ready. So from my standpoint, we’re going to do our part to be ready… There are a lot of issues that we are going to raise and certainly the players will raise… So they’re going to need time to make sure that they’re prepared, that they’re ready for the negotiations [and] they have their priorities straight.”
Given the fact NFL owners instituted a 17-game schedule at the first opportunity under the current CBA, it has long been assumed another expansion of the regular season would be inevitable. Howell noted last month that may not be the case, and negotiations on this front will see a number of union priorities factored in (such as a potential second bye week along with concerns related to travel and playing surfaces).
The CBA runs through the 2030 campaign, so plenty of time remains for an agreement on the schedule to be reached. Nevertheless, any efforts on the part of owners to approve an 18-game setup along an early timeline will essentially be on hold until White’s successor is in place.