Steelers Designate Cam Heyward For Return
The Steelers’ defense is set to receive a major boost in the near future. Defensive lineman Cam Heyward returned to practice on Thursday. 
As a result, his 21-day activation window has now been opened. The Steelers must activate him from injured reserve within that timeframe to avoid having him revert to season-ending IR. While today’s news means Heyward could be back in the lineup as early as Week 8, the team’s Thursday night game following that (Nov. 2) is likely the earliest point at which he will suit up, per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Heyward suffered a groin injury in the regular season opener, and it was immediately understood he would be shut down for an extended stretch as a result. Surgery was needed, and an eight-week recovery timetable was in place at the time of the procedure. Bringing the three-time All-Pro back into the fold in time for the next game or so would fall in line with timeframe. Whenever it takes place, his return will be welcomed by the Steelers’ defense.
Pittsburgh’s underwhelming offense has understandably drawn signficant criticism this season, but the team’s defense has signficant room for improvement as well. The latter unit sits 30th in the NFL in yards allowed per game, and it is surrendering more than 142 yards per contest on the ground. Heyward should especially help in that category, though his double-digit sacks in each of the past two seasons prove he will make a major impact in the pass-rush department as well.
Heyward, 34, has been a mainstay of the Steelers’ defense throughout his 13-year career with the team. He has earned a Pro Bowl nod in each of the past six seasons, proving he remains one of the team’s most important contributors on either side of the ball. With one more year on his current deal after this one (with a non-guaranteed salary and a cap hit of $22.4MM), there will also be financial implications to Heyward returning to full health and continuing his elite form.
The Steelers have seven IR activations remaining, and bringing the Ohio State alum back will use up one of them. The same is true of running back Anthony McFarland, whose practice window was opened last week, as well as tight end Pat Freiermuth, who was placed on IR ahead of Week 7.
Bears Unlikely To Be Active At Deadline?
Firmly in the middle of a rebuild, it would come as no surprise if the Bears elected to move on from one or more notable players in the coming days. Despite having a few options in that regard, though, it appears unlikely that will be the case. 
Citing the views of an AFC scout, Adam Jahns of The Athletic details that a major move in the coming days should not be expected (subscription required). Last year, Chicago agreed to send All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith to the Ravens for a package including a second-round pick. A sizeable move of similar impact would likely only happen if the likes of cornerback Jaylon Johnson, safety Eddie Jackson or wideout Darnell Mooney were to be dealt.
That trio represents the Bears players most likely to garner attention, per Jahns. They would, of course, come at varying prices in a swap given their different age and contract statuses. Johnson’s future in the Windy City has been called into question on a number of occasions, but the 24-year-old said earlier this week that talks on an extension could heat up soon. General manager Ryan Poles has expressed a desire to keep Johnson in place beyond 2023, so a trade coming to fruition in the coming days would come as a surprise.
Jackson has a longer track record of success, but his age, along with injury- and finance-related factors would complicate a trade. The two-time Pro Bowler has been limited to just three games this season, and he last played a full campaign in 2020. Jackson is also due a non-guaranteed salary of $14.5MM in 2024, his age-30 season. He is scheduled to carry a cap hit of $18.1MM, so any acquiring team would either need to work out an extension to make his contract easier to work with in future years or make him a cap casualty after the season.
Mooney, like Johnson, is due for a second contract this offseason. The 2020 fifth-rounder appeared to cement his status as a long-term piece with a 1,000-yard campaign in his second season, but things have taken a turn since then. Mooney put up career lows in receptions, yards and touchdowns last season as the Bears struggled to find production in the passing game. That led to the acquisition of D.J. Moore, something which has in part resulted in a drop in Mooney’s playing time. The latter’s snap share sits at 70%, and he has made just 14 catches through seven games.
With over $9MM in cap space and seven 2024 draft picks at the moment, the Bears have plenty of flexibility with respect to the upcoming trade deadline. Their ability to receive more signficant draft capital in trades for Johnson and/or Mooney than the compensatory picks they would be due in the event they departed in free agency will likely factor heavily into their handling of those players. Overall, as Jahns notes, a busy few days from Poles and Co. would come as a surprise.
Latest On Patriots’ Deadline Plans
Despite their upset win over the Bills in Week 7, the 2-5 Patriots are likely to find themselves in the sellers category ahead of the upcoming trade deadline. To no surprise, the team is open to at least considering offers on a number of players. 
[RELATED: Patriots, Bill Belichick Agreed To Offseason Extension]
Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports that the Patriots are “willing to listen to offers” which could see them deal away members of their core, specifically those on expiring contracts. That means the likes of edge rusher Josh Uche, safety Kyle Dugger and offensive lineman Michael Onwenu in particular could be the subject of trade negotiations in the coming days.
A recent report indicated Uche and the Patriots have not held extension talks, leaving him on a path toward departing in free agency in March. New England does not have a history of valuing situational edge rushers such as the Michigan alum as highly as other teams. As such, it would not come as a surprise if a market developed for his services to close out the 2023 season, but also for years to come on a long-term deal given out by an acquiring team. Uche had a breakout season last year with 11.5 sacks, but he has managed just a pair so far this season.
As fellow 2020 draftees, Dugger and Onwenu are playing out the final year of their rookie contracts. The franchise tag could be in play for the former in particular, Kyed notes, and it may become necessary if an extension cannot be worked out. Dugger expressed an affinity for the Patriots in the summer when asked about his contract status, but no updates have emerged regarding an extension being on the horizon. The same is true for Onwenu, who has proven to be a versatile and consistent blocker over the course of his career (although his performance has taken a step back in 2023).
Kyed adds that the trio of Uche, Dugger and Onwenu would each likely garner draft compensation ranging from second- to fourth-round picks if they were to be included in deadline deals. Veteran wideout Kendrick Bourne – previously named as a low-cost trade target at his position – could also draw attention and yield a Day 3 pick in return. As Jeff Howe of The Athletic notes (subscription required), New England is seen around the league as a team with desirable trade chips, so they will be a team to watch in the coming days.
The Patriots are currently slated to have the third-most 2024 cap space in the league at nearly $93MM. That flexibility could go a long way in informing their moves (or lack thereof) ahead of the October 31 deadline as they weigh the value of future assets against that of retaining key players in what appears to be another season destined to land outside the postseason.
Rams Release K Brett Maher; Team Signs K Lucas Havrisik Off Browns’ Practice Squad
OCTOBER 25: Havrisik may be a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option in Los Angeles, as the Rams have shown they may not view him as a permanent solution. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reports that the team hosted a mass tryout for kickers today. In addition to veteran kickers Mason Crosby and Randy Bullock, the team also tried out Austin Seibert, Matthew Wright, and Tucker McCann.
With Crosby’s time in Green Bay coming to an end after 16 years as a Packer, he’s aiming to join the second franchise of his NFL career. Bullock, after starting out in Houston, has had decent stints with the Bengals and Titans over the past several years. Seibert and Wright have both had a single decent season, Seibert with the Browns and Wright with the Jaguars, but both have bounced around a bit since.
Havrisik may have first dibs, already being under contract, but with the Rams continuing to explore other options, his grip on the kicking job may be tenuous at best.
OCTOBER 24: After struggling in Week 7, Brett Maher now finds himself on the lookout for a new opportunity. The veteran kicker was released by the Rams on Tuesday, per a team announcement. 
Maher missed a pair of field goals, along with an extra point, in the Rams’ 24-17 loss to the Steelers on Sunday. That drew understandable criticism from head coach Sean McVay, and led to questions about whether or not a change at the position would be deemed necessary. Today’s move confirms Los Angeles’ stance on that front.
The 33-year-old had his second Cowboys stint end in disappointing fashion in last year’s postseason. Maher had delivered a strong performance in the regular season, but he missed four extra point attempts in the wild-card round and another in the divisional round. To no surprise, Dallas looked elsewhere for a replacement, which left Maher in search of a new home.
That initially sent him to Denver in a reunion with head coach Sean Payton. Maher spent the 2021 season with the Saints in Payton’s final year in New Orleans. By the time the season started, though, the Broncos had acquired another Payton-era Saints alum (Wil Lutz) to handle kicking duties. The latter has missed only one field goal and one extra point to date, so Denver likely does not regret that decision.
Maher had been busy during his brief Rams stint. His 23 field goal attempts through seven weeks (along with 17 makes) lead the NFL. However, that 74% success rate is the second-lowest of his career, and a recurrence of his XP issues will likely make it difficult to find another NFL gig in the near future. With respect to his replacement, the Rams appear to have a successor in mind.
Los Angeles plans to sign Lucas Havrisik off the Browns’ practice squad, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The 24-year-old initially joined the league with the Colts last season, but after a long stretch as a free agent, he joined Cleveland’s taxi squad this summer. The Browns ran into kicking trouble in the preseason, which led to Cade York‘s departure. He was replaced by Dustin Hopkins, who has been nearly perfect to start the year. Now. Cleveland will lose its backup plan at the kicking spot while the Rams (who have confirmed the signing) will give Havrisik his first opportunity in regular season NFL action.
Bucs Activate Chase Edmonds From IR
OCTOBER 25: Edmonds will come off IR ahead of Thursday night’s Bills matchup, the Bucs announced. The passing-down back will make a quick return from an MCL sprain, missing the minimum four games. Edmonds will be Tampa Bay’s first IR activation this season. To make room on their 53-man roster, the Bucs waived cornerback Derrek Pitts.
OCTOBER 23: The Buccaneers have struggled in the run game this year, but reinforcements in the backfield could be coming soon. Chase Edmonds was designated for return from injured reserve, the team announced on Monday. 
The move opens Edmonds’ 21-day practice window. He must be activated within that span to avoid reverting to season-ending IR. With Tampa Bay set to play on Thursday night, however, it will be interesting to see if he is brought back in time for Week 8.
Edmonds suffered an MCL sprain in Week 2, and he has been sidelined ever since. His IR stint forced him to miss a minimum of four games, and his absence has left the Buccaneers without an experienced option in the backfield. Edmonds, 27, has played 72 games in his career, one which included time in Arizona, Miami and Denver prior to this season.
The Buccaneers signed the former fourth-rounder to a league minimum deal after he was released by the Broncos, giving him the opportunity to carve out a role in a Tampa backfield which faced plenty question marks entering the season. Improving the ground game was a source for improvement compared to last season, but so far the Bucs rank 29th in the league with an average of just under 78 rushing yards per game. 2022 third-rounder Rachaad White comfortably leads the team in rushing, 234 yards ahead of the next-closest running back (Ke’Shawn Vaughn).
Bringing back Edmonds – who received only two touches in each of his games this season – will use the first of Tampa Bay’s eight allocated IR activations. He will aim to give the team another option in the running game, an area of the offense which, like in 2022, still has plenty of room for improvement.
Giants Will Not Trade Trade Saquon Barkley; Team Open To Dealing Other Players?
OCTOBER 25: Brian Daboll doubled down on the team’s intention to keep Barkley. The second-year Giants HC said (via the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz) he told the Pro Bowl running an in-season trade is “not happening.” While the Giants may be open to moving other pieces, Barkley’s franchise tag salary will remain on the books.
OCTOBER 22: Saquon Barkley made it clear a few days ago that he is not eyeing a trade which would send him away from the Giants. The extension-eligible back’s sentiment appears to have been matched by the team. 
The Giants have no intention of moving Barkley ahead of the October 31 trade deadline, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes (video link). That stance has remained the same throughout the year, he adds, meaning the parties are still on track to resume talks on a deal in the offseason. Negotiations after the franchise tag was used did not produce traction, and the 26-year-old avoided a hold-out with an increased incentive package on his one-year deal.
Barkley and the Giants cannot negotiate a long-term contract until the coming offseason, and Garafolo confirms the Giants’ preference remains to get a deal worked out at that time. New York submitted an offer around the $12MM-per-year mark late in negotiations this summer, but the team did so while inverting the guarantee and AAV figures. Plenty of attention has thus been on the former No. 2 pick’s performance this year as he again aims to secure a multi-year pact ahead of free agency.
“Everyone knows I don’t want to get traded,” Barkley said when asked about his long-term future in New York. “Obviously, I’ve been vocal and public about how I feel about this organization and where I want to be. Knowing the business and seeing that side of it, there’s a lot of things I can’t control. I don’t think anybody in their right mind would want to get traded anywhere… I would love to be here.”
The Penn State product has missed time this year due to an ankle injury, and his presence has been missed by a Giants team which has dealt with a number of other injuries throughout the unit and failed to produce much early in the year. Barkley has a long way to go to match his career-best rushing output (1,312 yards) from last season, but he nevertheless remains the focal point of New York’s offense.
On the other hand, Garafolo adds that the Giants could be open to making deals involving other players. Sitting at 1-5 entering Sunday’s action, it would come as no surprise if the team adopted a seller’s stance in the near future. Much about New York’s 2023 outlook could change with a few wins in short order, but a number of players on expiring contracts could make for notable trade chips. The Giants have a number of major financial decisions to make this offseason, regardless of what happens with Barkley, so clearing up flexibility for 2024 and beyond would also be beneficial. In any event, though, the team’s most high-profile player will remain in place through the remainder of the current campaign.
Teams Showing Interest In Commanders’ Chase Young, Montez Sweat
OCTOBER 25: At least one offer has come in for Sweat, according to Jhabvala, but no known proposals have arrived for Young. The Commanders had viewed Weeks 7 and 8 as critical for their deadline plans, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who adds the team has given the impression it wants to retain Young despite his lack of a contract beyond this season. The 3-4 team losing to the favored Eagles could end up swaying the organization’s trade plans before the Halloween deadline. As of now, however, the Sweat-Young duo remains in place.
OCTOBER 24: As the trade deadline approaches, one of the key questions surrounding the Commanders is how they will proceed with Chase Young and Montez Sweat. Both edge rushers are due for a new contract in the offseason, and their names have come up in trade speculation. 
Washington is not actively looking to move either player, but reports have indicated offers will be considered if they check in near the team’s (as of yet unknown) asking price. Of course, that would require sufficient interest on the part of other teams which would be willing to not only pay a notable price in draft capital in a trade, but also make a long-term financial commitment.
On that point, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports that “several identifiable teams” are prepared to pull off a trade for Young or Sweat and retain them via a long-term deal. Both former first-rounders have been full-time starters during their time in the nation’s capital, though Young’s tenure has been underwhelming in large part due to injuries. The former No. 2 pick has suited up for five games this year, however, and racked up five sacks and 18 QB pressures to date. Those figures have him on track to surpass his production from his Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign in 2020.
Sweat, meanwhile, has put up nearly identical stats this year (5.5 sacks, 17 pressures) while remaining a key component of Washington’s defensive front. That unit already has two major commitments, of course, in the form of defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. Young and Sweat will each need lucrative second contracts starting in 2024; the former had his fifth-year option declined in the spring, while the latter is playing out his option this year ($11.5MM).
Many expect the Commanders to simply retain both Young and Sweat through the deadline and attempt to re-sign at least one of them ahead of free agency. As Sam Fortier and Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post note, outside executives don’t foresee teams preparing much of a trade offer for either player given their status as a rental. Deadline deals often seen aging veterans moved to contenders for a postseason run, but an exception amongst pass rushers emerged last year when the Broncos dealt Bradley Chubb to the Dolphins for a haul including a first-round pick.
That deal was immediately followed by Chubb inking a five-year, $110MM deal in Miami, making his acquisition a long-term investment. It will be interesting to see if a team demonstrates a willingness to pull off a similar trade-and-sign arrangement in the case of Young and/or Sweat in the coming days.
Panthers Place S Jeremy Chinn, OLB Yetur Gross-Matos On IR, Activate G Austin Corbett
Coming out of their bye week, the Panthers have made a number of injury-related moves. The team announced on Tuesday that safety Jeremy Chinn and pass rusher Yetur Gross-Matos have been placed on injured reserve. The same is true of tight end/special teamer Giovanni Ricci. 
As a result of the move, all three players will be forced to miss at least four weeks. In Chinn’s case, a quadriceps injury is expected to keep him sidelined for longer than that, so today’s move comes as no surprise. The 25-year-old is in the final year of his contract, but the injury likely took him off the board with respect to trade interest from outside teams.
Gross-Matos is dealing with a hamstring injury which has been deemed serious enough to interrupt an encouraging season. The former second-rounder has posted 2.5 sacks through six games, only one short of matching his career high. He has added three tackles for loss and six quarterback pressures despite seeing a drop in playing time compared to last year. Starters Brian Burns and Justin Houston will be counted on more heavily in the edge department given Gross-Matos’ absence. Ricci has a shoulder injury, per ESPN’s David Newton.
In more positive news, the Panthers activated guard Austin Corbett from the PUP list. This marked the final week of his 21-day return window, so today’s move was needed to avoid having him revert to season-ending IR. The 28-year-old suffered an ACL tear in Week 18 last year, and has been rehabbing ever since. His return will be welcomed on an offensive line which has used three different starters at both left and right guard this season. Corbett indicated (via Newton) that he may not suit up for Week 8 despite being brought back onto the roster. That move will did use up any of Carolina’s seven remaining IR activations, but bringing back Chinn, Gross-Matos and Ricci will.
To fill the other roster spots opened up by the IR moves, the Panthers have signed edge rusher Luiji Vilain off the Vikings’ practice squad. The 25-year-old Canadian has made four regular season appearances since signing in Minnesota as a UDFA. Likewise, Carolina has added offensive lineman Brett Toth from the Eagles’ taxi squad. The latter has made one start across his 17 total games played, all with Philadelphia.
Lions Release Marvin Jones; WR Stepping Away From Football
Marvin Jones has decided to step away from football to attend to a family matter, something which will bring an end to his Lions tenure. The veteran wideout will be released later today, as noted by Justin Rodger of the Detroit News. The team has since announced the move. 
Jones took to Instagram on Tuesday to address his situation. A statement from the 33-year-old reads in part, “I am stepping away from the team to take care of personal family matters. Although this was no easy decision, I cannot be the person/player that I need to be for this team as well as tend to my family from afar. This organization has been amazing showing love and support for myself and my family over the years and this time is no different.”
After three seasons (and four years) in Cincinnati, Jones first joined the Lions in 2016. That began a five-year run in the Motor City which included his best seasons. The former fifth-rounder eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in 2017, a year in which he led the league in yards per reception with 18 and matched his career-best in touchdowns with nine.
Jones later spent 2021 and ’22 in Jacksonville, serving as a dependable target in the former year in particular before seeing his playing time drop considerably in the latter campaign. Expectations for a bounce-back season were raised, however, when he re-joined the Lions this offseason on a one-year deal. That pact had a base value of $3MM and included another $2MM worth of incentives which, given his performance to date along with today’s news, will not be reached.
Detroit already had Amon-Ra St. Brown in place atop their WR depth chart before adding Jones in free agency. The latter joined the likes of Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond and the recently-reinstated Jameson Williams as complementary options in the passing game, one which has done well without Jones playing a notable role. The Cal product made just five catches for 35 scoreless yards in his return to Detroit. His release will create $2.2MM in a dead cap charge in 2023, along with $800K next season since his pact includes a void year.
Patriots CB Marcus Jones Out For Season
The Patriots have been hit hard by injuries in the secondary this season, and their situation on that front has worsened. Marcus Jones‘ injury will shut him down for the rest of the season, receivers coach Troy Brown said on Tuesday. 
The fact that an offensive position coach broke the news demonstrates Jones’ versatility, and his absence will be felt on offense, defense and special teams. The 25-year-old was placed on IR last month due to a torn labrum. He was thus forced to miss at least four weeks, but today’s news means he will be sidelined until the start of the 2024 campaign.
Jones’ biggest impact as a rookie came on special teams, as he led the league in punt return yards. That earned him a first-team All-Pro nod, and showcased his long-term value for the Patriots in the third phase. The Houston alum also carved out a role for himself on defense, though, starting four games at corner and recording a pair of interceptions. Jones added 18 snaps on offense last year and one in 2023, but his absence will most acutely affect the Patriots’ secondary.
First-round rookie Christian Gonzalez is out for the year, and his injury will leave new England without their emerging No. 1 cover man. Jack Jones has also missed time this season, although he was activated in time for Week 7. With Marcus Jones out of the picture now, plenty of the team’s workload in the secondary will fall on Jack Jones and J.C. Jackson, who was brought back to Foxboro via trade after his Chargers stint came to a disappointing end.
Jones had only logged three punt returns this season, so the Patriots will be relatively unaffected on special teams with him shelved for the campaign. The team’s offense, which has generally struggled throughout the year, will also be without a gadget player as Jones turns his attention to rehab ahead of his third NFL season.