Cowboys Place WR Brandin Cooks On IR
Brandin Cooks‘ knee infection will sideline him for at least the next four games. The Cowboys have placed the veteran wide receiver on injured reserve, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer. Considering the team’s upcoming bye week, Cooks won’t be eligible to return until Week 10.
[RELATED: Cowboys’ Brandin Cooks To Miss Time]
Cooks suffered his knee injury in Week 4, with the wideout opting for injections to avoid a scope. Unfortunately, that injection ended up leading to an infection, which then required its own scope to determine the impact on the player’s meniscus. When we learned of the infection earlier this week, it was speculated that Cooks would miss one to three weeks. Now, the wideout will have five weeks to recover (including the aforementioned bye).
It’s been a rough season for Cooks. The veteran was slowed by knee soreness during training camp, and he’s struggled to put up big numbers through the first month of the season. Following a Week 1 performance where he hauled in four catches for 40 yards and one touchdown, Cooks has been limited to five catches for 51 yards over the past three weeks. As our own Nikhil Mehta noted the other day, Cooks’ 0.67 yards per route run is tied for fifth-lowest among receivers with at least 10 targets in 2024.
With Cooks sidelined, the Cowboys will now be especially reliant on Jalen Tolbert behind WR1 CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys are also fortunate to have a capable pass-catching tight end in Jake Ferguson, but the team will otherwise be leaning on the likes of unproven receivers Jalen Brooks, KaVontae Turpin, and rookie sixth-round pick Ryan Flournoy.
The Cowboys, of course, have also been mentioned as a potential suitor for Raiders receiver Davante Adams, although Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones was quick to shut down those rumors. Jones’ recent comments came after Cooks’ latest injury, so it’s unlikely today’s move will change the organization’s stance.
Browns Place DE Alex Wright On IR, Activate OL Michael Dunn
The Browns are getting some reinforcement on the offensive line. The team announced that they’ve activated guard Michael Dunn from the reserve/non-football illness list. In corresponding moves, the team placed defensive end Alex Wright on injured reserve and elevated cornerback Tony Brown II and tight end Geoff Swaim from the practice squad.
Dunn landed on the NFI with an undisclosed illness as Cleveland was making their final cuts. The veteran should provide the Browns with some relief at offensive guard, where the team has been relying on rookie Zak Zinter to fill in for the injured Wyatt Teller. A former UDFA out of Maryland, Dunn has appeared in 40 career games (six starts), with all of his NFL appearances coming with the Browns.
Wright’s placement on IR isn’t a surprise after we learned earlier this week that the defender suffered a season-ending triceps injury. Wright had been dealing with the issue since the summer and underwent an MRI after experiencing more pain in Week 2. He battled through the injury and saw the field for Week 3 and Week 4, but a second MRI revealed a partial tear.
The team’s two practice squad elevations bode well for the team’s OL depth heading into the weekend. Both Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin are listed as questionable, but it’s looking increasingly likely that the duo will be on the field for tomorrow’s game against the Commanders. Wills has been dealing with a knee injury since last season that’s limited him to only a single appearance in 2024. Conklin hasn’t gotten into an NFL game since last year’s season opener while dealing with a hamstring injury.
On the flip side, Swaim’s promotion may signal that David Njoku still isn’t ready to return from his ankle injury. The starting tight end hasn’t seen the field since Week 1. Swaim has appeared in two games this season while splitting time between his offensive role and special teams.
Commanders Interested In Davante Adams Trade?
The Jets and Saints continue to be the most popular landing spots for Davante Adams, but there are plenty of other teams interested in acquiring the All-Pro receiver. Over the past week, we’ve heard the likes of the Steelers, Bills, Cowboys, Ravens, 49ers, and Chiefs connected to the Raiders wideout, and now another team could be entering the fray.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, league executives believe the Commanders could be a dark horse contender in the trade sweepstakes. However, Fowler cautions that the Commanders’ young core means they may not be the best fit for the 31-year-old wide receiver.
Fowler brings up a fair point, but the Commanders’ interest wouldn’t be completely random. Jayden Daniels has quickly validated his second-overall-pick draft stock, and with the Commanders sitting at a surprising 3-1, the front office may be willing to make win-now moves while also surrounding their rookie QB with as much talent as possible.
Further, the Commanders’ wide receivers room could use a spark of talent. Terry McLaurin continues to lead the depth chart, and the team has high hopes for third-round rookie Luke McCaffrey. Otherwise, the team’s WR depth consists of Noah Brown, Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Jamison Crowder (who is currently on IR). Adams would undeniably provide an upgrade to the team’s current receiver corps.
While the Commanders may be entering the bidding war, one team is pumping the brakes on their reported interest. During an appearance on KNBR’s Murph & Markus, 49ers general manager John Lynch acknowledged that his team would consider any improvement to the roster. However, the GM also noted that the 49ers will soon have their entire WR grouping back on the field, with the likes of Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and rookie Ricky Pearsall all deserving of playing time.
“We like our group. Davante’s a hell of a player,” Lynch said (via Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area). “One thing we’ve shown is we’re always looking, we’re never afraid to look and see what’s out there. We’re never afraid to pull the trigger. But I think coming in this year, we feel our roster is in a pretty good spot.
“We have endured some injuries, but we’ll never say never. And it’s got to work. It’s got to work for both sides, but it’s got to work for us. I won’t comment on any specific player but right now we like where our roster is at.”
While the speculation is fun, the rumor mill isn’t expected to last a whole lot longer. One league executive told Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post that they expect Adams to be traded within the next week or two, with the wideout potentially being dealt before he’s ready to return from his hamstring injury. Fowler echoed that sentiment, saying he expects trade talks to heat up next week.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/2/24
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Practice window opened: T Christian Jones
Cleveland Browns
- Signed to active roster: LB Nathaniel Watson
Green Bay Packers
- Practice window opened: DT Jonathan Ford
Houston Texans
- Practice window opened: DT Kurt Hinish
Las Vegas Raiders
- Practice window opened: S Trey Taylor
New York Giants
- Practice window opened: LB Matthew Adams
Miami Dolphins
- Practice window opened: CB Cam Smith
New England Patriots
- Designated for return from reserve/PUP list: WR Kendrick Bourne, LB Sione Takitaki (story)
- Practice window opened: S Marte Mapu
New York Jets
- Practice window opened: DT Leki Fotu
- Released from IR: LB Brandon Smith
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed to active roster: RB Aaron Shampklin
- Practice window opened: LB Jeremiah Moon
San Francisco 49ers
- Practice window opened: DL Kalia Davis
Seattle Seahawks
- Designated for return from PUP list: DT Cameron Young
Today marks most teams’ first practice before Week 5, making it the first date players stashed on IR as teams set their initial 53-man rosters can work out again with their teams. This year’s IR tweak allowed teams to designate up to two players for return August 27, the catch being all players who receive that designation count toward their respective club’s eight-activation total. The batch included in today’s minor moves post consists entirely of players to receive that August IR-return designation.
The IR-return window is unchanged, however, with teams having 21 days from Wednesday to activate these players. Anyone from today’s group not being activated from IR by October 23 must miss the rest of the season. PFR will keep track of all players returning from IR via the Injured Reserve Return Tracker.
49ers WR Ricky Pearsall Could Return To Practice This Week
OCTOBER 2: The 49ers have not opened Pearsall’s practice window yet, as noted by NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. Pearsall could still return to the practice field in the coming days, but the fact San Francisco did not bring him back into the fold at the first opportunity is of course an indication he may not be activated until after Week 5.
SEPTEMBER 30: Ricky Pearsall is now eligible to come off injured reserve, and there’s a chance the rookie receiver returns to the practice field this week. ESPN’s Nick Wagoner says “all signs have been pointing to” the 49ers opening Pearsall’s practice window, although Kyle Shanahan later cautioned that the team still hasn’t made a definitive decision (per Matt Barrows of The Athletic).
[RELATED: 49ers Place WR Ricky Pearsall On NFI List]
The first-round pick was the victim of an attempted robbery in late August in which he suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. There was good news in the aftermath; the 23-year-old was initially in serious but stable condition and avoided damage to any vital organs. The bullet also didn’t strike any ribs, a factor which allowed Pearsall to be hospitalized for less than a week.
The rookie was subsequently placed on the NFI list, meaning he’d need to be sidelined until at least Week 5. There was always optimism that Pearsall would make his debut at some point during the 2024 season. It was only recently that hope grew for an October return to the practice field, and it sounds like the wideout may admirably hit that mark. As we learned earlier this month, returning Pearsall from the NFI list to the active roster will count as one of the 49ers’ allotted eight activations for the 2024 campaign.
The snakebitten 49ers will welcome back their rookie wideout, who could find himself with a rotational role by the end of the campaign. Jauan Jennings had a standout Week 3 while filling in for Deebo Samuel, and he’ll likely retain his WR3 behind the veteran and Brandon Aiyuk. Pearsall could supplant the likes of Chris Conley, Ronnie Bell, and Jake Cowing at the bottom of the depth chart, and the 31st-overall pick could be in line for a starting role in 2025 considering Samuel’s trade candidacy.
Chiefs Considering WR Acquisition?
With Rashee Rice potentially out for the season and Marquise Brown sidelined until at least the playoffs, the Chiefs may have to look for outside help at wide receiver. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport expects the Chiefs to “go out and look at options” at the position, with a trade being “at least” in consideration.
[RELATED: Chiefs Fear ACL Tear For WR Rashee Rice]
Rapoport notes that the Chiefs front office is generally “open minded” and considers every opportunity as they look to plug holes, so a trade would surely be a logical route for the WR-needy squad. Rapoport points to the team’s sudden acquisition of Kadarius Toney in 2022, which came as the organization was navigating a post-Tyreek Hill era.
One potential name that Rapoport points to is Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The Titans are currently 0-3, and if they continue going the wrong way in the standings, there’s a good chance the veteran wideout will be available at the trade deadline. Rapoport also notes that popular trade candidate Amari Cooper could fit the Chiefs payroll thanks to his low base salary, but the reporter rejects the idea of Jaguars wideout Christian Kirk fitting into the cap sheet.
Rookie first-round WR Xavier Worthy got into a career-high 45 snaps yesterday and will likely join Travis Kelce as one of Patrick Mahomes‘ preferred targets moving forward. The team has also leaned on the likes of Justin Watson and JuJu Smith-Schuster for about half of their offensive snaps through the first month of the season, and Skyy Moore and Mecole Hardman got extended cameos yesterday after Rice was knocked out of the game. Rapoport notes that Brown could return to the Chiefs in time for the postseason, but it’s unlikely the offense will be hanging their hopes on the injured receiver.
As for Rice, Josina Anderson reports that the receiver is seeking “at least” a second opinion on his injured knee in an attempt to “gather additional information.” The Chiefs have also discussed “potential windows for surgery.” ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds that there “remains uncertainty” surrounding the extend of Rice’s injury, and more tests will be required before the team can set a definitive timetable.
Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne Expected To Practice This Week
After starting the year on the reserve/PUP list, Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne will soon be back on the field. Coach Jerod Mayo confirmed to reporters today that the veteran wide receiver is expected to start practicing on Wednesday, per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald.
Bourne hasn’t played since Week 8 of last season after suffering a season-ending ACL tear. The wideout was having one of his strongest campaigns prior to his injury, averaging a career-high 50.8 yards per game. Despite his uncertain status heading into the 2024 campaign, the Patriots were comfortable enough handing the veteran a three-year extension this offseason.
After inking a three-year, $15MM deal with New England ahead of the 2021 campaign, Bourne often found himself with an inconsistent role. He had a standout first season with the Patriots, collecting career-highs in receptions (55), receiving yards (800), and touchdowns (five). While poor QB play was partly to blame for his drop in production in 2022, Bourne got into only 441 offensive snaps, his lowest total since his rookie campaign with the 49ers. Those snaps were back up in 2023, with the wideout getting into 73 percent of his team’s offensive snaps prior to his injury.
While the Patriots will surely welcome back Bourne, his return shouldn’t do a whole lot to remedy a putrid offense. Jacoby Brissett has struggled under center for the Patriots this season, leading to natural calls for rookie Drake Maye to take over. Bourne will be entering an uncertain WR room that’s currently led by the likes of K.J. Osborn, Demario Douglas, and second-round rookie Ja’Lynn Polk. Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, and rookie fourth-round pick Javon Baker have generally been the odd men out, and one of those players may be dropped when Bourne is ready to join the active roster.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/30/24
Today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Rashaan Evans
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: TE Stephen Sullivan, WR Deven Thompkins
- Released: WR Sam Pinckney
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Ramel Keyton
Rashaan Evans has landed in a familiar spot. The veteran linebacker has signed with the Falcons practice squad, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. After spending the first four seasons of his career in Tennessee, the former first-round pick spent the 2022 campaign in Atlanta. He ended up having a career year, compiling a team-leading 159 tackles to go along with two sacks and one forced fumble.
Despite the counting stats, it took Evans until last September to find another gig, this time in Philly. He lasted less than a week with the Eagles before settling in Dallas. He ended up getting into nine games with the Cowboys, but he was waived in December after getting arrested for possession of marijuana.
While it once again took him until September to find a job, he’ll step into a potential role in Atlanta, at least temporarily. The Falcons need a bit of depth following the injury to Troy Andersen. At the end of his standout performance on Sunday (16 tackles and a pick-six), the linebacker suffered a knee injury that’s been deemed day-to-day, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. With Nate Landman also sidelined, the Falcons may need some extra bodies when they take on the Buccaneers this Thursday.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/30/24
Today’s minor moves:
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released: S Tony Jefferson
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: WR Dee Eskridge
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: NT Quinton Bohanna, LB Tyus Bowser
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: DE Ben Stille
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted: DL Abdullah Anderson, CB Tre Avery
49ers WR Deebo Samuel Expected To Return In Week 4
SEPTEMBER 29: Samuel is returning sooner than expected. As first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the 28-year-old wideout expects to play in the 49ers’ Week 4 contest against the the Patriots, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter subsequently noted that the team has the same expectation.
While Jennings had a monster performance in Samuel’s absence in Week 3 — catching 11 passes for 175 yards and three scores — San Francisco still lost the game, and the club will be happy to have the former First Team All-Pro back in the fold.
SEPTEMBER 16: The 49ers are down another offensive star. Receiver Deebo Samuel suffered a calf strain yesterday that will sideline him for several weeks, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
[RELATED: 49ers To Place RB Christian McCaffrey On IR]
According to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, Samuel believes he suffered his injury late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss. The 49ers only played a handful of additional offensive snaps before the game ended. It doesn’t sound like Samuel will require an IR stint, but Shanahan also hinted that this will be more than a one-game absence.
The 49ers were already operating without star RB Christian McCaffrey, with Samuel soaking up a handful of leftover snaps in the backfield (behind Jordan Mason). Samuel was naturally impressing in the receiving game, averaging 82 yards through his first two contests. That marked his highest average since his 1,405-yard receiving effort in 2021, and it was also a major step up from his 54.4 yards-per-game-mark between 2022 and 2023.
Attention will now turn to the team’s remaining offensive star in Brandon Aiyuk. The wideout is coming off a drama-filled training camp and preseason that included a hold-in and a trade request. That ended up culminating in the receiver earning a contract worth $30MM annually, and the fifth-year pro will now be called upon to help guide the team’s receivers. Through two games, Aiyuk has hauled in only six catches for 71 yards, and he had a notable dropped touchdown in Week 1.
With Samuel out, Jauan Jennings will likely see an uptick in playing time. The Super Bowl LVIII standout got into 38 offensive snaps yesterday, and he was the only receiver outside of Samuel and Aiyuk to see a significant role. Chris Conley and Ronnie Bell got into a combined 15 snaps, while Jacob Cowing didn’t garner an offensive snap. Rookie Ricky Pearsall will also eventually be inserted into the conversation, although there’s a good chance he’s back after Samuel.