Colts DE Samson Ebukam Expected To Miss Multiple Weeks
After suffering a MCL injury in last Sunday’s win over the Chargers, Colts defensive end Samson Ebukam is likely to miss multiple weeks, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports. He’s not expected to land on IR, according to Mike Chappell of FOX 59.
An IR stint would require Ebukam to miss four games. With the Colts’ bye falling in Week 11, going on IR would prevent Ebukam from returning until Week 13. Fortunately for first-place Indianapolis, it doesn’t seem that he’s facing a long-term absence.
A former Ram and 49er, Ebukam signed a three-year deal with the Colts before the 2023 season. He responded with 17 starts and 9.5 sacks that year, but a torn Achilles sidelined him for all of last season. Before his latest injury, the 30-year-old played in all seven of the Colts’ games during a 6-1 start and logged a 44.2% snap share with two sacks.
Along with Ebukam, the Colts saw defensive end Tyquan Lewis exit in Week 7 with a groin injury. He’s considered “day-to-day this week, and we’ll just see how the week goes,” head coach Shane Steichen said (via Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star).
Lewis, who has played a little over 41% of defensive snaps in 2025, is tied for the team lead with three sacks. With Lewis and Ebukam dealing with injuries, Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, and JT Tuimoloau are the Colts’ only healthy defensive ends heading into Sunday’s game against the Titans.
Even when the Colts are at full strength, they don’t boast an especially formidable pass rush. That could be an area for general manager Chris Ballard to improve on before the Nov. 4 trade deadline, though the team also has questions in its injury-riddled secondary. The Colts have just under $5MM in cap space, leaving Ballard with little breathing room.
Carson Wentz To Start Week 8; J.J. McCarthy Progressing
With Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy continuing to deal with a high ankle sprain, Carson Wentz will make his fifth straight start in Week 8. Head coach Kevin O’Connell announced that Wentz will be under center on Thursday against the Chargers (via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network).
McCarthy, who last played in a Week 2 loss to the Falcons, has made encouraging progress in his recovery. However, after McCarthy went through an on-field workout on Tuesday, O’Connell said “he’s just not there” (via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network). He’ll serve as the team’s emergency No. 3 option this week behind Wentz and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer.
This could end up as Wentz’s last chance to retain the starting job, as O’Connell noted that McCarthy may have been ready to go on a normal week (via Pelissero). With a quick turnaround from last Sunday’s loss to the Eagles, the Vikings are left to rely on a bounce-back effort from Wentz on Thursday.
A late-August addition in free agency, the well-traveled Wentz has been hit and miss during his four starts. While Wentz has twice posted a passer rating upward of 102.0, he has tossed two interceptions in each of his other two starts. Overall, Wentz has completed 95 of 142 passes (66.9%) for 1,072 yards, five touchdowns, and four picks. The team has gone 2-2 with him at the helm.
McCarthy, the 10th overall pick from Michigan in 2024, missed his entire rookie year after tearing his right meniscus during preseason. While McCarthy entered this season as Minnesota’s unquestioned No. 1 signal-caller, he went just 24 for 41 (58.5%) with 301 yards, two TDs, and three INTs in his first two starts before suffering another injury.
Thanks in part to underwhelming play from their QBs, the 3-3 Vikings have already matched their loss total from a surprising 14-win campaign in 2024. Sam Darnold, brought in as a stopgap in front of McCarthy, unexpectedly enjoyed a breakout year during his lone season with the Vikings. With the Vikings committed to McCarthy, Darnold parlayed his successful 2024 into a sizable free agent deal with the Seahawks last March. The Vikings also lost backup Daniel Jones on the open market. Jones left for a chance at more playing time in Indianapolis, which has worked out swimmingly for him and the first-place Colts.
While Darnold and Jones have thrived elsewhere, it’s far too soon to pass judgment on McCarthy. It seems that McCarthy is getting closer to returning to the Vikings’ lineup, though O’Connell has been adamant that he won’t take the reins again until he’s fully healthy. In the meantime, Wentz will have another shot to make a case to remain Minnesota’s starter.
Lions Inquiring About Edge Rushers
The Lions acquired notable pass-rushing help before last season’s trade deadline in landing Za’Darius Smith from the Browns. A year later, the Lions could address the same area before the upcoming Nov. 4 deadline. They’re making calls for an edge rusher, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.
The addition of Smith came a few weeks after the Lions lost elite pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson to a season-ending broken tibia. Now healthy, Hutchinson has come back this year to thrive during the Lions’ 5-2 start. The 25-year-old has racked up six sacks and four forced fumbles, and Pro Football Focus ranks his performance second among 113 qualifying defensive ends.
In addition to Hutchinson, Detroit has gotten strong work from Al-Quadin Muhammad, who already has five sacks and is just one away from tying a career high. Muhammad’s emergence has come in the absence of Marcus Davenport, on IR since Sept. 22 with a pectoral strain.
Davenport has already missed five games after missing most of the past two seasons, and with the Lions now on a bye, he could return in Week 9. It doesn’t appear that will happen, though, as head coach Dan Campbell suggested last week that Davenport probably won’t be ready until late November (via Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News).
By the time Davenport is back in the fold, he could be part of a deeper group of rushers if general manager Brad Holmes reels in help for the second deadline in a row. While it’s unclear which players Holmes has targeted, Titans outside linebacker Arden Key could be a name to watch in Detroit’s search, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.
As a soon-to-be free agent on a team that could conduct a fire sale, Key is an obvious trade candidate. Key has missed back-to-back games with a quadriceps injury and has only totaled 1.5 sacks in five contests this year, but he amassed 23.5 over the previous four seasons. If he ends up in Detroit and returns to his past production, Key would give the team another solid complement to Hutchinson.
With a $6.5MM salary and a $9.29MM cap hit, the Lions wouldn’t have trouble absorbing what’s left of Key’s contract. The team has over $25MM in cap space, which should give Holmes plenty of room to maneuver over the next couple of weeks.
Lions DT Alim McNeill To Make Season Debut In Week 7
OCTOBER 20: With no setbacks having taken place in recent days, McNeill is indeed set to make his debut tonight. The Lions have activated him from the reserve/PUP list, per a team announcement.
OCTOBER 15: After returning to practice earlier this month, Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill is nearing his long-awaited season debut. Head coach Dan Campbell told 97.1 The Ticket on Wednesday that McNeill will suit up against the Buccaneers in Week 7 in a showdown between NFC contenders (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).
“Barring something happening this week, Alim’s fricking playing, man,” Campbell said.
McNeill, now in his fifth season, has emerged as an integral piece of Detroit’s defensive line since the team chose him in the third round of the 2021 draft. After mostly working as a reserve as a rookie, the 6-foot-2, 310-pounder has started in all 44 appearances since his second year. McNeill totaled 25 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 14 games last season before suffering a torn ACL in a mid-December loss to the Bills.
Now 10 months removed from his injury, the 25-year-old McNeill is ready to return to action. Notably, Wednesday marks the one-year anniversary of McNeil landing a four-year, $97MM contract extension. Considering the Lions’ investment in McNeil, they may ease him back in upon his return. The Lions have a bye following their matchup with the Buccaneers, which will give McNeill a week to rest after his first game back.
Although he missed the Lions’ last three regular-season games, McNeil still led their defensive tackles in snaps in 2024. D.J. Reader has paced the group this year, while first-round rookie Tyleik Williams has received the second-most snaps. Roy Lopez, Pat O’Connor, and Tyler Lacy have also gotten a good chunk of playing time in depth roles during McNeill’s absence.
Despite going without McNeill this season, Detroit’s defense still ranks fourth in the NFL in sacks and ninth in yards per game, though it’s a middle-of-the-pack 15th in points per contest. With the 4-2 Lions looking to bounce back from a loss to the Chiefs and down a few key defenders in their secondary (D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, and Brian Branch if his one-game suspension holds up), McNeill will be a welcome reinforcement against the Bucs (5-1), the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Saints Interested In Chris Olave Extension
OCTOBER 19: In response to Russini’s report yesterday making movement towards an Olave extension seem like breaking news, Olave himself seemed to indicate that this is not new information. According to ESPN’s Katherine Terrell, Olave claimed that the two sides have “been having conversations since…the beginning of the year.”
OCTOBER 18: Saints wide receiver Chris Olave has been part of trade speculation leading up to the Nov. 4 deadline. Olave said earlier this week that he’d like to stay with the Saints, though, and he may get his wish. New Orleans is trying to sign Olave to a contract extension, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.
As a former first-round pick, Olave’s rookie contract comes with a fifth-year option. The Saints exercised Olave’s option last spring, meaning they don’t have to worry about losing him to free agency until after 2026. He’s due to earn $15.49MM next season.
The fact that Olave comes with a season and a half of team control undoubtedly helps add to his appeal for teams seeking help at receiver before the deadline. It should also up his trade value from the Saints’ point of view. As it stands, the 1-5 Saints have just five picks in next year’s draft. Dealing Olave would likely add to the total.
While Olave has already amassed 230 catches and 2,907 yards at the age of 25, there are red flags with the former Ohio State Buckeye. After combining for 159 receptions during back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons to begin his career, he missed nine games last year as a result of two concussions. Olave has come back this season to record team highs in catches (39) and targets (64) with quarterback Spencer Rattler at the helm, but he has averaged a personal-worst 8.8 yards per reception (down from a career 12.6).
The 11th player off the board in 2022, Olave has seen the 10th and 12th selections (also receivers) from that draft class sign extensions. After a wildly productive first three seasons, former Olave college teammate and current Jet Garrett Wilson inked a four-year, $130MM deal with $90MM guaranteed last July. Shortly before the season began, the Lions signed Jameson Williams to a three-year, $83MM pact with $67MM guaranteed.
If he lands an extension, Olave won’t come close to the mammoth Wilson contract. On the other hand, based on his superior career production, he at least has a case to approach Williams’ deal.
Williams played in 18 games in his first two seasons and caught just 25 passes. He missed four games in his second year a result of a gambling suspension. The former Alabama standout enjoyed a breakout 2024, grabbing 58 of 91 targets for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns. However, he did miss two games because of a PED suspension. Despite two suspensions, Williams secured a lucrative payday with only 83 receptions, 1,396 yards, and seven scores on his resume over 33 games.
Thanks largely to his off-field issues, the Lions took a risk in locking up Williams. Considering his recent problems with concussions, the Saints would be doing the same in Olave’s case. With Olave tied to his fifth-year option, general manager Mickey Loomis isn’t under any immediate pressure to either extend or trade the wideout. Nevertheless, Olave will remain a name to watch as the deadline draws closer.
Bengals Considered Long List Of QBs Before Joe Flacco Trade
After a Week 5 loss to the Lions, their third straight lopsided defeat under backup signal-caller Jake Browning, the Bengals aggressively began searching for a different Joe Burrow fill-in. Led by director of player personnel Duke Tobin, the Bengals put together an extensive list of potential upgrades over Browning, Albert Breer of SI.com details.
Before swinging a trade with the division-rival Browns for Joe Flacco, the Bengals considered Anthony Richardson (Colts); Kirk Cousins (Falcons); the Giants’ backup duo of Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston; the Rams’ Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett; Tanner McKee (Eagles); and Josh Johnson (Commanders). They joined the previously reported Derek Carr (Saints), Sam Howell (Eagles), Drew Lock (Seahawks), and Davis Mills (Texans) in Cincinnati’s exhaustive search.
The Bengals narrowed the list down to five before choosing Flacco as the best option, according to Breer. It’s unclear who joined the 40-year-old in the group of finalists or whether the Bengals even made calls on all of those QBs.
In the end, Flacco won out as a result of a few factors. Flacco is affordable ($1.26MM base salary) and only cost a fifth-round pick. The well-traveled Super Bowl XLVII MVP also has plenty of AFC North experience, and coordinator Dan Pitcher identified him as a clear fit based on similarities between Cincinnati’s offense and Cleveland’s in terms of “spacing the field and progressing pass concepts,” Breer writes.
Two weeks into what will be a short-lived run as the Bengals’ starter, Flacco has looked like a shrewd acquisition. The Bengals lost his first start to the Packers, but they bounced back with an upset over the division-rival Steelers on Thursday.
Flacco outdueled fellow 40-something Aaron Rodgers in Week 7, going 31 for 47 for 342 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-31 thriller. He made superstar wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase the focal point of the offense, targeting him on a jaw-dropping 23 throws and hitting him 16 times for 161 yards and a score. Chase has already hauled in 26 passes and two of Flacco’s five TDs as a Bengal. Flacco has yet to throw a pick with the team after tossing six in four games with the Browns.
The goal in acquiring Flacco was to hang around long enough to make a potential Burrow return worthwhile in 2025. Burrow, who underwent toe surgery on Sept. 19, is expected to miss at least three months. That means the Bengals will have to stay in the race into December under Flacco. At 3-4, they trail the division-leading Steelers (4-2) and sit in ninth place in the AFC. While the Bengals are still facing an uphill climb, Flacco has at least given them a more credible option than Browning under center.
Colts Place Charvarius Ward On IR
After he suffered a concussion in pregame warmups last week, the Colts will go without cornerback Charvarius Ward for the foreseeable future. The team has placed Ward on injured reserve, requiring him to sit out at least four games. With a bye after that stretch, Ward will be eligible to return in Week 12.
A former Chief and 49er, Ward joined the Colts on a three-year deal worth up to $60MM last March. Alarmingly, the 29-year-old has already dealt with two concussions in 2025. He returned quickly after missing a Week 2 win over the Broncos with a head injury, but that won’t be the case this time.
When healthy, Ward has started in all four appearances and tallied 13 tackles and three passes defensed. Pro Football Focus has been enamored of Ward’s play, ranking his early season performance second among 107 qualifying corners.
Ward’s injury is a major blow at corner, where the Colts are now dangerously thin behind Mekhi Blackmon and slot CB Kenny Moore.
While Moore is likely to return Sunday after missing three straight games with an Achilles injury, the Colts are still lacking at the position. Undrafted rookie Johnathan Edwards and the veteran duo of Chris Lammons and Cameron Mitchell have combined for just 199 defensive snaps this season. For now, they’re next in line as a result of Ward’s injury. They’re in for a significant challenge in Week 7 against Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
Along with Ward’s IR placement, the Colts announced the elevations of Mitchell and wide receiver Laquon Treadwell from the practice squad on Saturday. They also signed running back Ameer Abdullah from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Treadwell will serve as depth with receivers Josh Downs (concussion) and Ashton Dulin (chest) out on Sunday. Running back Tyler Goodson (knee) won’t play either, creating room for Abdullah behind starter Jonathan Taylor.
Chargers Activate Khalil Mack, Denzel Perryman From IR
The Chargers are getting back a couple of key defenders for a Week 7 showdown with the Colts. The team announced that it has activated outside linebacker Khalil Mack and linebacker Denzel Perryman from injured reserve.
The Chargers have gone without Mack since he dislocated his elbow in a Week 2 win over the Raiders. He’ll return after sitting out the minimum of four games. The injury was a rare late-career setback for the nine-time Pro Bowler, who missed just one game during his first three years as a Charger.
A few weeks after Mack went down, the Chargers acquired OLB Odafe Oweh from the Ravens. Mack will now team with him for the first time and rejoin Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree to form a strong group of pass rushers. Despite Mack’s absence, the Chargers are tied for sixth in the league in sacks (16).
Perryman has barely been a factor this year after suffering a high ankle sprain in the Chargers’ season-opening win against the Chiefs. The 32-year-old played just eight defensive snaps in that game. Perryman has dealt with a laundry list of injuries throughout his career and never played more than 15 games in a season. Fortunately for the Chargers, they have a capable fallback option in Troy Dye, who worked as a starter alongside Daiyan Henley during Perryman’s IR stint. Dye has racked up 42 tackles and a sack while logging a 72.4% snap share.
Along with welcoming back Mack and Perryman, the Chargers made a few other moves on Saturday. They waived OLB Caleb Murphy, signed long snapper Rick Lovato to the practice squad and elevated him for Week 7, and elevated running back Nyheim Miller-Hines from the P-squad.
Panthers Activate Jalen Coker, Austin Corbett From IR
The Panthers have activated wide receiver Jalen Coker and offensive lineman Austin Corbett from injured reserve, according to David Newton of ESPN.com. In other moves, the team placed outside linebacker Patrick Jones on IR and elevated OLB Boogie Basham from its practice squad in advance of Sunday’s game against the Jets.
Coker performed well as an undrafted rookie from Holy Cross last year, catching 32 passes for 478 yards (14.9 YPC) and two touchdowns in 11 games. A quad injury held him out of action for the Panthers’ first six games this season.
Had it not been for his injury, Coker would have started 2025 as the Panthers’ top slot option. The Panthers re-signed Hunter Renfrow to help cover for Coker’s loss. Renfrow has a modest 15 catches in six games, and while he has scored twice, the 29-year-old has averaged a meager 5.9 yards per catch. If Coker carries over last season’s performance, he should give quarterback Bryce Young a more explosive complement to No. 1 receiver and rookie standout Tetairoa McMillan.
Corbett, a fourth-year Panther, will return after suffering a left MCL sprain in a Week 2 loss to the Cardinals. Injuries have limited Corbett to 11 of a possible 40 regular-season games since 2023. While Corbett entered the season as Carolina’s starting center, Cade Mays filled in with aplomb during his absence. Mays, Pro Football Focus’ eighth-ranked center, is in the middle of a line that has helped clear the way for back-to-back 200-yard rushing performances.
The Panthers, who have won three of four to climb to .500, may elect to keep Mays as their starting center. Corbett, also an experienced guard, could start in place of LG Damien Lewis if a shoulder injury prevents him from playing Sunday, per Darin Gantt of the team’s website.
With Jones requiring season-ending back surgery, Basham will receive his second standard elevation of the season. A former Bill and Giant, Basham made his Panthers debut in a Week 4 loss to the Patriots, played 17 snaps (10 on defense, seven on special teams), and picked up two tackles.
Patriots Looking For Help At Cornerback
Surprisingly atop the AFC East at 4-2, the Patriots may buy before the Nov. 4 trade deadline. They’re looking for help at cornerback, Josina Anderson of The Exhibit reports.
After a second straight 4-13 finish, New England made it a point to upgrade at corner during a busy offseason. The Patriots signed former Buccaneer and Lion Carlton Davis to a three-year, $60MM contract in free agency. Davis has begun his Patriots tenure with six straight starts, and he easily leads their cornerbacks in snap share (92.4%).
The Patriots had to wait a little while to see Davis start alongside No. 1 corner Christian Gonzalez, who missed the first three weeks of the season with a hamstring injury. Since the 2024 second-team All-Pro debuted in Week 4, the Patriots have won three straight.
Along with Gonzalez and Davis on the outside, the Patriots boast a solid slot corner in Marcus Jones. The problem is that the team is lacking quality depth after that trio.
Having taken 144 defensive snaps this season, Alex Austin ranks in fourth in playing time among Pats CBs. However, on 12 targets this season, Austin has allowed 10 completions and a 143.7 passer rating. Pro Football Focus ranks Austin’s 2025 performance 104th among 107 qualifiers at his position. Aware of Austin’s struggles, head coach Mike Vrabel and his staff limited the defender to special teams duty in last week’s win over the Saints.
Charles Woods, a late-August waiver claim from the Rams, rounds out the Patriots’ CB group. Woods has totaled just 44 snaps this year, and a knee injury could keep him out of Sunday’s game against the Titans.
With the Patriots thin at corner, they rank 25th in the NFL in pass defense through six weeks. A significant injury to Gonzalez, Davis, or Jones could spell disaster for a team trying to end a three-year playoff drought and snap the Bills’ five-season run as division champions. While it’s not clear which corners the Patriots are pursuing, they’re in obvious need of improvement beyond their top three.