Chiefs LT Josh Simmons To Miss Week 8, Return In A Few Weeks
5:57pm: Simmons might not be the only lineman missing for the Chiefs on Monday night. Per Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star, starting right guard Trey Smith is considered “doubtful” to play as he deals with low back spasms. The injury took Smith out of last week’s blowout win over the Raiders, and third-year backup lineman Mike Caliendo filled in during Smith’s absence. If Smith’s likelihood of playing continues to trend in the wrong direction, Caliendo will be in line to make his first start of the year.
9:19am: Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons is expected to return in a few more weeks after missing two games due to a personal matter, according to ESPN’s Nate Taylor.
Simmons was a late addition to Kansas City’s injury report in Weeks 5 and 6. He did not play in the second matchup or the Chiefs’ next game against the Raiders. He was listed as questionable with an illness in Week 5, which is reportedly related to the situation he’s dealing with now. In the last two weeks, his absence has been explained with a non-injury-related/personal designation.
The Chiefs have a bye in Week 10, so Taylor’s report suggests that Simmons will not be back until Week 11 or later. That will keep former 49ers offensive tackle Jaylon Moore on the field for the foreseeable future. The five-year veteran has started in Simmons’ place for the past two games, which both featured Chiefs victories and at least 30 points.
Moore arrived in Kansas City on a two-year, $30MM deal this offseason as a potential starting left tackle. The Chiefs landed Simmons in the draft, and he quickly emerged as the starter, but Moore’s value as a reliable replacement has been apparent for the last two weeks.
2023 third-rounder Wanya Morris will now be the next man up in the Chiefs’ offensive tackle room. If Moore or right tackle Jawaan Taylor were to miss any time as the latter did for part of the team’s last game. Taylor has been dealing with knee and shoulder injuries, but he was a full participant in practice this week and should be good to go on Sunday.
Cowboys Place CB Trevon Diggs On IR With Concussion
OCTOBER 25: It turns out Dallas will be placing Diggs on IR, per Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS. The starting corner missed last week’s game with a concussion and will now miss at least four more before he’ll be able to return to the active roster. WFAA’s Ed Werder conveyed that “residual problems with (Diggs’) right knee” is what prompted the move to IR. Taking advantage of the absence already caused by the concussion, the Cowboys want Diggs to take the time to get healthy.
To supplement the secondary, the Cowboys have called up cornerback Corey Ballentine — signed a month ago — as a standard gameday practice squad elevation. The team’s other elevation will be running Malik Davis.
OCTOBER 24: Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs was ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Broncos due to a concussion suffered at home that sidelined him last week.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said on Friday afternoon (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota) that Diggs was still in concussion protocol and unlikely to play in Denver but added that talk of an injured reserve placement was premature. Schottenheimer also said that the team had more details about how the injury happened but added that it would be something for Diggs to address.
A few hours later, however, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said on 103.5 The Fan (via NFL Network’s Jane Slater) that Diggs would not play in Week 8. Jones then revealed that the team was looking into placing Diggs on IR, partially because he is also dealing with a knee injury, per All City DLLS’ Clarence Hill.
That would sideline the veteran cornerback for at least four games. Dallas’ Week 10 bye means that Diggs’ earliest return would come in Week 13 if he’s placed on IR before Sunday’s game. He would have plenty of time to clear concussion protocol and get his knee back to playing shape after undergoing surgery in the offseason.
The Cowboys may also benefit from clearing a roster spot. They opened three practice windows for players on injured lists this week and will need room on the 53-man roster in the next three weeks. Diggs might come back two weeks later, but having an extra roster spot for a month might be crucial for a Cowboys team that could still win the NFC East.
Rookie cornerback Trikweze Bridges will likely join Kaiir Elam and DaRon Bland in the starting lineup in Week 8 as he did in the Dallas’ last game. He would also be in line to take over the starting job until Diggs comes back.
Diggs’ continued injury woes are a primary reason that the Cowboys could move on from him in the offseason. He has no guaranteed money on his deal past 2025, per OverTheCap, with $56MM due over the next three seasons. Dallas has an expensive roster, and getting Diggs off the books would allow give them more flexibility to retool their roster next year.
Dolphins’ Jaelan Phillips More Valuable Than Bradley Chubb?
After a 1-6 start to the season, the Dolphins are expected to be sellers at this year’s trade deadline.
No position has a hotter market than edge rusher, and Miami has two that could be moved: Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb. Teams are interested in both players, and a recent report suggests that the team is more likely to deal them than wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. The Eagles are thought to be pursuing an edge rusher, and both Phillips and Chubb spent time under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, according to Zach Berman of The Athletic.
Phillips is believed to have more value, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The 2021 first-rounder was an ascending player before season-ending injuries in 2023 and 2024, and he appears to be back this season. He only has two sacks and two tackles for loss in seven games, but underlying metrics from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) indicate a stronger performance. Phillips leads the Dolphins with 22 pressures and a 18.2% pass rush win rate. The latter statistic, along with his 15.5% pressure rate, are the best marks of his career; his closest season was his breakout campaign in 2022.
Chubb has four sacks and five tackles for loss with a similar snap share to Phillips. His performance is a solid return after tearing his ACL in 2024 with a pace that is slightly behind his 11.0-sack, 11-TFL 2023. However, his 15 pressures and 10.5 pass rush win rate (via PFF) indicate a less consistent ability to get to the passer relative to his younger teammate.
Both players could have value to other teams in the long-term, too. Phillips could be an extension candidate for his new team, making him more valuable. However, he could could also net Miami a 2027 compensatory pick if he leaves in free agency next spring. The Dolphins are currently projected to be over the 2026 cap with only 34 players under contract, per OverTheCap, so they may not have enough space to offer Phillips a competitive extension. Given the difficult in predicting the compensatory pick distribution every year, Miami might want to get what they can right now.
Chubb, meanwhile, is due $39.5MM in 2026 and 2027 with no guarantees. If his production so far this year continues, he may be worth more to another team at that price than he is to the Dolphins with cap hits over $31MM in those years. If Miami is planning to part ways with him this offseason anyway, they may want to take advantage of his hot start and move him now rather than risk his value dropping in the offseason.
Despite the interest in their edge rushers, the Dolphins seem hesitant to engage in trade talks with general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel both uncertain of their job security, according FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano. Reports have generally indicated that both are safe, but the Dolphins’ losing ways could force a change eventually.
Either way, Miami should be considering trade offers for both Phillips and Chubbs. It’s unlikely that either can take their performance to a level that would change the team’s fortunes this season, and the Dolphins probably need more draft capital for cheap talent more than veteran edge rushers on expensive contracts.
Steelers Looking To Add WR To Maximize Success With Aaron Rodgers
The Steelers are interested in adding a wide receiver before the NFL’s trade deadline, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
This is nothing new for Pittsburgh, who are constantly mentioned in receiver trade rumors. They have been as active in the position’s market as any other team in the last year, acquiring Mike Williams before the 2024 deadline, landing D.K. Metcalf in a blockbuster move in March, and sending George Pickens to the Cowboys in May. Despite interest in adding another wideout before the season, the Steelers decided to see what their offense would look like with Aaron Rodgers under center.
The results so far have been encouraging. Pittsburgh is 4-2 with sole possession of first place in the AFC North. Behind them are the 3-4 Bengals, who are hoping that Joe Flacco can keep their offense afloat until a potential late-season return from Joe Burrow. The 2-5 Browns are reportedly targeting a top quarterback prospect in the 2025 draft, indicating they have no intention of competing this year. The Ravens are 1-5 and enter Week 8 desperately needing Lamar Jackson to return from his hamstring injury before their season slips completely away.
As a result, the Steelers have a clear opportunity to run away with the division and even compete for a top AFC playoff seed. That has created a desire to maximize the team’s chances of making a run while they have Rodgers, per The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo. Running back Jaylen Warren is averaging 36.8 receiving yards per game and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has deployed all three of his tight ends effectively, but the Steelers could use more consistent production from their receiver room.
Rodgers has established a good connection with Metcalf, but Pittsburgh’s other wideouts have not stepped up. Calvin Austin went quiet after a 70-yard performance in Week 1 and missed the last three games with a shoulder injury. 2024 third-rounder Roman Wilson has only five targets on 92 snaps despite hopes of a second-year breakout. Depth options Ben Skowronek and Scott Miller have not offered much, either.
Whether it’s adding a more reliable rotational piece or a legitimate WR2, the Steelers seem intent on adding a wide receiver in the coming weeks, according to FOX Sports’ Eric Williams. Unlike last year, the positions trade market isn’t particularly hot, which might mean that Pittsburgh has less competition to acquire a receiver, but also that there are fewer players for them to target.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/23/25
Here are the latest practice squad moves from around the NFL:
New York Giants
- Released: DB LaMareon James
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: OLB Trevis Gipson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Lance McCutcheon
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/23/25
Here are the latest minor transactions from around the NFL, including the Chargers practice squad elevations for Thursday Night Football.
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: RB Nyheim Hines, RB Jaret Patterson
New York Jets
- Waived: OT Esa Pole
Philadelphia Eagles
- Practice window opened: WR Darius Cooper
Chargers OT Joe Alt Returns In Week 8
After missing three games due to an ankle sprain, Chargers offensive tackle Joe Alt is officially active for the team’s Thursday night matchup with the Vikings.
After starting at right tackle as a rookie, Alt took over on the blind side this year after Rashawn Slater suffered a season-ending injury in training camp. He played left tackle at Notre Dame and translated seamlessly back into his former position in his first four games, allowing only three pressures and one sack, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
When the Chargers drafted Alt with the No. 5 pick in last year’s draft, they were counting on his ability to flip to right tackle right away. They were also preparing for a situation like Slater’s injury. General manager Joe Hortiz came up in the Ravens front office and saw firsthand how Ronnie Stanley‘s 2020 ankle injury altered their fortunes for years to come. So, with his first major move in charge in Los Angeles – and the franchise’s highest draft pick since Joey Bosa – he selected Alt. A little more than a year later, and the decision appears to be vindicated by Alt’s performance on the blind side.
Right tackle Trey Pipkins is also active for Thursday’s game after missing two weeks with an ankle injury. He stepped into the starting right tackle role after Slater’s injury this summer after primarily playing right guard in 2024. However, Bobby Hart still got the start against the Vikings, signaling that he may have the job moving forward.
Ravens Sign OLB Carl Lawson
The Ravens signed veteran edge rusher Carl Lawson on Thursday, per FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
The seven-year veteran will join Baltimore’s practice squad after a workout earlier this week, according to KPRC2’S Aaron Wilson. A shortage of outside linebacker depth could press Lawson into action right away, though he will have to get up to speed quickly after not signing with any team this offseason.
The Ravens currently have three healthy edge rushers on their active roster after trading Odafe Oweh to the Chargers and losing Tavius Robinson to a broken foot in Week 6. Robinson was placed on injured reserve and is not expected back until late November at the earliest. 2024 third-rounder Adisa Isaac started the year on IR and could return sooner than Robinson, but he barely played as a rookie and is still somewhat of an unknown quantity.
Lawson brings plenty of experience with 89 appearances and 34 starts in his career. The 2017 fourth-round pick logged 20.0 sacks for the Bengals in his first four seasons before signing a three-year deal with the Jets in 2021. A torn Achilles ended his season in training camp, but he came back strong in 2022, starting all 17 games with seven sacks and nine tackles for loss. Injuries hampered Lawson in 2023, but he rebounded again in 2024 with five sacks in a rotational role for the Cowboys.
The Ravens also waived tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden on Thursday, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, signaling that veteran fullback Patrick Ricard will be making his season debut on Sunday. Ricard missed the first six games with a nagging calf injury with Mitchell-Paden filling his role in the offense, but his absence has had a noticeable impact on the Ravens’ run game.
Saints CB Alontae Taylor Drawing Trade Interest
Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor is “on the radar of a few teams,” according to ESPN’s Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler, making him a surprise trade candidate two weeks before the deadline.
“The Saints don’t want to trade Taylor but would consider it if they receive a strong offer,” added Bowen and Fowler.
Recent comments from Saints general manager Mickey Loomis align with that reporting. He revealed on Tuesday that he had received inquiries regarding multiple players.
“We’ll look at each thing individually. We’ll discuss it.” Loomis said (via ESPN’s Katherine Terrell). “But I’m not in the business of trading away good players unless the deals are just too good to refuse.” He declined to comment on any specific players.
Taylor, 26, has been a starting cornerback for the Saints since he entered the league, logging 31 pass defenses in his first three years. The 2022 second-rounder has spent almost equal time in the slot and on the boundary, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He could be upgrade to a playoff hopeful in need of cornerback help, especially one that could use a nickel with some playmaking ability. The Colts, Raiders, and Patriots are among the teams with reported interest in adding a cornerback who could be in on Taylor.
The Saints’ cap situation will likely make it hard for them to retain Taylor after an explosion in the cornerback market this offseason. They could probably find a way to free up enough money to offer him a competitive deal with another round of seemingly endless restructures, but the team has invested in multiple young defensive backs in the last two drafts.
Furthermore, data from OverTheCap shows that the Saints have not spent heavily on the cornerback position under Loomis. In fact, Marshon Lattimore is the only homegrown corner the Saints have signed to a multi-year extension in Loomis’ tenure. They later traded Lattimore and also let Paulson Adebo walk in free agency this year.
A bigger consideration for the Saints might be Taylor’s value on the trade market relative to his value in free agency. The Saints’ financial issues may prevent them from making any aggressive moves in free agency, in which case their top departing free agents are more likely net them compensatory picks in the 2027 draft. The front office will have to weigh Taylor’s future earning potential and how that would factor into the compensatory formula against the offers they’re getting for a trade right now.
Colts Pursuing ‘Proven Defensive Playmaker’
The Colts are approaching the trade deadline with a “focus on adding a proven defensive playmaker,” per FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
Indianapolis currently stands alone as the only six-win team in the NFL on the back of a Daniel Jones-led offense that leads the league in points scored and ranks second in total yards. The unit has taken full advantage of some easier matchups with the Dolphins, Titans, Raiders, and Cardinals, but also put up more than 29 points and 400 yards against the Broncos in Week 2 and the Chargers in Week 7.
The Colts defense has performed well under new coordinator Lou Anarumo, giving up the eighth-fewest points and forcing at least one turnover in every game this season. However, they have also allowed the fourth-most passing yards in the league. That’s partially due to consistently leading their opponents, but their secondary was undermanned coming into the season and has struggled with injuries since it began.
Indianapolis’ cornerback room in particular has been decimated. Charvarius Ward, Jaylon Jones, and Mike Hilton all landed on injured reserve, not to mention Xavien Howard‘s abrupt retirement after four starts. Kenny Moore also missed time but came back in Week 7, and Jones returned to practice this week. At a minimum, the team needs depth at corner, and they could certainly use an upgrade.
The Colts have also been linked to edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, but the Bengals are not interested in trading him. Ballard could look elsewhere to supercharge a pass rush that has already been a solid unit this season to take pressure off the beleaguered secondary.