Steelers Work Out QBs Jason Bean, Tanner Mordecai Amid Aaron Rodgers Injury
With Aaron Rodgers dealing with a left wrist injury, the Steelers worked out veteran quarterbacks Jason Bean and Tanner Mordecai on Tuesday, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.
Pittsburgh currently has three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster and zero on their practice squad. Backup Mason Rudolph, and third-stringer Will Howard will both move up a spot on the depth chart for at least a week, leaving the Steelers without a third option should either of them get injured.
Bean, 26, signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Kansas in 2024. He did not make the 53-man roster, but stuck around on the practice squad for the entire season. He was waived during final roster cuts this year and did not draw practice squad interest from the Colts or any other team.
Mordecai is also a 26-year-old who entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie in 2024. Mordecai finished his college career at Wisconsin and signed with the 49ers last spring. He spent the season on San Francisco’s practice squad and was repeatedly cut and re-signed during training camp as the team balanced their other roster needs. He was waived due to injury a final time during roster cuts.
The Steelers did not sign Bean or Mordecai, though that could be coming in the next few days as they continue to assess Rodgers’ wrist. They could also work out other available quarterbacks later this week.
The Steelers also worked out wide receivers Cole Burgess, Elijah Cooks, and Cornell Powell on Tuesday, per Cardswire’s Howard Balzer.
WR Odell Beckham Jr. Reinstated From Suspension
The NFL reinstated wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. on Tuesday after he completed a six-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Beckham, 33, was suspended in October for a failed drug test from his time with the Dolphins last season. He said that he never knowingly took a performance enhancing substance, but accepted the league’s discipline without an appeal.
If Beckham was trying to illicitly boost his performance, it did not show up on the field. 2024 was a year of career-lows, starting with 120 snaps played and continuing through virtually every receiving category. In nine appearances with the Dolphins, he put up lower numbers than he did in four games in 2017 and seven games in 2020 before suffering season-ending injuries in both years.
Beckham did not have many opportunities in Miami, as four other Dolphins received at least 80 targets last season. But in 2023 with the Ravens, he drew the second-most targets on the team and put up 565 receiving yards, his most since 2019, to go along with a career-high 8.8 yards per target. Beckham may not be the high-volume, high-production wideout he once was, but he could still be an efficient part of an NFL receiving room with plenty of experience and veteran savvy.
Beckham said in August that he intends to play in 2025, but no reports of interest in the 10-year veteran have surfaced in recent months. He did mention a conversation with Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and Pittsburgh did not land a wide receiver at the trade deadline despite an apparent desire to do so.
Giants Place OL Evan Neal On IR
The Giants placed offensive lineman Evan Neal on injured reserve, per a team announcement, likely ending the former first-round pick’s season and time in New York.
Neal has not appeared in a game all year but popped up on this week’s injury report with a hamstring issue that kept him out of practice. He could be activated after his four-game stint on IR is up, but his lack of a game day role suggests that the Giants would rather use the roster spot on another player.
It is hard to see Neal, the No. 5 pick in the 2022 draft, as anything but a bust. He was named the Giants’ starting right tackle as a rookie and kept it for the whole season, though he missed a few games due to an MCL sprain. Neal was benched midway through his second year and did not make enough progress over the subsequent offseason to get his job back. Injuries along the Giants’ offensive line in 2024 pressed Neal back into duty at right tackle for the last seven games of the season.
The Giants turned down Neal’s fifth-year option in May and were hoping a change to guard could salvage the final year of his rookie contract. The position switch did not take, and Neal is now poised to hit free agency as a potential reclamation project for another team.
New York’s other Saturday roster moves including the promotion of kicker Younghoe Koo to the active roster from the practice squad. Graham Gano was placed on injured reserve (for a second time) earlier this week, so Koo will take over the team’s kicking duties for the next four games. He made all four of his kicks in Week 10, though they all came inside of 40 yards.
The Giants also elevated wide receiver Dalen Cambre and defensive lineman Elijah Chatman from the practice squad for Sunday’s matchup against the Packers. Cambre, an undrafted rookie out of Louisiana, will make his NFL debut, likely as a special teams contributor. He could see some time on offense with veteran wideout Darius Slayton ruled out. Chatman, meanwhile, will make his 2025 debut with Chauncey Golston and Rakeem Nunez-Roches both expected to be sidelined. Chatman made the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie last year and appeared in all 17 games with a 39% snap share, but he could not replicate the feat this season.
Cardinals Activate EDGE BJ Ojulari From PUP, Place LB Mack Wilson On IR
The Cardinals activated edge rusher BJ Ojulari from the reserve/physically unable to perform list and placed linebacker Mack Wilson on injured reserve, per team reporter Darren Urban.
Ojulari, a 2023 second-round pick, is coming off a major knee injury suffered during training camp last year. He tore his ACL, LCL, and lateral meniscus; during rehab, he also dealt with a subluxation of his kneecap that required another procedure in June, according to ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss.
The 23-year-old started the 2025 season on the PUP list and was designated to return on October 28. He has only been a limited participant in practice, which might not be enough to take the field for Sunday’s matchup with the 49ers. Even if Ojulari does play, he would likely have a limited workload. That still could be a boost to a Cardinals pass rush that ranks among the bottom 10 defenses in sacks and quarterback hits, especially with Baron Browning sidelined this week by a concussion.
Ojulari appeared in every game as a rookie with a 37% snap share and recorded 40 tackles, five tackles for loss, and four sacks. His 8.1 pass rush productivity and 13.4% pass rush win rate ranked fourth among rookie edge rushers (min. 100 snaps), per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Though the Cardinals defense is adding Ojulari, they will be losing a key player in Wilson. He signed with the team in 2024 on a three-year, $12.75MM deal and immediately took over as a starting linebacker. He put together a solid stat line during his debut season in Arizona – 75 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, and five passes defended – but was on pace to crush those numbers this year. Though he has yet to record a sack, he racked up 60 tackles, three tackles for loss, and six passes defended through the first eight games of the season.
Instead of putting up his best production since his rookie year in 2019, Wilson will be on the shelf for at least four games. He suffered a rib injury against the Cowboys and missed last week’s game against the Seahawks. His earliest return would come in Week 15 against the Texans. Until then, fourth-round rookie Cody Simon will start alongside six-year veteran Akeem Davis-Gaither in the middle of the Cardinals defense.
The Cardinals made a few other roster moves to prepare for Sunday’s game, including the promotion of linebacker Jared Bartlett from the practice squad to the active roster. The undrafted rookie was elevated last week for special teams duties and linebacker depth with Wilson sidelined; he should take up the same role against the 49ers.
Cornerback Darren Hall and tight end Pharaoh Brown were elevated from the practice squad. Hall will contribute on special teams and potentially in the secondary with cornerback Will Johnson and safety Dadrion Tayler-Demerson ruled out. Brown, a 31-year-old journeyman, will make his 2025 debut playing for his sixth NFL team, primarily as a run blocker with some run on special teams, too.
Dolphins GM Opening Drawing Interest Around NFL
The Dolphins were the first team to fire a general manager this offseason, and their vacancy is already drawing “lots of attention around the league,” according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
“It’s viewed as an exceptional front office opportunity by seasoned GMs,” Russini added.
There is one basic reason that the Dolphins’ job seems to appealing at the moment: it’s the only one available. The only other general manager clearly on the hot seat is the Giants’ Joe Schoen. He survived Brian Daboll‘s firing, indicating he might retain his job after the season. Even if he doesn’t, a decision is unlikely to come until the end of the season. Other than Schoen, there has been little talk of teams firing their general managers, though at least a few happen every year.
However, availability is not the only reason that executives around the NFL may be eyeing a move to Miami. The team has a few young cornerstones – wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, running back De’Von Achane, left tackle Patrick Paul, and edge rusher Chop Robinson – but otherwise, the roster needs a major facelift. That would be a significant opportunity for a new GM to completely reshape the team, and he would have plenty of draft capital right away. The Dolphins’ picks should be in the first half of the round in the 2026 draft, and they have two extra third-round picks to work with.
For all the concern about the Dolphins’ 2026 salary cap, the team will have far more financial flexibility in 2027 and beyond. They will likely move on from Tyreek Hill this offseason and can do the same with Tua Tagovailoa in 2027. While the 27-year-old may not be viewed as a franchise quarterback, he is still a serviceable starter that will not force an incoming GM to chase (and potentially overpay for) a new one right away.
The coaching situation is a little less certain. Mike McDaniel seems poised to keep his job, and his offensive acumen could be appealing to a new GM. If McDaniel is fired, either this offseason or sometime in the following year, then the new GM would get to handpick a head coach to work with moving forward.
Jets Considering QB Change?
Jets quarterback Justin Fields appeared headed for the bench when he was pulled at halftime of New York’s loss to the Panthers in Week 7.
Veteran backup Tyrod Taylor finished the game and was expected to start the following week, but those plans were interrupted by a knee injury. Fields started in Week 8 instead and put up one of his best performances of the year. He threw for 244 passing yards anHis 244 passing yards were his second-highest total of the season and the Jets’ 39 points were a season-high. Crucially, Fields did not throw an interception, fumble the football, or take a single sack.
In the two games since, Fields has completed just 21 of his 37 passing attempts (56.7%) for 170 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. He also took five sacks and fumbled once while adding 95 rushing yards on 18 carries. The Jets scored 27 points despite an especially rough game in Week 10, but they could only manage 14 points against the Patriots on Thursday.
Those struggles have led head coach Aaron Glenn to reconsider his starting quarterback selection. When asked about a potential change under center on Friday, he said that he was “evaluating everything.” Glenn also acknowledged that Fields’ recent performance was not up to NFL standards; the fifth-year quarterback essentially admitted the same, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
“Obviously, we have to do a better job in the passing game and that has a lot to do with Justin getting the ball to the right guys,” Glenn said.
Taylor is healthy now, so he would be the Jets’ starter if Fields is benched. Glenn described the decision as “really a short-term deal,” indicating that he is less concerned about the team’s long-term quarterback plans than with their success for the rest of the season.
“Whatever that the evaluation process come out to, just know that the reason why I make the decision that I make, it gives us the best chance to win,” Glenn added.
Broncos Considering IR For RB J.K. Dobbins
NOVEMBER 14: Dobbins is dealing with a “significant” injury that will sideline him for “the foreseeable future,” per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. He and the Broncos are still evaluating their options, but an IR placement seems more likely in the wake of the most recent news.
NOVEMBER 11: Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins suffered a foot injury in last Thursday’s win over the Raiders that could land him on injured reserve.
Denver is considering placing Dobbins on IR, per Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette, which would sidelined him for the next four games. The Broncos have a bye in Week 12, so Dobbins’ earliest return would come in Week 16.
Dobbins hurt his foot on a hip drop tackle by a Raiders defender, though the play was not flagged. He left the game with about 4:30 remaining in the third quarter with rookie RJ Harvey handling the remaining carries. Dobbins seems poised to miss some time, even if he does not land on IR, so Harvey could see a major uptick in work after producing a number of explosive plays in recent weeks. Depth running backs Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin should also see a few more opportunities with Dobbins sidelined.
This would be Dobbins’ fifth stint on injured reserve since entering the league as a Ravens second-round pick in 2020. He suffered a torn ACL before his second season, a knee injury the following year, and a torn Achilles at the beginning of the 2023 season. He signed with the Chargers during the 2024 offseason and suffered an MCL sprain in November that sidelined him until late December.
Dobbins has been hit with the ‘injury-prone’ tag since his time in Baltimore, and this latest injury will continue that perception. He expressed interest in an extension with the Broncos, but will likely need to prove he can stay healthy for him to receive a multi-year commitment in Denver or anywhere else.
Jets Place WR Garrett Wilson On IR
NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Aaron Glenn said on Friday (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini) he thinks Wilson will be able to return late in the season. A final call on that front has yet to be made, and it will no doubt be influenced by the team’s place in the standings come December. The progress of Wilson’s recovery will be key in determining whether or not he suits up again in 2025.
NOVEMBER 13: The Jets are placing star wide receiver Garrett Wilson on injured reserve, per a team announcement.
Wilson was diagnosed with a knee sprain after exiting Sunday’s victory over the Browns with a projected return timeline of three to four weeks. The Jets have elected to free up a roster spot by placing him on injured reserve, which will sideline him for the team’s next four games.
That will deprive Justin Fields of his best wideout for another handful of games. Unsurprisingly, the fifth-year quarterback has been significantly better when Wilson has been on the field. The Jets have gotten precious little out of their other pass-catchers this year; rookie tight end Mason Taylor leads the pack at 27.3 receiving yards per game, and none of his healthy teammate are over 25.0 YPG.
Wilson already missed a few weeks with an injury to the same knee, which has multiple implications.
First, it shows that the Jets cannot necessarily rely on one of their other receivers to step up. They had the opportunity during Wilson’s first absence and could not deliver.
Second, it may encourage the team to take a more cautious approach with Wilson’s return. He could come back in Week 14 at the earliest with four games remaining in the season. The Jets are already all-but-mathematically eliminated from the playoffs right now, and by the time Wilson is eligible to play, they will likely be mathematically eliminated, too. They may want to keep Wilson on the shelf for the rest of the season to ensure he does not suffer another, more severe injury that could impact 2026.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/13/25
Here are the latest minor moves from around the NFL…
Arizona Cardinals
- Practice window opened: OL Hayden Conner
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed from practice squad: OLB Khalid Kareem
- Placed on IR: LB DeAngelo Malone
Denver Broncos
- Signed off Giants’ practice squad: WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey (story)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed from practice squad: LB Branson Combs
New England Patriots
- Elevated: RB D’Ernest Johnson, LB Darius Harris
New York Giants
- Signed off Steelers’ practice squad: WR Isaiah Hodgins (story)
Conner, a sixth-round pick from Texas, has yet to debut as a rookie after suffering a knee injury in the preseason. The Cardinals placed Conner on IR with a return designation when they trimmed their roster to 53 players on Aug. 26. Now that Conner’s back at practice, the Cardinals will have 21 days to activate him.
Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson will miss Thursday’s game against the Jets with a toe injury, leading the Pats to elevate Johnson. He’ll work behind TreVeyon Henderson and Terrell Jennings, though the latter is playing through a knee issue. It’s the third and final standard elevation of the year for Johnson, meaning the Patriots will have to sign him to their active roster if they want to promote him again. The 29-year-old has totaled just 15 snaps (nine on special teams, six on offense) this season.
Connor Byrne contributed to this post.
Dolphins Received ‘Significant Interest’ In RB De’Von Achane
The Dolphins were expected to be sellers at the trade deadline, but they did not engage in an all-out fire sale like the Jets.
Instead, they dealt Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles for a third round pick and held onto Jaylen Waddle and Bradley Chubb. Miami also received “significant interest” in fourth-year RB De’Von Achane, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
“It seems the speedy 24-year-old generated as many phone calls as anyone, with Miami [setting] a second-round pick and more as the price,” Rapoport added.
That would be a costly move for a running back, but Achane has emerged as one of the league’s most versatile offensive weapons since he was drafted in 2023. The former second-round pick averaged 7.8 yards per carry as a rookie and expanded his receiving game significantly in 2024. He was a solid pass-catcher in college, but has emerged as a key cog in the Dolphins’ passing game over the last two years. Achane has put it all together in 2025, averaging 78.0 rushing yards and 32.5 receiving yards per game.
Ultimately, teams were not willing to pony up for Achane. One could argue that his production is partially due to his unique role in Mike McDaniel‘s scheme and may not completely transfer to a new offense. However, his 5.5 yards per carry behind a suspect Dolphins offensive line and receiving skillset would have value on any team.
Achane’s prominence in Miami’s offense is also a reason that the Dolphins would not want to move him. McDaniel seems poised to keep his job for the time being, but if he is retained for 2026, he will need to show improvement to stick around any longer. Achane is still under contract for another year and will be a crucial part of the team’s bounce-back effort next season. McDaniel blocked a trade that would have sent Calais Campbell to the Ravens last year and may have been similarly reluctant to part ways with Achane.
The Dolphins’ firing of general manager Chris Grier may have also been a factor in the team opting not to move Achane. The Dolphins seem headed towards a major overhaul, if not this offseason, then in the next two years. They still have the option to trade Achane this offseason – at which point he could have even more value if he continues his recent production – but a new general manager may see him as a long-term cornerstone and wish to extend him instead.