Commanders Expected To Start Jayden Daniels In Week 8
Jayden Daniels did not make it too far into the Commanders’ Week 7 game. Although the team routed the Panthers in that matchup behind backup Marcus Mariota, as Daniels’ effort to reenter the game proved unsuccessful, the resurgent NFC East team does not look ready to give its newfound franchise QB more time off.
While it is not yet certain Daniels suits up in Week 8 against the Bears despite his rib injury, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter notes all signs point to that taking place. Daniels missed two practices this week and only logged a limited session Friday.
It would be understandable for a Washington team — one that has certainly struggled to find a long-term quarterback over the past few decades — to be cautious with its dual-threat dynamo, but Daniels is trending toward returning. The Commanders initially viewed their prized prospect as suffering a minor injury, so it would not come as a shock if he returned without missing a start. Still, with Daniels’ skillset featuring extensive run-game work, it will be interesting to see if the Commanders show caution with their play-calling should he return today.
Daniels, who left the Carolina matchup in the first quarter, will be tested in pregame warmups. The odds appear on the side of him returning Mariota to the bench, which would be an interesting turn of events due to the 2023 Heisman winner’s play style and his status as the Commanders’ long-sought-after franchise quarterback.
The former LSU and Arizona State starter has made tremendous progress early in his NFL career. He enters Week 8 ranked behind only Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson in QBR. Daniels leads the NFL in completion percentage (75.6), buoyed by his 21-for-23 showing in Cincinnati, and has managed this connect rate while averaging 8.4 yards per attempt. Washington has seen a few first-round QB investments (Jason Campbell, Robert Griffin III, Dwayne Haskins) fail to pan out over the past 20 years, but Daniels has the look of a player who could become the team’s longest-tenured QB1 since at least Joe Theismann.
Mariota resides as decent Daniels insurance, however, having completed 18 of 23 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns against Carolina on Sunday. Washington’s other Heisman-winning passer has not made a start since the 2022 season with the Falcons, one that ended with a Mariota knee surgery and a strange departure from the team upon being benched for Desmond Ridder. The Commanders gave Mariota, the Eagles’ 2023 backup, a one-year deal worth $6MM in March.
Daniels, 24, returning would mean a faceoff against No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. This development would certainly please CBS execs, as the NFL moved the game to the late-afternoon window recently. The Commanders lead the NFC East at 5-2 and are seeking their first division title since 2020.
Tua Tagovailoa Clears Concussion Protocol, To Start In Week 8
OCTOBER 26: The Dolphins have officially made the move to activate Tagovailoa from IR. After clearing concussion protocol, the oft-injured quarterback will attempt to prove the doubters wrong by trying to show that he was right not to retire.
In a corresponding move, Miami made room for Tagovailoa on the 53-man roster by releasing veteran backup Tim Boyle. Additionally, the team made the announcement that defensive tackle Neil Farrell and long snapper Matt Overton would serve as the Dolphins’ standard gameday practice squad elevations tomorrow.
OCTOBER 25: Tua Tagovailoa‘s anticipated Week 8 return is a go. The Dolphins quarterback has cleared concussion protocol and will start against the Cardinals on Sunday, NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe tweets. Mike McDaniel confirmed the clearance.
Miami will activate Tagovailoa from IR before Saturday afternoon’s deadline. While the QB’s concussion history will continue to generate scrutiny, Tua did not consider retirement after his latest head injury — sustained back in Week 2.
Consulting doctors across the country, Tagovailoa received good news regarding his NFL future. None of the doctors recommended he retire, McDaniel said. That said, ESPN.com’s Marcel Louis-Jacques and the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson note the high bar for doctors to recommend retirement. Two neurologists informed Jackson a future Tagovailoa concussion should prompt a lengthy absence.
In accordance with the NFL’s protocol, an independent neurologist cleared Tagovailoa after Miami’s Thursday practice. Tua will be back after missing the minimum four games, though even that absence qualified as notable since teams generally do not place players on IR because of concussions.
Tagovailoa, 26, is a special case due to his high profile and injury past. Tua sustained two confirmed concussions in 2022 and most likely suffered three, with a Week 3 injury that season leading to the NFL revamping its concussion protocol. The Miami QB returned to action in that Bills matchup but suffered a concussion against the Bengals four days later. That led to a two-game absence. When Tua was concussed again during a Christmas Day game, he missed the rest of the Dolphins’ season. Despite the left-handed passer returning in 2023 and not missing any time, his latest head injury has naturally brought tremendous concern about his future.
The Dolphins gave their top quarterback a four-year, $212.4MM extension in July. This did not check in as a top-market deal, but it landed in the upper reaches of QB money. This came after a report surfaced indicating the Dolphins were not prepared to go into the Jared Goff–Trevor Lawrence range for Tua. His Week 2 scramble that led to a concussion brought calls for retirement, but with the fifth-year player now cleared, retirement would deny him access to the bulk of the mega-deal he recently signed.
In terms of the Dolphins’ 2024 prospects, this is massive news. After finishing second in scoring last season, McDaniel’s offense has plummeted to 32nd. The team has started both Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley, with neither playing well, and Tim Boyle — who failed to stick with the Texans in training camp after the Jets had released him in-season last year — saw action as well. These QBs restrained Miami’s speed armada on offense, as the team slunk to 2-4.
The Dolphins will need to heat up in a hurry to have a realistic chance of returning to the playoffs for a third straight season, but Tagovailoa will provide a fighting chance. He will not use a Guardian Cap upon returning, and how Miami goes about protecting its centerpiece player will be a key storyline to monitor as he returns to action.
Sean McVay: Rams Not Expecting To Trade Cooper Kupp
10:00pm: McVay confirmed on Friday (via Rodrigue) he and the Rams expect Kupp to remain in place past the deadline. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero added during a Rich Eisen Show appearance that while talks have taken place regarding a trade, no such conversations have reached the level where a deal has appeared imminent (video link). Especially with Los Angeles back in the thick of the NFC West race, it would take a notable turn of events for Kupp to find himself on the move.
9:17am: Since reports of a potential Cooper Kupp trade began surfacing, the Rams have won two games and are now one game out of the NFC West lead. As such, they are less likely to be sellers.
The team saw Kupp and Puka Nacua‘s return to action make a considerable difference against the Vikings on Thursday night. The duo combined for 12 receptions, 157 yards and a touchdown in Week 8. Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes, providing a ray of hope during an injury-plagued Los Angeles season.
Days after a report suggested the Rams were calling teams on Kupp, Sean McVay did not sound too eager to break up this WR duo. The eighth-year Rams HC said postgame he expects Kupp to stay with the team, though McVay did confirm (via The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue) teams have called. Kupp, 31, remains signed through the 2026 season — on the three-year, $80.1MM deal he signed months after his Super Bowl LVI MVP effort — and has an injury history that would stand to give teams pause about taking on that contract.
Kupp is also due a $5MM guarantee in 2025. While the Rams have been willing to take on some of the former All-Pro’s remaining 2024 salary — roughly $8MM — an acquiring team would be responsible for that $5MM payment next year. Kupp is tied to base salaries of $12.5MM and $14.85MM — the latter amount nonguaranteed — in 2025 and ’26. The two future salaries would be less of a deterrent than Kupp’s 2024 money and the fact he has missed 17 games since Super Bowl LVI.
The Rams have also informed teams they would want a trade haul that surpasses where the Jets went for Davante Adams. New York agreed to take on all of Adams’ remaining 2024 salary and sent Las Vegas a conditional third-round pick. The Chiefs discussed Kupp with the Rams before agreeing to acquire DeAndre Hopkins from the Titans. Given the Rams’ form with Kupp and Nacua back in the fold, trading the older member of the tandem for a modest return would be a tough sell. Though, keeping Kupp will also bring risk due to his struggles staying healthy.
Thursday’s win also came with the Rams missing two offensive line starters. They will almost certainly not pull the trigger on a seller’s trade until after their Week 9 Seahawks matchup, as the prospect looms of Steve Avila and free agency addition Jonah Jackson returning. Both are eligible to be activated from IR.
Trade Rumors: 49ers, Wilson, Packers, Jags
Although the Chiefs have been hit hard by wide receiver injuries, they have managed to draw some opponents in the same boat. Between a Bengals matchup sans Tee Higgins and an upcoming Buccaneers tilt without Chris Godwin and, in all likelihood, Mike Evans, Kansas City faced a 49ers team down all of its starters by halftime. Brandon Aiyuk is now out for the season with an ACL tear, and Jauan Jennings has not practiced this week — due to a hip injury — after missing Week 7. Deebo Samuel needed to be hospitalized due to pneumonia, but the veteran wideout returned to practice Thursday and may be on track to suit up against the Cowboys.
Samuel’s status is now vital to the 49ers, who gave Aiyuk a $30MM-per-year extension only to see him join Samuel in struggling in the season following a new deal. The 49ers also have first-round pick Ricky Pearsall back in action weeks after he was wounded in a robbery attempt. Despite all this, The Athletic’s Matt Barrows does not expect the defending NFC champions to add a WR piece at the trade deadline.
Kendrick Bourne, whom the 49ers discussed with the Patriots during the summer Aiyuk trade drama, said he is not eager to return to his original team; Bourne instead prefers to stay in New England. It remains to be seen if the 49ers will shop for some help, but if they are to add (as they usually do at deadlines, as the past Chase Young, Charles Omenihu, Emmanuel Sanders and Jimmy Garoppolo moves show), Barrows expects the move to come elsewhere.
Here is the latest from the trade market:
- San Francisco made it this far without adding a running back to cover for Christian McCaffrey‘s nagging Achilles injury, as the reigning Offensive Player of the Year has a decent chance to return in Week 10 after the team’s bye. Two of the 49ers’ former RBs would have been a good fit, as the Dolphins roster Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson. Of the duo, ESPN.com’s Marcel Louis-Jacques notes Wilson is the more likely trade chip. Wilson re-signed with the Dolphins, on a two-year deal that features a veteran-minimum 2024 base salary ($1.13MM), but saw the team trade up for Jaylen Wright in April. The fourth-round rookie joins 2023 third-rounder De’Von Achane on Miami’s roster. The Dolphins have not used Wilson much this season, giving him eight carries. Wilson (29 next month) has an 860-yard season on his resume, during a 2022 season in which he was traded from San Francisco to Miami, and would make for an interesting addition by one of the several teams using a 49ers-like scheme.
- The Packers are certainly not in position to sell, but teams have shown interest in both Preston Smith and Andre Dillard, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. Smith, 31, has started every game for Green Bay this season. Although his snap rate sits at 56% — which would be a Packers-years low for the veteran edge rusher — it would surprise if the team entertained such a move in-season, even with 2023 first-rounder Lukas Van Ness at this position. Dillard, conversely, has not played an offensive snap. The former Eagles first-rounder has drawn deadline interest in the past, and with Jordan Morgan in reserve, it would be interesting if the Packers discussed trading the veteran.
- Following the Roy Robertson-Harris trade with the Seahawks, Doug Pederson said he did not expect the Jaguars to make any additional deals. Though, teams will be calling due to the Jags’ poor start. That said, ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco notes Jacksonville — despite the potential for a new regime taking over in 2025 — does not view this as a rebuild-like situation, so a deadline sell-off should not be expected.
Texans Add LB Devin White
OCTOBER 25: As expected, White’s deal will check in well south of where he was in Philly. He will join the Texans on a one-year, $1.13MM contract that will bring a $688K cap hit to Houston’s payroll, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Due to offset language, this will bring some minor cap relief to the Eagles.
OCTOBER 23: Devin White has made a second free agency decision this year. After his Eagles commitment led to a release, the former top-five pick is headed south. The Texans signed White on Wednesday morning.
The former Super Bowl starter will join a defense that added a few new pieces this offseason, though DeMeco Ryans‘ club is taking what amounts to a flier at this point. White washed out of Philadelphia quickly and will hope to reestablish some value he has lost over the past two seasons.
Tampa Bay’s former Lavonte David ILB sidekick has seen his value nosedive over the past two years. Having developed a habit of freelancing in Tampa, White further alienated the Bucs by asking for a trade in 2023. The LSU alum sought a top-five off-ball linebacker contract. The Bucs, who became the rare team in the fully guaranteed fifth-year option era to exercise an off-ball LB’s option, did not give in and kept White in 2023. But he lost playing time down the stretch last season. That proved to be telling for White’s 2024 path.
White was unable to beat out Nakobe Dean in Philly, and new Eagles DC Vic Fangio did not play him at all this season. The Eagles cut White earlier this month. That release came more than two weeks ago, but White — as could be expected, given his experience and draft pedigree — secured a third chance. This Texans deal will be pivotal for his NFL future, however, as his career is trending in the wrong direction.
The Eagles gave White a one-year, $4MM deal; that contract came with $3.5MM guaranteed. It should be expected this Texans pact is closer to the veteran minimum. This pact will help offset that $3.5MM guarantee for the Eagles, while the 26-year-old defender will have a chance to contribute to an AFC contender.
For the accusations of playing out of scheme, White has proven a strong blitzer as a pro. He racked up nine sacks in 2020, earning second-team All-Pro acclaim, and combined for nine more from 2021-22. For his career, the former No. 5 overall pick has 23 sacks. White added a Pro Bowl nod in 2021. White racked up 14o, 128 and 124 tackles from 2020-22, garnering a strong reputation while still seeing pushback from the advanced metrics community.
Among off-ball linebackers from 2019-23, only White and Demario Davis recorded more than 20 sacks in that span. For all this, however, Pro Football Focus never wavered on its stance White was among the more overrated players in the NFL. PFF consistently rated White among the worst off-ball LBs in the game. The Texans do have a high-end athlete to work with, but it would not surprise to see Ryans and Co. wait a bit before deploying the 75-game starter.
A dispute about a White foot injury opened the door for K.J. Britt to receive playing time late last season, and White — who later accused the Bucs of turning on him after his trade request — lost playing time to the former fifth-round pick down the stretch. This included a demotion in the playoffs. Britt now works as a Bucs starter.
The Texans signed ex-Ryans 49ers pupil Azeez Al-Shaair this offseason but have seen both he and recent starter Christian Harris battle injuries. The latter has not debuted yet this season. Al-Shaair missed Houston’s Week 7 game with a knee issue. This creates an immediate need, though Al-Shaair is not on IR. The Texans, who moved on from both Blake Cashman and Denzel Perryman this offseason, will kick the tires on White to see if he can provide some help.
Rams Mandating Cooper Kupp’s Trade Price Exceed Davante Adams’
A report indicating the Rams are making calls to teams on Cooper Kupp may have been overstating how interested the NFC West franchise is in moving its top Los Angeles 2.0-era wide receiver. Kupp’s name remains in trade rumors, but the Rams may have a price floor.
Tuesday’s report pointed to the Rams targeting a second-round pick to the point they would be willing to pay some of Kupp’s salary to secure such a return. Thursday, SI.com’s Albert Breer said (during a Rich Eisen Show appearance) teams are calling the Rams on Kupp. In order to move the former All-Pro and Super Bowl MVP, Breer adds the Rams want a return that outflanks what the Raiders received for Davante Adams.
The teams still hunting for WR help have undoubtedly noticed the Rams’ early-season struggles, leading to inquiries about Kupp. We heard before the Rams’ win over the Raiders that Kupp had drawn trade interest, but as the receiver prepares to return tonight along with Puka Nacua, his current team is probably not committed to selling just yet. The Rams travel to Seattle following their Vikings matchup; their next two results could determine how willing they are to sell.
It cost the Jets a conditional third-round pick to acquire Adams from the Raiders. Las Vegas could have upped that, in all likelihood, had a mandate not been in place for an acquiring team to pick up all of Adams’ prorated 2024 base salary. The Jets did so and agreed on terms that would send a second-rounder to the Raiders if certain conditions are met. Adams is unlikely to satisfy the conditions, as he would need to earn first- or second-team All-Pro acclaim (in a season that has already featured three missed games) or he would need to suit up for an AFC championship game.
If the Rams enter serious Kupp trade talks, they would probably need to pay a sizable portion of his base salary to net a second-rounder. Just less than $9MM remains on Kupp’s 2024 base salary. Though, he is due $5MM in 2025 guarantees, presenting another complication here. The Rams have Kupp signed through 2026 via the three-year, $80.1MM extension agreed to months after his triple-crown season concluded. As they could regroup and hope the 31-year-old target can stay healthy. If they are to move on now, Breer notes teams have been informed the price will need to be higher than Adams’.
While Adams has never matched Kupp’s dominance from 2021, the former Packers and Raiders standout has been far more consistent. Kupp has put together just two 1,000-yard seasons, with injuries consistently interfering. Kupp has an ACL tear (2018) on his medical sheet, and he underwent tightrope surgery to repair an injured ankle in 2022. Kupp saw a hamstring specialist due to a nagging issue that delayed his 2023 debut and has only played in two games due to an ankle malady this season. This health history, even with the Rams taking on plenty of base salary, will give teams pause on Kupp as a hired gun.
Responsible for the second-best receiving yardage season in NFL history, Kupp added 478 yards and six touchdowns in the 2021 playoffs. Only Larry Fitzgerald (2008) has bettered that yardage figure in a single postseason, with Kupp passing Hakeem Nicks‘ strong 2011 work. Kupp’s dominance that year has increased his standing in L.A., with Breer posits the optics of giving up Kupp for a third- or fourth-round return may factor into this Rams equation.
It will be interesting to see if the Rams drop their price or if this truly is a “take it or leave it” situation for a player who was part of Sean McVay‘s first draft class. The Chiefs discussed Kupp with the Rams before adding DeAndre Hopkins for a conditional fifth. The Rams have an extra week to determine their sales path, with this year’s deadline being moved to Nov. 5.
Broncos WR Josh Reynolds Wounded In Shooting
Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds sustained multiple gunshot wounds, Janet Oravitz of 9News reports, during an incident that occurred last week outside a strip club.
Reynolds sustained wounds on the back of his head and in his left arm, according to court documents, in a shooting that took place the morning of October 18. Reynolds and one other man were wounded in the shooting, Oravetz reports. The shooting happened hours after the Broncos’ win over the Saints; on IR, Reynolds did not travel to New Orleans with the team for that game.
The Broncos signed Reynolds to a two-year, $9MM deal this offseason. He is currently on IR with a finger injury. The team placed the veteran wideout on IR nearly a week before the shooting. That injury obviously becomes a secondary concern for the team in light of this incident.
This is obviously a concerning situation for Reynolds and the Broncos. The team, however, released a statement (via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson) indicating Reynolds is OK and has received treatment for minor injuries. The free agency addition has watched Broncos practices from the sideline this week, 9News’ Mike Klis adds.
Reynolds, 29, joined two others in leaving the club shortly before 3am on October 18. Two drivers followed Reynolds and the men he was with, and the gunshots took place soon after. The victims said, according to court documents, no conflict developed inside the club. The car Reynolds was traveling in became undrivable once it moved onto the highway, and the men inside fled. Reynolds and the two men with him also sustained injuries from climbing over a fence in an attempt to evade the shooters, Oravetz adds.
Police arrested two men Wednesday in connection with the crime. Security footage from the club, Shotgun Willies, showed one of the men arrested observing the victims inside the club and was then seen following them in a vehicle.
After trading Jerry Jeudy to the Browns, the Broncos reached an agreement with Reynolds, who had played out his Lions contract. Joining the Lions in 2021, Reynolds became a key target for Jared Goff, with whom he had also played on the Rams. The 6-foot-3 wideout caught 40 passes for 608 yards last season. As Detroit aimed to increase Jameson Williams‘ role, its offer to Reynolds did not match Denver’s.
Denver used Reynolds as a complementary target during Bo Nix‘s first month at the helm. Before landing on IR, Reynolds had caught 12 passes for 183 yards and one touchdown. Denver has Reynolds and Courtland Sutton as the biggest names in a receiving group that features three players (Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, Devaughn Vele) drafted in the past two years. Reynolds started one game before going on IR.
Patriots’ Kendrick Bourne Not Eyeing Trade Back To 49ers
Trade rumors have followed Kendrick Bourne for much of his Patriots tenure. Despite having re-signed with the team on a three-year deal in March, his name circulated in potential trades this summer and again recently.
The 49ers discussed Bourne with the Patriots this offseason, as the defending NFC champions would have wanted him to come back if Brandon Aiyuk had wanted to be traded to New England. He did not, despite the Pats submitting the top per-year offer. As for Bourne, he does not want to be traded back to his original team.
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“This is where I want to be. I see myself being a strong footprint for this change, and a foundation of where this place is going, because I helped the Niners in their foundation get to where they are,” Bourne said, via the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed. “And I want to do it here. I just kind of ignore it, but I hear it, but this is where — I want to do it here, you know what I’m saying? I want to, because when it starts popping, it’s going to be popping, and so I want to be a part of it.
“Because San Fran, they popping, and I see it from a distance. But now that’s not my calling. My calling is to be here and help these guys here in this organization here.
One of the 2021 additions brought in during Bill Belichick‘s uncharacteristic free agency splurge, Bourne has impressed at points in New England. The former 49ers role player finished with a career-high 800 receiving yards in 2021, helping the team to the playoffs in Josh McDaniels‘ final OC season. As the Pats’ offense cratered during the odd Matt Patricia play-calling season, Bourne was made available as he fell into Belichick’s doghouse. Re-emerging last season, Bourne was leading Patriots pass catchers with 406 yards and four touchdowns in eight games before suffering an ACL tear. But the team still prioritized him during an offseason that featured numerous re-signings and extensions.
Bourne, who began this season on the reserve/PUP list, is now 29. Although he re-signed on a three-year deal worth $19.5MM, only $5.5MM is guaranteed. An acquiring team would have Bourne on a flexible contract, and with the Pats rebuilding, it would make sense if the eighth-year veteran was interested in being dealt. As of now, he is not eager to move. Bourne is a bit out of place on this Pats roster, as the rest of the team’s receiving corps consists of players drafted from 2022-24. (K.J. Osborn was also acquired during Eliot Wolf‘s first offseason in charge.) But Bourne, who has just four catches for 29 yards in three games this season, told Kyed he is willing to be a mentor in New England.
The 49ers saw their receiver operation crumble against the Chiefs. Deebo Samuel needed to be hospitalized with pneumonia, and Aiyuk suffered an ACL tear. Jauan Jennings missed the game and has not returned to practice this week, and Ricky Pearsall was making his debut weeks after being shot in a robbery attempt. Considering Bourne’s four seasons in Kyle Shanahan‘s system and the NFC West team’s interest in reacquiring him this summer, an emergency return would be logical.
Losers of six straight, the Patriots will have until Nov. 5 to decide on moving Bourne and their other trade candidates.
Panthers Not Expected To Move Chuba Hubbard; Latest On Team’s Trade Plans
While little has gone right for this season’s Panthers, they have seen their starting running back deliver. Chuba Hubbard is on pace for his first 1,000-yard season, and the effort is set to finish in Charlotte.
As the Panthers prepare for Jonathon Brooks‘ debut, that is not expected to influence their plans with Hubbard. Carolina is not expected to trade the contract-year running back, ESPN.com’s David Newton notes. Hubbard ranks fifth in the NFL in rushing yardage (537), averaging 5.2 per tote. He has impressed since taking over for Miles Sanders last season. Sanders is indeed a trade candidate.
This offseason brought some notable running back paydays, bringing optimism compared to a bleak 2023 at the position. Hubbard, 25, would stand to benefit after showing good form on bad teams. The Panthers made changes along their offensive line, paying up for guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, and Hubbard has benefited. Hubbard did gain 902 yards last season, when he started 12 games despite Sanders fetching the top RB contract on the 2023 market, but averaged 3.8 per carry. Next Gen Stats did slot Hubbard in the top 20 in terms of rushing yards over expected, however.
The Panthers prioritized upgrades in the run game this offseason, showing it by trading up to No. 46 for Brooks. The Texas product, this year’s first RB drafted, needing an extended runway to return after a November 2023 ACL tear worked to Hubbard’s advantage. Among first-time free agents, Hubbard will join Najee Harris, Javonte Williams and Khalil Herbert on next year’s market. Veterans will be available as well, but the Oklahoma State alum should still generate interest.
As Hubbard is set to work in tandem with Brooks soon, the Panthers are likely ready to part with some veterans. In addition to Sanders, the Panthers are likely open to moving Jonathan Mingo, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler adds. The 2023 second-round pick has not justified his draft slot, and a new Panthers regime (though, Dan Morgan was assistant GM when Mingo was drafted) added Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette this offseason.
Despite making five starts and Andy Dalton boosting the passing game after Bryce Young‘s benching, Mingo has just 12 receptions for 121 yards. The Panthers have seen Johnson generate interest, but the ex-Steeler said (via Newton) he does not want to be dealt.
Dave Canales also said he does not envision a Johnson trade commencing, though a good offer for the shifty route runner could obviously change the organization’s plans. Morgan and Co. will need to weigh offers against what level of compensatory pick Johnson could generate. A comp pick would not arrive until 2026, and the Panthers could look to re-sign Johnson before he hits free agency. Extension talks are not believed to have started, however.
Teams asked about Young following his September benching, but the Panthers shot down those inquiries. Still, rumblings in the wake of the benching pointed to the team being ready to move on from the No. 1 overall pick in 2025. If Young is not in Carolina’s post-2024 plans, and ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes he still does not appear to be, the team could look to explore a move now.
Dalton’s thumb sprain sustained in a car accident — which is set to throw Young back into the lineup — could throw a wrench into such plans, but given where the Panthers are in their rebuild, short-term matters would not stand to interfere with bigger-picture goals. Still, it would represent a historically quick ending for a No. 1 pick if Carolina were to move Young before the Nov. 5 deadline.
Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson To Debut In Week 9
T.J. Hockenson will watch his teammates attempt to bring the Vikings’ record to 6-1 tonight, but he will be part of the effort against the Colts next weekend.
The Vikings will see Hockenson’s PUP-return window close Friday, and they will activate him. Hockenson will make his debut in Week 9, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero notes. Hockenson underwent ACL surgery in late January, nearly a month after his injury, and has long been projected to make his debut around the midseason point.
Week 8 was a close call for the Vikings, as Hockenson has not suffered any setbacks on his road back. The high-priced tight end will be a significant addition to Sam Darnold‘s pass-catching crew. Darnold cited Minnesota’s supporting cast as a key reason he chose the Twin Cities — as interest came in from the Broncos and Commanders — and Hockenson will round out the Vikes’ skill-position corps.
Minnesota managed to start 5-0, beating both Houston and Green Bay en route to that point, despite Hockenson recovering from an injury sustained in Week 16 of last season. Much has changed for the Vikings since Hockenson went down, as his injury came weeks after Kirk Cousins‘ Achilles tear led to a scenario in which the Vikings started four quarterbacks. Nevertheless, Hockenson totaled career-best numbers (95 catches, 960 yards) despite missing the Vikings’ final two games.
The Vikes gave Hockenson a four -year, $66MM deal — one that checks in second in tight end AAV — just before last season, and he delivered on the contract. This season, the Vikings have used a combination of Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver this season, but tight ends — Oliver’s opening-drive TD tonight notwithstanding — have not been used often in Minnesota’s passing game. Neither player entered tonight with more than 100 yards this season.
Hockenson spent much of last season putting up numbers without Justin Jefferson, but the team has its top two receivers (Jefferson, Jordan Addison) and running back Aaron Jones healthy in Week 8. For its Sunday-night outing against Indianapolis, Minnesota’s arsenal will be fully equipped.