Commanders Listening On OLs Nick Allegretti, Andrew Wylie
The Commanders dropped to 3-6 after a one-sided Sunday-night loss, and they are facing an extended period — perhaps the rest of the season — without star quarterback Jayden Daniels. Suddenly, seller’s trades are logical for the 2024 NFC runner-up.
Washington also is well stocked at a position teams frequently covet at the trade deadline, rostering three backup O-linemen with notable starting experience. While 2024 third-round pick Brandon Coleman is not likely to be moved in a trade, veteran insider Jordan Schultz notes the Commanders are listening on Andrew Wylie and Nick Allegretti.
Allegretti lost his starting two games into the season, with Wylie entering the lineup in Week 3. The Commanders drafted Josh Conerly Jr. in Round 1, stationing him at right tackle, and initially had Wylie playing in place of Sam Cosmi at right guard. Wylie ceded the RG gig to the high-priced starter in Week 7 and has worked as a backup since.
Wylie followed Eric Bieniemy over from Kansas City in 2023, while Allegretti came a year later — despite the longtime Chiefs assistant being a Commanders one-and-done — in free agency. Both players likely do not factor into Washington’s post-2025 plans, and neither figure to be too pricey to acquire before Tuesday’s 3pm CT deadline. Barely $1MM remains on Wylie’s 2025 salary, a figure the Commanders reduced via an offseason pay cut, while Allegretti is due less than $1MM the rest of the way.
While Allegretti functioned as a Chiefs guard backup prior to his three-year, $16MM Commanders deal in 2024, Wylie has played extensively at both guard and tackle. The 31-year-old blocker operated as a Chiefs guard starter from 2018-20 and then primarily played tackle from 2021-22. The Chiefs kept Wylie at tackle despite a poor showing in Super Bowl LV, where he needed to kick outside due to starter injuries, and he parlayed a gig as the Super Bowl LVII-winning squad’s RT into a three-year, $24MM Washington pact.
These two reside as reside as interesting pieces heading into the deadline crunch, as both could be on the move. The Commanders have been using 2022 seventh-round pick Chris Paul as their left guard starter. With Paul in a contract year, Coleman could land another opportunity in the not-too-distant future. But neither Allegretti (17 2024 starts at LG) nor Wylie are likely coming back. That makes them clear targets to monitor for OL-needy teams this week.
Raiders Inquired On Giants G Evan Neal
The Raiders’ Alex Leatherwood first-round pick became emblematic of a regime that struggled in the draft. Leatherwood was off the roster after one season, being waived in 2022. He never started another game following his 2021 rookie season.
A year after the Raiders missed on Leatherwood, the Giants missed on one of his college teammates. Chosen seventh overall in 2022, Evan Neal struggled at right tackle and has not seen the field after a conversion to guard this year. The Giants are believed to be ready to move on, and Neal is as well. The current Raiders regime has expressed a degree of interest.
Las Vegas discussed Neal with New York earlier this month, according to The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson. While these talks are classified as exploratory in nature, it is interesting to hear the Raiders were interested in the contract-year blocker.
Neal played right tackle opposite Leatherwood for the 2020 Crimson Tide, a team that won a national championship. The Mac Jones blockers obviously did not carry that form to the NFL level, with Neal receiving more chances than his former Crimson Tide teammate. Neal has made 27 starts with the Giants, including seven last season. Pro Football Focus graded him as the NFL’s second-worst tackle in 2022 and ’23, and an ankle fracture interfered with his development as well.
With Neal viewed as a near-consensus top-10 value in 2022, compared to Leatherwood being deemed a Jon Gruden/Mike Mayock reach in the moment, it would stand to reason a team will take a flier on him in free agency next year. But time is running out for the 25-year-old blocker. It is clear the Raiders are one of the teams with a more positive view of Neal, who will be viewed as a reclamation project now or if/when he leaves New York in free agency.
The Giants have used ex-Raiders starters Greg Van Roten, who beat out Neal in the team’s right guard competition this summer, and Jermaine Eluemunor on the right side of their offensive line. The Raiders have used Jackson Powers-Johnson as their primary RG, with DJ Glaze at RT for the second straight season. Alex Cappa resides as a guard backup.
Dolphins Open To Trading Minkah Fitzpatrick
The Dolphins became readier to sell off assets after splitting with longtime GM Chris Grier. In a headline straight out of 2019, however, they are now including Minkah Fitzpatrick as a piece they are willing to move.
Multiple teams have reached out to the Dolphins on Fitzpatrick, according to veteran insider Jordan Schultz, who indicates the team is indeed open to moving the player it acquired this summer.
Two years remain on Fitzpatrick’s contract. Although the Steelers extended Fitzpatrick through 2026, he is tied to a Dolphins-redesigned deal that will not be too difficult to move. Fitzpatrick is on a $1.26MM base salary, meaning an acquiring team would owe him barely $500K for the season’s remainder. He is due a nonguaranteed $15.6MM in 2026.
Grier’s first year in charge brought the initial Fitzpatrick trade, one that sent Miami a first-rounder from Pittsburgh. The Steelers received three first-team All-Pro seasons from the former first-round pick and extended him on a then-top-market safety accord in 2022. After seeing his production decline, however, the Steelers included him in the Jalen Ramsey trade. This helped align salaries in a move that also sent Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh. With the Dolphins at 2-7 and having already dealt Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles, Fitzpatrick could need to pack his bags once again.
We heard Sunday that Stephen Ross had become ready to deal away veterans for draft capital, as this Dolphins rebuild has skidded well off track. Although Miami secured two playoff berths — the first instance of back-to-back Dolphins postseason bookings since they made five straight from 1997-01 — from 2022-23, Mike McDaniel is on thin ice after Grier’s exit. Losing Phillips will make McDaniel’s job harder, but that is unlikely to be the only deal Miami makes. While a first-round asking price is attached to Jaylen Waddle, Fitzpatrick is unlikely to command anything on that level.
Fitzpatrick, 29 this month, has started all nine Dolphins games this season. He has one interception, though Pro Football Focus has viewed this as a bounce-back campaign. The advanced metrics website ranks the eighth-year veteran ninth among safeties this season. Even though Fitzpatrick expressed a desire to remain in Miami long term — after his first stint ended early in his second season — the Dolphins’ mission has changed since they landed him in June.
Understandably, a market is forming for his services. Fitzpatrick being signed through 2026 will help the Dolphins’ cause here, and it will be interesting to see if the Alabama product — who began his career as a Dolphins cornerback before shining at safety in Pittsburgh — becomes a thrice-traded player before Tuesday’s deadline.
Jets Seeking Day 2 Picks For Jermaine Johnson, Breece Hall; Quinnen Williams Unlikely To Be Dealt
NOVEMBER 2: ESPN’s Rich Cimini echoes Breer’s report and says Quincy Williams is a player who could be on the move before the deadline. He believes Quinnen Williams, Hall, and McDonald are likely to stay put, and he does not rule out the possibility of the Jets adding a player via trade, with safety and offensive lineman representing possible target areas.
OCTOBER 31: In indicating he was unlikely to be traded at the deadline, Jermaine Johnson cited a recent conversation with Jets brass. But it appears the Aaron Glenn-Darren Mougey regime is still listening on the former first-round pick.
Although the Jets are not planning to move Will McDonald, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes they are still open to unloading Johnson — albeit for a price that might spook contending teams. The Jets are believed to want a second-round pick for the 2022 first-rounder, per Breer, on a player signed through 2026.
[RELATED: Glenn Against Trading Hall At Deadline]
This asking price is in the Breece Hall ballpark as well. Despite Hall being in a contract year, Breer adds the Jets are aiming for a Day 2 pick to move on now. No extension has been in the works, after the Jets tabled re-up talks on players not named Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson this summer, but a recent report indicated the team may be warming up to the idea of re-signing Hall. It is unsurprising the Jets are setting a Day 2 price, then, as news out of New York has indicated a high price is attached to the four-year starting RB.
It took a second-rounder for the Bears to pry Montez Sweat from the Commanders in 2023; a third-rounder came back (from the 49ers) for Chase Young. Both ex-first-round picks were in walk years at that point. Dante Fowler drew third- and fifth-round picks as a rental in 2018. Johnson’s profile is more on the Fowler level, having one productive season (2023) on his resume.
The Minneapolis-area native has just one season with more than 2.5 sacks; he posted 7.5 with 16 QB hits that year. His work this season — coming off an Achilles tear — leaves much to be desired, sitting at one sack and just two QB hits through five games played. This will make a second-rounder tough to fetch for Gang Green, pointing to either the team reducing the asking price or regrouping to see if Johnson ups his value ahead of the 2026 offseason.
Hall would likely be the RB prize at this deadline, one that has not seen big names — as Alvin Kamara has been dead set against leaving New Orleans — mentioned as trade candidates. The former second-rounder is on pace for his first 1,000-yard season and is averaging 5.0 yards per carry in his platform year. The Jets will need to decide if they are truly interested in re-signing the Iowa State product. Depending on their free agency activity and Hall’s 2026 FA value, the team also will need to weigh the compensatory component when determining if it pulls the trigger on a trade now.
Additionally, Breer points out linebacker Quincy Williams is available to be moved. Ditto D-end Micheal Clemons. A former first-team All-Pro whom the Joe Douglas-Robert Saleh duo was higher on compared to the current regime, Williams observed the Jets more than double his pay rate to re-sign less accomplished LB Jamien Sherwood this offseason.
That decision likely points Williams out of town come 2026, but he may be on the move sooner. His name has come up in previous trade rumors. Clemons qualifies as a lower-profile option, but the rotational rusher did tally 4.5 sacks in 2024. The contract-year rusher does not have any this season.
Colts Activate CB Jaylon Jones From IR
NOVEMBER 1: The Colts activated Jones from IR ahead of their Week 9 matchup with the Steelers, per a team announcement. They also promoted cornerback Cameron Mitchell from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Both will provide some much-needed depth on the boundary.
To make room on the active roster, Indianapolis waived linebacker Chad Muma and safety Trey Washington, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
OCTOBER 22: Even at 6-1, the Colts have been dealt a bad hand at cornerback. They have seen each of their top four options go down with significant injuries, with one of whom — third-round rookie Justin Walley — lost for the season.
Indianapolis lost Kenny Moore to an early-season injury, though the slot ace returned in Week 7. The team also placed Charvarius Ward on IR due to a strange pregame incident that resulted in a concussion. This has forced the team’s hand at all three CB spots. Though, Indy could have a reinforcement back soon.
The Colts are opening Jaylon Jones‘ practice window, according to ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder. This will give Jones three weeks to be activated. The Colts could certainly use the starter back sooner, with Ward guaranteed to miss at least three more games.
Jones has been battling the same hamstring injury since training camp. Missing much of the Colts’ summer work, the third-year cornerback aggravated the injury during the team’s season opener. He has been on the shelf since. This has not been a pattern for Jones, who became a key player after injuries did become a trend for JuJu Brents. The former second-round pick’s issues staying healthy opened the door for Jones — a 2023 seventh-rounder — to work as a starter.
The Colts waived Brents before the season, having used Jones as a 17-game starter last season. With Jones having missed so much time during Lou Anarumo‘s first offseason in charge, the Colts signed Xavien Howard and plugged him into their starting lineup immediately. Howard did not fare well and abruptly retired, preceding Za’Darius Smith with a surprise early-season exit. With Howard also out of the picture, the Colts have used Mekhi Blackmon and rookie UDFA Johnathan Edwards as boundary starters.
Pro Football Focus graded Jones 49th among CB regulars in 2024. The Colts are looking for more help on defense, potentially in the secondary as injuries pile up, but they will likely have Jones ready to contribute to this bounce-back season soon.
Giants Rebuffing Trade Interest In OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux; First-Round Asking Price Set
NOVEMBER 1: The Giants “do not plan to move” Thibodeaux, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. Teams who have reached out have been informed of a first-round pick asking price. That may cause interest in Thibodeaux to dry up; after 11.5 sacks in 2023, he has only eight in 20 starts since the beginning of the 2024 season.
OCTOBER 28: Abdul Carter‘s arrival at No. 3 overall drew immediate speculation about Kayvon Thibodeaux‘s long-term place in New York. The Giants, however, picked up the 2022 first-rounder’s fifth-year option soon after. Thibodeaux, Carter and Brian Burns have coexisted this season.
Burns and Carter, however, are tied to long-term deals. Thibodeaux is signed beyond 2025, thanks to the option guaranteeing his 2026 salary ($14.75MM), but natural questions persist about his Big Apple future around the league. This has led to trade interest, according to veteran insider Jordan Schultz.
At least a few teams have inquired, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo, but the Giants are rebuffing interest at this point. The Giants took this approach last year, declining trade offers for Azeez Ojulari and Darius Slayton. Both players were pending free agents. The team did not circle back to Ojulari with a re-signing, but it did retain Slayton on a three-year, $36MM deal.
Thibodeaux has started all eight Giants games this season, registering 2.5 sacks, five tackles for loss and nine QB hits. Carter has played as a backup, but the Giants are still using the Penn State product on 71% of their defensive plays. That nearly matches Thibodeaux’s usage rate (73%). Burns remains the team’s pass rush anchor, and he is enjoying a strong season. Burns’ 10 sacks lead the NFL; his 76% usage rate paces New York’s edge-rushing contingent.
The Giants do have a rookie salary at quarterback for the first time since 2022, and Jaxson Dart‘s terms will allow for roster flexibility that did not exist during the ill-fated Daniel Jones second contract. Jones is still on the Giants’ 2025 payroll, covering $22.2MM. Next year, however, no more Jones money is on the team’s books. That will create more room, though it remains to be seen if the Giants will entertain Thibodeaux extension talks now that Carter is under contract.
No known Thibodeaux talks transpired this offseason; even before the Carter pick, Thibodeaux did not expect them to commence. After an 11.5-sack 2023, the Oregon product missed five games in 2024 and totaled 5.5 sacks. With Carter now on the team and Burns tied to second-tier money (after this year’s EDGE market boom), the Giants have let this situation play out. If they hold onto Thibodeaux beyond the trade deadline, offseason trade rumors figure to follow as well. For now, though, the Giants’ formidable Burns-Thibodeaux-Carter-Dexter Lawrence quartet is expected to remain in place through at least season’s end.
Dolphins, GM Chris Grier Part Ways; HC Mike McDaniel To Finish Season
After more than two decades with the Dolphins, general manager Chris Grier is out. The sides are mutually parting ways, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
Grier had been in place as Miami’s GM since 2016 but had only held full autonomy since 2019. Both he and Mike McDaniel were believed to be on shaky ground this season, and a 2-7 start will lead the veteran front office boss out of the picture. The Dolphins are retaining McDaniel through season’s end, according to Schefter.
[RELATED: Fallout From Dolphins’ Grier-McDaniel Split]
“This morning, I made the decision along with general manager Chris Grier to mutually part ways. I have incredible respect for Chris and his family, and I want to thank him for his many contributions to the Miami Dolphins over the past 26 years,” Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said.
“As I assessed the state of the team and in my discussions with Chris, it became clear to both of us that change could not wait. We must improve — in 2025, 2026 and beyond — and it needs to start right now.”
Former Raiders interim GM Champ Kelly is back in that role, per Schefter. The Dolphins installing Kelly as their interim FO boss comes at a key point. He will be at the wheel as the Dolphins consider selling key pieces from their struggling team. Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb are known trade candidates, and it is worth wondering if this shakeup will lead to the Dolphins listening on Jaylen Waddle — something they have not been doing thus far ahead of the Tuesday deadline.
The Dolphins had been viewed as reluctant to sell thus far, with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero indicating the team had brushed off trade calls in hopes of a turnaround. With Grier and McDaniel clinging to their jobs ahead of Week 9, the Dolphins stood in a curious position at the deadline. With decision-makers having no incentive to make the team worse, the team had held off. It can be expected, with Kelly having far looser ties to the roster, the Dolphins will be more open for business now.
Grier hired McDaniel in 2022, doing so after the Dolphins chose their GM over HC Brian Flores — in a firing that preceded a highly publicized lawsuit from the three-year Miami sideline boss. But the duo was not viewed as a package deal heading into this season. Grier had made a host of shaky contract decisions in recent years, and while McDaniel is also on the hot seat, the HC will survive for the time being.
The 55-year-old exec had been with the Dolphins since 2000, having come up through the scouting ranks. The Dolphins hired Grier after a six-year tenure with the Patriots. In 2016, the team promoted him to the GM level. But Mike Tannenbaum still held the hammer as executive VP. That changed after the 2018 season, as Grier’s promotion keyed Tannenbaum’s exit.
A radical rebuild — one that came with tanking allegations from Flores against Ross — commenced that year, with the Dolphins trading Ryan Tannehill, Laremy Tunsil and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Grier’s overhaul did generate some success, but the next phase of that rebuild began to move the roster to its present state. With Ross’ statement making it rather clear Grier would have preferred to remain in his position, it is worth reexamining how this operation moved into this place.
While 2020 No. 5 overall pick Tua Tagovailoa — chosen one spot ahead of Justin Herbert — has been productive in stretches, the team has not seen its $53.1MM-per-year extension for the southpaw quarterback pay off. Grier’s 2022 trade for Bradley Chubb — the rare deadline move to involve a first-round pick changing hands — also preceded an injury that wiped out the standout edge rusher’s 2024 season. The team also did not see too much from the Jalen Ramsey trade, and Grier’s proceedings with Ramsey highlighted an interesting roster-building trend.
After rewarding Xavien Howard with an extension in his first offseason with full roster control, Grier gave into the Pro Bowl cornerback’s demands. Howard received a guarantee bump in 2021 and then another extension in 2022, despite years remaining on his previous accord. That created a lofty dead money bill when the Dolphins cut Howard in 2024. Miami is still on the hook for nearly $16MM in Howard dead cap this year, and the team’s decision to operate similarly with Ramsey will create notable 2026 dead money.
A day after the Broncos reset the cornerback market with Patrick Surtain‘s extension, the Dolphins paid Ramsey (three years, $72MM). Like Howard, Ramsey had more than a year left on his previous deal. Ramsey’s Rams-designed extension ran through 2025, but Grier — who had already approved a guarantee influx upon trading for Ramsey in 2023 — authorized another early extension. That complicated the June 2025 trade. Grier proceeded down this path again with Tyreek Hill, whose gripes about a new deal — as the receiver market exploded again in 2024 — led to a $54MM guarantee package in summer 2024. Grier also extended Zach Sieler with more than a year left on his contract this summer.
The Dolphins are expected to release Hill in 2026. The polarizing wide receiver stamped his Hall of Fame credentials in Miami, rewarding Grier for surrendering a five-pick package — including a first-rounder — in 2022. But Hill did not play well after the GM paid him again in 2024. The severe knee injury Hill suffered this season has his career at a crossroads. Ramsey counts more than $35MM in dead money between 2025 and ’26, with the extension he signed inflating that total. Hill’s release will tag the Dolphins with $28.25MM — a figure that could be spread through 2027 via a post-June 1 designation.
Grier did well to fleece the 49ers for the No. 3 overall pick in 2021, as San Francisco surrendered two first-rounders and a third to move up nine spots for Trey Lance. The Dolphins used one of the picks to climb up for Waddle in 2021. They included the other in the Hill trade. Hill’s arrival made a significant impact on Tagovailoa’s career, as the embattled QB led the NFL in yards per attempt in 2022 and in passing yards in 2023. But the southpaw’s concussion issues hindered him in 2022 and ’24. Through nine games in 2025, Tua sits 25th in QBR.
McDaniel oversaw the Dolphins’ first instance of back-to-back playoff berths since the Dave Wannstedt era, coaching the team to the postseason in 2022 and ’23. While the Dolphins’ playoff win drought leads the NFL at 24 seasons, McDaniel and Hill did plenty to coax Tagovailoa’s turnaround. The Dolphins rewarded the HC with an extension — one that runs through 2028 — before the ’24 season. Hill encountered a wrist injury before the 2024 season, and Tagovailoa went down with another concussion in Week 2. That harpooned the Dolphins’ offense, which dropped from second in scoring offense in 2023 to 22nd in ’24.
After Ramsey had taken issue with McDaniel’s leadership style, reports pointed to a lack of accountability under he and Grier. Hill famously refusing to return to action in Week 18 of last season became the image associated with these assertions, and while McDaniel said he spoke with the mercurial pass catcher about that act, Hill remained in place as Miami’s WR1 — after walking back his trade desire — entering this season. Tagovailoa also recently apologized for criticizing teammates for missing meetings or showing up late to them, further leading to the perception a lack of institutional control exists under McDaniel.
The Dolphins went 8-9 last season under McDaniel, whose performance through three seasons had been the best of any Miami HC since Wannstedt more than 20 years ago. His 2-7 start this season, however, certainly points to a firing at the campaign’s conclusion — or sooner.
It will be interesting to see if Ross gives McDaniel a chance to succeed without Grier, as his offensive acumen became clear — even with the team developing an earned frontrunner reputation, with late-season swoons taking place in 2022 and ’23 — during this tenure. McDaniel would surely be a coveted OC if the Dolphins move on following this season. Considering a new GM will be en route by then, McDaniel certainly faces an uphill battle to coach a fifth season in Miami.
The team hired Kelly as a senior personnel executive in March. This came after the Raiders split with the veteran exec, as they retooled their front office once again this offseason. Kelly served as interim GM in 2023 but was retained under Tom Telesco in 2024. The Raiders considered Kelly for the job Telesco received, and Kelly has taken part in GM interviews elsewhere. His work at the trade deadline figures to help determine where he lands in 2026 — should the Dolphins fully clean house at that point.
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Ravens Fined For Lamar Jackson Injury Report Violation
The NFL has wrapped its investigation into the Ravens’ handling of Lamar Jackson‘s injury status last week. The team received a $100K fine for violating the league’s policy on injury reporting, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets.
Not docking the Ravens any draft picks or moving to suspend anyone, the league determined this violation stemmed from negligence on the team’s part rather than the AFC North club attempting to gain a competitive edge, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero adds. Had the NFL determined the Ravens were attempting to gain an advantage with their Jackson tactics, Pelissero adds a more significant penalty — including potential loss of picks — would have been levied.
The Ravens fully cooperated with the investigation, one centered around the team incorrectly listing Jackson’s Oct. 24 practice participation. As should be expected, the team will not appeal the fine.
Baltimore had listed Jackson as a full participant at practice Friday. The Ravens had planned a day of scout team reps for the mobile passer and saw him complete the workout with no issues. NFL regulations concerning injury reporting don’t allow this, though. If injury causes a player who would normally receive starting reps to practice with the scout team, they have to be listed as a limited participant at practice.
John Harbaugh labeled this an honest mistake, and the NFL investigation validated the longtime Ravens HC’s view of the matter. After notice from the league, Baltimore was forced to retroactively change Jackson’s practice participation, and the team announced Saturday that he would not play in Week 8’s game.
Entering their Bears matchup 1-5, the Ravens were able to win with Tyler Huntley starting in place of Jackson, whose practice report now lists three limited practices last week. That type of runup usually leads to a player suiting up for that week’s game — and a full workout Friday pointed to Jackson playing — but the Ravens ended up resting their QB ahead of their Thursday-night game in Miami. The NFL not ruling this a deliberate attempt to muddy the waters for the Bears will surely not go over well in Chicago, but Baltimore — which annually prioritizes compensatory picks — not being docked any late-round draft choices will bring a sigh of relief for that franchise.
This is not the first time a murky Jackson status has interfered with Ravens plans. The team had expected the superstar quarterback to return before the 2022 season ended, but he did not reappear that season after suffering a PCL sprain in Week 13. At that point, Jackson was unsigned for 2023. That added a wrinkle to the QB’s recovery saga. Now on a $52MM-per-year contract, Jackson has the Ravens back in the thick of an underhelming AFC North race. He threw four touchdown passes in Baltimore’s rout of Miami — a game that preceded the Dolphins separating from longtime GM Chris Grier — on Thursday.
Jaguars To Place WR/CB Travis Hunter On IR
Bigger plans appeared in the works for Travis Hunter following the Jaguars’ bye, but those are suddenly on hold. Liam Coen said (via ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco) the two-way player will be placed on IR.
A knee injury sustained during Thursday practice will lead Hunter off the active roster, representing a blow to both the Jags’ offensive and defensive units. In a rookie season that has not seen the No. 2 overall pick justify his draft slot, Hunter will now need an unknown rehab timetable before attempting a belated resurgence. The team is still assessing the injury, Coen adds (via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). Hunter went down with a noncontact injury while playing defense, per DiRocco. It is a right knee injury, the Florida Times-Union’s Ryan O’Halloran adds.
While the extent of the injury is not known, the team quickly announcing an IR move is certainly not good news regarding the potential for a late-season comeback. The Jags were indeed planning on increasing Hunter’s role on offense, according to NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe.
Through seven games, the Heisman winner caught 28 passes for 298 yards and one touchdown. The Jags had used him as a Brian Thomas Jr. complementary piece early, but the rookie has been unable to hit the ground running — albeit with a historically unique workload.
The Jags used Hunter on 67% of their offensive plays and 36% of their defensive snaps before the bye. While some teams viewed the Colorado standout as a better cornerback, the Jags were among those to see him more as an impact wide receiver. Team brass confirmed that upon trading up for him — in a deal that sent the Browns 2025 draft ammo and a 2026 first-round pick — but the rollout for the two-way phenom has been slow.
Hunter padded his numbers in garbage time of the Rams’ 35-7 win over the Jags in London; he finished south of 35 receiving yards in four of his first seven NFL games. Though, the 6-foot-2 rookie made an impressive deep grab in Jacksonville’s upset win over Kansas City in Week 5 and had been progressing in Coen’s offense. It will certainly be interesting to see how long of a return timetable — should a 2025 comeback be in play — will be in store here.
The Jags introduced Hunter to two-way practices at training camp, but he did not play much on defense in Week 1. The team began to expand his defensive workload beginning in Week 2. The Jags have primarily used Hunter as a boundary corner defensively, while roughly two-thirds of his snaps on offense have come as a slot receiver. Hunter will be unable to practice until being designated for return; the team will be unable to make that move until at least Week 13.
Thomas, Dyami Brown and Tim Patrick began the week practicing in a limited capacity; this trio will be expected to lead the way at receiver moving forward. The Jags still have receiving tight end Brenton Strange on IR. Hunter’s practice setback is also obviously a blow for Trevor Lawrence, who exits the Jags’ bye sitting 27th in QBR. Coen was brought in to revive the former No. 1 overall pick’s career, but the $55MM-per-year player has remained inconsistent this season. Lawrence will now need to make do without two key weapons on offense.