NFC West Notes: Seahawks, 49ers, Higbee
Signed to similar contracts during the summer of 2022, Deebo Samuel and D.K. Metcalf have each become two of the NFL’s better wide receivers — each being chosen in the 2019 second round. The Seahawks nabbed Metcalf at No. 64 via trade-up, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes the team had aimed to first draft Samuel at No. 35. GM John Schneider had worked out a trade-up from No. 37 to No. 35, via the Raiders, but Schefter adds the Silver and Black backed out of the deal. The Raiders instead dealt with the Jaguars, who drafted Jawaan Taylor at 35. The 49ers chose Samuel at 36.
The Seahawks still do not know why the Raiders reneged on the trade, Schefter adds. The Seahawks initially held a higher second-round choice than the Jags, who picked at 38. After Samuel went off the board, Seattle dealt 37 to Carolina (Greg Little) and drafted safety Marquise Blair at No. 47. The Seahawks had planned to pair Samuel and Metcalf, rather than the Ole Miss product — who famously fell to No. 64 after having teams divided during the pre-draft process — being a Samuel fallback option. Though, Metcalf as a WR contingency plan — with Doug Baldwin retirement rumors circulating during the draft — rather than pairing him with Samuel makes a bit more sense due to Tyler Lockett being just 27 at the time. Samuel and Metcalf are going into the final year of their contracts; each team rebuffed trade offers this year.
Here is the latest from the NFC West:
- Samuel’s San Francisco status may have changed once Brandon Aiyuk suffered an ACL tear. The older 49ers WR had been a rumored 2025 trade chip, as the team prepares for a Brock Purdy payday. Although some around the league have wondered if the 49ers will pay Purdy the going rate (mentioning a Kirk Cousins trade as a backup plan), The Athletic’s Matt Barrows expects Purdy to indeed receive a top-market deal from San Francisco. Purdy going from Mr. Irrelevant to a deal in the $55-$60MM-per-year range would represent one of the most dramatic rises in NFL history; the 2025 offseason is the window for that to happen.
- Staying on the 49ers-in-2025 theme, the team has seen promising early returns from second-round rookie Renardo Green. The 49ers have viewed Green as a player who can work inside and on the perimeter; that matches Deommodore Lenoir‘s profile. Lenoir is now signed long term, but All-Pro Charvarius Ward is in a contract year. With Lenoir locked in, Ward appears headed back to free agency. As such, Barrows adds Green should be considered the favorite to start opposite Lenoir on the boundary in 2025. Pro Football Focus rates Green as the sixth-best CB regular this season, albeit on only 298 snaps.
- While Sean McVay said right tackle Rob Havenstein could be back this week, the eighth-year Rams HC indicated (via ESPN.com’s Sarah Barshop) Tyler Higbee remains weeks away from returning. Higbee is still rehabbing the ACL and MCL tears sustained during the Rams’ wild-card loss to the Lions. The ninth-year tight end remains on Los Angeles’ reserve/PUP list. Havenstein has missed the Rams’ past two games with an ankle issue.
- Jake Moody missed time due to injury this season, being one of three 49ers kickers to go down, and did not impress upon return. Moody missed three field goals against the Buccaneers, prompting a heated Samuel to take issue with the recovered kicker (and long snapper Taybor Pepper). John Lynch said later the 49ers have not considered replacing Moody. “We didn’t blink,” Lynch told KNBR (h/t The Athletic’s David Lombardi). “We have a lot of faith in this kid. We all have rough days. There’s a lot of context to put in these things and Jake has earned a lot of respect from this organization.” Moody’s third-round contract runs through 2026.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/19/24
Here are the latest practice squad transactions from around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OL Charlie Heck
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: CB Bump Cooper
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: RB Kendall Milton
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DE Derek Rivers
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released: WR Cornell Powell
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Alex Bachman
- Released: LB Blake Lynch, TE Trevon Wesco
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: CB Dicaprio Bootle
Los Angeles Rams
- Released: P Ty Zentner
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR/KR Jermaine Jackson
- Placed on injured reserve: DE Trajan Jeffcoat
New York Giants
- Released: OT Garret Greenfield, TE/FB Jakob Johnson
Washington Commanders
- Signed: WR Mike Strachan
Browns Sign Geron Christian Off Rams’ Practice Squad; Team Could Re-Install Jedrick Wills As LT
With Dawand Jones out for the season, more shuffling is required along the Browns’ offensive line. The left tackle spot could see a familiar face in play for Week 12, but in any event veteran depth is being added. 
Geron Christian is heading to Cleveland, per an announcement from his agency. The 28-year-old is a veteran of 59 games and 25 starts at the NFL level. That includes the 2023 campaign, during which he split his time between the Texans and Browns. He made nine starts on the blindside for Cleveland that year, so he will be a familiar option to step into that role down the stretch if need be.
Christian signed with the Rams in September as part of the team’s effort to find healthy O-linemen early in the campaign. He made only one appearance for Los Angeles and, after being elevated for Week 11 but not playing, he reverted back to the Rams’ practice squad. Today’s move will allow the former third-rounder the chance to spend time on an active roster even if it is only in a backup capacity. The Rams are in better shape now than they were at the start of the campaign with respect to tackle depth, but losing a veteran option could prove to be detrimental later in the year.
While Christian will be one option to operate as a left tackle starter as the Browns play out the remaining weeks of the season, another is Jedrick Wills. The former first-rounder has been dealing with a knee injury which has left him in and out of the lineup in 2024. Wills’ struggles when on the field led to his demotion ahead of Week 11, a move which paved the way for Jones to handle starting blindside duties the rest of the way. With that no longer being an option, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal notes Wills could step back into a starting spot if healthy.
The Alabama product was listed as a non-participant in practice for Monday’s estimated injury report ahead of the Browns’ Thursday night game. If his knee is healthy enough to suit up, he could return to the starting lineup ahead of his contract expiring. As a pending free agent, Wills’ future is in question, and Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot writes the team may only be interested in retaining him in a swing tackle role. Wills could find himself with one more stretch of games to play his way into a new Browns deal.
In addition to Wills and Christian, Cleveland has Germain Ifedi as an option to handle the LT spot. Ifedi replaced Jones after his injury on Sunday, and he has started 83 of his 110 NFL appearances. Christian’s return will give the team additional contributors to close out the year, one in which the 2-8 outfit will look to sort out its O-line possibilities for 2025.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/18/24
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: S Andre Chachere
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DT Sam Roberts
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT Trysten Hill
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released: WR Jalen Guyton
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DB A.J. Green
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: NT Brandon Pili
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/16/24
Saturday’s minor moves, including standard gameday practice squad elevations:
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: LB Kristian Welch
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: TE Zach Davidson, T Richard Gouraige
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: T Devin Cochran, LB Shaka Heyward
Cleveland Browns
- Signed to active roster: DT Sam Kamara, DE Elerson Smith
- Elevated: WR Kadarius Toney
- Placed on IR: DT Mike Hall Jr.
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Zach Cunningham, S Keidron Smith
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: LB Zeke Turner
- Elevated: TE James Mitchell
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: LB Liam Anderson
- Elevated: G Atonio Mafi, G Josh Sills
- Waived: DT Adam Gotsis
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: WR Velus Jones, LB Anthony Pittman
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: LB Cole Christiansen
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: LB Shaquille Quarterman
- Elevated: CB Eli Apple, OLB Caleb Murphy
- Waived: CB Dicaprio Bootle
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: T Geron Christian, DL Jonah Williams
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: LS Tucker Addington, T Jackson Carman
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: LS Jake McQuaide
New England Patriots
- Elevated: LB Keshawn Banks, LB Joe Giles-Harris
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed to active roster: P Pat O’Donnell
- Elevated: S Tashaun Gipson, CB Nick McCloud
- Placed on IR: CB Darrell Luter Jr.
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed to active roster: TE Tyler Mabry, WR Cody White
- Elevated: LB Patrick O’Connell, S Ty Okada
- Placed on reserve/retired list: C Connor Williams (story)
- Waived: NT Brandon Pili
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: C Corey Levin
- Elevated: T Isaiah Prince, S Daryl Worley
Toney is set to make his debut for the regular season. The former first-round pick out of Florida has had a rocky first four years in the league, despite coming away with two Super Bowl rings in Kansas City. He was signed to the Browns’ practice squad just after the season opener and will be eligible to see game action with Cleveland in Week 11.
O’Donnell was added to the 49ers’ practice squad earlier this week given the chance of Mitch Wishnowsky missing time. The latter is now on injured reserve, ensuring at least a four-game absence. O’Donnell, 32, is a veteran of 145 games but Week 11 will mark his first regular season action since 2022.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/12/24
Today’s minor moves:
Denver Broncos
- Waived: DB Keidron Smith
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on IR: TE Tanner Conner
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: TE Jack Stoll
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from Rams): OL Logan Bruss
Bruss was waived by the Rams yesterday to make room for returning linemen Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson. A former third-round pick, Bruss didn’t make an appearance through his first two seasons in the NFL but started three of his eight appearances in 2024.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/11/24
Here are today’s minor moves around the NFL:
Dallas Cowboys
- Reinstated from suspension: DE Sam Williams
Detroit Lions
- Waived: LB Abraham Beauplan
Green Bay Packers
- Designated for return from injured reserve: RB Marshawn Lloyd
Houston Texans
- Reinstated from suspension, one-game roster exemption granted: DE Mario Edwards
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated from practice squad: DE Jonah Williams
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated from practice squad: LS Tucker Addington, OT Jackson Carman
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed to active roster from practice squad: CB Josh Jobe
- Claimed off waivers: NT Brandon Pili
- Placed on injured reserve: S K’Von Wallace
Williams completed his three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He remains on injured reserve after a season-ending knee injury suffered during training camp.
Edwards served a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy and is now eligible to be reinstated to the Texans’ active roster. Houston requested and received a one-game roster exemption to give Edwards an additional week to practice with the team before being added back to the 53-man roster.
Rams Activate Steve Avila, Jonah Jackson
As expected, Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson have been activated from injured reserve. Both starting offensive linemen are thus in line to play for the Rams tonight. 
Avila suffered an MCL sprain in Week 1, forcing him onto IR right away. Jackson managed to make it through his Rams debut that week, but during the following contest he went down with a shoulder injury which also led to a lengthy period on the sidelines. Getting both back will be a signficant and welcomed development as the Rams look to field a consistent unit up front.
Avila worked at left guard during his rookie campaign, and at times this offseason it appeared he was on track to move over to center in Year 2. That role was given to Jackson, however, with the free agent addition’s placement in the middle allowing Avila and Kevin Dotson to remain in place at guard. Jackson was added on a three-year pact including $25.5MM in guarantees. His ability to remain healthy now that he is back in the fold will be crucial for Los Angeles up front.
The tackle spot has also seen plenty of shuffling this year for the team. Alaric Jackson was suspended for the first two games of the year, and Joe Noteboom has been limited to one game so far. The latter was activated last week, paving the way for him to suit up tonight as well. Right tackle starter Rob Havenstein is not expected to be available for Week 10, though, so the Rams will still not have their ideal lineup along the O-line against the Dolphins. Still, the unit’s health is in a much better place now than it has been for much of the year.
In a corresponding move, Logan Bruss has been waived. The 2022 third-rounder did not make any appearances during his first two seasons with Los Angeles, and even amidst the multiple injuries being dealt with up front this year he has made only three starts amongst eight appearances. Bruss will available for any interested teams on the waiver wire; if he clears, he will become a free agent and thus have the chance to re-join the Rams on a practice squad deal. Los Angeles now has one IR activation remaining for the year.
Rams To Activate OLs Steve Avila, Jonah Jackson
NOVEMBER 10: Both Avila and Jackson are expected to be activated off of IR and suit up against the Dolphins tomorrow night, per Stu Jackson of the team’s official website.
NOVEMBER 7: The Rams are one step closer to major reinforcements to their offensive line after opening the practice window for Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson to return from injured reserve.
Both players landed on IR in September, Avila with a sprained MCL that required surgery and Jackson with a broken scapula suffered in Week 2. Rookie Beaux Limmer has started the last seven games at center, while both Justin Dedich and Logan Bruss have stepped up at left guard.
The injuries to Avila and Jackson prevented the Rams from getting a solid look at their new-look offensive line. After drafting Avila with the 36th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Rams spent almost $100MM to sign Jackson in free agency and retain starting right guard Kevin Dotson in 2024. The trio played just 37 snaps together before Avila’s injury, though all three players are under contract through at least 2026 and will have plenty of time to gel.
Los Angeles is getting healthy at the right time after winning their last three games. Their star wideout duo of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua is back catching passes from Matthew Stafford, who will be playing behind his intended starting offensive line for the first time since Week 1.
Avila and Jackson both have 21 days to practice with the team before they must be added to the active roster or revert to season-ending IR.
2024 NFL Trades
We have reached the 2024 trade deadline, which came one week later than the league’s usual endpoint. An offseason measure to move the deadline back one week passed, sliding the deadline beyond Week 9 after it had resided the Tuesday following Week 8 since 2012. That opened the door to more activity this year.
The 2024 offseason also featured extensive work, as teams added starters and depth pieces. Here are the trades involving veteran players (or rookies already drafted) to take place this year:
March 4
- Bears land OL Ryan Bates from Bills in exchange for No. 144
Bears chose defensive end Austin Booker at No. 144
March 9
- Browns acquire WR Jerry Jeudy from Broncos for Nos. 136, 203
Broncos sent Seahawks No. 136, included 203 in trade with Jets for QB Zach Wilson
March 10
- Jaguars add QB Mac Jones from Patriots in exchange for No. 193
Patriots chose QB Joe Milton at 193
March 11
- Lions add CB Carlton Davis, No. 201, 2025 sixth-rounder from Buccaneers for No. 92
Bucs drafted WR Jalen McMillan at No. 92; Lions traded No. 201 to Eagles
- Giants acquire OLB Brian Burns, No. 166 from Panthers in exchange for Nos. 39, 141, 2025 fifth-rounder
Panthers traded down from No. 39, giving Rams access to DT Braden Fiske; team moved No. 141 in Bills deal that sent WR Xavier Legette to Carolina. Giants chose RB Tyrone Tracy at 166.
March 12
- Texans sent Bengals No. 224 in exchange for RB Joe Mixon
Bengals chose DB Daijahn Anthony at No. 224
- Panthers, Steelers swap CB Donte Jackson, WR Diontae Johnson
March 13
- 49ers land DT Maliek Collins from Texans for No. 232
Texans traded No. 232 to Vikings
- Jets acquire RT Morgan Moses, No. 134 from Ravens in exchange for Nos. 113, 218
Ravens chose WR Devontez Walker at No. 113, QB Devin Leary at 218; Jets drafted RB Braelon Allen at 134
March 14
- Cardinals, Falcons swap WR Rondale Moore, QB Desmond Ridder
- Seahawks acquire QB Sam Howell, Nos. 102, 179 from Commanders for Nos. 78, 152
Commanders traded Nos. 78, 152 to Eagles in trade that sent CB Cooper DeJean to Philadelphia; Seahawks moved down from No. 102, drafted G Sataoa Laumea at 179
- Bears add WR Keenan Allen from Chargers for No. 110 overall
Bolts traded No. 110 to Patriots
March 15
- Eagles acquire QB Kenny Pickett, No. 120 from Steelers in exchange for No. 98, highest two Philadelphia 2025 seventh-round draft choices
Steelers chose LB Payton Wilson at No. 98; Eagles traded No. 120 to Dolphins in package that brought back 2025 third-rounder
March 16
- Steelers sent Bears conditional 2025 sixth-round pick for QB Justin Fields
Fields must play in 51% of Steelers’ offensive snaps for pick to elevate from sixth to fourth round
March 22
- Titans add CB L’Jarius Sneed, No. 252 from Chiefs in exchange for No. 221, 2025 third-round pick
Chiefs traded No. 221 to Bills; Titans chose OLB Jaylen Harrell at 252
March 29
- Jets bring in DE Haason Reddick from Eagles in exchange for conditional 2025 third-round pick
Pick would have become second-rounder had Reddick played 67.5% of Jets’ 2024 defensive snaps and recorded at least 10 sacks. Reddick’s holdout ensured Philly’s pick will land in Round 3.
April 3
- Texans acquire WR Stefon Diggs, No. 189, 2025 fifth-rounder in exchange for 2025 second-round pick from Bills
Texans dealt No. 189 to Lions for Nos. 205, 249
April 12
- Titans obtain OL Leroy Watson from Browns for No. 227
Browns chose CB Myles Harden at No. 227
April 22
- Broncos add QB Zach Wilson, No. 256 from Jets for No. 203
In trade that gave Vikings J.J. McCarthy draft real estate at No. 10 overall, Jets sent No. 203 to Minnesota; Broncos chose C Nick Gargiulo at 256
April 27
- Broncos, Jets reach agreement on Day 3 of draft, sending DL John Franklin-Myers to Denver for 2026 sixth-round pick
May 9
- Texans obtain WR Ben Skowronek, 2026 seventh-round pick from Rams for 2026 sixth-rounder
August 9
- Cowboys add CB Andrew Booth from Vikings in exchange for CB Nahshon Wright
August 11
- Browns reacquire C Nick Harris from Seahawks in pick-swap deal that sent 2025 sixth-round pick to Seattle, 2025 seventh-rounder to Cleveland
August 14
- Falcons obtain OLB Matt Judon from Patriots for 2025 third-round pick
- Cowboys acquire DT Jordan Phillips, 2026 seventh-round pick from Giants for conditional 2026 sixth-rounder
Dallas carried Phillips on its active roster for two games, meeting minimum requirement for conditional sixth to transfer
August 22
- Eagles add WR Jahan Dotson, 2025 fifth-round pick from Commanders for higher of Philadelphia’s 2025 third-round choices, lowest two of Philly’s 2025 seventh-round selections
- Panthers acquire CB Michael Jackson from Seahawks in exchange for LB Michael Barrett
- Commanders bring in K Cade York from Browns for conditional 2025 seventh-round pick
Pick did not convey due to Commanders cutting York before he played in two games with team
August 23
- Bears land DE Darrell Taylor from Seahawks for 2025 sixth-round pick
August 24
- Bears acquire DT Chris Williams, 2025 seventh-round pick from Browns for 2025 sixth-rounder
August 26
- Seahawks add OLB Trevis Gipson from Jaguars for 2025 sixth-round pick
- Packers obtain QB Malik Willis from Titans for 2025 seventh-round pick
- Chiefs acquire DE Cam Thomas from Cardinals for 2025 seventh-round pick
August 27
- Chiefs obtain TE Peyton Hendershot from Cowboys for conditional 2026 seventh-round pick
- Bills add CB Brandon Codrington, 2026 seventh-round pick from Jets for 2026 sixth-rounder
- Titans land LB Ernest Jones from Rams for 2026 fifth-round pick
August 28
- Chargers acquire CB Elijah Molden from Titans for 2026 seventh-round pick
- Saints add DT John Ridgeway, 2025 seventh-round pick from Commanders, for conditional 2025 sixth-rounder
- Chargers bring in QB Taylor Heinicke from Falcons in exchange for conditional 2026 sixth-round pick
October 14
- Seahawks land DL Roy Robertson-Harris from Jaguars in exchange for 2026 sixth-round pick
October 15
- Jets win Davante Adams sweepstakes, sending conditional 2025 third-round pick to Raiders for All-Pro WR
Pick would upgrade to second-rounder if Adams earns first- or second-team All-Pro recognition or is on Jets’ active roster for 2024 AFC championship game or Super Bowl LIX
- Bills obtain WR Amari Cooper, 2025 sixth-round pick from Browns for 2025 third-rounder, 2026 seventh
- Vikings acquire RB Cam Akers, conditional 2026 seventh-round pick from Texans for conditional 2026 sixth-rounder
October 23
- Chiefs bring in WR DeAndre Hopkins in deal with Titans involving conditional 2025 fifth-round pick
Pick would become fourth-rounder if Hopkins both plays 60% of Chiefs’ remaining offensive snaps and Kansas City advances to Super Bowl LIX
- Seahawks acquire LB Ernest Jones from Titans in exchange for LB Jerome Baker, 2025 fourth-round pick
October 28
- Chiefs add DE Josh Uche from Patriots in exchange for 2026 sixth-round pick
October 29
- Ravens acquire WR Diontae Johnson from Panthers; teams swapping 2025 fifth-, sixth-round picks
- Vikings obtain LT Cam Robinson, conditional 2026 seventh-round pick from Jaguars in exchange for conditional 2026 fifth-rounder
Robinson’s playing time will determine if Jags pick climbs to a fourth-rounder and whether Vikings will end up receiving 2026 seventh
November 4
- Cardinals acquire OLB Baron Browning from Broncos, parting with sixth-round pick to do so
November 5
- Lions add OLB Za’Darius Smith, 2026 seventh-round pick from Browns for 2025 fifth-, 2026 sixth-rounders
- Bengals acquire RB Khalil Herbert from Bears for 2025 seventh-round pick
- Cowboys obtain WR Jonathan Mingo, 2025 seventh-round pick from Panthers for 2025 fourth-rounder
- Commanders land CB Marshon Lattimore, 2025 fifth-round pick from Commanders in exchange for 2025 third-, fourth-, sixth-round selections
Sixth-rounder going to New Orleans comes from pick Saints sent Commanders for John Ridgeway
- Steelers pick up WR Mike Williams from Jets for 2025 fifth-round selection
- Steelers bring in OLB Preston Smith from Packers for 2025 seventh-round pick
- Ravens add CB Tre’Davious White, 2027 seventh-round pick from Rams for 2026 seventh-round choice
- 49ers beat deadline buzzer by acquiring DT Khalil Davis from Texans for 2026 seventh-round pick