- Alvin Kamara is officially back. Saints head coach Sean Payton announced Thursday that he expects to have his star running back on the field when New Orleans hosts the Falcons. Kamara has missed his team’s past two games as he dealt with knee and ankle issues. This will be the first time that Drew Brees and Kamara have shared the field since back in Week 2.
Today’s minor moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Greg Mabin
- Placed on injured reserve: DT Ryan Glasgow
Cleveland Browns
- Claimed off waivers (Giants): LB Tae Davis
Denver Broncos
- Promoted from practice squad: QB Brett Rypien
Detroit Lions
- Signed off Cowboys’ practice squad: CB Michael Jackson
- Waived: RB Paul Perkins
Houston Texans
- Signed: CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun
- Placed on injured reserve: DE J.J. Watt (story)
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Tevaughn Campbell
Miami Dolphins
- Claimed off waivers (Saints): CB Ken Crawley
- Signed: TE Clive Walford
- Waived: WR Isaiah Ford
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Jordan Leggett
- Placed on injured reserve: LB Jack Cichy
Washington Redskins
- Placed on injured reserve: LB Cassanova McKinzy
The latest NFL practice squad moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: LB Del’Shawn Phillips
Houston Texans
- Signed: DB Anthony Chesley, DT Eddie Vanderdoes
- Cut: DT Javier Edwards
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LB Keishawn Bierria
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: P Jack Fox
New England Patriots
- Released: OT Aaron Monteiro
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Leo Koloamatangi
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
New York Giants
- Cut: LB Jake Carlock
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DT Bruce Hector, TE Scott Orndorf
- Released: CB Ajene Harris
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DE Bryan Mone
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Cut: P Kasey Redfern
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Tremon Smith
- Cut: WR Darrius Shepherd, TE Evan Baylis
New England Patriots
- Cut: TE Eric Tomlinson
New Orleans Saints
- Cut: CB Ken Crawley
New York Jets
- Signed: LB B.J Bello, DB Arthur Maulet
- Placed on IR: LB Albert McClellan
Oakland Raiders
- Waived: LB Justin Phillips
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: G Jordan Roos
We heard earlier this week that the Jets would consider trading wide receiver Robby Anderson for the right price, and Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports goes one step further, reporting that Anderson is almost certain to be dealt.
Plenty of teams have expressed interest in upgrading their receiving corps in advance of this Tuesday’s trade deadline, and big names like Emmanuel Sanders and Mohamed Sanu have already been moved. But clubs like the Saints, Eagles, and Jaguars continue to be on the lookout for a receiver, and with A.J. Green unlikely to be traded, Anderson may be the best receiver on the block.
Anderson will be a free agent after the 2019 season, and it’s common knowledge that the current Jets regime does not have much interest in re-signing him, so it’s unclear what kind of return Gang Green can expect. But Anderson is young, cheap, and explosive, so it makes sense that there is plenty of interest in his services.
The 3-4 Jaguars are perhaps the most surprising of Anderson’s potential suitors, especially since Anderson is essentially a two-month rental, but La Canfora says Jacksonville has let other teams know it intends to be a buyer, not a seller (the recent Jalen Ramsey blockbuster notwithstanding). With QB Nick Foles on the mend, the Jags seem to be eyeing a run at a wildcard berth.
Anderson has 17 catches for 266 yards and a score this year, though the Jets have been without starting QB Sam Darnold for most of the season. The Temple product does boast a very good 14.8 yards-per-reception mark in his career.
Today’s minor moves:
Detroit Lions
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Steve Longa
- Released: S Marcus Gilchrist
Houston Texans
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Cornell Armstrong
- Waived: CB Xavier Crawford
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Krishawn Hogan
- Waived: WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Drew Brees will return to action Sunday. Although Sean Payton was not planning to announce a starter until Sunday, Ed Werder of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) Brees will be tabbed to return.
The Saints have a Week 9 bye, but Brees got in three limited practices this week. Brees has been sidelined since Week 2 with a thumb injury but will step back into the lineup for a Saints team that went 5-0 with backup Teddy Bridgewater.
This marked the longest injury-related absence of Brees’ 19-year career, but he progressed ahead of schedule and will return to lead a 6-1 Saints team. Brees underwent surgery to repair a ligament in this throwing thumb but will be entrusted to keep the Saints’ win streak going.
The 12-time Pro Bowler led the team to the NFC title game last season, doing so after shattering his own completion percentage record (74.4%). The NFL’s all-time leading passer, Brees threw 32 touchdown passes for the Saints last season. The Saints are gunning for their third straight NFC South title, and Brees obviously stands to make New Orleans a more prohibitive favorite. The team is on the lookout for an additional Brees receiving target in advance of the trade deadline.
Sean Payton did not name his Week 8 starting quarterback, indicating a decision on Drew Brees‘ Week 8 status will not come until at least Saturday. The Saints‘ starting quarterback has lobbied to play Sunday against the Cardinals and worked in three limited practices this week. The future Hall of Fame quarterback has fared well in his workout sessions available to the media this week, per The Athletic’s Katherine Terrell, who would be surprised if Brees didn’t start this week (Twitter link). Brees has missed the past five Saints games with a thumb injury; Teddy Bridgewater has piloted the team to five wins in that span. New Orleans has a bye next week, so it still wouldn’t be too shocking if Brees was held out until Week 10.
- Alvin Kamara worked in a limited capacity twice this week. Listed as questionable, the Saints running back may also see the team’s upcoming bye week affect his status. Kamara is battling an ankle injury, which sidelined him last week.
Today’s workout updates:
Detroit Lions
- T Casey Tucker; Ss Kentrell Brice, Marcus Gilchrist, David Jones (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
Indianapolis Colts
- DE Tashawn Bower; DTs Justin Ellis, Christian Ringo (link via Wilson)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- DE Jonathan Bonner; DTs P.J. Johnson, Ray Smith (Twitter link via Howard Balzer)
Miami Dolphins
- OTs Dino Boyd, Pace Murphy, Tyler Roemer; DTs Daryle Banfield, Jalen Dalton, Eddie Vanderdoes (link via Wilson)
New Orleans Saints
- FB Ricky Ortiz; WRs Jonathan Duhart, Jake Lampman, Charone Peake; CB Captain Munnerlyn; S Briean Boddy-Calhoun (link via Balzer)
Today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Devin Gray
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Kelvin McKnight
- Released: OL Tyler Jones
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: DT Brian Price
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Jalen Guyton
- Released: OT Tyree St. Louis
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Aaron Monteiro
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: S Trae Elston, TE Jason Vander Laan