Several Saints Drawing Trade Interest
Running back Alvin Kamara isn’t the only member of the Saints drawing interest in advance of the Nov. 4 trade deadline. Wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, EDGE Carl Granderson, linebacker Pete Werner, and offensive lineman Dillon Radunz are all on other teams’ radars, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
At 1-4 and unlikely to work their way into contention this year, the Saints are lining up as deadline sellers. Kamara appears unlikely to go anywhere, though, and Rapoport notes that the team is not planning a fire sale. However, that doesn’t mean the Saints won’t listen to offers on their potential trade candidates.
Shaheed, one of the league’s fastest players, is on pace for the most productive season of his career. After missing most of 2024 with a meniscus injury, Shaheed has returned to haul in 22 of 30 targets for 288 yards and two touchdowns in five games this year. He has also averaged 15.2 yards on six punt returns. The 27-year-old isn’t tied to New Orleans past this season, though, which may make a trade more likely. He’s on a $4.2MM base salary and due to reach free agency in the offseason.
The Saints may not have any urgency to part with Granderson, who’s signed through 2027 on the four-year, $52MM extension he received in 2023. Nevertheless, it’s no surprise teams have interest in the 28-year-old. After combining for 19.5 sacks from 2022-24, he has racked up 4.5 in five games this season. The 49ers are among contenders seeking pass-rushing upgrades, though it’s unclear if they have called the Saints about Granderson.
Werner, another staple in New Orleans’ front seven, has started in 52 of 61 contests (including four of five this year) since joining the team as a second-round pick in 2021. Like Granderson, Werner impressed the Saints enough earlier in his career to secure an extension. He’s under team control through 2027 on a three-year, $25MM pact. Werner has logged an 82.8% snap share and totaled 41 tackles this year, though Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranks his performance a lowly 65th among 72 qualifying linebackers.
After starting 15 games at right guard with the Titans last year, Radunz signed with the Saints on a one-year, $2.25MM deal in March. Now the backup to Saints left guard Trevor Penning and only a few months from returning to the open market, the 27-year-old Radunz wouldn’t command much in a trade.
The Saints have four games left before the deadline, including three against teams that are over .500. General manager Mickey Loomis will decide over the next few weeks who (if anyone) is expendable. Just a year removed from trading cornerback Marshon Lattimore (then a career-long Saint) to the Commanders, Loomis could be in for another active deadline this season.
Cardinals To Start QB Jacoby Brissett In Week 6
OCT. 12: Brissett will start on Sunday. Murray is inactive, the team announced.
OCT. 11: The door is open to Kyler Murray handling quarterback duties for the Cardinals this week. As things stand, however, it is unlikely that will be the case. 
Jacoby Brissett is expected to get the nod on Sunday, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler. Brissett has made a pair of appearances this season, his debut campaign in Arizona. He has yet to make a start for his latest team, though.
[MAILBAG: Looking Into Possible Cardinals Offseason Moves]
Barring an unforeseen development, that will change tomorrow. Murray is still a possibility in terms of suiting up, but he was limited in practice on Friday after missing the previous two days. The former No. 1 pick’s foot ailment is a version of a Lisfranc injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. As a result, Murray’s absence may not be limited to one game. His status will certainly be one to watch closely.
As of yesterday, the Cardinals were uncertain of their Week 6 starter; that left the team to craft plans for both Murray and Brissett. The latter is now in position to take on QB1 responsibilities for at least one week, however. Brissett has 53 starts and 83 appearances to his name. That includes a four-year spell with the Colts; Arizona will play Indianapolis in Week 6.
That Indy tenure included starting duties for two seasons. Brissett has also seen a multi-game run atop the depth chart with the Browns in 2022 while filling in for the suspended Deshaun Watson and at the start of last year before the Patriots handed the reins over to Drake Maye. The 32-year-old has not managed to post a winning record during any of his QB1 runs, but he will be counted on to keep Arizona’s offense afloat for at least one contest.
The Cardinals opened the season with two straight one-score wins, but they have lost three straight contests on game-ending field goals. Murray will be counted on to continue playing a central role in the efforts to reach the postseason when healthy, but his recovery process will determine the point at which he is back to full strength. It would come as little surprise if the Cardinals proceeded with caution in terms of his return to action given Murray’s status as their franchise passer (something all-but confirmed past the current campaign through his contract structure).
The 4-1 Colts have started out N0. 3 in the league in terms of points allowed this season. However, new DC Lou Anarumo‘s unit sits just 19th against the pass and injuries in the secondary remain a concern. That group will look to improve beginning tomorrow against a shorthanded Cardinals offense.
Raiders Are “Mildly Concerned” About QB Geno Smith
OCTOBER 12: No substantial discussions have occurred regarding a Smith-for-Pickett quarterback change, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. Smith has been a starter for the past four seasons and has not been benched for non-injury-related purposes since his one-off start for Eli Manning in 2017 triggered a Giants regime change.
Conversely, Pickett has been on the backup level since the Steelers did not reinsert the 2022 first-rounder into their lineup late in the 2023 season. Smith enters Week 6 sitting 29th in QBR, with injuries to Bowers and Miller providing a notable effect early in Carroll’s run.
OCTOBER 8: Unsurprisingly, the concerns about Raiders quarterback Geno Smith are starting to mount. Following a two-interception showing that dropped Las Vegas to 1-4, the Raiders are “mildly concerned” about their veteran QB, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The organization understands that their offseason acquisition has to improve his play quickly. However, there isn’t any panic that Smith is a “broken” quarterback, and Graziano doesn’t anticipate a benching at any point during Week 6. Further, there’s some understanding that Smith has had to rely on an underwhelming receivers corps while also dealing with key TE/OL injuries to the likes of Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, and Kolton Miller.
Graziano notes that Smith’s two interceptions from this past weekend weren’t necessarily his fault, including one that followed a missed offsides call against the Colts. On the flip side, scouts told Graziano that Smith seems overly reliant on his arm talent as he (unsuccessfully) throws the ball into tight windows. There’s also a belief that the veteran has been a bit slow with releasing the football.
Smith is currently pacing the NFL with nine interceptions, and the team’s six passing touchdowns ranks towards the bottom of the NFL. The Raiders acquired the veteran from the Seahawks this past offseason and later handed him a two-year, $75MM extension that technically keeps him tied to the franchise through the 2027 season. If Smith is indeed done, the team would be left with a significant cap hit (although there is an easy out after the 2026 campaign). Because of that financial commitment (coupled with his relationship with head coach Pete Carroll), it seems like Smith will be afforded a relatively long leash.
If the Raiders do decide to make a move at quarterback, Kenny Pickett would be the natural pivot. The Raiders snagged the quarterback in a trade with the Browns at the end of the preseason, providing the franchise with a low-cost veteran backup. The former Steelers draft pick did win 14 games in his two seasons as a mostly full-time starter, but ESPN’s Dan Graziano echoes Fowler’s sentiment that Smith would have to completely implode for the Raiders to make a change.
While much of the talk about the Raiders’ offensive struggles has surrounded the players, some of the coaches are also starting to feel the heat. Graziano notes that offensive coordinator Chip Kelly is starting to draw criticism. Some league sources opined that Kelly’s scheme isn’t “creating enough advantages to overcome the Raiders’ personnel deficiencies,” which is also a clear indictment on the organization’s front office.
Joe Flacco Hail Mary Comes At Key Point On Bengals’ Timeline
Joe Flacco has enjoyed one of the more eventful late-prime periods for a non-star-level quarterback in NFL history. Despite going six years between appearances as a non-injury-related Week 1 starter and then being removed from that role four games into the season, The 40-year-old passer has now been traded three times will be asked to save a Bengals season careening off course.
Moreover, the Bengals -- after trading a 2026 fifth-round pick for Flacco and a sixth -- are entrusting a key stretch on their timeline to a player a largely dysfunctional organization just benched. The Browns backup-turned-Bengals starter will be asked to keep hopes alive while Joe Burrow rehabs. Cincinnati faces the ignominious reality of missing three straight playoff brackets during Burrow's late 20s.
As Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson have brought their respective franchises near-automatic postseason entry codes this decade, the Burrow era -- due to injuries and roster management -- is nearing a 2-for-6 start in terms of postseason qualification. That is, if Flacco cannot turn his own season around.
This promises to be one of the more interesting in-season QB acquisitions in many years, as the NFL's second-oldest active QB will go from being demoted by a team eyeing the 2026 draft class at the position to a division rival carrying historically elite weaponry. Jake Browning was squandering the receiver arsenal the Bengals deviated from their previous plan to pay. Plenty of subplots are present as Flacco begins a second in-season Ohio rescue effort.
Bears Officially Make LT Switch
Caleb Williams has a new blind side protector coming out of the Bears’ Week 5 bye. Head coach Ben Johnson announced (via The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain) that second-year offensive lineman Theo Benedet will start at left tackle on Monday against the Commanders.
Benedet started at right tackle in Week 4 against the Raiders with Darnell Wright nursing an elbow injury. Partway through the game, Johnson flipped Benedet to left tackle to replace Braxton Jones and inserted rookie Ozzy Trapilo on the right side. Chicago’s offense did not roar to life as Johnson may have hoped, but they were able to hold on for a 25-24 win in Las Vegas.
Benedet apparently performed well enough to hang onto the left tackle job, despite poor grades from Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Jones also dealt with an ankle injury this offseason and may not have gotten all the way back to 100% before the season starter, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Though he has not popped up on the injury report, some rest may still be necessary to get him back to full strength, as his play has taken a hit relative to previous seasons.
In the meantime, the Bears will move forward with Benedet, who played college football in Canada for the University of British Columbia before arriving in Chicago as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He spent his first season on the practice squad and emerged as a surprising factor in the Bears’ left tackle competition during training camp this past summer.
It will be very interesting to see if Jones gets a chance to win his job back, as it is a contract year for the 2022 fifth-round pick. He was a rare Day 3 draftee to start at left tackle as a rookie, but regime change always brings roster turnover. The Bears can hold onto Benedet through the 2027 season, and both Trapilo and Kiran Amegadjie could be long-term options at left tackle. That would make it difficult to justify re-signing Jones after the season, especially if Chicago intends to hang onto Wright, their 2023 first-round pick.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/11/25
Here are the minor moves and standard gameday practice squad elevations heading into the sixth Sunday of the NFL season:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed from practice squad: DT C.J. Okoye
- Elevated: QB Tyler Huntley, S Keondre Jackson
- Waived: S Reuben Lowery
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: CB Keion Crossen, G Brandon Walton
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: G Jaxson Kirkland
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: CB Tre Avery
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed from practice squad: WR Jalen Cropper
- Elevated: WR Parris Campbell
- Placed on IR: RB Miles Sanders (story)
Detroit Lions
- Signed from practice squad: S Erick Hallett, DT Quinton Jefferson, CB Nick Whiteside
- Elevated: T Devin Cochran, CB Arthur Maulet
- Placed on IR: T Giovanni Manu (story)
- Waived: C Kingsley Eguakun, DT Chris Smith
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: RB Ameer Abdullah, CB Cameron Mitchell
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: CB A.J. Green, LB Elias Neal
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: LB Quinton Bell, CB Isaiah Johnson
New England Patriots
- Elevated: RB Terrell Jennings, DE Truman Jones
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: LB Nephi Sewell
New York Jets
- Elevated: WR Brandon Smith, WR Isaiah Williams
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed from practice squad: WR Ke’Shawn Williams
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: CB Shaquill Griffin, S Jerrick Reed II
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: RB Owen Wright
Tennessee Titans
- Signed from practice squad: TE Thomas Odukoya
- Elevated: LB Curtis Jacobs, K Matthew Wright
- Waived: T John Ojukwu
Manu was ruled out for this week with a knee injury after making the first start of his career with Detroit. Unfortunately, he’ll miss the team’s next three games, as well, after being placed on injured reserve.
Wright will fill in as placekicker for the Titans in Week 6. Regular kicker Joey Slye has been ruled out with a calf injury after missing practice all week.
Avery in Cleveland and Walton in Carolina are both being called up as standard gameday practice squad elevations for the third time this year. If either of their respective teams want them to be active for another game, they will need to sign them to the 53-man roster.
Broncos Activate Malcolm Roach, Place Ben Powers On IR
Malcolm Roach returned to practice recently, a development suggesting he could be available to the Broncos for Week 6. That will indeed be the case. 
The veteran defensive tackle was activated from injured reserve on Saturday, per a team announcement. Given the timing of when Roach had his 21-day practice window opened, it was expected Denver would make this move. He is now in line to make his season debut during the Broncos’ matchup with the Jets in London.
Roach is one of several former Saints who reunited with Sean Payton upon arrival in Denver. The 27-year-old logged a full campaign last year, setting new career highs in tackles (43) and sacks (2.5) along the way. Roach also recorded a personal best in terms of usage rate with a 42% snap share. A similar workload could be in store upon his return.
The Broncos’ defensive line also includes Zach Allen, D.J. Jones and John Franklin-Myers, of course. That trio has remained healthy through the early stages of the 2025 campaign and as long as that continues, each of its members will handle a large workload. Even in that case, Roach will be counted on to fill in on a part-time basis moving forward. As a pending free agent, his performance upon retuning to action will be key in determining his market value.
To make room on the roster, the Broncos moved starting left guard Ben Powers to injured reserve. The 2023 free agent signing suffered a biceps injury in Week 5, and shortly after that game it became clear an IR stint would be necessary. Powers has not missed a game to date in his Denver tenure, but that will now change. A return to action in December is the team’s target in his case.
With Powers sidelined for at least the next four games (but quite probably more), depth up front will be something to monitor. The Broncos have elevated Calvin Throckmorton from the practice squad for tomorrow’s game. The former UDFA played two games last season with Denver, and he is now in position to make his season debut on Sunday.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/11/25
Saturday’s taxi squad moves:
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: T Brant Banks
- Released: DL Deslin Alexandre
Bears CB Kyler Gordon To Play In Week 6
Coming off their bye week, the Bears will find themselves in a better position on the health front than their previous game. Most notably, cornerback Kyler Gordon is set to make his season debut on Monday. 
Gordon has dealt with a hamstring injury since training camp, and he missed each of Chicago’s first four games as a result. The recently-extended cover man was a full participant in practice today, however, and he is not listed on the Bears’ injury report. Gordon will thus make his first regular season appearance of the year against the Commanders in Week 6.
Chicago’s secondary has been without Jaylon Johnson for essentially the entire campaign. He is currently on injured reserve while recovering from surgery after suffering a groin injury during his Week 2 debut. Johnson could return to action late in the year, but for the foreseeable future he will remain unavailable. That makes Gordon’s health particularly important.
The 25-year-old was a high priority this past offseason with respect to his contract situation. It came as no surprise when a long-term pact was worked out in April. Gordon landed a three-year, $40MM extension, cementing his status as a core member of Chicago’s defense moving forward and making him the latest slot corner to land an eight-figure AAV. Gordon was tapped as a candidate to see time on the outside in 2025, and with Johnson out of the picture it will be interesting to see if defensive coordinator Dennis Allen follows through with his summer plan on that front.
In other Bears injury news, linebacker T.J. Edwards is also back to full strength after suffering his own hamstring ailment. Edwards exited Week 2 as a result of the injury and he missed the following two games. When Chicago takes on Washington, though, the second level of the team’s defense as well as its secondary will have a key figure back in the fold.
Cardinals Place P Blake Gillikin On IR, Promote Third QB
Cardinals punter Blake Gillikin avoided missing any time after a brief appearance on the team’s injury report in Week 2, but the back injury that ailed him then appears to have returned with a vengeance. The injury forced him to reappear on the injury report as a limited practice participant on Thursday, and yesterday Gillikin didn’t practice at all. Now, he’ll miss the next four games, at least, after being placed on injured reserve today. 
Arizona addressed Gillikin’s potential absence yesterday by signing veteran punter Pat O’Donnell. O’Donnell punted for the Bears for eight years after Chicago drafted him in the sixth-round in 2014. He spent one year after Chicago with the Packers but remained a free agent throughout the 2023 season. Last year, he got a similar call from the 49ers, who held on to him for eight games after Mitch Wishnowsky was sidelined for the second half of the season with a back injury of his own.
It now makes sense that the Cardinals signed O’Donnell directly to the 53-man roster instead of stashing him on the practice squad first. Practice squad players can only be called up three times on a single practice squad contract, and with Gillikin forced to miss four games, at least, Arizona would’ve needed to add O’Donnell to the active roster at some point.
Taking Gillikin’s slot on the 53-man roster will be practice squad quarterback Kedon Slovis. Teams are allowed to have a third quarterback suit up as an emergency option but only if all three passers are on the active roster. Starter Kyler Murray is questionable to play tomorrow after missing nearly all of practice this week with a foot injury. If Slovis had just been called up as a standard gameday practice squad elevation, then Murray would likely have been ruled out, since only two quarterbacks could’ve been active. But with Slovis on the active roster, Murray still could start with Jacoby Brissett serving as the primary backup and Slovis suited up as an emergency third option.
With both gameday elevations available, the Cardinals will call up defensive linemen Zachary Carter and Anthony Goodlow from the practice squad.