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Vikings Activate RB Aaron Jones From IR

October 23rd, 2025 at 3:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Vikings are now halfway through their injury activations for the regular season. The fourth is being used on a quick activation. Aaron Jones is back on Minnesota’s active roster two days after being designated for return.

This certainly reveals the team’s confidence in its highest-paid running back, who will come off IR in time for tonight’s Vikings-Chargers matchup. The Vikings waived linebacker Kobe King to clear roster space. They are also making guard Henry Byrd a gameday elevation.

Minnesota used two of its injury activations this summer, taking advantage of the NFL’s 2024 rule change that allows for up to two IR-return slots to be used to preserve roster spots on cutdown day. Those went to fullback C.J. Ham and linebacker Tyler Batty. The team also activated linebacker Blake Cashman off IR. Jones, though, profiles as the most significant of Minnesota’s early-season IR-return moves.

Thursday’s move marks the second time Jones, who is coming off a hamstring injury sustained in Week 2, has been activated from IR. The Packers did so in 2023 and proceeded to watch him finish the season with five straight 100-yard rushing efforts. Jones is now 30, and trade pickup Jordan Mason has been the Vikings’ lead back this season. It will be interesting to see how Minnesota reintegrates Jones, who delivered a strong season in his Twin Cities debut.

On a one-year, $7MM deal in 2024, Jones posted a career-high 1,138 rushing yards and scored five touchdowns on the ground. The Vikings gave him a two-year, $20MM contract to re-sign, though they traded for Mason days later. Mason has played well in Jones’ absence, totaling 380 yards (4.5 per tote) and four rushing TDs. The duo will work in tandem again beginning tonight in Los Angeles, which will feature another Carson Wentz start. The team has still deemed J.J. McCarthy unready to return from a Week 2 high ankle sprain.

Only a one-time Pro Bowler despite having four 1,000-yard seasons on his resume and remaining a productive starting back into his early 30s, Jones has a chance to reestablish the momentum he did in Year 1 with Kevin O’Connell. A strong second half would give the ninth-year veteran a chance to stick in Minnesota for a third year.

The Vikings will see $2MM of Jones’ $9MM 2026 base salary become guaranteed on Day 3 of the ’26 league year. Jones may not be able to afford another injury absence, as that $9MM number — coupled with Mason’s more affordable deal and far lower mileage — makes the vet a cut candidate. For now, Jones will attempt to play a key role in the Vikings booking their third O’Connell-era playoff berth.

Negotiations On 18-Game Schedule Paused During NFLPA Leadership Search

October 23rd, 2025 at 12:54pm CST by Adam La Rose

David White is currently in place as the NFLPA’s interim executive director. The search for his permanent replacement is underway, and that process will be at the center of the union’s attention until it is complete.

A new full-time executive director is expected to be in place at some point next year. Until a hire is made, negotiations on the next collective bargaining agreement – in particular, expanding the schedule to 18 regular season games – will understandably be put on hold. Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed as much when speaking at the league’s fall meeting.

“I can’t see anything of significance happening on our side as far as starting formal negotiations until that’s determined,” Goodell said (via Mark Maske of the Washington Post). “In the meantime, we spent a lot of time even in the last couple days talking about our priorities.

“You can’t start negotiations or discussions until both parties are ready. So from my standpoint, we’re going to do our part to be ready… There are a lot of issues that we are going to raise and certainly the players will raise… So they’re going to need time to make sure that they’re prepared, that they’re ready for the negotiations [and] they have their priorities straight.”

Given the fact NFL owners instituted a 17-game schedule at the first opportunity under the current CBA, it has long been assumed another expansion of the regular season would be inevitable. Howell noted last month that may not be the case, and negotiations on this front will see a number of union priorities factored in (such as a potential second bye week along with concerns related to travel and playing surfaces).

The CBA runs through the 2030 campaign, so plenty of time remains for an agreement on the schedule to be reached. Nevertheless, any efforts on the part of owners to approve an 18-game setup along an early timeline will essentially be on hold until White’s successor is in place.

Titans Place CB L’Jarius Sneed On IR

October 23rd, 2025 at 12:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

L’Jarius Sneed has managed to play in each of the Titans’ first seven games this season. The veteran corner’s run of availability to begin the 2025 campaign has come to an end, however.

Sneed has been placed on injured reserve, per a team announcement. The move ensures he will miss at least the next four games. Tennessee’s secondary will be shorthanded as a result.

After playing just five games in 2024, Sneed’s Titans future was a talking point ahead of the current campaign. The former Chief has operated as a full-time starter this year, though, posting three pass deflections. Sneed has surrendered three touchdowns in coverage, a continuation of his poor showing in that regard from his time on the field last season.

In spite of those numbers, Sneed was in position to continue operating as a key figure in Tennessee’s secondary. The team will instead move forward without him in the picture for the time being. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is dealing with a hamstring injury at the moment. As such, the Titans will be notably shorthanded on defense as interim head coach Mike McCoy prepares for his second game at the helm.

Sneed received the franchise tag from Kansas City last offseason before ultimately being traded to Tennessee. Upon arrival, the 28-year-old signed a $19.8MM-per-year pact. Sneed is under contract through 2027, with $7.5MM in next year’s salary shifting to a full guarantee on March 18. Depending on the severity of this injury, Sneed could find himself being let go before that date given his missed time on his second career team.

In a corresponding move, the Titans have signed linebacker Joe Bachie from the practice squad to the active roster. Bachie has made five appearances so far this season, each of them coming with the Colts. The 27-year-old was recently moved to IR and then released, though, leaving him free to sign with a new team. Shortly after doing so, Bachie will now have the opportunity to make his Tennessee debut.

Dolphins Restructure Jordyn Brooks’ Deal

October 23rd, 2025 at 11:19am CST by Adam La Rose

In advance of the trade deadline, the Dolphins have freed up some 2025 cap space. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks‘ deal has been restructured, per ESPN’s Field Yates.

This is a simple restructure, with part of Brooks’ $7.82MM base salary for the season being converted into a signing bonus. The move has created $3MM in cap space. Miami entered Thursday near the bottom of the league with $4.9MM in available funds.

As the trade deadline approaches, teams expecting to operate as buyers are generally the ones which carve out immediate cap space to absorb incoming contracts. Sitting at 1-6 on the year, though, the Dolphins are certainly not seen as a candidate to make a notable addition over the coming days. On the contrary, Miami is viewed as a seller and several notable players have drawn interest.

Brooks is not among them, and today’s move if obviously a sign he will remain in the fold moving forward. The former first-rounder easily topped 100 tackles during his final three seasons with the Seahawks before signing with Miami during his first trip to free agency in 2024. Brooks took a three-year pact averaging $8.75MM per season upon joining the Dolphins.

The 28-year-old totaled 143 tackles and three sacks during his debut Miami campaign. He has continued to operate as a full-time starter this season, and that will no doubt remain the case moving forward. Brooks is under contract through 2026. He is in line to stay in place with the Dolphins at a time when other members of the team’s defense could be on the move shortly. It will also be interesting to see how the team proceeds over the coming days with additional cap room.

Texans Will Not Fire OC Nick Caley

October 23rd, 2025 at 10:33am CST by Adam La Rose

After two seasons with Bobby Slowik guiding their offense, the Texans made a coordinator change this offseason. Nick Caley was tapped as his replacement, setting up the former Patriots and Rams staffer to handle OC duties for the first time in his career.

Things have not gone as Houston hoped in 2025. The team’s struggles on offense from last season have carried over to the current campaign, leading to a 2-4 record. The Texans lead the NFL in scoring defense but rank just 21st in points scored per game (21.2).

In spite of that dichotomy, no changes are currently being considered along the sidelines. Caley is safe for the time being. The 42-year-old has been in the NFL since 2015, spending much of his time at the pro level as a tight ends coach. After eight seasons in New England, Caley spent a pair of campaigns in Los Angeles. That span included the role of pass-game coordinator for the Rams in 2024. Houston’s air attack has plenty of room for improvement, and Caley will be tasked with overseeing a turnaround.

“We’re pressing forward with everybody we have,” head coach DeMeco Ryans said (via Aaron Wilson of KPRC2). “We’re collectively in this together. If you want to point the finger at somebody, put it on me. Ultimately, it’s my job. We’re rolling with what we have.”

The Texans posted a 10-7 record during each of Ryans’ first two seasons at the helm. On both occasions, the team was eliminated in the divisional round of the playoffs. 2025 was seen by many as the point at which Houston could emerge as a true AFC heavyweight; doing so would of course depend on Caley’s ability to help the team’s offense return to its 2023 successes.

That has not taken place so far, and the Texans’ ground game has suffered from the absence of Joe Mixon. With his return still unclear at this point, Houston is in the market for a running back trade addition. Regardless of what happens on that front, an increase in overall offensive productivity will be needed if the team is to contend for the playoffs in 2025. Caley and his unit will be worth watching closely through the remainder of the campaign as a result.

Brandon Graham Re-Signs With Eagles

October 23rd, 2025 at 9:42am CST by Ben Levine

OCTOBER 23: Graham’s one-year pact carries a prorated value of just under $4.9MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. He will receive a total of $2.44MM over the remainder of the season; that figure includes a $1.68MM signing bonus.

OCTOBER 20: After a day of speculation, Brandon Graham is indeed returning to Philly. The veteran defensive end will be re-signing with the Eagles, reports Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has confirmed the news. CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr reported earlier this evening that Graham was expected to make his announcement tomorrow morning. Graham has since hinted at the impending transaction via X.

A potential Eagles reunion has seemingly been in the cards since the defender announced his retirement this past offseason. After Graham left the door open to a potential return, there appeared to be growing momentum towards a move yesterday, when we learned that the player had discussed a potential deal with the organization. As Florio notes, the main hurdle to overcome was “an acceptable contract,” which the two sides apparently figured out in short order.

While the 2025 campaign will represent Graham’s age-37 season, this reunion is more than needed for the Eagles. The team has only generated 11 sacks this season, and the recent retirement of Za’Darius Smith has only further depleted their pass-rush corps. Besides filling in the leadership gap that Smith left behind, Graham should also help pick up some of the production. James Palmer of The Athletic passes along that the Eagles believe the veteran was the best pass rusher on their squad in 2024.

Of course, expectations have to be somewhat tempered following a 2024 campaign when Graham was getting into less than half of his team’s defensive snaps before he suffered a season-ending triceps injury (he returned in time for the Super Bowl, when he re-tore his triceps). Graham returned for the Super Bowl after a nonsurgical rehab route; as retirement commenced, he underwent surgery following the second tear. Considering that injury and his lack of a training camp/preseason, it seems unlikely that Graham will be able to contribute right away.

However, when Graham is ready to play, the Eagles will surely be plenty reliant on the familiar face. Graham will re-join an EDGE group that consists of Josh Uche, Jalyx Hunt, and (eventually) Nolan Smith, who is currently on IR while dealing with a triceps injury. Besides losing Smith to retirement, the Eagles also lost Ogbo Okoronkwo to a season-ending triceps injury. While that grouping should be enough to get by, Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com believes the Eagles aren’t done adding to the position as they look to make another run to a Super Bowl.

Graham hasn’t been a full-time player since the 2020 season, although that didn’t stop him from compiling 11 sacks during the 2022 campaign. He collected a combined 6.5 sacks between 2023 and 2024, and he appeared in pair of playoff games during that same span. Set to play in his 16th NFL season, Graham — already the longest-tenured player in Eagles history, with this in-season signing set to widen the gap between the popular edge rusher and the field in franchise annals — will now have an opportunity to add to his franchise records (including games player and TFLs).

Jets QBs Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor Splitting Practice Reps

October 23rd, 2025 at 8:59am CST by Adam La Rose

Week 7 saw the Jets make a halftime change at the quarterback spot. Since then, owner Woody Johnson has offered a scathing evaluation of Justin Fields‘ play during his debut campaign in New York.

[RELATED: List Of Jets Trade Candidates Grows]

In the wake of those comments, the expectation has emerged Tyrod Taylor will take over starting duties on a permanent basis. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but the team is certainly operating as though a change in the depth chart will take place in time for Week 8. Fields said (via SNY’s Connor Hughes) he and Taylor split first-team reps during practice on Wednesday.

Taylor’s second-half performance against the Panthers saw him complete just 10 of 22 passes for 126 scoreless yards. The 36-year-old also threw a pair of interceptions. The Jets will need better play from under center regardless of who handles starting duties moving forward. Taylor is a pending free agent, whereas Fields inked a deal in March which runs through the 2026 season and contains $30MM in guarantees.

When speaking to the media about the quarterback situation (video link via SNY), head coach Aaron Glenn said a decision has been made with respect to the Jets’ Week 8 starter. It has not been announced, though, meaning speculation about the team’s direction will continue over the coming days. The Jets have a top-10 rushing offense this season but they rank last in the NFL in passing yards per game. Finding a better balance on offense will be key to ending the team’s seven-game losing streak.

Provided New York moves forward with Taylor, questions will be raised about Fields’ chances of operating as a QB1 again in the NFL. The former Bears first-rounder went 4-2 as a starter with the Steelers last season, indicating he could find success on his third career team. That has not proven to be the case so far, and Fields’ first campaign in New York could soon include a backup spell.

Texans Interested In Acquiring Running Back

October 22nd, 2025 at 10:30pm CST by Connor Byrne

With injured starter Joe Mixon uncertain to play in 2025, the Texans have interest in acquiring a running back before the Nov. 4 trade deadline, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports.

Mixon, acquired from the Bengals in March 2024, was one of the Texans’ top offensive weapons during an AFC South-winning campaign last year. He earned his second Pro Bowl nod after rushing for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns on 245 carries over 14 games. Mixon also added 36 catches for 309 yards and another score.

The Texans have taken steps backward during a 2-4 start this season, and they’ve gotten nothing from Mixon. The 29-year-old remains on the reserve/NFI list with a foot/ankle injury. There’s still no word on whether he’ll play this season. Regardless, the Texans could move on from Mixon in the offseason. Although they signed him to a three-year, $27MM extension after trading for him, none of his $8MM base salary for 2026 is guaranteed.

The Texans are months away from deciding Mixon’s future. In the meantime, they’ll look to improve a ground game that ranks a below-average 18th in yards per game (106.2).

Quarterback C.J. Stroud easily leads the team in yards per carry (7.3), though he has only totaled 20 attempts. Running back Nick Chubb has averaged a respectable 4.2 per tote and added two touchdowns on a team-high 63 carries. However, after an injury-riddled last couple of years in Cleveland, Chubb isn’t the workhorse he once was. The 29-year-old hasn’t totaled more than 13 attempts in a game this season. He ran just five times for 16 yards in a loss to the Seahawks in Week 7.

Rookie fourth-rounder Woody Marks joined Chubb in struggling in Seattle. The Seahawks held him to 15 yards on 10 tries, though he did pick up a receiving touchdown. Marks has scored three TDs (one on the ground), but he has posted a meager 3.3 YPC on 46 attempts.

As for other in-house options, Dameon Pierce has fallen out of favor since a 939-yard rushing season as a rookie in 2022. The Texans have made him a healthy inactive four times this year, including in Seattle. He has recorded just 10 carries in 2025, while Dare Ogunbowale and British Brooks have combined for four.

With just under two weeks left until the deadline, no RB has come up in trade rumors more than the Jets’ Breece Hall. The pending free agent ranks 12th in the league in carries (99) and 13th in yards (448). He could be on the Texans’ radar.

As is the case with Hall, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Browns’ Jerome Ford head elsewhere soon. The former Chubb backfield mate has taken on a diminished role this season with the emergence of rookie Quinshon Judkins. It would make sense for the Browns to move Ford for the best offer.

Graziano points to the Dolphins’ Jaylen Wright as another potential deadline acquisition. After rushing for 249 yards on 68 attempts as a rookie in 2024, Wright has played in just one game and hasn’t gotten a carry this year. Wright has fallen behind rookie backup Ollie Gordon on the depth chart, which could lead him out of Miami and perhaps to Houston before the deadline.

Jets More Open To Moving Jermaine Johnson Than Will McDonald; Teams Monitoring Quincy Williams

October 22nd, 2025 at 10:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

At 0-7, the Jets are an obvious seller ahead of the November 4 trade deadline. A host of Joe Douglas-era acquisitions have come up as potential pieces to be moved, but the team is sitting tight for the time being.

Breece Hall, Jermaine Johnson, Michael Carter II, Allen Lazard and even the injured Alijah Vera-Tucker have come up as trade chips. We can add Will McDonald and Quincy Williams, according to veteran insider Jordan Schultz, who notes the third-year defensive end and seventh-year linebacker are among those buyers are keeping an eye on presently.

Determining which players are in good standing with Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey will be part of this Jets process ahead of the deadline, and McDonald may well be one of the untouchables for the team. The Jets have the 2023 first-rounder signed through 2026, and they can exercise his fifth-year option to move the rookie contract through 2027. That would lead the Jets to set a high price, which the team has been doing with other assets as well.

The Jets look to be more willing to part with Johnson than McDonald, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. New York picking up Johnson’s fifth-year option moved his contract year to 2026, but unlike fellow 2022 first-round picks Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner, the team did not extend the fourth-year defensive end. That leaves Johnson on uncertain terrain alongside Carter, whom Fowler adds is drawing interest despite not living up to his eight-figure-per-year contract.

Johnson’s 2026 option salary ($13.41MM) is fully guaranteed, providing a complication for teams. Having suffered an Achilles tear in September 2024 also dings Johnson’s stock. While he has recovered, three game absences have taken place as well. That stands to lower Johnson’s price tag — during a season in which he has started with one sack and just two QB hits — and it will be interesting to see if the Jets seriously consider selling low. Keeping Johnson through 2026 and hoping he boosts his value ahead of a future trade may be the smarter play, though Fowler adds he has drawn some trade interest.

Viewed as a Broderick Jones consolation prize in the ’23 first round, McDonald did not play much as a rookie. But he broke through in 2024, registering 10.5 sacks and 24 QB hits. This season, McDonald has just two QB drops — both came in Week 1.

The Iowa State alum would still stand to generate extensive interest, as a low-cost 2026 salary is in place ahead of a potential option season. The Jets, who let Bryce Huff walk in free agency last year before trading John Franklin-Myers, do not have much of note behind these two rushers. While moving Douglas-years pieces is likely, scanning elsewhere on their roster may be necessary to find a move.

Williams remains in the strange position of seeing a less accomplished player (Jamien Sherwood) lap him on the contract front. The Jets re-signed the special-teamer-turned-starter to a three-year, $45MM deal, doing so while not extending Williams, who is in the final season of a three-year, $18MM pact. Although Gang Green added incentives to Williams’ deal, he was deemed a higher priority by the Douglas-Robert Saleh regime than this one. Williams is also on IR with a shoulder injury, clouding his trade value.

A former first-team All-Pro, Williams is attached to a $6.5MM base salary. An acquiring team would need to pick up more than $3MM if the Jets dangle Williams closer to the deadline. Carter has come up as a trade piece as well, as the slot cornerback is not viewed as a long-term part of this equation any longer.

Extended on a three-year, $30.75MM pact in September 2024, Carter has battled injuries and shaky play since. The Jets also traded for Jarvis Brownlee this season and have given him some slot work. Carter, who is on just a $1.7MM base salary for 2025, has drawn some interest, per Fowler. Two former Jets defensive leaders — Saleh (49ers) and Jeff Ulbrich — have landed DC jobs elsewhere, making for potential fits.

An additional $4.1MM of Carter’s 2026 money becomes guaranteed on Day 5 of the 2026 league year, giving an acquiring team some flexibility. Considering the Jets have paid Gardner and authorized a $12MM-per-year Brandon Stephens deal, it would stand to reason they would be eager to get off the Carter contract before the deadline.

Bengals Unlikely To Trade Trey Hendrickson

October 22nd, 2025 at 10:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Bengals deviated from their general stance against in-season trades for players by acquiring Joe Flacco from the Browns. To the chagrin of Mike Tomlin, that trade has already proven beneficial — after the Bengals upended the Steelers in Week 7.

Prior to that game, a host of Trey Hendrickson rumors emerged. Cincinnati is not typically helpful for buyers at the trade deadline, either, though Hendrickson’s contract-year status naturally influenced contenders to closely monitor this situation. With the Bengals now 3-4, do not expect them to part with their best defensive player.

A Hendrickson trade will not happen, according to The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. The Bengals would lose their right to keep Hendrickson via the franchise tag by moving him now, and with the team having narrowed its AFC North deficit (in a season that has brought a stunning 1-5 Ravens start), it makes sense for the typically rigid team to hold tight here.

If a club were to acquire Hendrickson, the Bengals also may not be especially helpful in terms of picking up salary. With Hendrickson on a $16MM base salary in his walk year, game checks come in at nearly $1MM apiece. That is a big haul for a team to add halfway through a season. As it stands, that appears a moot point.

Endless Hendrickson-Cincy rumors related to the All-Pro defensive end’s extension talks did not produce a deal this offseason, with the team circling back on a late-August raise rather than agreeing on a post-2025 contract. This came after a host of trade rumors at multiple junctures. The Bengals set a lofty asking price in March, seeking more than a first-round pick for the 30-year-old edge rusher. Although they were believed to have dropped that price by August, no trade commenced. This led the sides to come back to the negotiating table.

Hendrickson sought guarantees beyond Year 1 of an extension; the Bengals’ offers did not include such terms, leading the sides to compromise with this raise. That bump will make Hendrickson harder to move, but his consecutive 17.5-sack seasons naturally still make him an appealing commodity on the trade market.

The 49ers came up as a suitor and have been expected to check in. The Colts, who employ longtime Hendrickson DC Lou Anarumo now, join the Eagles and Cowboys as other teams with interest. Those teams are almost definitely going to need to pivot to other options. While the Bengals slipping up against the Jets or Bears at home before the deadline could change the equation, they are set to stand pat right now.

Hendrickson’s ninth season has brought a team-high four sacks and eight QB hits. The Bengals still rank 31st defensively, struggling to start Al Golden‘s DC tenure. Seeing as Cincinnati’s defensive struggles last year prevented an MVP-caliber Joe Burrow season and a Ja’Marr Chase triple-crown effort from producing a playoff berth, Golden’s unit will need to improve quickly. Hendrickson, though, will remain as the team’s centerpiece player on that side of the ball.

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