Steelers Cut S Juan Thornhill
Continuing to make noteworthy changes at the safety position, the Steelers have cut Juan Thornhill, according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com. Thornhill will go through waivers. If no team claims him, he’ll become a free agent.
The Steelers have shaken things up at safety since starter DeShon Elliott suffered a serious knee injury in Week 8. Elliott is now on IR.
Shortly after losing Elliott, the Steelers acquired Kyle Dugger from the Patriots on Oct. 28. Dugger has since stepped into a starting role next to longtime cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who transitioned to free safety during a Week 9 win over the Colts.
With Dugger and Ramsey taking over at safety, Thornhill worked exclusively on special teams against Indianapolis and in Pittsburgh’s loss to the Chargers on Sunday. The 30-year-old started in one of nine games, logged a 48.5% snap share on defense, and totaled 38 tackles this season before the Steelers moved on from him.
After coming off the board in the second round of the 2019 draft, Thornhill divided his first six NFL seasons between Kansas City and Cleveland. He served as a full-time starter on two of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning teams before spending two years with the Browns.
The Browns released Thornhill last offseason, leading him to the Steelers on a one-year, $3MM deal. Although his union with the Steelers didn’t work out, Thornhill – who has 75 career starts and eight interceptions – could be attractive to safety-needy clubs down the stretch. If a team claims him, it would take on the remainder of his league-minimum base salary.
With Thornhill on his way out, the Steelers claimed safety Sebastian Castro off waivers from the Buccaneers on Monday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com relays. Castro signed with the Steelers as an undrafted rookie from Iowa in late April, but the Buccaneers plucked him off their practice squad on Sept. 30. He appeared in one game with the Bucs and totaled six snaps (all on special teams). Castro will join Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers among the Steelers’ depth options at safety.
Cardinals WR Zay Jones Suffers Torn Achilles
Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones suffered a season-ending left Achilles tear in a 44-22 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday, head coach Jonathan Gannon announced (via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN). Jones, who’s expected to undergo surgery, will land on IR.
Jones sustained the injury during the second quarter of Sunday’s disastrous defeat to an NFC West rival. He finished the game with no catches and one target. The 30-year-old will wrap up the campaign with 12 receptions, 18 targets, and 183 yards. With Jones scheduled to hit the open market in the offseason, the timing and the severity of the injury are especially unfortunate.
Jones joined the Cardinals in free agency on a one-year, $2.25MM deal in May 2024. The agreement with Arizona came after the former East Carolina star and second-round pick divided his first seven NFL seasons among the Bills, Raiders, and Jaguars. During the best year of his career, 2022, he piled up 82 receptions for 823 yards and five touchdowns in Jacksonville.
Jones’ Cardinals tenure began inauspiciously last year with a five-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Although Jones caught a mere eight passes for 84 yards in 11 games after returning, the Cardinals brought him back on a one-year, $4.4MM contract last offseason. With Jones already done for the year in early November, the team will get little from that investment.
Jones currently ranks third among Cardinals WRs in catches, targets, and yards, trailing Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson in those categories. Harrison, Wilson, and tight end Trey McBride will continue serving as quarterback Jacoby Brissett‘s top options as he fills in for injured starter Kyler Murray, who will miss at least three more games with a mid-foot sprain. Receivers Greg Dortch and Xavier Weaver could get more work as the Cardinals look to replace Jones’ output.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/10/25
Here’s a look at Monday’s minor moves from around the NFL…
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: LB Brian Asamoah II
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: LB Kristian Welch
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed from practice squad: LS Jake McQuaide
- Waived: LS Alex Ward
Tennessee Titans
- Designated to return from IR: S Mike Brown, RB Kalel Mullings
The Titans will have 21 days to activate Brown and Mullings after opening their practice windows. Brown worked exclusively on special teams over four games before going on IR with a knee injury on Oct. 4. Mullings, a sixth-round rookie from Michigan, appeared in two games but didn’t record any offensive snaps before an ankle injury sent him to IR on Sept. 26.
Commanders DT Daron Payne Issued One-Game Suspension
5:47pm: Hearing officer Ramon Foster has upheld Payne’s suspension, according to NFL senior VP of football and international communications Michael Signora. Payne will not play in Week 11.
4:30pm: Payne will appeal his suspension, per ESPN’s John Keim. If he does not win the appeal, he will not be able to travel with the Commanders for their upcoming matchup in Madrid.
8:40am: During Sunday’s blowout loss, the Commanders experienced a lapse in discipline on a number of occasions. That included Daron Payne punching Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown after a play. 
Payne was ejected as a result, and further discipline has now been issued. The veteran defensive tackle has been issued a one-game suspension, as noted by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Payne will miss Washington’s Week 11 game against the Dolphins (pending a successful appeal) as a result.
The Commanders have dealt with a number of injuries on both sides of the ball during their ongoing five-game losing streak. Losing Payne will represent another blow on defense, as the eighth-year contributor has remained a full-time starter in 2025. Payne has spent his entire career in the nation’s capital, and he missed only one game during his first seven years in the NFL.
Due to this suspension – which, to no surprise falls under the unsportsmanlike conduct category – however, the 28-year-old will not be in place when the Commanders take on the Dolphins in Madrid. Washington’s bye will follow that contest, so Payne will not be in the lineup again until Week 13. A Commanders team which has lost each of its last four games by double digits will be thin along the defensive front until then.
Payne was retained in 2023 via the franchise tag before becoming one of several defensive tackles to sign a lucrative new deal. The former first-rounder is under contract through 2026 and he will be expected to remain a key figure during that campaign along with the closing stages of the current one when he returns. Payne earned his lone Pro Bowl nod in 2022 when he recorded 11.5 sacks. The Alabama product followed that up with back-to-back seasons of four sacks.
So far in 2025, Payne has only notched one sack but he is also responsible for a safety forced by Washington’s defense and has recorded five pass deflections. That production will be absent for one contest when the Commanders look to rebound on the scoreboard but also in terms of disciplined play.
Eagles Activate LB Nolan Smith From IR
The Eagles are getting a pass-rushing reinforcement back ahead of a Monday night showdown with the Packers. The team has activated edge rusher Nolan Smith from IR, per Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Smith is returning less than a week after Philadelphia opened his 21-day practice window.
The Eagles have gotten off to a 6-2 start despite limited contributions from Smith, who has been out since suffering a strained triceps in Week 3. Smith started in his first three appearances this year and logged 10 tackles.
After working in a reserve role as a rookie, the 2023 first-round pick from Georgia broke through last season with 42 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 16 games (10 starts). Smith performed even better during the Eagles’ four-game playoff run, notching 16 tackles and four sacks to help the team to a championship. However, he tore his triceps in the Eagles’ 40-22 Super Bowl LIX win over the Chiefs and had to undergo surgery.
Fortunately for Smith and the Eagles, the 24-year-old’s latest triceps injury wasn’t as severe as the one he suffered last February. He’ll now return to a pass-rushing group that has undergone a makeover during the past couple of weeks. The Eagles brought franchise icon Brandon Graham out of retirement in late October. Not content to stop there, general manager Howie Roseman acquired Jaelan Phillips from the Dolphins for a third-round pick before last Tuesday’s trade deadline.
The Smith-Graham-Phillips trio will play together for the first time Monday in a potential playoff preview against the 5-2-1 Packers. They’ll join Jalyx Hunt and Joshua Uche as the Eagles’ main edge options.
Along with activating Smith, the Eagles elevated outside linebacker Patrick Johnson from their practice squad on Monday. Johnson has played in seven games this year and picked up one sack. With 136 special teams snaps this season, he ranks fifth on the team.
Jets WR Garrett Wilson To Miss 3-4 Weeks With Knee Sprain
Jets receiver Garrett Wilson returned from a two-game absence on Sunday only go suffer an injury to the same knee that sidelined him for the team’s previous two games.
Wilson is dealing with a knee sprain that will keep him out for another three to four weeks, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini. He will not require surgery and will instead spend the time rehabbing in the hopes of a strong return for the last few weeks of the season. The Jets air attack that has run through Wilson this year, so the 25-year-old’s absence will be a major, if not fatal, blow to their already-struggling offense.
Despite missing two-and-a-half games, Wilson is the Jets’ leading receiver by a wide margin. He has commanded a 25% target share and produced 22.9% of the team’s receptions (59) and 25.9% of their receiving yards (395). The rest of the receiving room has combined for just 39 catches and 418 yards.
The Jets insisted that wide receiver Adonai Mitchell be part of the Sauce Gardner trade, and the former Colts wideout could quickly see a huge role in his new home after Wilson’s latest injury. He was inactive on Sunday, but the Jets will try to integrate him into the offense this week.
Rookie tight end Mason Taylor, the Jets’ second leading receiver with 30 receptions and 246 yards, will likely see an uptick in targets, too. Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand will likely lean on a rushing attack that ranks fourth in the NFL with 5.0 yards per carry and 1,276 rushing yards on the season.
The Jets recorded their first two wins of the season in the last two weeks, but their 0-7 start will make it nearly impossible for them to make the playoffs. Wilson could return in Week 14 at the earliest, based on this initial timeline, but the Jets may consider shutting him down for the season. Even if they win their next three games without Wilson – which come against the Patriots, Ravens, and Falcons – they may still want to take a cautious approach with their star wideout. They signed him to a $130MM extension in July and made him untouchable at the trade deadline despite moving star players at other premium positions. He has hurt the same knee twice, raising the chance for re-injury before the end of the season, and a significant injury could have an impact on the 2026 season.
Broncos LB Alex Singleton Recovering From Testicular Cancer Surgery
Alex Singleton announced to his teammates today that he recently underwent surgery for testicular cancer. The veteran linebacker will be absent from the Broncos for the time being but offered an encouraging statement on his status.
“I shared with my teammates and coaches that I underwent successful surgery on Friday for testicular cancer after being diagnosed last week,” Singleton posted on X. “Thankfully, we believe the cancer was caught early… While we are still awaiting some test results, I fully expect to return to the field in the coming weeks.”
Singleton was selected for random drug testing by the NFL recently. His results indicated the presence of the hormone hcG, which prompted the seventh-year veteran to consult a urologist. The diagnosis was confirmed shortly thereafter. Singleton still managed to play in the Broncos’ Week 10 game on Thursday night; his surgery took place the following day.
The 31-year-old confirmed (via Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post) he will miss at least this week’s matchup with the Chiefs. Singleton is hopeful he will be back in action relatively soon, though. Provided that takes place, his return will give the Broncos’ elite defense a boost.
Singleton has been a core part of a unit that ranks third in both points allowed and total defense. His 89 tackles lead the Broncos and rank fifth in the NFL, putting him on pace for similar production as his stellar 2022 and 2023 seasons. Those were his first two years in Denver; his third was cut short by a torn ACL in Week 3, though Singleton played the whole game despite suffering the injury in the first quarter.
Singleton’s professional career technically started in the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2015, but he never rose above the practice squad as a rookie. Instead, he made his name in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders, earning a Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in 2017, a Grey Cup championship in 2018, and a CFL All-Star nod in each year. That drew him plenty of NFL interest, and Singleton opted to join the Eagles in 2019. He played for three years in Philadelphia, starting out as a special teams contributor and quickly growing into their starting No. 2 linebacker.
Hopefully, Singleton can quickly put this health scare behind him and return to leading the Broncos defense as they look to continue their excellent start and make a deep playoff run.
Nikhil Mehta contributed to this story.
Raiders G Jackson Powers‑Johnson Could Miss Remainder Of Season
Jackson Powers-Johnson suffered an ankle injury during the Raiders’ Week 10 loss. After the game, head coach Pete Carroll indicated a lengthy absence could be in store. 
That has proven to be an accurate assessment. The second-year blocker is headed to injured reserve, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Powers-Johnson will miss at least the next four games as a result, although Rapoport adds he may not return this season.
That would deal a blow to Vegas’ offensive line the rest of the way. Powers-Johnson entered the league with high expectations and the second-round pick logged 14 starts as a rookie. In 2025, Powers-Johnson has started seven of his eight appearances while playing exclusively at right guard after spending time at all three interior spots last year. His development will be paused for a notable stretch even if a late-season return proves to be possible.
Powers-Johnson saw a large variance in his PFF evaluations from one game to the next this season. Improvement toward the end of the campaign would not have been enough to help the Raiders contend for a playoff spot, but it could have helped the 22-year-old cement his status as a guard starter for the future. Efforts on that front could now be delayed until 2026.
Veteran Alex Cappa – who was signed in free agency following his Bengals release – is an option to take over right guard duties moving forward. The same is also true of third-round rookie Caleb Rogers. The 2-7 Raiders will already be shorthanded on offense thanks to their decision to trade away Jakobi Meyers, and they will now proceed without a first-team figure up front as well.
49ers Do Not Expect Brock Purdy To Fully Heal In 2025
Brock Purdy‘s early return to action in Week 4 resulted in an aggravation of his turf toe injury. He has yet to appear for the 49ers since, and being available at full strength may not be possible for the remainder of the season. 
Head coach Kyle Shanahan recently noted (via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner) the team does not expect Purdy to return to 100% at any point during the 2025 campaign. As a result, a decision will need to be made regarding how close to full strength he is to be worth re-inserting into the lineup. To date, a cautious approach has been taken in this case.
The 49ers have of course been able to play things safe with Purdy thanks to the consistent performances of backup quarterback Mac Jones. San Francisco lost on Sunday, but Jones delivered another strong outing; the former Patriots first-rounder has posted a triple-digit passer rating four times in his eight starts this season. The 49ers sit at 6-4 on the year despite a slew of injuries on both sides of the ball. If Jones continues his level of play, a postseason berth will remain possible down the stretch.
San Francisco’s schedule includes games against the Cardinals, Panthers and Browns before the team’s bye week. Each of those opponents sport a losing record, and it could allow the 49ers to carry on with Jones atop the depth chart. Shanahan did say after yesterday’s game, however, that Purdy could have dressed as the backup in Week 10. That means the door is open to a return as early as next week.
“It depends on how close to 100% he gets,” Shanahan said (via Wagoner). “Our dilemma or what we’re trying not to do is put him out in the situation we did versus Jacksonville six weeks ago… I do believe he’s closer and further along than what he was at that time.”
The team has been clear in stating Purdy will operate as the starter once he is back in the fold. Questions about Jones playing his way into the QB1 gig have grown in the wake of his surprisingly strong performances, but Purdy inked a five-year extension averaging $53MM per season this past offseason. The former ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ will be tasked with guiding the offense whenever he is back on the field.
Especially if the 49ers feel Purdy will not be fully healed in the event he returns in 2025, however, it remains to be seen when the team will truly feel comfortable playing him. As the team deals with a number of other high-profile injury matters, this one will continue to be worth watching closely.
Jon Runyan Jr., Devin Singletary, Graham Gano Among Giants’ Cut Candidates
The Giants fell to 2-8 on the year thanks to another blown fourth-quarter lead. Quarterback Jaxson Dart is in danger of missing Week 11 due to a concussion, and questions continue to linger about the job security of head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. 
Regardless of what happens the rest of the way, a number of key decisions will need to be made after the season ends. Several veterans represent strong candidates to be released in cost-shedding moves with or without a new regime in place. As Darryl Slater of NJ.com writes, there are at least a few who are locks to be let go this offseason.
Among those is guard Jon Runyan Jr., running back Devin Singletary and kicker Graham Gano. Runyan signed with the Giants in free agency in 2024 after playing out his rookie contract with the Packers. The 28-year-old has served as a starter during his time in New York, but he has not managed to live up to expectations. Runyan is not owed any guaranteed salary for 2026, the final year of his deal. A release would create $9.25MM in cap savings while only generating $2.5MM in dead money.
Singletary spent one season in Houston after his four-year run in Buffalo came to an end. With the Giants in need of a Saquon Barkley replacement, he inked a three-year contract featuring $9.5MM in guarantees. That agreement did not result in an RB1 workload for Singletary with his new team, however. He logged a rotational role during his debut New York campaign before seeing his workload reduced even further in 2025. With Tyrone Tracy and Cam Skattebo each on their rookie deals, cutting Singletary (and saving $5.25MM in the process) would come as little surprise.
Gano has been a consistent contributor when healthy over the course of his Giants tenure, but injuries have been an issue dating back to 2023. The 38-year-old has only played in 23 games across the past three seasons and Slater deems him a “sure thing” to be released. Doing so would yield $4.5MM in savings against a dead money charge of only $1.25MM.
Plenty of other moves will be made ahead of the 2026 campaign, but as Slater notes the Giants are currently projected to be in the bottom half of the league in terms of cap space for next year. The team’s financial outlook will change dramatically if a major roster rest is pursued, but in any case those three cut candidates could very well find themselves on the move relatively soon.