Bills DE Michael Hoecht Suffers Torn Achilles
Bills defensive end Michael Hoecht suffered a torn Achilles in Sunday’s win vs. the Chiefs, head coach Sean McDermott announced after the game (via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport).
Hoecht, 28, arrived in Buffalo on a three-year, $21MM deal this offseason. He was suspended for the first six games of the season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy, though the Bills were aware of the infraction before finalizing his contract. He was reinstated during the Bills’ Week 7 bye and made a splashy debut in Week 8 against the Panthers. After Buffalo’s defensive line lost Ed Oliver in the first half, Hoecht took over a larger snap share and logged 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble that the Bills offense converted into a touchdown.
The five-year veteran chipped in another 0.5 sacks before he left Buffalo’s Week 9 victory over Kansas City. He will now miss the rest of the season, certainly a disappointing result after serving his suspension.
The Bills’ defensive line depth will be tested without Hoecht and Oliver, the latter of whom is out for the rest of the regular season with a biceps tear. However, Buffalo’s pass rush has been solid this year with 11 different defenders logging at least one sack. More injuries could spread the group even thinner, but they seem to have enough talent to keep pressuring opposing quarterbacks at a solid rate. Defensive ends Greg Rousseau, Joey Bosa, and A.J. Epenesa have all turned in solid performances thus far, as has defensive tackle DaQuan Jones.
Hoecht will spend the better part of the next year recovering with the hopes of returning for the start of the 2026 season.
Giants’ Evan Neal Addresses Potential Trade
Midseason trades involving offensive linemen are rare given the importance of healthy depth at the position. It would not entirely come as a surprise if Evan Neal were to be on the move, though. 
The fourth-year Giant has yet to play this season. Neal was unable to earn a starting spot at the right guard position during training camp, another underwhelming development in his NFL career. The former No. 7 pick has struggled when on the field as a tackle and falling out of the team’s plans could result in a parting of ways via trade. It appears a change of scenery is something Neal would be on board with.
“I haven’t really heard much internally, but that’s something that’s out of my control,” he said when speaking about a potential trade (via Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic). “So whatever happens, happens… At this point, whatever happens come the deadline, I welcome it.”
Neal’s desire for clarity on his future is understandable. The Giants declined his fifth-year option this past spring, meaning he is a pending free agent. The Alabama product’s trade value as a rental would be very limited of course, but the Giants’ loss on Sunday dropped them to 2-7. As such, a seller’s stance should be in store with respect to the team’s approach on the trade front.
Any number of contenders could be interested in Neal as depth for the stretch run. The Seahawks are in the market for an interior O-line move, so they could be a suitor. Other teams seeking an inexpensive addition could touch base with New York as well, and the team’s approach would be interesting to monitor in that case. Taking on the remainder of Neal’s 2025 salary ($1.1MM) would not be an issue for any acquiring team.
Commanders’ Terry McLaurin Could Miss ‘Multiple Weeks’
2025 has been a disappointing season for Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin. After missing three games in his first two years in the league, McLaurin didn’t miss a game for four straight seasons. So far, this year alone, McLaurin has more than doubled his total absences, and if ESPN’s Adam Schefter is correct, he could end up missing even more. 
It’s been a quad injury holding McLaurin out. After a disappointing first two games to open the year, McLaurin saw a promising third contest cut short because of the injured quad. It was expected that McLaurin would miss a couple of weeks, but no surgery was deemed necessary, so the 30-year-old was able to avoid a stint on injured reserve.
It seemed McLaurin was on a week-to-week approach, with reports coming in four straight weeks that McLaurin would be unavailable. Finally, last week, McLaurin got the green light to return to the field. McLaurin put up a pretty strong performance but ended up aggravating the quad injury that sidelined him before. Whether Schefter’s prognosis of “potentially multiple weeks” means McLaurin is two weeks away or on his way to IR is unclear for now. This may continue being a week-to-week report.
In the meantime, fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel has continued to stay healthy-ish after missing Week 7 with a heel injury that he had been playing through. With Noah Brown on IR, rookie fourth-round pick Jaylin Lane, second-year wideout Luke McCaffrey, and veteran Chris Moore have been filling out the receiving corps. They’ll look to continue supplementing Samuel until McLaurin can return to the active lineup.
Chargers Fear Repeat Injury For LT Joe Alt
The Chargers knew they would face additional challenges this season when newly paid left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a torn patellar tendon injury that would take him out for the year. Then usual right tackle Joe Alt, who had moved over to Justin Herbert‘s blindside in place of Slater, suffered a high ankle sprain four weeks into the season, leaving Los Angeles without its top bookend on the line. Alt returned from injury last week but may face a longer absence after a potential reinjury today. 
Alt came back into the lineup last weekend despite limited participation in practice throughout the week. Still, he looked strong in his first game back, hardly showing any signs of the injury that held him out for three weeks. In fact, he didn’t even appear on the team’s injury report this week. Late in the first half of today’s game in Nashville, though, Alt was carted off the field, holding the same ankle that had sidelined him four weeks prior.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Alt is “believed to have suffered another high ankle sprain.” To make matters worse, this time, the injury may require a medical procedure to repair. In order to determine exactly what needs to be done, Alt will undergo an MRI tomorrow to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity.
When Alt was healthy, it was backup tackle Trey Pipkins III filling in for Alt at right tackle as Alt covered the blindside. When Alt got hurt, backup tackle Austin Deculus was called up to the first-team offense. Pipkins got hurt in Week 5, and Jamaree Salyer finished the game at right tackle, but a practice squad addition, Bobby Hart, would get the subsequent start across from Deculus. Even when Pipkins came back healthy, Hart remained in the starting lineup across from Alt in his return last week.
Hart actually left today’s game with an injury before Alt, getting replaced by Pipkins early in the contest. And Deculus, who had filled in for Alt in his previous absences, had already been ruled out with an ankle injury before the game. So, when Alt went down, Salyer was called upon once again, this time to play left tackle across from Pipkins. In addition to the injuries at tackle, right guard Mekhi Becton missed his second game of the season today. Foster Sarell started in his place.
An extended absence for Alt could spell trouble for Los Angeles. In games that Alt has started, the Chargers have gone 5-1; in games without him, they’re 1-2. Throw in the additional injuries across the line, and it becomes hard to field a competent, cohesive offensive line. Los Angeles is still two weeks away from a bye week, and their next two games are against playoff hopefuls Pittsburgh and Jacksonville. The Steelers defense, in particular, poses a threat as they came into the week boasting the fifth-most pressures in the NFL.
Tomorrow’s diagnosis will provide further details as to what the Chargers are facing. They may just need to weather another three-week absence, but if a procedure is necessary, any resulting extended absence for Alt could be detrimental to the team’s postseason aspirations. If the team falls far enough out of contention without its two starting tackles, a decision might be made to ensure Alt remains fully healthy for an eventual return alongside Slater in 2026. Whatever the case, we should know more tomorrow.
Cowboys Open To Trading DT Mazi Smith?
If the Cowboys are to make a trade, it would come as no surprise if a defensive addition were to be made. Dallas could also subtract on that side of the ball. 
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The Cowboys “appear to be open to” dealing away Mazi Smith, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The former first-rounder’s inability to develop into a regular contributor has been a key element of Dallas’ struggles along the defensive line since his arrival in the NFL. Smith has been inactive three times in 2025, his third campaign in the league.
As a rookie, the Michigan product logged a rotational role. A significant uptick in usage took place the following year, but Smith was unable to take a step forward in terms of production against the pass. His performances as a run defender also left plenty to be desired, and as such it came as no surprise upgrading along the defensive interior was a central factor in the Cowboys’ considerations with respect to the Micah Parsons trade.
Kenny Clark is in the fold thanks to that blockbuster deal, and his contract runs through 2027. Dallas also has Osa Odighizuwa in place for years to come after he inked a four-year, $80MM deal to remain with the team this past offseason. Especially with Smith failing to find his footing in new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus‘ scheme, a fresh start could be sought out. Smith’s rookie contract runs through 2026, and any acquiring team would presumably decline his fifth-year option this spring.
It would be surprising to see a strong market for Smith given the way his career has begun. At the age of 24, though, interested teams could view him as a buy-low target with upside. As the Cowboys look into adding along the front seven (among other spots), a shake-up of a different nature will be something to watch for.
Texans QB C.J. Stroud Suffers Concussion
The Texans will need to play at least the remainder of Week 9 without their starting quarterback. C.J. Stroud has been ruled out of today’s game due to a concussion. 
After being tackled by Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, Stroud’s head hit the turf. He remained down on the field for several minutes before walking off the field under his own power. Stroud spent time in the medical tent before being taken to the locker room for further evaluation.
The 24-year-old has since been ruled out for the remainder of the contest. As a result, backup QB Davis Mills will be tasked with leading the offense the rest of the way. At the time the Texans announced the update on Stroud, they were leading Denver 12-7.
The team’s elite defense will be leaned on to maintain its current advantage. Houston entered Sunday ranked first in the NFL in both points and yards allowed, and another strong showing would help those statistics and give the Texans an opportunity to improve to 4-4 on the year. Even if that takes place, of course, Stroud’s recovery timeline will be a major storyline moving forward.
The third-year passer has only missed two games in his career. During his rookie campaign, though, Stroud suffered a concussion. This latest injury could lead to an absence spanning at least Week 10, since players very rarely clear concussion protocol in time to suit up one week after suffering one. Mills may be counted on beyond the remainder of today’s game as a result.
Stroud has not managed to duplicate the success of his Offensive Rookie of the Year-winning campaign in 2022. He nevertheless helped lead Houston to the divisional round of the postseason again last year. In spite of the Texans’ early struggles during the current campaign, a playoff berth could certainly still be in store. Much of the team’s outlook moving forward will depend on Stroud’s health, however. His situation will thus be worth watching closely over the coming days.
No Trades Imminent For Saints WRs Rashid Shaheed, Chris Olave
Entering today’s action at 1-7, the Saints could stand to sell at the upcoming trade deadline. It remains to be seen if they will do so, but for now it does not appear as though any major moves are forthcoming. 
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New Orleans’ receiver tandem of Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed has drawn significant interest recently, and the latter represents a logical candidate to be dealt. New Orleans is open to moving on from Shaheed, a pending free agent, but a drop in asking price would likely be needed for that to take place. The team has already reportedly requested a third-round pick from an AFC suitor.
No movement on the Shaheed front has taken place, while an Olave extension remains a possbility. Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com confirms the trade markets in both cases have been “tepid” up to this point. It would come as a surprise if a buyer were to part with a Day 2 selection for a rental, although there is of course precedent in that regard. In any event, Duncan predicts there will not be any substantial deals finalized over the next few days.
There are several other Saints players who could be on the radar of contending teams ahead of the deadline. According to Duncan, though, there has been “little interest” shown in New Orleans’ veterans. A swap involving the likes of running back Alvin Kamara or defensive end Cameron Jordan would be surprising, but Brandin Cooks represents an experienced option who would be affordable. No stranger to being dealt, Cooks is attached to a 2025 salary of just $1.26MM and with a small portion of his scheduled compensation for next guaranteed he could easily be cut after the campaign by any acquiring team.
It will be interesting to see if teams which bow out of the Shaheed sweepstakes turn their attention to Cooks as a fallback WR option prior to Tuesday afternoon’s deadline. Failing a move along those lines, it could very well prove to be a quiet deadline for the Saints.
Bucs WR Jalen McMillan Has Neck Fracture
The Buccaneers surprised many when they selected Emeka Egbuka in the first round (No. 19 overall) of this year’s draft, as they already had a strong WR corps in place. But that corps has been depleted by injury, and several of its top players, including Jalen McMillan, are not guaranteed to return this season.
McMillan, a 2024 draftee, sustained what was initially called a “severely strained neck” during a preseason game in August, though head coach Todd Bowles recently described the injury as a neck fracture (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). ESPN’s Jenna Laine is unsure why the terminology is different now than it was in August, as McMillan’s MRI would have shown both the ligament damage (the strain) and the fracture.
Bowles characterized the apparent discrepancy as one of semantics in a follow-up text to the Tampa Bay Times. “It’s no different than it was,” he said. “A fracture. It’s the same to me.”
As Laine reiterates, McMillan did not require surgery on his injury, and Stroud says the fracture is actually mild. According to Stroud, the ligament issue, not the break, is what has forced McMillan to wear a brace and is taking the most time to heal.
An update from several weeks ago indicated McMillan remained in a brace and was targeting a December return – initially, the hope was that he would return this week – but Stroud reports McMillan was still in a brace as late as last week. And while Bowles said the Washington alum is improving, he did not offer a timeline for his return.
“He’s getting better. I don’t have a specific date for you, either, but he’s definitely getting better,” Bowles said on Monday. “When he gets out of the brace, we’ll see, but he’s definitely feeling better.”
Franchise stalwart Mike Evans has played in just four games this year and is not expected back until late December (if at all) due to a broken clavicle. Evans’ longtime running mate, Chris Godwin, has appeared in a mere two games thanks to the ankle injury he suffered last season and then a fibula injury he sustained upon his return this year.
Egbuka has been excellent in his first eight games as a pro and has helped the Bucs stay atop the NFC South despite their myriad injuries. Still, the team expressed interest in Marquez Valdes-Scantling before he agreed to sign with the Steelers, and it is fair to wonder whether GM Jason Licht could kick the tires on a different wideout addition from the free agent market or via trade prior to Tuesday’s deadline.
AFC North Rumors: Hendrickson, Njoku, Browns, Ravens
Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic recently reported the Bengals would keep DE Trey Hendrickson through Tuesday’s trade deadline, even if they drop their Week 9 matchup with the Bears to fall to 3-6. ESPN’s Adam Schefter offers some pushback on that front.
Notwithstanding Dehner’s report and similar ones that preceded it, Schefter’s sources say a loss to Chicago could indeed change Cincinnati’s calculus. The Bengals will still see themselves as championship contenders in 2026, and trading Hendrickson will deprive them of exclusive negotiating rights with their top defensive player this offseason.
But negotiations between player and team over the past several years have become contentious and have not yielded a new long-term contract, and a franchise tag will surely not sit well with the four-time Pro Bowler. As such, it would not be surprising if the teams that have already attempted to pry Hendrickson from Cincinnati keep trying to do so, and those efforts may well intensify if the Bengals lose the Chicago contest.
Now for more AFC North trade rumors:
- TE David Njoku has been mentioned as a trade candidate, and while the Browns want to keep as many talented pass catchers as possible in the fold in order to properly evaluate their young signal-callers, SI.com’s Albert Breer believes the right offer could convince them to pull the trigger on Njoku (Breer says Cleveland would also want Njoku to sign off on such a deal). In the same report cited above, Schefter says the Browns are not only disinclined to move Njoku, but that they could actually be aggressive deadline buyers.
- Despite sitting at 3-5, the Ravens are the betting favorites to win the AFC North, so they could look to strengthen their roster at the deadline rather than sell off players on expiring deals. Cornerback had already been identified as an area of need, and Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required) recently reiterated that point. The Athletic colleague Dan Duggan names the Giants’ Deonte Banks – a Baltimore native who has seen a dramatic reduction in playing time this year – as a possible target (though Duggan suggests a Banks trade may be more likely in the offseason).
- Although they are in the market for a CB addition, the Ravens have jettisoned Jaire Alexander to the Eagles in exchange for a minimal return, which is reflective of Alexander’s brief and disappointing Baltimore tenure.
- A club that has been among the most aggressive in seeking a wide receiver, a recent report confirmed the Steelers are still on the lookout for WR help. They have inquired about Raiders wideout Jakobi Meyers, who is arguably the top trade candidate at the position.
Lions To Continue Exploring Extensions For Core Talent
The Lions recently authorized a record-setting extension for defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. In addition to keeping one of the league’s best pass rushers in the fold for the foreseeable future, the deal also created some cap clarity as Detroit pursues second contracts with other members of its core.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter hears the Lions intend to retain as many of their remaining rookie-contract players as possible, which is not surprising considering how GM Brad Holmes has operated. Over the past two years, Holmes has entered into notable extensions with players like QB Jared Goff, WRs Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, RB David Montgomery, OTs Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker, S Kerby Joseph, and DT Alim McNeill, handing out nearly $1 billion in the process.
The expectation is that Holmes will continue his efforts to keep the band together, efforts that will now include 2023 draftees like RB Jahmyr Gibbs, LB Jack Campbell, TE Sam LaPorta, and S Brian Branch. All four of those players will be eligible for new deals after the season.
We had already heard that Holmes is looking ahead to a second contract for Gibbs, and we suggested at the time that the other three members of that talented quartet of draftmates could also be part of the GM’s agenda in the near future. Schefter highlights Gibbs’ case as particularly interesting.
As Schefter notes, the Lions can keep Gibbs (like Campbell) under club control through 2027 by virtue of the fifth-year option and could utilize franchise tags to extend the relationship beyond that. Plus, as a running back, Gibbs’ price under the option and tag will be fairly reasonable, especially considering his talent and importance to the team.
Despite that, and despite the fact that clubs have been reluctant to green-light extensions for RBs too early, Schefter confirms Holmes will consider one for his Pro Bowl back. Assuming he does, Gibbs could take aim at the top of his position’s market, which is presently topped by Saquon Barkley’s $20.6MM AAV and $36MM in full guarantees.
Still, Holmes could have a little more urgency with respect to LaPorta and Branch since they are not eligible for fifth-year options and could become free agents after the 2026 campaign. The tight end market has not exploded like the market for some other positions, so LaPorta may be relatively affordable, whereas Schefter says Branch could become one of the NFL’s highest-paid safeties (there are now three safeties earning at least $21MM per year, while no tight end has hit the $20MM threshold).
As an inside linebacker, Campbell’s second contract should also be manageable. Given all of Holmes’ other completed and prospective commitments, he may need to make some difficult choices in the near future, but for now, the plan is to keep the Lions’ full championship-caliber foundation intact.