HEADLINES

Patriots Looking For Help At Cornerback

October 18th, 2025 at 2:06pm CST by Connor Byrne

Surprisingly atop the AFC East at 4-2, the Patriots may buy before the Nov. 4 trade deadline. They’re looking for help at cornerback, Josina Anderson of The Exhibit reports.

After a second straight 4-13 finish, New England made it a point to upgrade at corner during a busy offseason. The Patriots signed former Buccaneer and Lion Carlton Davis to a three-year, $60MM contract in free agency. Davis has begun his Patriots tenure with six straight starts, and he easily leads their cornerbacks in snap share (92.4%).

The Patriots had to wait a little while to see Davis start alongside No. 1 corner Christian Gonzalez, who missed the first three weeks of the season with a hamstring injury. Since the 2024 second-team All-Pro debuted in Week 4, the Patriots have won three straight.

Along with Gonzalez and Davis on the outside, the Patriots boast a solid slot corner in Marcus Jones. The problem is that the team is lacking quality depth after that trio.

Having taken 144 defensive snaps this season, Alex Austin ranks in fourth in playing time among Pats CBs. However, on 12 targets this season, Austin has allowed 10 completions and a 143.7 passer rating. Pro Football Focus ranks Austin’s 2025 performance 104th among 107 qualifiers at his position. Aware of Austin’s struggles, head coach Mike Vrabel and his staff limited the defender to special teams duty in last week’s win over the Saints.

Charles Woods, a late-August waiver claim from the Rams, rounds out the Patriots’ CB group. Woods has totaled just 44 snaps this year, and a knee injury could keep him out of Sunday’s game against the Titans.

With the Patriots thin at corner, they rank 25th in the NFL in pass defense through six weeks. A significant injury to Gonzalez, Davis, or Jones could spell disaster for a team trying to end a three-year playoff drought and snap the Bills’ five-season run as division champions. While it’s not clear which corners the Patriots are pursuing, they’re in obvious need of improvement beyond their top three.

Cowboys Activate Caelen Carson From IR; Off-Field Concussion Sidelines Trevon Diggs

October 18th, 2025 at 1:17pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Cowboys have activated cornerback Caelen Carson from injured reserve ahead of their Week 7 matchup with the Commanders, per ESPN’s Todd Archer.

Carson landed on IR before Week 1 with a hyperextended knee, but returned to practice as soon as he was eligible at the beginning of October. He has been a full participant in practice for the last two weeks and should be full-go on Sunday.

Carson’s activation comes at a crucial time for the Cowboys. Their defense has allowed the most passing yards per attempt and per game to opposing offenses this year, and they will be without starting cornerback Trevon Diggs this week. Diggs suffered a concussion in an accident at his home this week, according to Archer, sidelining the six-year veteran for Sunday’s game.

In a way, Diggs’ absence and Carson’s return gives Dallas an opportunity to shake up their secondary. Diggs has struggled to start the 2025 season, allowing a 68.8% completion rate when targeted along with 11.9 yards per target and 17.4 yards per completion, all career-worsts. Carson’s 2024 numbers in five starts are not much better, but Diggs has been playing poorly enough that almost any other option could be an improvement.

The Cowboys have also reduced Kaiir Elam‘s snaps in recent weeks, though he may return to a more prominent role with Diggs sidelined. Carson could find his way on the field as well, and Dallas has not been afraid to play second-year UDFA Reddy Steward in the slot, either.

The Cowboys also elevated running back Malik Davis from the practice squad for their Week 7 contest. Davis will add backfield depth after Miles Sanders‘ season-ending injury while also contributing on special teams.

Buccaneers Expected To Be Without Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving In Week 7; Latest On Jalen McMillan

October 18th, 2025 at 12:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

OCTOBER 18: As expected, the Buccaneers have ruled out Godwin and Irving for Monday night’s game (via Auman), but head coach Todd Bowles said that Egbuka is a game-time after returning to practice on Saturday. Evans, however, is expected to play, per Auman, giving Mayfield at least one of his best weapons back for a crucial matchup at the top of the NFC that could play a factor in postseason seeding.

OCTOBER 15: Without injuries factored in, Monday night’s Buccaneers-Lions matchup would reside as one of the league’s top games during the first half the season. Tampa Bay is 5-1 despite a slew of maladies on offense, while Detroit is 4-2 amid more injury trouble on the defensive side.

One positional duel Monday presents a fascinating setup, however. The Bucs are heading into Week 7 decimated at wide receiver, while the Lions just faced the Chiefs without five of their top six cornerbacks. Although Tampa Bay held on against a San Francisco team that lost Fred Warner midgame, Detroit’s depleted secondary could not contain Kansas City’s depleted passing attack.

Some advanced looks at the Bucs and Lions’ rosters will be required ahead of this game, as a wave of backups will be involved when Baker Mayfield looks to pass. The team’s receiver situation absorbed two more blows over the past several days. Chris Godwin‘s fibula injury will almost definitely keep him out of Week 7, with Todd Bowles indicating (h/t WTSP’s Evan Closky) neither Godwin nor Bucky Irving is expected to be ready for the Lions tilt. Emeka Egbuka‘s explosive start has also hit a roadblock.

The hamstring injury the first-round pick suffered in Week 6 is likely to keep him out for Week 7, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport said during a Rich Eisen Show appearance. Though, some good news has come out of the Egbuka storyline. The Bucs do not view this hamstring issue as one that will sideline the rookie for as long as Mike Evans has been shelved by his. Evans has missed the past three games. Egbuka has proven a quick study, hauling in 27 passes for 469 yards and five touchdowns.

Evans has not been ruled out yet; his status could determine how deep Bucs and Lions fans’ research efforts will need to be. The Bucs finished Sunday’s 49ers matchup with Sterling Shepard — who has stabilized his career after years of injury-plagued Giants seasons — to go with seventh-round rookie Tez Johnson and second-year UDFA Kameron Johnson. This trio will be needed again, perhaps even if Evans is deemed ready to return. They will face a Lions team that has D.J. Reed and backups Khalil Dorsey and Ennis Rakestraw on IR, with Terrion Arnold and Avonte Maddox having missed the Chiefs game.

Tampa Bay’s receiver stable stood as one of the NFL’s deepest position groups entering OTAs, as it was not known Godwin would need to miss games after his 2024 ankle dislocation. During preseason play, however, Jalen McMillan suffered a neck injury and landed on IR. The 2024 third-round pick remains in a brace, according to Fox Sports’ Greg Auman, but has not experienced a setback. A December return remains the target, Auman adds.

Subbing for Godwin last season, McMillan finished the year on a tear by catching seven touchdown passes over the Bucs’ final five regular-season games. McMillan still has a ways to go on his recovery path, but the Bucs will likely hold one of their injury activations for him. The second-year player represents a wild card of sorts, especially with Shepard still in the mix as an auxiliary piece accompanying Evans, Egbuka and Godwin (presuming he returns from this fibula issue).

Irving remains out with a foot sprain and a shoulder injury later revealed to be a subluxation. The Bucs have not used IR for Irving, Evans, Egbuka or Godwin. This will mark back-to-back absences for Godwin, who needed nearly a year to recover from his ankle injury before sustaining this fibula setback, and three straight for Irving. Rachaad White has made this a notable part of his contract year, while third-year UDFA Sean Tucker sits as the current backup.

Raiders Could Pursue Seahawks CB Tariq Woolen

October 18th, 2025 at 10:56am CST by Nikhil Mehta

Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen was mentioned as a trade candidate earlier this season, and Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline confirms that the 2022 fifth-round pick could be on his way out of Seattle.

Woolen is entering the final year of his rookie deal. He has been a full-time starter for the Seahawks since his dazzling debut season with a league-high six interceptions on his way to a Pro Bowl nod and a third-place finish in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. He was not as dominant in 2023, but still played very well, and his performance did not take a noticeable dip under new head coach Mike Macdonald in 2024.

However, Woolen has struggled in his five starts this season, allowing catches on 66.7% of his targets and 9.1 yards per target, both career-worsts. He was reportedly facing a role reduction heading into October, but it never materialized. Woolen played almost every snap for the Seahawks defense in their first five games until a concussion knocked him out of the game in Week 5. He remained sidelined in Week 6, when veteran Shaquill Griffin started in his place.

Based on reports about his availability, it seems like Seattle is not planning to re-sign Woolen and will instead see what they can get for him on the trade market. It would still be a somewhat surprising move for a 4-2 team with playoff aspirations to part ways with a starting-caliber cornerback. Even if Macdonald wants to de-emphasize the former UTSA standout, Woolen is still an excellent insurance policy in case of injuries, which have already been a constant problem in Seattle this year.

Still, if the Seahawks put Woolen on the trade block, the Raiders are expected to come calling, per Pauline. Las Vegas needs a cornerback, and head coach Pete Carroll is plenty familiar with Woolen after drafting and developing him in 2022 and 2023.

Pauline also mentions Seattle’s interest in Dolphins running back De’Von Achane, but such a player-for-player swap seems far-fetched. The Dolphins are expected to be sellers ahead of the deadline, but Achane is a foundational piece of Mike McDaniel‘s offense who is under contract through 2026. Reports have generally indicated that the Dolphins will be patient with McDaniel this season, but he is still on the hot seat. If he is coaching for his job, he will not want to move such an important offensive weapon, especially with Tyreek Hill already gone for the year.

NFL Mailbag: Hall, Ravens, Dolphins, Rattler

October 17th, 2025 at 10:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

This week's edition of the Pro Football Rumors mailbag dives into a few trade-related questions in the AFC East along with a potential offseason Ravens coaching decision and the Saints' plans under center.

Kirk asks:

What teams do you think make sense for Breece Hall in trades? What do you think the Jets can expect for a return?

Whether or not Hall gets dealt will certainly be one of the top storylines to watch as the deadline approaches. Head coach Aaron Glenn has said on several occasions the team is not looking to trade him. Hall’s latest comments on the matter suggest he would not be averse to a change of scenery, although he has not formally asked to be moved.

In the absence of any known extension talks, Hall being one of the players New York could move on from will remain a talking point until more clarity emerges in his case. Presuming a trade is worked out – by the team’s current regime, which did not draft him – a relatively strong market could exist. At 24, Hall would be expected to serve as a starting back for years to come by any acquiring team.

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Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel: Ongoing Trade Rumors ‘Baseless’

October 17th, 2025 at 10:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

In recent days, plenty of whispers have emerged about the Dolphins making one or more notable trades. Nothing has taken place yet on that front, and head coach Mike McDaniel spoke out against the ongoing speculation when addressing the media on Friday.

“All [trade] rumors about Miami Dolphins players are baseless, currently,” McDaniel said (via NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe). “And that’s unfortunate. Personally, this time of year bothers me for the sake of individual players having where he’s playing questioned by rumors.”

Given Miami’s poor start to the campaign, speculation about major changes – including McDaniel himself being fired – has been prevalent. Even if he remains in place on the sidelines, calls about trades will no doubt continue up to the deadline. Edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb are known to be on the radar of interested teams, to little surprise. Phillips is a pending free agent and Chubb is essentially a rental given the absence of guarantees on his contract past 2025.

Yesterday, Phillips expressed his desire to remain in Miami past the deadline. There are also no players known to have issued a request to be moved, nor have the Dolphins openly stated a willingness to trade anyone by granting a player permission to seek out a new landing spot. With that in mind, McDaniel’s comments are certainly understandable.

Speculation regarding more than just the Phillips-Chubb tandem has swirled in recent days, but no tangible links have emerged between the Dolphins and a potential trade partner on that front. It will be in interesting to see if that remains the case prior to the November 4 deadline. Miami’s 1-5 record certainly points to a seller’s stance being adopted, though things could change if the team improves over the next few weeks.

More clarity will emerge around the league as the trade deadline draws nearer. In the case of the Dolphins, it appears as though nothing is imminent at this time, but rumors will no doubt continue to abound over the coming weeks.

Falcons WR Ray-Ray McCloud Dismissed From Practice

October 17th, 2025 at 9:35pm CST by Ely Allen

An interesting report came out of Atlanta this afternoon that could see bigger implications in the near future. According to ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris sent wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud home from practice today. Few details were provided as Morris called it “a private matter between the team and McCloud,” but the head coach indicated that “he doesn’t know if McCloud will return.”

Falcons senior reporter Tori McElhaney added that McCloud has already been ruled out for the team’s Sunday night trip to San Francisco. This will be the second game in a row in which McCloud will be a healthy scratch. After missing Monday’s win over the Bills, McCloud has been a non-participant at practice all week for the Falcons. Despite the rough look of today’s departure, it doesn’t appear to be a punishment for the veteran receiver.

“I sent him home, an excused absence,” Morris told reporters. “We are working through some things that are private with the young man, and we will get those things figured out.”

Morris made sure to stress that, whatever McCloud is dealing with, this isn’t a reaction to the team’s decision to fire wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard back in September. “This is between Ray-Ray, the organization, and us,” Morris continued. “…I wouldn’t say it is a disciplinary thing, more of a football thing with something we have to get straightened out.”

McCloud’s absences have been difficult for Atlanta as fellow wide receiver Darnell Mooney has missed two games this year, as well, the most recent with a hamstring injury. Mooney has been limited in practice all week as he deals with the ailing hamstring, and he didn’t participate at all today. If Mooney, once again, can’t go on Sunday, the receiving corps Atlanta takes cross country will be a thin one.

Last week, behind leading receiver Drake London, it was second-year pass-catcher Casey Washington and converted college quarterback David Sills taking up most of the available snaps on offense. They seemed to serve mostly as decoys, though, as London drew 16 targets to Washington’s two and Sills’ zero, and all other passes were directed at running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier and tight end Kyle Pitts.

It may be more of the same this weekend with McCloud out and Mooney trending in the wrong direction. As for McCloud, hopefully more details will emerge to give some insight into his path moving forward. After breaking out last year for by far a career-best 62 catches for 686 yards in his seventh NFL season and with his fifth NFL team, this has been an extremely disappointing follow up for the 29-year-old. He and the team will now work to get things back on track.

Chiefs LT Josh Simmons To Miss Second Straight Game

October 17th, 2025 at 8:04pm CST by Ely Allen

After becoming a last second scratch last week, Chiefs rookie left tackle Josh Simmons will miss his second game in a row as he deals with what head coach Andy Reid described as a “family situation” (via The Athletic’s Nate Taylor). This reporting echoes the wording used in the initial reports made last week by NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.

Simmons was downgraded to questionable just hours before the team’s Sunday night matchup with the Lions and didn’t end up playing. This wasn’t the first time Simmons had been given a late-week injury designation in his young NFL career. In a radio appearance yesterday, ESPN’s Nate Taylor disclosed that Simmons had also been a late addition to the injury report in Week 5, being listed as questionable due to illness.

Taylor went on to say, “I was sort of told yesterday that his blip on the injury report hours before kickoff in the stadium in Jacksonville is related to what he’s dealing with now.”

It’s hard to see the link between an illness and “personal” designation due to a family situation, but with the lack of clarity on anything related to Simmons at the moment, clear answers are not expected. It also seems like the first-round pick has yet to rejoin the team at all as he’s missed practice this week. According to Jacob Camenker of USA Today, quarterback Patrick Mahomes told the media that he’d been in communication with Simmons, which makes it sound as if he hasn’t been in the building.

Free agent addition Jaylon Moore was called on to start at left tackle in Simmons’ place on Sunday. Following his signing and Simmons’ selection in the draft, it was thought that Moore may have been brought in to serve as a bridge at left tackle in case Simmons needed development. Over his first four years in the league, Moore only started 12 games for the 49ers as a primary backup. Kansas City agreed to pay him $30MM over a two-year deal, yet his first start for the Chiefs came six weeks into the season. Moore struggled in the spot start, making the uncertainty of Simmons’ situation all the more worrisome.

At the moment, though, there doesn’t seem to be any information suggesting Simmons could return soon. Per Camenker, when head coach Andy Reid was asked if there was any timetable for Simmons’ return, Reid shook his head. This was at a press conference that Reid opened up by saying, “As far as Josh Simmons’ situation goes, I’m not going to comment on it today. (General manager Brett) Veach is handling everything there, and we’ll leave it at that.” 

If that’s all we’re getting from the Chiefs’ head coach, it sounds like it might not be an easily remediable situation.

Nikhil Mehta contributed to this post.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/17/25

October 17th, 2025 at 7:03pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s minor moves as we head into the seventh weekend of the regular season:

Chicago Bears

Denver Broncos

Los Angeles Chargers

The Broncos designated veteran linebacker Dre Greenlaw for his eventual return to the active roster on Wednesday. It looks like one week of practice may have been all Denver needed to see. According to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette, Ehlinger’s release is designed to clear a spot for Greenlaw on the 53-man roster as he comes back from injured reserve. Ehlinger is expected to sign back with the team’s practice squad.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/17/25

October 17th, 2025 at 6:40pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are Friday’s practice squad transactions:

Tennessee Titans

Wright had been brought on by Tennessee last week as regular kicker Joey Slye missed their Week 6 trip to Vegas. With Slye returning to practice this week, Wright’s presence was no longer needed.

Taking his place on the practice squad is Bachie, who worked out with the team today after getting released from Indianapolis’ injured reserve on Wednesday. One could speculate that Bachie may have requested a release from the Colts. If he was healthy enough to be signed after a workout with the Titans, his placement on IR must not have been for anything serious.

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