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49ers Less Likely To Pursue Trades?

October 17th, 2025 at 11:09am CST by Adam La Rose

Not long after Nick Bosa suffered a torn ACL, John Lynch confirmed the 49ers were in the market for a trade aimed at adding a pass rusher. Trey Hendrickson in particular has emerged as a name to watch in that regard.

However, Week 6 saw linebacker Fred Warner suffer a fractured and dislocated ankle. The All-Pro is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign as a result. With San Francisco’s defense now missing two major contributors the rest of the way, the team’s general manager appears to have changed his stance on the subject of pursuing a short-term addition on the trade market.

“It’s time to go play. And we’ve got plenty in this team to go compete and go win football games,” Lynch said during his latest appearance on KNBR radio (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle). “And you do your due diligence — you put the work in. Are there variables that change from week to week? Absolutely, there are. And we’ll just leave it at that.”

Indeed, the 49ers’ calculus has no doubt shifted with Bosa and now Warner out of the picture. The team sits at 4-2, but sacrificing draft capital for a rental could be more difficult to justify given the state of the defense on the injury front. In any event, the play of San Francisco’s internal options will be key in replacing Bosa and Warner down the stretch.

Hendrickson is one of several edge rushers who have emerged as trade candidates ahead of the November 4 deadline. Fewer linebackers have been mentioned in the same capacity, though. As things stand, Tatum Bethune is in position to assume a starting role in Warner’s place. The 2024 seventh-rounder has been a regular on special teams early in his career, but he has logged just 99 snaps on defense in the regular season. How Bethune fares with an increased workload will surely influence Lynch’s aggressiveness on the trade front.

With over $21MM in cap space, the 49ers can certainly afford a short-term acquisition. Based on Lynch’s latest comments, however, the team may prefer to avoid any notable outside additions and instead proceed with its in-house replacement options.

Rams WR Puka Nacua Out For Week 7

October 17th, 2025 at 10:28am CST by Adam La Rose

OCTOBER 17: Nacua has been ruled out for Week 7, to little surprise. With the Rams’ bye upcoming after their London game, the team will have additional time to evaluate his recovery timeframe.

OCTOBER 13: The Rams improved to 4-2 on the year with their win yesterday. Los Angeles lost wideout Puka Nacua along the way, however, and he may be sidelined for a stretch.

Nacua exited the game against the Ravens before briefly returning in the second half. Overall, the league’s receptions leader logged just 27 snaps, by far his lowest total of the campaign. Nacua is dealing with an ankle sprain, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report. As a result, at least one missed game could be in store.

The Rams will play the Jaguars in London next week. Los Angeles’ bye will follow that contest, so the team could elect to keep Nacua out of the fold for one contest and then evaluate him upon return from the international game. Of course, any missed time in this case would be critical for the Rams’ offense and their ability to keep pace in a highly competitive division.

Even with his limited output on Sunday, Nacua has amassed 616 yards and a pair of touchdowns through six games this season. The third-year pass-catcher is thus averaging nearly 103 receiving yards per contest, another increase in that department early in his impressive career. Nacua averaged 87 yards per game as a rookie before upping that total to 90 last year.

Maintaining his current production would help the 24-year-old’s case for a massive extension as early as this coming offseason. Nacua is playing out the third season of his four-year rookie pact, but an early (and lucrative) commitment on the part of the Rams would come as no surprise. On the other hand, the former fifth-rounder was limited to 11 games last season so an extended absence in 2025 could hinder his earning potential.

A lengthy spell on the sidelines should not be expected given today’s report, but ankle sprains can linger into multi-week absences. For now, the Rams will move forward with a receiving corps still featuring Davante Adams and Tutu Atwell. Los Angeles also has Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson available at the tight end spot.

Further updates on Nacua will be worth watching for as the Rams prepare to fly to London. At least one missed game would be in store if a cautious approach were to be taken, but clarity on Nacua’s recovery timeline will be key.

NFLPA Begins Search For Executive Director

October 17th, 2025 at 9:42am CST by Adam La Rose

The 2025 offseason was filled with drama for the NFL Players Association. Lloyd Howell, and later J.C. Tretter, resigned from their respective positions amid multiple scandals.

Shortly after Howell’s tenure as executive director came to an end, David White was tapped as his replacement on an interim basis. White – the runner-up to Howell in the NFLPA’s most recent selection process – has been in place since August. That will remain the case moving forward, but the union’s process of finding a permanent leader has now officially begun.

“The selection of the new executive director will be entirely player-driven and we’re committed to keeping you informed,” NFLPA President Jalen Reeves-Maybin wrote in a memo to players (via Mark Maske of the Washington Post). “The Executive Committee will oversee the search process while receiving input and direction from the Board of Player Representatives as we seek out a candidate who upholds our values, fights for our membership, and positions us strongly for future negotiations.”

The NFLPA has hired TurnkeyZRG as a search firm to assist in the process. Per Maske, White will only receive consideration for the full-time position if his candidacy is raised by the board of player reps itself. It remains to be seen if that will be the case, but in any event outside options will be explored. Reeves-Maybin’s memo emphasizes an increase in transparency relative to previous searches for a union leader. The Howell selection process was mired in secrecy, something which drew widespread criticism.

As Maske notes, there is not a consensus amongst the NFLPA’s members on the subject of whether or not the next executive director should be an ex-player. To date, the only official candidate for the position is former NFL quarterback Matt Schaub, who laid out his plans for the union this summer. Darrell Revis has made a number of public comments related to the NFLPA recently; he and Joe Briggs (who has a lengthy legal background and has served in various roles within the union) are names to watch as well.

No firm timeline is in place for a formal hire to be made by the NFLPA, but Tom Pelissero of NFL Network notes there is a belief that March is being targeted for a full-time leader to be in place. That would allow for new union leadership to be installed in time for the annual league meetings. Talks on a new CBA – which will include discussions on, among other things, expanding the schedule to 18 games, are on the horizon. A key factor in negotiations on that front and others will of course be the NFLPA’s organizational setup, including the identity of its next full-time executive director.

Commanders Sign WR Treylon Burks To Practice Squad

October 17th, 2025 at 8:53am CST by Ben Levine

OCTOBER 17: The Burks deal is now official, per a team announcement. In a corresponding move, Martin has been released from Washington’s practice squad. It will be interesting to see if Burks is elevated to the gameday roster in time for Sunday.

OCTOBER 16: As the Commanders navigate a number of injuries to their receivers corps, the team is set to add a former first-round pick. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team is expected to sign Treylon Burks to their practice squad.

Per Rapoport, Burks shouldn’t last long on the taxi squad, as the team intends to add him to the active roster as soon as possible. However, it seems unlikely that the player will make his team debut as soon as this Sunday.

Star wideout Terry McLaurin hasn’t played since Week 3 while dealing with a quad injury, and after being downgraded to a non-participant during today’s practice, it seems like he’s facing an uphill battle to play in Week 7. Noah Brown is currently sitting on IR with a groin injury, while Deebo Samuel seems unlikely to play this weekend as he nurses a heel issue.

Thanks to the injuries, the Commanders currently have three healthy receivers on their active roster in Chris Moore, Luke McCaffrey, and fourth-round rookie Jaylin Lane. The team will surely dip into their practice squad options for this weekend, with that grouping featuring Jacoby Jones, Robbie Chosen, Ja’Corey Brooks, and Tay Martin.

While Burks probably won’t be an option for Week 7, he’ll likely soon find himself on the active roster, especially if McLaurin or Samuel still aren’t ready for Week 8. Burks struggled to live up to his first-round billing in Tennessee, as the wideout collected only 765 yards from scrimmage in three years with the organization. He had four catches in five appearances in 2024 before suffering an ACL injury that ended his season.

Burks was back at training camp with the Titans this past summer, but a fractured collarbone resulted in him being waived/injured. He subsequently landed on season-ending IR, but the team cut him earlier this month, allowing him to play elsewhere in 2025. The 25-year-old had an audition with the Broncos before landing in Washington.

49ers, Colts, Eagles, Cowboys Among Potential Suitors For Trey Hendrickson

October 16th, 2025 at 10:59pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson has emerged as a popular name in trade talks following an offseason contract saga with the Bengals and their subsequent 2-4 start to the season.

The 49ers are among the teams interested in trading for Hendrickson, though Cincinnati is reportedly not interested in moving him. Other expected suitors include the Colts, Eagles, and Cowboys, per Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline. Hendrickson is owed $9.8MM for the rest of the season if traded after Week 8 ($8.9MM if after Week 9, per OverTheCap), and the Bengals will likely want an acquiring team to pick up all of his remaining salary.

We noted when the Colts restructured Kenny Moore‘s contract earlier this month that general manager Chris Ballard could be clearing space for a big swing ahead of the trade deadline to take advantage of a surprising 5-1 start. Going after Hendrickson, one of the league’s premier edge rushers, would certainly fall into that category. Indianapolis does not necessarily need the pass rush help – their 16 sacks are tied for seventh-most in the NFL – but no individual player has more than 3.0 sacks. Instead, they have 11 defenders who have contributed to a sack this year; adding Hendrickson to that group would give them an elite individual sack-getter on top of a well-schemed pass rush.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has a reputation of being a big-name hunter on the trade market, but most of his higher-profile deals have come during the offseason. However, Philadelphia has a bottom-10 pass rush with only nine sacks as a team and no player with more than two. Nolan Smith and Ogbo Okoronkwo are already on injured reserve, and Za’Darius Smith just retired, so the Eagles defense could definitely use reinforcements on the edge. Roseman’s aggressive cap management has given the team enough room to absorb’s Hendrickson’s contract, though it would tighten their budget for the rest of the season.

The Cowboys pass rush has predictably struggled following the departures of Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, leading to one of the worst defensive units in the NFL. Jerry Jones recently hinted that he could be active ahead of the trade deadline, and he acknowledge that every asset would be on the table, including the picks acquired from Green Bay in the Parsons trade. The Cowboys could certainly use a player of Hendrickson’s caliber, as they currently have the ninth-fewest sacks in the NFL (11).

We heard recently that the 49ers see Hendrickson as “an ideal fit for their defense.” The team lost star pass rusher Nick Bosa to a season-ending ACL tear in Week 3, and 49ers general manager John Lynch has made it known that he’s looking for help on the edge. That front office hasn’t been afraid to take in-season swings, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the team acquired a player of Hendrickson’s talent as they look to maximize their current core.

As mentioned, the Bengals have resisted any trade inquires for their star pass rusher. However, if the team doesn’t improve as the trade deadline inches closer, there’s a chance the team starts fielding offers.

Ben Levine contributed to this post.

WR Jakobi Meyers Drawing Trade Interest; No Raiders Extension Imminent

October 16th, 2025 at 10:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

Shortly before final roster cuts, Jakobi Meyers requested a trade. No deal was worked out on that front, but not for a lack of interest on the part of suitors.

Vegas turned aside interest from at least one team on the trade front prior to the start of the regular season. That came as little surprise at the time, given the Raiders’ preference to keep Meyers in the fold and the request from the suitor to have Vegas retain some of his 2025 salary. As the November 4 trade deadline approaches, Meyers is once again a name to watch regarding a change of scenery.

Multiple teams have called the Raiders about Meyers within the past two weeks, Josina Anderson of The Exhibit reports. As was the case this summer, those suitors have been informed no trade is coming at this point. There is of course time for that stance to change on Vegas’ part, particularly if the 2-4 team is unable to keep pace in the AFC West over the coming weeks.

Another key element in this situation is Meyers’ status as a pending free agent. The 28-year-old made it clear this offseason he would welcome an extension, but the lack of an agreement on that front sparked his trade request. Meyers has since confirmed the Raiders did not entertain the idea of dealing away their top receiver, leading to the realization he would at least begin the campaign in Vegas. That has been the case, with Meyers posting 329 scoreless yards so far.

Vegas ranks 30th in the NFL in points, and dealing away Meyers – who totaled a career-high 1,027 yards last season – would hinder the team’s offense even further. At this point, though, it is also unclear if a new deal will be struck in this situation. Per Anderson, talks have continued to take place on a Meyers extension; she adds it appears team and player are “somewhat close” when it comes to value. Meyers is attached to a three-year, $33MM pact signed well before the current Vegas regime led by head coach Pete Carroll, general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady was in place.

Meyers sought a raise this offseason, and while his production to date has not set him up for a pact near the top of the receiver market he will need a new deal once the 2025 campaign ends. Any acquiring team would therefore be likely to explore an extension provided one is not worked out by the Raiders in the near future. Meyers is attached to a base salary of $10.5MM this season, a prorated portion of which would become the responsibility of his new team in the event of a trade.

The Steelers are once again a team to watch regarding an in-season wideout acquisition. Absent Malik Nabers, meanwhile, the Giants could also be in the market for a notable addition. One or both of those squads could show interest in Meyers – if they have not done so already – while the Raiders decide how they wish to proceed ahead of the deadline.

Titans’ Arden Key Drawing Trade Interest

October 16th, 2025 at 10:56pm CST by Connor Byrne

With multiple teams looking for pass-rushing help ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline and the 1-5 Titans likely to sell, outside linebacker Arden Key could end up on the move in the next couple of weeks. Key has drawn interest on the trade market, according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com.

Key was also a trade candidate leading up to last year’s deadline, but the 29-year-old remains in Tennessee. With a trip to free agency looming for Key in the offseason, the Titans may now have more urgency to ship him out for the best offer.

The soon-to-expire three-year, $21MM deal Key signed with the Titans in 2023 came under a different regime. He’s on a $6.5MM base salary with a $9.29MM cap hit during the final season of that contract. President of football operations Chad Brinker and first-year general manager Mike Borgonzi will decide his fate by the deadline.

Key has been dealing with a quadriceps injury, which could complicate matters. He missed a loss to the Raiders last Sunday – the final game of the Brian Callahan era – and hasn’t practiced leading up to this week’s matchup with the Patriots.

In the five games he has played this year, Key has notched 1.5 sacks. He averaged just under six per season from 2021-24. Key spent the first of those four years with the 49ers, who are on the lookout for pass rushers. A reunion with Key could make sense, though that’s merely speculation.

Along with Key, fellow OLB Dre’Mont Jones, cornerback Roger McCreary, and tight end Chig Okonkwo are potential Titans trade candidates, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Those three join Key as pending free agents, meaning the Titans are at least in position to consider offers.

Jones is making $1.99MM, though he carries a significantly higher cap hit than that ($8.51MM). Typically good for around five sacks per season, the former Bronco and Seahawk inked a one-year, $10MM with the Titans last March. Jones has totaled 17 tackles, two QB hits, and a sack in six games in 2025. Pro Football Focus ranks his performance 55th among 111 qualifiers at his position (Key checks in at No. 72).

McCreary joined the Titans when they selected him 35th overall in the 2022 draft. He has since started in 36 of 53 regular-season games, including one of six this year, and pulled in three interceptions. The nickel corner expressed a desire to remain with the Titans before the season, but he remains unsigned beyond this year. He’s playing out 2025 on a $3.66MM salary and a $4.63MM cap hit.

Okonkwo was part of the same Titans draft class as McCreary in 2022. Former GM Jon Robinson took Okonkwo in the fourth round, and he has played in 57 straight regular-season games since then. Okonkwo entered 2025 off back-to-back 50-catch seasons and has added 23 with 218 yards and no scores through six games this year. He’s earning $3.41MM with a $3.54MM cap hit. The Titans may have a potential replacement lined up in fourth-round rookie Gunnar Helm.

It’s unlikely all of these players will end up elsewhere by Nov. 4. However, with the Titans out of playoff contention, they’re all worth monitoring as the deadline draws closer.

Mac Jones Likely To Start Week 7; George Kittle Plans To Return

October 16th, 2025 at 9:51pm CST by Connor Byrne

It appears 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones will make his third straight start in place of Brock Purdy in Week 7. While Jones has been dealing with knee and oblique issues, he was able to practice in full on Thursday. With Purdy limited because of a nagging toe injury, head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Jones will “most likely” start against the Falcons on Sunday (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle).

After playing 31 of a possible 34 regular-season games from 2023-24, Purdy has already sat out four times this year. He started a season-opening win over the Seahawks and a Week 4 loss to the Jaguars. The offseason decision to sign Jones, a former Patriot and Jaguar, has helped the injury-plagued 49ers stay afloat during a 4-2 start.

While Jones struggled in a loss to the Buccaneers last Sunday, the 49ers have gone 3-1 with him at the helm. The 27-year-old has connected on 67.3% of passes for 1,252 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions.

Jones’ success has come without six-time Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle, who’s among the Niners’ many walking wounded, but that could change Sunday. Kittle suffered a right hamstring injury in Week 1 – a “full tear,” he revealed – leading the 49ers to place him on IR. After missing five consecutive games, Kittle returned to practice on Wednesday. He took part in his second limited session in a row Thursday and expressed confidence about his chances of facing the Falcons.

“I fully plan on playing on Sunday,” Kittle said, though he acknowledged that Shanahan will make the call (via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com).

While Jones may count Kittle among his weapons for the first time on Sunday, he could go without wide receiver Ricky Pearsall again. After missing San Francisco’s past two games with a knee injury, the second-year man has not returned to practiced this week.

Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave Reiterate Desire To Stay With Saints

October 16th, 2025 at 9:08pm CST by Ben Levine

With the Saints currently sitting at the bottom of the NFC, many of the teams veterans have been popular names in trade rumblings. The most notable of those players is Alvin Kamara, who recently stated his desire to stick in New Orleans for the rest of his career. In fact, the star running back even hinted that he’d retire instead of joining a new squad.

That report from this past weekend mentioned that general manager Mickey Loomis approached Kamara about a potential change of scenery. However, the running back told reporters today that no conversation took place, and it’s understood within the organization that the player will be staying put.

“Yeah, I don’t know where that [came from],” Kamara said (via ESPN’s Katherine Terrell). “We talked about [the report] and we was looking at each other like the little Spider-Man meme: ‘Did you say something? Did I say something?’ I don’t know where that came from, but I think I’ve been vocal enough that … I don’t want to go anywhere.”

Kamara also told reporters that he’s been apart of rumors “for years” and doesn’t focus much on the reports. At the same time, the two-time All-Pro acknowledged that it’s a “business” and he doesn’t “really know what happens up” in the front office. The 30-year-old is under contract through the 2026 season, although only $3MM of next year’s salary is guaranteed. For what it’s worth, Kamara’s deal doesn’t include a no-trade clause.

While Chris Olave‘s name hasn’t been connected to any definitive reports, the receiver has also been included in trade speculation. The former first-round pick said that someone within the organization even addressed the rumblings with him, and the player understands that the rumors are simply part of playing in the NFL.

“That’s part of the business, man,” Olave said (via Terrell). “It’s been like that all year, in the offseason. Even right now, I ain’t really been on social media, but I know it’s cooking right now that we’re 1-5. So, there’s always rumors, the internet trying to always create some buzz. But I had a conversation with the people in the building so I’m very confident.”

CeeDee Lamb Expected To Return In Week 7

October 16th, 2025 at 8:44pm CST by Connor Byrne

After logging his second straight limited practice on Thursday, Cowboys No. 1 wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is trending toward a Week 7 return. Lamb has been out since he suffered a high ankle sprain in a Week 3 loss to the Bears. The Cowboys opted against an IR placement and a mandatory four-game absence for Lamb, though, and it appears he’ll play Sunday against the division-rival Commanders.

“I feel like I’m moving around, running around being me,” Lamb said (via Todd Archer of ESPN.com). “Happy as can be obviously just believing in my ankle. Obviously, I feel like it’s back to where I needed it to be.”

Lamb entered 2025 off three straight years of 100-plus catches and 1,100 or more yards, and he carried that production into the early going this season. The four-time Pro Bowler nabbed 16 catches for 222 yards in the Cowboys’ first two games, though his ankle sprain forced him out of the Chicago loss before he could record a stat.

The Cowboys still managed to put points on the board at a high clip without Lamb, scoring 104 during his three-game absence. They only went 1-1-1 during that span, though. They’ve started an underwhelming 2-3-1 thanks to a defense that ranks last in the NFL in yardage allowed and second from the bottom in points surrendered. Owner Jerry Jones hasn’t ruled out a significant trade to upgrade the Cowboys’ Micah Parsons-less defense before the Nov. 4 deadline. Bengals superstar pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is a potential target.

Months before he sent Parsons to the Packers in a late-August blockbuster, Jones made another noteworthy deal in acquiring receiver George Pickens from the Steelers in May. Lamb’s injury has prevented him and Pickens from playing together as much as hoped, but they could comprise one of the league’s premier pass-catching duos for the rest of the season.

Like Lamb, Pickens has formed an excellent rapport with quarterback Dak Prescott. Already with 32 catches, Pickens is tied for first in the league in receiving touchdowns (six), and he ranks third in yards (525). The Prescott-Lamb-Pickens trio could be a problem for Washington’s 23rd-ranked pass defense on Sunday.

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