Underhill: Olave’s (hamstring) exit precautionary

The Panthers have said that they are “not actively looking to move Brown,” but it Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported last week that they have considered it. One of the premier DTs in the league, Brown could fetch a decent pick haul if the Panthers were willing to move him. With the NFL trade deadline set to pass on Tuesday, we will soon know the fate of several players who are rumored to be on the move, but it sounds like it will take a lot for the Panthers to give up Brown.

This shouldn’t surprise anyone after Shedeur Sanders failed to make the most of his spot start in Week 9 against the Saints. Sanders and the Browns’ offense stalled through the first three quarters of Sunday’s game before a late 64-yard touchdown pass to KC Concepcion gave the Browns their first touchdown of the day. An impressive catch-and-run score by Harold Fannin in overtime gave Sanders his second touchdown pass on the day, but the 39-yard score came on a pass, in which Fannin generated 37 yards after the catch. Watson has struggled mightily at times this season, but Sanders didn’t do enough to unseat him in what was a plus matchup against a bad defense. Now out of concussion protocol, Watson will suit up in a “revenge game” against his former team next week, where he will profile as a low-end QB2.

Harbaugh said McCarthy is “doing well” after briefly being knocked out of Sunday’s game against the Eagles with a hip injury. McCarthy was in visible pain on the sideline at times, but was able to finish the game. We’ll see how things shape up over the week as the Giants prepare for a short turnaround ahead of Thursday night’s game against the Commanders. If he’s healthy enough, McCarthy will get the start against a Commanders defense that has struggled mightily at times against the pass this season.

Ferguson was set to return in Week 9 against the Commanders prior to suffering a pulled hamstring. According to McVay, the second-year tight end was going to be a “big part” of the Rams’ offensive game plan against the Commanders, which should be good news to fantasy managers still holding out hope for a return. Based on McVay’s comments, we can safely assume Ferguson won’t be playing in Week 10 against the Cardinals, and then the Rams head into their bye. If all goes well in his recovery, it’s possible he could return on a short week in Week 12 to play against the Packers, but we likely won’t have more clarity on that until after their bye. For now, Ferguson remains a worthwhile stash in leagues where you can afford to do so, but it’s hard to say with any confidence when we should expect him to be back on the field.

Saleh didn’t get into the details of the matter, instead opting to say it was a “very minor miscommunication” that is “now in the hands of law enforcement.” Ridley, 31, has caught 6-of-12 targets for 91 scoreless yards this season and could find himself on the move ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline. That said, he’s far from the difference-making player he was early in his career and is fourth among Titans receivers in routes run (124) this season.

McDonald has been lightly used this season by the Jets. The former first-rounder has appeared in all nine games this season, totaling three sacks and 15 tackles while appearing on just 278 defensive snaps, per PFF. According to Rapoport, the Jets have not engaged in trade talks for McDonald despite receiving calls, and “they have no plans to.” With a 2-7 record, the Jets should be sellers, but have maintained for over a week that they would prefer not to move many players, if any.

The Jaguars also sent a 2028 fifth-round pick to the Falcons in exchange for Bates, who is in the final year of his contract. Bates provides an immediate upgrade to a defensive unit that already ranks top-10 in points and yards allowed per game but has been more susceptible to being hurt through the air. Bates is a three-time Second-Team All-Pro and among the top safeties in the league. It stands to reason that the Jaguars will look to extend him at some point next offseason, but for now, he will join a 6-2 team that is clearly willing to go all in on what could be a deep run in the postseason.

The only positive to take from this is every Tampa Bay receiver who caught a pass clobbered their production from the week before. Godwin did have a 12-yard rush, but it’s another clunker for the wideout in a year where Godwin has yet to reach 50 yards. It’s a mistake to bet that mark will be reached in Week 11 against the Lions after their bye.

Otton was targeted a couple of times in the end zone, but Baker Mayfield wasn’t able to connect with the tight end on either attempt. The 25 yards are his most since Week 5, but it’s still a middling — at best — effort for the 27-year-old. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere in Week 11 against the Lions after Tampa Bay’s bye.

It was Egbuka’s first game since Week 6 because of his foot injury, and it was pretty similar to his previous efforts in 2026. He was able to get lose for a 21-yard catch from the arm of Baker Mayfield, but once again, he was unable to eclipse 50 yards; a mark he hasn’t bested since Week 3. Egbuka is a high-floor, low-ceiling WR3 going forward, and the next chance will come after a bye in Week 11 against the Lions.