NFL Player News

It was the first catch of Baker’s career, which is certainly not the start to his professional career that the fourth-round pick out of UCF expected. As a day-three draft pick, it’s not a surprise that Baker began the year down on the depth chart, but it’s a bit concerning that he was never able to claw his way up despite the Patriots struggling all year long. Baker is just 22 years old, posted 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns on 52 receptions in his senior season of college, and was a highly-touted recruit out of high school, so there is some talent there. Even if New England adds talent on the perimeter this offseason, Baker figures to get a chance to compete for snaps with Kayshon Boutte and any rookie in the 2025 season. However, it would be foolish to count on him for a big role unless we see a major improvement in OTAs.

That’ll fix it.

It’s another rough blow for Washington’s No. 1 wideout, who will now have missed most of the last two seasons with injuries with the book closed on a 15-catch, 230-yard 2026 season in just five games. Entering his age-32 season in 2027, McLaurin will be a release or restructure candidate with a $34 million cap hit. The Commanders could save $16 million by releasing him without getting into post-June 1 antics. In the short term fantasy calculus, Stefon Diggs will slide in as Washington’s No. 1 receiver and Chig Okonkwo will also get a boost. Antonio Williams figures to see more snaps going forward as well.

GM Howie Roseman has seen some quick turnarounds and loves to deal. Should the Eagles continue to spiral, they will certainly be willing to trade players like CB Riq Woolen and TE Dallas Goedert on expiring contracts. But Berman frames it as a real question on “aging stars who might be part of their 2027 plans” like Barkley and Zack Baun. Barkley, still sidelined with a hamstring injury, could be a home-run swing for some team as the trade deadline nears. ESPN’s Ben Solak suggested a trade to the Texans in his Tuesday column, also adding the Seahawks, Packers and Vikings as potential fits.

Elliott, per a team statement, was involved in what the team cryptically refers to as “an incident at our team facility” on October 15. He was a healthy scratch this weekend and was let go on Tuesday after signing a two-year contract this offseason. The club has refused further comment.

Matt LaFleur did not publicly commit to playing Jacobs ahead of Week 7’s date with the Lions, but his offensive coordinator — who also said he’d “provide a spark for our offense” — seemed to let the cat out of the bag that Jacobs will be involved in some way. Whether that’s a start or as part of a committee remains in some limbo, but we’d be surprised if Jacobs wasn’t involved in Week 7.

Rodrigue reports that Browns GM Andrew Berry’s endorsement of a candidate “may hold some weight” for Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon as he was “instructive” to Irsay-Gordon’s football development. Thus, two of the top names on Rodrigue’s list of candidates for the Colts GM job are Hickman and the Browns other assistant GM/VP of football operations, Glenn Cook. She also mentions Adam Berry — Eagles assistant GM and twin brother of Andrew — and Eagles VP of football operations Alan Wolking, among others.

Since his 10-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy over sexual misconduct allegations, Tucker has tried out for the Saints, Colts, Jets, and now Dolphins over the past two seasons. He lost out to Zane Gonzalez for this job despite what, per Aaron Wilson, was an impressive workout.

The move comes a couple days after Harris criticized the New York coaching staff for its handling of the backfield touch distribution. “It’s hard to get into a rhythm with one or two plays...if you’re getting a play here and then get taken out for a series, there’s nothing you could do,” Harris said after the Giants’ Week 6 loss to the Saints. “I’ve never been through none of this before.” Harris had 31 rushes for 99 scoreless yards before getting the boot. With Harris gone, Cam Skattebo could get another chance to see increased playing time after being all but benched last week. Tyrone Tracy, who led the team in rushing attempts against New Orleans, could be the de facto lead back for now.

Gonzalez reportedly beat our Justin Tucker in a tryout for Miami and will sign with the team pending a physical. Gonzalez, a journeyman who has played for five teams since entering the NFL in 2017, will replace Riley Patterson, who has missed two of his seven field goal attempts in 2026. Gonzalez will not be a fantasy option in Miami.

Pierce, dealing with a heel injury since mid-September, will continue rehabbing and remain on injured reserve ahead of the Colts’ Week 7 game against the Vikings. Since Week 3, Keenan Allen leads the Colts with a 24 percent target share, while Josh Downs 17 percent of the team’s targets and 26 percent of the team’s air yards. Neither wideout is a great option in Week 7 against a marauding Minnesota defense.