Analysis
10/16/23
17 min read
Ari’s NFL News Tracker: Latest Updates, Rumors from Around the League
Tuesday, Oct. 10
Cardinals Place RB James Conner On IR
The Arizona Cardinals placed running back James Conner on Injured Reserve due to a knee injury suffered Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Conner leads the Cardinals with 364 rushing yards and has two rushing touchdowns through five games.
Rookie Emari Demercado replaced Conner on Sunday, and he had 10 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown. Arizona’s backup, Keaontay Ingram, has missed the last two games due to a neck injury.
On Monday, the Cardinals claimed former New Orleans Saints RB Tony Jones Jr. off waivers.
Falcons Trade For Rams WR Van Jefferson
The Los Angeles Rams have traded WR Van Jefferson to the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta will send a sixth-round pick in 2025 to Los Angeles, while the Rams will send back a seventh-round pick along with Jefferson.
Jefferson played just two snaps Sunday after Cooper Kupp returned to the lineup, and Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell had leapfrogged Jefferson on the depth chart during the first four weeks. Over the first five games of the season, the former second-round pick has caught just eight passes for 108 yards. He is in the final year of his rookie contract.
Jefferson’s best season came in 2021, when he had career highs with 50 catches, 802 yards and six touchdowns. The Rams won the Super Bowl that year.
De’Von Achane To Miss Time
Miami Dolphins RB De’Von Achane is expected to be sidelined due to a knee injury (believed to be an MCL injury) he sustained Sunday against the New York Giants. The third-round rookie had an impressive performance in that game, running for 151 yards and scoring a touchdown on 11 carries. That marked his third consecutive game with over 100 rushing yards and a touchdown. He currently ranks second in the NFL with 460 rushing yards, trailing only Christian McCaffrey.
There is a possibility Achane may be placed on Injured Reserve, which would keep him out of action for a minimum of four games. Achane is seeking a second opinion from Dr. Dan Cooper, the team physician for the Dallas Cowboys, per a source. — 9:00 a.m.
Justin Jefferson Likely Going On IR
The Minnesota Vikings are expected to place wide receiver Justin Jefferson on Injured Reserve due to a hamstring injury suffered Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Jefferson will miss at least the next four games, and the earliest he could be activated is for a Week 10 game against the New Orleans Saints.
Entering this past week, Jefferson, who won Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, ranked first in the NFL in receiving yards (543), was tied for second in catches (33) and third in targets (47). He has never missed a game in his NFL career.
The Vikings are 1-4 on the season, and there has been plenty of speculation about whether Minnesota will become sellers by the trade deadline if the losing continues. — 9:00 a.m.
