NFC South

New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen revealed that Derek Carr is expected to return to practice on Wednesday and is "optimistic" about the quarterback's opportunity to return in Week 9.

Dennis Allen said he expects Derek Carr back at practice on Wednesday. He's optimistic about his availability this week

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 28, 2024

Carr hasn't played since Week 5 due to an oblique injury.

He's been replaced by rookie Spencer Rattler under center, but the Saints have still continued a six-game losing streak following a 26-8 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

Carr didn't participate in practice leading up to the loss to the Chargers and was listed as doubtful before he ultimately wasn't able to play.

While New Orleans' losing streak started with the veteran, the team has been much less competitive with Rattler starting. The fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft has completed just 59.6 percent of his throws for 571 yards and one touchdown to go along with two interceptions.

The Saints have been outscored 110-45 in Rattler's three starts and he was benched for Jake Haener during the second half of Sunday's defeat.

New Orleans opened the season on a high note, winning its first two games and scoring at least 44 points in both contests. Carr initially looked comfortable in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's system, throwing for 989 yards and eight touchdowns while completing 70.3 percent of his passes.

CARR TO SHAHEED 70 YARDS 🔥

📺: #NOvsDAL on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/GV0MW5cduw

— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024

If he's able to return in Week 9, he'll need to survive without several targets. Wide receiver Rashid Shaheed is out for the season after suffering a meniscus injury in Week 6 while rookie wideout Bub Means is also expected to miss time due to an ankle sprain that he suffered against Los Angeles.

Carr should still be able to get comfortable in the pocket if he can come back, as the Saints travel to face a Carolina Panthers team that owns the worst scoring defense in the NFL.

Bryce Young was happy to be back on the field with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, but he still supported the coaching staff's approach to his development moving forward.

"Obviously, I'm grateful to play," Young said, per Darin Gantt of the team's official website. "I'm a competitor, of course, I want to be on the field. But again, I trust the coaching staff; they're going to do what's best for the team. I'm going to, no matter what my role is, I'm going to be with the best for the team and do everything I can to contribute to winning football."

The second-year quarterback was benched in favor of veteran Andy Dalton following a Week 2 defeat, but he started under center once again in the Panthers' 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos after Dalton suffered a thumb injury in a car accident.

Bryce Young on the bench for the first time in his NFL career pic.twitter.com/UjxWePmB7g

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 22, 2024

"And again, the beauty of it for me through all this is like the relationship with Andy," Young said, via Gantt. "Great, great person, we're really close. So, we both know, regardless of whatever circumstances are, that we're going to be there for each other."

While he dealt with some inconsistency against a Broncos secondary that owns the fourth-best pass defense in the NFL, Young also looked better in the pocket than he did to open the season.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft finished 24-of-37 for 224 yards and two touchdowns to go along with two interceptions.

First career TD for the rookie Jalen Coker!

📺: #CARvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/eX1RwOTzp9

— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024

Panthers head coach Dave Canales didn't commit to a starting quarterback in Week 9, telling reporters that "we will look at all the information" in regards to Dalton's health and Young's performance (via Gantt).

While the 23-year-old may be back on the sidelines, he was still grateful for the opportunity against Denver and supported his veteran teammate.

Carolina Panthers owners David and Nicole Tepper helped organize an event that raised $24 million for Hurricane Helene relief in the North Carolina region.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the monetary figure Sunday and noted the Teppers made Bank of America Stadium available for the Saturday event. There were more than 80,000 people in attendance to see some of the biggest names in country music, including Luke Combs.

Schefter explained that Combs is a "lifelong Panthers fan" and called David Tepper to ask whether he would make the stadium, parking, sponsorship and suites available.

Carolyn Conte of WXII in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, noted the show sold out within 12 hours and featured performances from Combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Bailey Zimmerman, The Avett Brothers, Scotty McCreery, Parmalee and Chase Rice.

The money was split in half between the organizations that Combs and Church chose.

Combs' money went to Samaritan's Purse, Manna Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC and Eblen Charities, while Church's money went to his Chief Cares Foundation.

Hurricane Helene was one of the deadliest storms in recent United States history and was particularly devastating to the North Carolina region with a combination of heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides in the mountainous areas.

Bank of America stadium was also available this weekend because the Panthers are on the road to face the Denver Broncos in Sunday's matchup.

Carolina then returns home to play the division-rival New Orleans Saints in Week 9 on Nov. 3.

Bryce Young has "a real chance" to remain the Carolina Panthers' starting quarterback after gaining the job back from an injured Andy Dalton, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The Panthers listed Dalton as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos.

The three-time Pro Bowler sprained his right thumb in a car accident Tuesday. Rapoport reported the injury could keep Dalton sidelined through Week 9, when Carolina hosts the New Orleans Saints.

Head coach Dave Canales initially benched Young following a brutal start to the season. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick went 31-of-56 for 245 yards and three interceptions though two weeks.

The demotion led many to wonder whether the young quarterback's long-term future with the Panthers was in doubt.

It didn't help that Dalton had 319 passing yards and three touchdowns in Week 3 as Carolina beat the Las Vegas Raiders 36-22.

Even if Dalton hadn't gotten injured, though, another QB change may have been inevitable with as much as his performance has tailed off since that strong showing. In a 40-7 Week 7 loss to the Washington Commanders, he threw for 93 yards and two interceptions on 16 attempts.

DANTE FOWLER JR. PICK-6!

📺: #CARvsWAS on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/JTuzB4p55Q

— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024

With Young leading the offense again, Sunday's game might not be the best indicator of the progress he has made.

The Broncos are allowing the fifth-fewest passing yards per game (170.7) and rank seventh in opponent passer rating (81.0). Carolina, meanwhile, is without leading receiver Diontae Johnson along with Adam Thielen.

The #Panthers injury report is like a War & Peace of ailments:

Andy Dalton (right thumb) — Doubtful
Diontae Johnson (rib) — OUT
Jammie Robinson (knee) — Out
Nick Scott (hamstring) — Out
Adam Thielen (hamstring) — Out
Jonathon Brooks (knee) — Doubtful*
Claudin Cherelus…

— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) October 25, 2024

Young is getting thrown into the deep end as he looks to prove he should be the starter the rest of the way.

The Carolina Panthers' Diontae Johnson and Jacksonville Jaguars' Christian Kirk have generated the most trade interest among NFL wide receivers now that the Los Angeles Rams' Cooper Kupp is effectively off the market, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.

Kupp was seen as a popular trade target until the Rams won two games in five days and head coach Sean McVay reiterated that the star wideout wouldn't be traded.

With Kupp reportedly likely to stay in Los Angeles and receivers DeAndre Hopkins, Davante Adams and Amari Cooper already traded, "it wouldn't be a surprise" to see either or both of Johnson and Kirk dealt to new teams before the Nov. 5 deadline, per Schefter.

Johnson was traded by the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Panthers in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and a late-round pick swap this offseason.

The sixth-year wideout has led the Panthers with 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns through seven games, while expressing some frustration with his team's lack of success on the field.

Johnson has already been ruled out for Carolina's Week 8 contest against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. When asked on Friday if that decision was made in order to keep Johnson healthy for a potential trade, head coach Dave Canales told reporters that question should be asked of general manager Dan Morgan and EVP of football operations Brandt Tillis.

Johnson is playing on an expiring contract which has $3.5 million remaining for the second half of the season.

The Panthers are looking for a "mid-round" pick in exchange for that contract, and more than one team has already expressed interest in a potential trade, according to Schefter.

Kirk, on the other hand, has one year remaining on his contract at a base salary of $15.5 million after this season. Playing behind Brian Thomas as a secondary target for Trevor Lawrence, he has made 25 catches for 320 yards and one touchdown through seven games.

The Jaguars head into Week 8 with a 2-5 record. They might be more likely to consider offers for Kirk if they fall to 2-6 this weekend, Schefter noted.

After the Kansas City Chiefs added Hopkins, the New York Jets acquired Adams and the Buffalo Bills traded for Cooper, one team still in need of a wideout is the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Athletic's Dianna Russini recently reported that she believes the team will make a move bolster a receiving room currently led by George Pickens, so general manager Omar Khan could decide to pursue one of these wideouts before the deadline.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has avoided a fine for using a ZYN pouch on the sideline during Monday's 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Per ESPN's Jenna Laine, the league won't discipline Mayfield for using the nicotine pouch even though NFL rules prohibit the use of nicotine on the sidelines and during interviews.

Laine did note the NFL will send Mayfield a letter reminding him of the nicotine policy.

The incident occurred early in the third quarter when ESPN cameras followed Mayfield on the Bucs' bench and he put something in his mouth.

Baker really using ZYN during the middle of the game pic.twitter.com/1RYnN7Epld

— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) October 22, 2024

In a 2015 article by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler about the use of smokeless tobacco within the NFL, former Cleveland Browns punter Spencer Lanning estimated that 75 to 80 percent of his teammates either chewed tobacco or had at some point.

The NFL can't stop players from using nicotine products on their own time, but it does prevent them from being used on the sidelines and when being interviewed.

Mayfield's use of the nicotine product did catch the attention of the company that manufactures ZYN. Swedish Match told TMZ Sports that while it appreciates loyal customers, the company also requested "not to show the product in any situation where someone under 21 years old could see it."

ZYN is a nicotine pouch that is marketed as an alternative to cigarettes, but it still contains nicotine in a pouch that is inserted between the gum and upper lip. The nicotine enters into the user's bloodstream after the pouch dissolves.

Mayfield hasn't commented on the situation. He used the ZYN pouch after throwing interceptions on back-to-back drives in the second quarter, including one in the end zone after the Bucs got down to Baltimore's three-yard line looking to take a 17-7 lead.

The Ravens scored 10 points off Mayfield's two turnovers to turn a 10-7 deficit into a 17-10 advantage before halftime.

Alvin Kamara received an enticing offer from a local brewery after signing a two-year, $24.5 million extension with the New Orleans Saints.

Abita Beer in Louisiana said it was "about to give Alvin Kamara a lifetime supply of beer" while calling the star running back a "loyal king." Kamara seemed ready to work out the details with the brewery.

"Do you need my address.. how we do this?" he wrote on X.

Do you need my address.. how we do this? https://t.co/JH920UhKYZ

— Alvin Kamara (@A_kamara6) October 24, 2024

Kamara, who has been with the Saints his entire eight-year career, will now be in New Orleans through the 2026 season under his new deal.

Over the offseason, Kamara skipped the end of the Saints' mandatory minicamp as he was seeking a new contract, but did not conduct a holdout. Though he was frustrated he hadn't received the extension he was looking for, he continually voiced his desire to stay in New Orleans.

"I want to be a Saint," he said in July. "I want to retire here."

He now has his wish with a new extension and he delighted fans by showing loyalty to the team that drafted him, including the local business willing to give him free beer. If Kamara can continue dominating the backfield, perhaps he'll have more local breweries and restaurants sending lifetime supplies of products to him.

Kamara has 438 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground to go along with 252 receiving yards and a touchdown to start the season. The Saints got off to a hot start this year with dominant wins over the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys but have since dropped five straight games.

With Kamara now motivated by a new deal, New Orleans will look to its star running back to help right the ship and potentially snap a three-year postseason drought.

Five weeks after being benched, quarterback Bryce Young is set to start again for the Carolina Panthers in Week 7.

Young will play on Sunday against the Denver Broncos after Andy Dalton suffered a sprained thumb in a car crash, head coach Dave Canales told reporters on Wednesday.

Bryce Young will start. Andy Dalton has sprained thumb. pic.twitter.com/t0surwNGbW

— Joe Person (@josephperson) October 23, 2024

Dalton was involved in an accident while driving with his family on Tuesday in Charlotte. Canales said that "everyone was healthy" following the crash.

Sunday will mark Young's first start since Week 2. He saw some playing time in relief of Dalton last Sunday during the blowout loss to the Commanders that dropped the Panthers' record to 1-6.

Dalton, who stepped into the QB1 role in Week 3, has led the Panthers to a 1-4 record in five starts.

His roughest outing of the season came in D.C. on Sunday, during which the veteran signal-caller went 11-of-16 for 93 yards while throwing two picks and no touchdowns before he was benched in the fourth quarter of the 40-7 loss.

Canales still indicated to reporters on Monday that Dalton was still the Panthers' starter over Young going forward.

"Right now we're focused on the Broncos," Canales said on Monday (h/t NBC Sports' Josh Alper.) "Andy's playing this week and that's really where our focus is at. All those other conversations are all hypothetical conversations that definitely [general manager Dan Morgan and [EVP of football operations Brandt Tillis], we have to have, but right now we're focused on playing the Broncos and getting Andy to take another step in terms of getting us back to playing good football."

When asked directly about his faith in Young, Canales doubled down, saying that the team was focused only on Dalton.

Now, however, Canales and the Panthers have been forced to turn back to Young, who passed for 250 yards while throwing three picks in two starts, both losses, prior to being benched.

The Panthers head coach was much more complimentary of Young during Wednesday's media availability, during which he said the 2023 top pick had been "engaged the whole time" while serving as Dalton's backup (h/t USA Today's Anthony Rizzuti.)

"We had great football conversations. During the week, fine-tuning our game plans," Canales said about Young. "On Sunday, on the sideline, talking through things. So he's been engaged and a part of that whole thing. So, for me, it's great for him that he approached it with such class and integrity, this hard situation.

"And now, he gets to get back out there and play some football."

When asked if Young could earn the starting role back by succeeding against the Broncos, Canales said that the decision would be "week to week" depending on Dalton's injury status. Young himself told reporters he was focused on the "day to day" heading into Week 8.

The expectation around the NFL is that Carolina Panthers Diontae Johnson will be on the move by the Nov. 5 deadline, Dan Graziano reported for ESPN.

According to Graziano, "many around the league expect the Panthers to trade him (and others) to collect more draft picks in a season going nowhere."

Johnson, who is playing on an expiring contract, leads the Panthers with 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns through seven games.

The Panthers' record fell to 1-6 following a road loss to the Washington Commanders last Sunday.

Johnson, who played on Sunday despite being listed as questionable with ribs, hamstring and ankle injuries heading into the game, told reporters he was "frustrated, but I can't play every position on the field and make every play" after the 40-7 loss.

When asked about trade rumors, Johnson said, "Whatever happens, happens with that situation. It's a business."

The Panthers traded cornerback Donte Jackson and made a late-round pick swap to acquire Johnson in March from the Pittsburgh Steelers, but should they allow him to play out the season they risk him walking in free agency.

Carolina is still feeling the loss of the bevy of picks, including a 2025 second-rounder, sent to the Chicago Bears for the right to select now-benched starting quarterback Bryce Young at the top of the 2023 draft.

Given the uncertainty surrounding who will be playing under center next season, with Young benched and veteran Andy Dalton on an expiring contract, it seems likely general manager Dan Morgan will turn his focus to accruing draft picks rather than providing a top target for Dalton.

There are also multiple postseason-contending teams around the NFL in need of a late-season boost to their receiving depth, among them the 6-0 Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs recently JuJu Smith-Schuster following season-ending injuries to Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rise, and head coach Andy Reid hinted earlier this week that the team could be considering a move for another wideout.

As Graziano noted, the Panthers could consider moving other players in addition to Johnson ahead of the deadline. The Athletic's Dianna Russini recently reported that other teams "are keeping an eye on" names including Young as well as wideouts Jonathan Mingo and Adam Thielen.

Alvin Kamara will remain in New Orleans through at least the 2026 season.

Per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Kamara has agreed to a two-year, $24.5 million deal with the New Orleans Saints.

Before Kamara's new deal, the Saints were $97.6 million over the salary cap for 2025, per Spotrac. They'll need to sort out their cap situation prior to the start of next season.

Sources: The #Saints and RB Alvin Kamara agreed on a two-year, $24.5 million extension that puts him under contract through 2026.

The deal, confirmed by Kamara’s agent Brad Cicala of @QCSports, puts the 2017 third-round pick in position to retire a Saint. pic.twitter.com/0DMBTFX5r0

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 22, 2024

Kamara had two years remaining on his previous contract, but the Saints could have gotten out of it after 2024 and saved $18.9 million against the cap.

The running-back market had a bit of a rebound this offseason after a rough couple of years. Josh Jacobs (four years, $48 million), Saquon Barkley (three years, $37.5 million), Joe Mixon (three years, $27 million), Derrick Henry (two years, $16 million), Tony Pollard (three years, $24 million) and D'Andre Swift (three years, $24.5 million) all signed deals worth at least $8 million annually.

Reigning Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey signed a two-year, $38 million extension with the San Francisco 49ers. The deal added $24 million in guarantees and $8 million to his annual salaries in 2024 and 2025.

Kamara was still the second-highest paid running back in the NFL, behind McCaffrey, but this new deal boosts his pay for the next several years. He made a point of letting the Saints know he wanted a new contract by skipping the final day of mandatory minicamp on June 13.

The holdout didn't carry over to training camp, indicating any potential tensions between the two sides may have thawed.

There is plenty of risk for the always-cap-strapped Saints in investing more money into a running back who turned 29 on July 25. He got off to a terrific start this season with 690 yards from scrimmage and seven total touchdowns through the first seven games, but the Saints have lost five straight after a 2-0 start.

Kamara is perfectly capable of putting up good numbers over the course of a season. He led the Saints in yards from scrimmage and total touchdowns in 2023, but his 1,160 yards from scrimmage were the fewest of his career. He has averaged 3.9 yards per carry over the past three seasons after averaging 5.0 in his first four seasons.

Injuries have also piled up for Kamara over the years. He has missed at least two games in each of the last three seasons.

As long as the Saints can build a solid infrastructure around Kamara, his pass-catching ability should allow him to age more gracefully than a traditional running back.