The Insiders Podcast: Lamar is Back + Panthers fire DC Evero after TNF loss

A.J. Brown is a couple of weeks back from a high ankle sprain, with another injury adding more concern in New England (the Patriots).

A.J. Brown is listed as questionable heading into the week.

Amon-Ra St. Brown has a little bit of an ankle issue, but it is not considered serious. He was limited early in the week but went full go Thursday and Friday, and is expected to play.

St. Brown has a minor ankle issue that is not considered serious; he was limited early in the week but went full go Thursday and Friday, and is expected to play.

Baker Mayfield dislocated his thumb in week three and missed three weeks; he is back and practicing without the glove he wore last week. Offensive coordinator Zach Robinson said Mayfield is not 100% but getting close to it. Mayfield was eager to return each week, but medical staff held him out until ready.

Blake Corum had 17 carries against the Raiders, by far the most he's had all season. The Rams ran the ball more than they passed for the first time all year due to adjustments without Devontae Adams and Terrence Ferguson; Corum pointed to the additional volume the running back room is getting, particularly in the red zone.

Allen has been a workhorse back for the Jets over the last month, getting 20-plus carries at times this season, providing depth security if Breece Hall remains unavailable.

Hall is officially questionable with a quad issue that has been nagging for over five weeks; he hasn't practiced in full in over five weeks and has been limited all week, making his status for this week uncertain despite the team hoping to get him back without placing him on injured reserve.

Brian Thomas Jr. is a key name to watch at the trade deadline with significant interest from multiple teams including Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers; however, his declining role in recent weeks has made Jacksonville willing to consider moving him, and the Jaguars likely won't make a move before their Sunday and Thursday games against Baltimore.

Bryce Young faced heavy pressure from the Packers defense in Thursday night's game against Carolina, absorbing 22 pressures on 22 dropbacks and spending much of the game under duress and running around. Despite being described by Packers safety Javon Bullard as one of the smartest quarterbacks on film, Jonathan Gannon's defensive scheme—featuring heavy blitzes and post-snap confusion—made it a futile case for Carolina's passing game.

Caleb Williams was sacked four times by the Vikings defense earlier in the season; the Vikings' defense limited his passing attack significantly, though the Lions offense is statistically the best offense the Vikings have faced so far this season.

Chris Godwin was part of the Buccaneers' planned high-flying 11-personnel offense with Emeka Egbuka, Tez, and Jalen McMillan. However, injuries to Egbuka and McMillan have forced the team to shift identity to a run-heavy approach, reducing pass-game emphasis.

Watson landed awkwardly on a catch in the first half of Thursday Night Football against Carolina and was taken by ambulance to the hospital, but returned to play in the second half and caught a crucial pass late in the game to seal the Packers' 27-19 victory.

DJ Moore has a shoulder issue and was limited in practice all week. He has been a question mark for weeks, but coming off the bye he put together three straight days of practices and the Bills feel he is in an improved spot. The team will make a final determination on his status.

Dalton Kincaid has a chest issue but is pretty confident that he should be able to go for the Bills against the Ravens.

Davis Allen stepped up in the red zone last week with a career-high two touchdowns. With Devontae Adams sidelined by hamstring surgery, Allen is benefiting from increased red zone opportunities as Sean McVay gets creative with available personnel.

Smith is out this Sunday due to a hamstring injury that has plagued him throughout the season, continuing the Eagles' injury woes.

Emeka Egbuka has been ruled out again this week. Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zach Robinson said the team had planned to be a high-flying 11-personnel team with Egbuka, Tez, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan, but injuries have forced a shift to a run-heavy identity.

Fernando Mendoza, the overall number one pick, will eventually play for the Raiders, but Clint Kubiak said there is no date circled on the calendar. The team does not want to put Mendoza on the field in a bad situation with the running game struggling, offensive line struggling, and defense struggling.

Garrett Wilson is frustrated by his lack of a role with the Jets. Despite being a young player the organization loves, the Jets have not been getting him the ball consistently. Aaron Glenn's game management has been problematic in this regard, and the team needs to address getting Wilson more involved.

Geno Smith is playing a revenge game against the Raiders franchise where he had by far the worst season of his career as a starter. The Jets face the Raiders this weekend at MetLife Stadium.

After being traded to the Giants mid-season, McCarthy has shown immediate impact in limited action (five quarters). His mobility has extended plays, demonstrated good touch on deep passes, and critically opened up the running game which had been dormant before his arrival. The Giants view this as the offensive identity they hoped to establish, similar to what they envisioned with Jackson Dart.

Jamar Chase has been dealing with an ankle injury and received rest this week, not participating in practice, which caused some concern. However, he is good to go off the injury report and will play on Sunday.

Jalen McMillan has no timetable for return. Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zach Robinson said the team had planned to be a high-flying 11-personnel team with Emeka, Tez, Chris Godwin, and McMillan, but injuries have forced a shift to a run-heavy identity.

Jared Goff has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league against the blitz; he is flawless so far this season with 14 touchdown passes, no interceptions, averaging nearly 300 yards per game. He faces the Vikings' Brian Flores defense which blitzes 70% of the time, the blitziest team in the last 20 years.

Warren is described as the workhorse back the Lions want, getting the ball early and often in their offense.

Love, the rookie for the Cardinals, is expected to play.

Jonathan Taylor's trade availability is uncertain; multiple teams have called and expressed interest, but the Indianapolis Colts view Taylor as a key part of their rebuild and have not indicated willingness to trade him, though the situation remains fluid depending on the level of incoming interest.

Josh Downs has requested a trade from Indianapolis and is in the mix of receivers potentially being moved at the deadline, alongside Brian Thomas Jr.

Jacobs scored a touchdown on third and one in Thursday Night Football against Carolina, demonstrating his role as a goal-line back for the Packers.

Kenneth Walker has been missed by the Seahawks in the early part of the season. The team is getting Zach Charbonnet back from injury soon, expected to return on Sunday, which should help improve the Seahawks' run game.

Kirk Cousins is not the reason the Raiders have lost four games in a row; he is the least of their problems. Clint Kubiak made clear there is no quarterback controversy. Fernando Mendoza will eventually play, but there is no date circled on the calendar. The Raiders have very little running game, a struggling offensive line, and a struggling defense.

Kyler Murray's play-calling and aggression may be influenced by the Vikings' reliance on defense to win games; Kevin O'Connell indicated the offense is being called with situational awareness around risk tolerance, though the team still wants to be aggressive in the pass game and activate certain offensive phases.

Vikings offense has been called like a team with an awesome defense; at some point Kyler Murray and the offense will have to carry the team, but timing is uncertain. Vikings are interested in adding offensive skill players or a running back to take pressure off Murray and the offensive line, which has battled injuries including loss of Donovan Jackson.

Kyron Williams had 16 carries against the Raiders and combined with Blake Corum for 192 rushing yards. The Rams shifted to a run-heavy approach for the first time all season due to missing key receivers Devontae Adams and Terrence Ferguson.

Lamar Jackson will play Sunday against the Bills after missing three games with an ankle injury. Ian Rappaport notes the injury was more worrisome and bothersome than initially thought and not a one-week deal; Jackson has been fighting through it to get as close to 100 percent as possible. Rappaport does not expect Jackson to be 100 percent in his return and anticipates it may take some time to fully recover. Jackson stated he is no longer a statue and able to move around better, which are positive signs for his mobility.

Lamar Jackson is returning from an ankle injury that was more worrisome and bothersome than initially thought; it was not a one-week deal and he has been fighting through it. Ian Rappaport notes not to expect him to be 100 percent and he may not run quite as much or be as agile as usual, but he will be on the field. However, 80 percent of Lamar Jackson is still better than almost anything else you can put on the field.

Even at reduced mobility, Lamar Jackson's presence elevates the entire Ravens offensive production. The threat of his mobility alone forces defenses to honor it. Derek Henry rushes better when Lamar is on the field, the offense scores more and is better in the red zone, and his presence as a two-time MVP gives the team juice in the huddle.

Buccaneers' ground game racked up 258 yards on 49 carries in their win over the Panthers, with Baker Mayfield throwing only 11 times. Center Graham Barton called it a game you don't forget because it never happens like that. Offensive coordinator Zach Robinson said the team's new identity is to smash opponents with the run and complement with the pass, a shift from their planned high-flying 11-personnel approach.

After two games with the Texans (25 total snaps), Harrison Jr. has eight targets with several catches and a touchdown. The Texans view the trade as giving him a fresh start after difficult times in Arizona; he hired an agent specifically to facilitate the trade. With the bye week ahead, the team plans to further integrate him into the offense with C.J. Stroud, positioning him for increased involvement moving forward.

Matthew Stafford leads the league in passing yards but the Rams have adjusted their offense to run the ball more than they pass for the first time all season due to injuries at receiver, particularly the loss of Devontae Adams.

Sam Darnold benefits from the Seahawks' acquisition of Quentin Nelson at left guard to improve pass protection. Nelson's addition is intended to help protect Darnold from elite pass rushers like Jeffrey Simmons in Monday night's game against the Bears.

Barkley is dealing with both a hamstring injury and a back injury that emerged mid-game last week but is expected to play this week, cleared off the injury report despite battling through the issues.

Zach Charbonnet is expected to return from injury very soon, hopefully on Sunday. His return should help improve the Seahawks' run game, which has been missing Kenneth Walker in the early part of the season.