Russini’s what I’m hearing about NFL trade deadline: 13 players, 18 teams to watch closely

The NFL’s toughest people aren’t always found on the field. In a week dominated by discussions surrounding a young quarterback who tapped out before a third-down play and a grandstanding defensive back who might have blown it on a Hail Mary, the most resilient, poised person in the NFL might have been a 58-year-old woman.

As the Dallas Cowboys prepared for a pivotal road clash against the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday evening, word spread in the visitors’ locker room that something was amiss. Players and coaches heard rumblings of a car accident that had imperiled a member of the team’s traveling party and that the person was being evaluated by medical personnel. The car was totaled. There was talk of a broken rib and a possible trip to the hospital. But Charlotte Jones was not missing this game.

Jones, the team’s executive vice president and chief branding officer, had, in fact, fractured a rib after an abruptly deployed rising barricade throttled the SUV she was riding in. Her younger brother, Jerry Jones Jr., suffered a head injury. This was all inside the stadium a few hours before kickoff.

Despite being in severe pain — over the years, I’ve spoken to dozens of players with fractured ribs, and most can barely laugh without piercing pain or breathe comfortably — Charlotte Jones took her spot in the family suite. She is pushing through pain while other NFL executives around the league are locked in at an important time of the year.

The trade deadline is looming, and even now, many franchises are still deciding whether to be buyers or sellers. In Dallas, there’s a lot of uncertainty about how the rest of 2024 will play out. They aren’t expected to make any moves before Tuesday’s deadline. I am, however, keeping close watch on a handful of teams as the deadline approaches, specifically the Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals (you read that right!), Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots.

This is what I’m hearing from around the league…

Trade deadline secrets, not-so-secrets and surprises

Let’s rip through some of the chatter coming into this weekend while keeping in mind Sunday’s games could spark some teams to get aggressive. As one team executive put it: “Seems like bargain-bin stuff for now, but possibly on Monday we could see some bigger-name players moved. Maybe.”

• It’s no secret Lions coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes have been hunting for an edge rusher since losing Aidan Hutchinson to a season-ending injury. (Hutchinson hasn’t played since Oct. 13 but is still third in the NFL in sacks.) The team has checked in with numerous teams around the league, including Cleveland with hopes of landing Za’Darius Smith.

• Surprise! The team that has only acquired two players via trade in 52 years is looking to do some shopping. This isn’t the Bengals’ style, but they have strong belief in this team and intend to get back to, at least, the AFC Championship game. Despite sitting at 3-5, Cincinnati has been poking around in search of a cornerback and a defensive lineman to get defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo some help. Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is seen as the only threat on this Cincy defense. Also: I was told they are not trading wideout Tee Higgins.

• It’s no surprise the red-hot Washington Commanders are calling around in search of a corner. Coach Dan Quinn knows this is a weakness on his roster, and at 6-2, Washington needs help if they want to get past the Philadelphia Eagles and their superb receiver group in the NFC East.

• It’s known around the league that the New York Giants, sitting in last place in the NFC East, are shopping young edge rusher Azeez Ojulari. Teams that are keeping an eye on the 24-year-old include the Falcons, Cardinals and Bengals. The Giants are already paying Brian Burns and spent a top-five pick on Kayvon Thibodeaux, so with Ojulari set to hit free agency after the season, GM Joe Schoen is trying to get something in return for him now.

• This isn’t breaking any news, but it makes sense: The Denver Broncos love what they are building with their young players, especially after their best offensive performance of the season last week (28 points on four Bo Nix touchdowns). Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has been a superstar, orchestrating a unit that has slowed down some high-powered offenses this year. Still, I don’t expect the Broncos to be buyers or sellers. You can add the Las Vegas Raiders, Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints to this group.

• It’s shouldn’t come as a surprise the New York Jets have received calls about the availability of wideout Garrett Wilson and corner D.J. Reed, but after Thursday night’s win, I don’t expect New York to move them. You can throw in Davante Adams in there, too, if you thought team owner Woody Johnson was going to get crazy (well, crazier).

• Teams have called the Miami Dolphins to check in on Calais Campbell. Calls have also been made to the Green Bay Packers regarding Preston Smith, especially with the need for pass rushers across the league.

• The Atlanta Falcons have struggled rushing the passer, despite the moves they made in the offseason (trading for Matthew Judon and signing safety Justin Simmons). GM Terry Fontenot knows they need help. So it’s no surprise they are exploring options, and I expect them to make a move.

• It’s no surprise the Los Angeles Rams are trying to move cornerback Tre’Davious White. And despite being open to moving wideout Cooper Kupp this time last week, I don’t expect them to trade the veteran.

• It’s not a surprise that the Pittsburgh Steelers — who were in on Brandon Aiyuk and later Davante Adams — are still looking for a receiver.

• The Kansas City Chiefs already made their moves, and it was no surprise GM Brett Veach pulled off two trades before we even reached the deadline. Kansas City added wideout DeAndre Hopkins and linebacker Joshua Uche. But the Chiefs still might not be done. If a wide receiver falls into their laps, I’m told they are going to try to land another one with Skyy Moore on injured reserve. Also, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo would love for Veach to get him a young, fast corner. Kansas City is trying to land the final pieces on its mission to a three-peat.

• It’s not a surprise the Carolina Panthers continue receiving multiple calls from teams interested in trading for former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. At this time, Carolina is not considering moving the quarterback, who is starting Sunday against the Saints. The Panthers were encouraged by his improvements and overall commitment to the team in his return to the field last week. I do expect the team will assess everything this offseason and make a decision on Young’s future in Carolina. NFL executives around the league believe if Carolina decides to trade him they’ll get a better deal by waiting until offseason anyways. As for the rest of the roster, teams believe Carolina is open to moving running back Miles Sanders and edge Jadeveon Clowney.

• A surprise you already know about: The Cardinals are sitting atop the NFC West in November. The team is actively calling around to add some pieces. Arizona’s biggest need is edge rusher, where they’ve been ravaged by injuries. The Giants (Ojulari) and Titans (Arden Key) have taken calls from the Cardinals.

• It’s somewhat surprising that despite losing Stefon Diggs to a season-ending injury, the Texans aren’t expected to make a big splash at receiver. We told you last week: The 49ers have called around looking to add to their defense; New England defensive tackle Davon Godchaux is available, and the Niners know it. The Patriots also are open to moving wideouts Tyquan Thornton and Kendrick Bourne as well as safety Kyle Dugger. The Indianapolis Colts have told teams they aren’t moving DT DeForest Buckner, and Denver isn’t moving D.J. Jones despite interest in him.

• No surprise: Buffalo safety Mike Edwards is available, and so is Jaguars five-time Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff.

Teams have until 4 p.m. on Tuesday to make a major move. Make sure you check out Tuesday’s episode of the “Scoop City” podcast for all the latest on the trade deadline.

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Latest on Lamar, Love and Puka

Packers quarterback Jordan Love is listed as questionable as he deals with a groin injury, but I’m told he is expected to play against the Lions, per a league source.

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson missed two days of practice with back and knee soreness. He returned to practice Friday and is expected to play Sunday against the Broncos.

Rams wideout Puka Nukua is dealing with a knee injury, but it isn’t considered a major issue — it was described to me as “nothing crazy.” I expect him to be back in the lineup against the Seahawks.

Peak witching hour

Maybe you’re looking for a little time on Sunday afternoons to get yard work or grocery shopping done — or to put up Christmas decorations. My neighbors believe Nov. 1 is the start of the holiday season. I’m ignoring them.

If so, I do have one piece of advice: Make sure you’re back in front of your TV for the fourth quarter. Twenty-five games this year have been decided by a game-winning score in the final two minutes of regulation or in overtime, including five last week: wins for Arizona, Cleveland, Green Bay, New England and Washington.

(Photo: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)