September 1, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs and starting cornerback Trent McDuffie are not expected to finalize a contract extension before the 2025 regular season gets underway, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN.com. The former first-round pick is a two-time All-Pro. He started 16 games last season, totaling 59 tackles, 13 passes defended, two interceptions, and one fumble forced. He occupies a starting role in Kansas City and is expected to remain a staple of their defense in 2025. Although an extension is not imminent, the Chiefs and McDuffie still have plenty of time to negotiate. Kansas City picked up his fifth-year option this offseason, which means he's under contract through the 2026 campaign. Even if they decide not to negotiate in-season, the two sides can revisit contract talks next offseason.
--Andersen PickardSource: Nate Taylor
September 1, 2025
Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Walter Nolen (calf) has been placed on the PUP list and will miss at least the first four games of the 2025 season. It's crushing news for Arizona, which spent its 16th overall pick on the Ole Miss product. During his final year at school, Nolen totaled 48 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, three passes defended, and two fumble recoveries. His explosiveness off the line and determination through the whistle make him a valuable addition to Arizona's defense, so the Cardinals will certainly be counting down the days until he can return to action. In the meantime, players like Dante Stills and Justin Jones should earn more opportunities on defense.
--Andersen PickardSource: Paul Calvisi
September 1, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart earned the praise of Trey Hendrickson, who returned to the field this week and was able to observe his new and returning teammates in action. "A great football player with a tremendous amount of potential," Hendrickson said of Stewart, via Geoff Hobson of the team's official website. "And I think that potential, when tapped correctly, can be an incredibly productive player." If there's anyone who knows defensive talent, it's Hendrickson, a four-time Pro Bowler who has 35 sacks over the last two seasons and just signed a new deal with a $14 million raise for 2025. Stewart made an impact along Texas Tech's defensive line, totaling 31 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks during his final season at school. His strong performance prompted the Bengals to select him 17th overall in this offseason's NFL Draft.
--Andersen PickardSource: Geoff Hobson
August 31, 2025
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle DeWayne Carter tore his Achilles and will miss the entire 2025 season, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. Carter was the Bills' third-round pick last year, and he was expected to take on a bigger role following a strong rookie campaign. Through 11 games (three starts) in 2024, the Duke product amassed 14 tackles, including five for loss. With Carter sidelined, T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker should earn additional opportunities in the defensive rotation this season.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jordan Schultz
August 31, 2025
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee) said that he was able to do everything in practice on Sunday, according to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News. However, he's still unsure whether he will play in the team's season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday. At the very latest, he intends to return by Week 4. Injuries limited Diggs to just two games in 2023 and 11 games in 2024. Through limited action last year, he totaled 42 tackles, 11 passes defended, and two interceptions. Now that Dallas has traded away pass-rusher Micah Parsons, the team's secondary (led by Diggs and DaRon Bland) could become the focal point of the defense, as long as it can stay healthy.
--Andersen PickardSource: Calvin Watkins
August 27, 2025
Free agent defensive end Za'Darius Smith has generated interest from several NFL teams, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Smith, a free agent, is reportedly "training and waiting on the right situation." The 32-year-old has spent 10 seasons with the NFL, splitting 2024 between the Browns and Lions. Over 17 games last year, he amassed 35 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, and nine sacks. He remains an impact defender who could provide a spark to a team with playoff aspirations. Although Week 1 is fast approaching, it's possible that Smith waits until midseason to sign. By holding off on signing somewhere for now, Smith could wait for the right opportunity to present itself, such as filling the void left by an in-season injury.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jeremy Fowler
August 27, 2025
Free agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (neck) will undergo a CT scan in October to ensure his spinal fusion was successful, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Samuel underwent neck surgery back in April, which scared off several teams and complicated his free agency. Rather than signing now and trying to pass a physical, Samuel will wait until October to get his CT scan and meet with medical professionals, who can confirm to teams that he's healthy. The 25-year-old just wrapped up a four-year stint with the Los Angeles Chargers in which he totaled 176 tackles, 37 passes defended, and three interceptions through 50 games.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jeremy Fowler
August 26, 2025
Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (leg) will open the season on the team's 53-man roster, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Johnson missed all of training camp and the preseason after injuring himself while training away from the team. There's been plenty of mystery surrounding his status, including his timetable to return to the field. Biggs notes that the cornerback is targeting a Week 1 return, but he hasn't been able to practice yet. At the very least, the Bears' decision to leave Johnson on their initial 53-man roster indicates that he should return for one of the first few games, if not the season opener.
--Andersen PickardSource: Brad Biggs
August 26, 2025
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer told the media that he expects linebacker Micah Parsons (back, personal) to play in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Schottenheimer noted that the star defender will likely be on limited reps for the first game because he hasn't practiced in a while and has also been dealing with back tightness. This remains consistent with what Schottenheimer has previously said about his expectations for Parsons. However, it's unclear if the 26-year-old linebacker is on the same page. He requested a trade on August 1 while proclaiming that he didn't want to play for the Cowboys anymore, and it seems as though his stance hasn't changed since then.
--Andersen PickardSource: Clarence Hill
August 26, 2025
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) is pushing to return to practice and could be ready for Week 1, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. The 28-year-old has been dealing with the same injury all offseason, and while it looks like he's close to returning, his status is far from guaranteed. The veteran defender spent his first seven pro seasons with the Green Bay Packers before taking his talents to Baltimore via free agency. He made 287 tackles and 12 interceptions over seven seasons, including 16 tackles and two interceptions through seven games last season. The two-time Pro Bowler will look to shake the injury bug, get healthy once and for all, and contribute within a Ravens defense that should rank among the best in the NFL.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jeff Zrebiec
August 26, 2025
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee) told the media that he has no physical limitations and has not yet ruled out playing in Week 1. At the moment, Diggs says he is working on "ramping up the conditioning part, getting back to football speed, [and] getting back to in-game speed." The 26-year-old is working his way back from a second consecutive season-ending knee injury. He did manage to appear in 11 games last year, totaling 42 tackles, 11 passes defended, and two interceptions. He's expected to be a central part of the Cowboys' defense once again in 2025, especially if pass rusher Micah Parsons misses games amidst his trade demands.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jon Machota
August 24, 2025
Veteran defensive lineman Jordan Phillips visited the Buffalo Bills on Sunday and is expected to sign a deal with the team later this week. The 32-year-old has played parts of five seasons in Buffalo over three separate stints with the team. The former second-round pick recorded 9.5 sacks with the Bills in 2019, but has never registered more than three in any season before or since. Free agent acquisition Larry Ogunjobi is set to serve a six-game PED suspension to begin the year, so Phillips will serve as a valuable rotational piece in a system he knows well. The Bill's DST should once again see fantasy value throughout the year, but with an opening game against the Ravens, it might be best to let someone else draft them unless you plan on taking two defenses.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Tom Pelissero
August 17, 2025
Chicago Bears cornerback Terrell Smith (knee) was carted off and ruled out after suffering a non-contact injury during Sunday's preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. Smith had two tackles prior to his departure. The 26-year-old was competing for a larger role on defense after appearing in 14 games (two starts) last season. Throughout the 2024 campaign, he amassed 19 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one interception. The Bears will hold their breath as they wait for an update on Smith, but non-contact injuries can be quite serious, and the fact that he was quickly ruled out is not an encouraging sign. If the University of Minnesota product misses extended time, there will be more defensive snaps available for Jeremiah Walker, Nahshon Wright, and Zah Frazier.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ari Meirov
August 17, 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars have acquired defensive tackle Khalen Saunders from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for center Luke Fortner, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Ironically, the Jaguars and Saints played against each other on Sunday, so perhaps the two players won't have to travel far before joining their new teams. Saunders is a six-year NFL veteran who began his career in Kansas City before spending the last two years with New Orleans. A starter for the Saints, he totaled 43 tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, three passes defended, and one interception during the 2024 campaign. Meanwhile, Fortner is a Kentucky product who spent three years with the Jaguars after they selected him in the third round of the 2022 draft. He started every game during his first two seasons but did not register a single start last year.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ari Meirov
August 16, 2025
The Eagles defense and special teams unit was the highlight for Philadelphia in their 22-13 loss to the Browns in Week 2 of the preseason. On Cleveland's second drive of the game, quarterback
Dillon Gabriel was intercepted by rookie safety Andrew Mukuba who ran the turnover back for a 75-yard touchdown-one of Philly's two scores on the day. Just a few minutes later, Mukuba also recovered a fumble in opposition territory on a bad handoff which set the Eagles up for their other touchdown. In the second half, the Browns offense was held to just three points, in part thanks to a Philadelphia fourth-down stop in the red zone. While the Eagles do face some tough offenses in the upcoming season, they had the fifth-most fantasy points at the D/ST position last year and are worth keeping an eye on for more favorable matchups in 2025.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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