NFL Player News

This is Snead’s second release by the Bucs. Tampa decided Rudy Carpenter was a better third-string option. The team is keeping six linebackers, but McCoy may land on the practice squad. Purvis played at Boston College.

Nick Sorensen was promoted to defensive coordinator ahead of the 2024 season but was let go after the team allowed 25.6 points per game this year. Per Shanahan, Sorensen could be retained as the team’s special teams coordinator or in another role. Staley previously served as the Rams’ defensive coordinator for a year before being hired as the Chargers’ head coach. He lasted three seasons and was fired after a disappointing 2023. Robert Saleh is expected to be offered the defensive coordinator job if he doesn’t land another head coaching gig, so Staley is likely stuck in his role for at least another year.

Metchie dealt with the shoulder issue earlier this season but wasn’t on the injury report last week. It’s possible the issue flared up in Week 18, or the Texans may simply be giving him some extra rest with a Wild Card Round matchup versus the Chargers on the horizon. Either way, he should be good to go for Saturday’s game, putting him on the radar as a flyer in DFS tournaments.

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini notes that Spags also has an interview request from the Raiders. The legendary defensive mind has been in the NFL in some capacity for over a quarter-century with most of his time coming as a defensive coordinator. Spagnuolo’s first stint as a head coach started all the way back in 2009 with the then-St. Louis Rams. He went a disastrous 10-38 and was fired after three sees. Spagnuolo has since rehabbed his image with the Giants and most recently the Chiefs. Spagnuolo has been in Kansas City for six years, winning three Super Bowls in the process. He also has a fourth ring from his time in New York. Though his St. Louis sint looms large, Spags is over a decade removed from that failure and has undoubtedly learned plenty from Andy Reid and others. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him get another shot at being a head coach in 2025.

The move makes too much sense not to happen unless Saleh unexpectedly lands a head coacing gig. He has an interview lined up with the Jaguars next week, though he isn’t likely to be their first choice with rising stars like Ben Jonhson and Aaron Glenn on the market. Saleh spent four years as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator before being hired away by the Jets. Even his firing proved how valuable Saleh was on the defensive side of the ball as the Jets’ defense utterly collapsed the moment they parted ways with him. If Saleh doesn’t get another shot at being a head coach this year, we fully expect him to return to San Francisco.

Spytek previously held the title of Vice President of Player Personnel for the Bucs before being promoted to assistant GM two seasons ago. He is one of six interview requests the Titans have made. Fellow Tampa Bay staffer Mike Greenberg also has an interview request from the Jets. Having flawlessly transitioned from the Tom Brady era to the Baker Mayfield era, the Bucs front office will rightfully get plenty of looks for new jobs elsewhere in the league.

We don’t have the full injury report yet, but even a limited session puts Doubs on track to play this weekend. He was a surprise addition to the injury report on Saturday because of an illness. The Packers then held him out on Sunday. Head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters after the game Doubs was “in no shape” to play because of the illness. Fantasy managers playing in postseason contests can safely pencil him in for his usual role and then some this week. With Christian Watson done for the year, Doubs should see even more work versus Philly.

The Titans, fresh off firing former GM Ran Carthon after two years at the helm, will talk with Dodds, who has been discussed as a potential replacement for Colts GM Chris Ballard. Dodds — who is reportedly close with Colts owner Jim Irsay — would appear to be more likely to stay in Indy before bailing to an undesirable job in the Titans front office.

Brady, per Pelissero, wanted to know “what it would take” to lure Belichick away from the University of North Carolina job he took a few weeks ago. Belichick’s deal with the university is over five years, though Belichick reportedly has easy outs in the deal. The Raiders this week fired head coach Antonio Pierce after one disastrous season at the helm. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Belichick could be on the Raiders sideline in 2025.

It’s an important step for Hurts, who has been in the NFL’s concussion protocol since sustaining a brain injury in Week 16 against the Commanders. If Hurts is able to clear the protocol by Thursday or Friday, he should be good to go for Sunday’s Wild Card matchup against the Packers. Hurts had 278 passing yards and two touchdowns against the Packers in Week 1 along with 33 rushing yards. It was the third highest passing total of Hurts’ 2024 campaign.

Sorensen was promoted to defensive coordinator for the 2024 season, but it seems the 49ers will move on from him at that role. NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocoo reports the team still hopes to retain Sorensen to the coaching staff, but will be looking elsewhere for defensive coordinator. It will be Kyle Shanahan’s fourth defensive coordinator in four years as the rumor mill will begin to churn for which defensive coach will join the staff.