Buckner exits the Colts the same day Quenton Nelson does. It’s a coup for a 49ers defense that has lacked some oomph in one-on-one situations on the defensive line. Buckner, who was with the 49ers early in his career before being traded to the Colts for a first-round pick, will run it back with his original team. The Colts simply weren’t in a position to ask much for the 32-year-old, as they were capped at receiving only a fifth-round compensatory pick for him due to his age. The 49ers are generating a pretty nice playoff-ready defense assuming (as is always the question in San Francisco) it can there healthy.

In other words, it wasn’t exactly an endorsement that Jaxson Dart is the franchise quarterback. Dart, out for the year with a meniscus repair, will enter the third year of his rookie contract as the likely favorite to start assuming Nine hasn’t just blossomed into a great quarterback overnight. But it sounds like the Giants are at least open to the idea that McCarthy could alter the calculus here.

It’s Tuesday, so we’re only 10 more Lamar updates from getting to the weekend. Rapoport believes according to people he’s spoken with that Jackson will play, and he is “believed to be as close to 100 percent as he has been.” Rapoport also noted that the Ravens weren’t “shocked” that Jackson didn’t play in Week 7, but with a Sunday and a Thursday coming up, wanted him ready for Week 8 and Week 9 badly.

This does not have us optimistic that Golden will play on Thursday night. If he’s sidelined, Savion Williams will be a candidate for more work on offense and perhaps a worthwhile FLEX streamer, while Tucker Kraft will likely ascend to the No. 2 role.

Well that sorts out the Giants backfield for the short term. Devin Singletary will take over as the primary passing down back behind Cam Skattebo and should be a usable FLEX play going forward. Tracy will miss the next four weeks after going down with the hamstring injury in the second quarter of New York’s win over the Texans in Week 7. Schoen indicated this isn’t a season-ender for Tracy.

Schefter listed out DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, and Downs as players that could potentially be on the move as the Colts continue what from all outside appearances looks to be a fire sale. He thinks Buckner will be the next player on the move and likely go for less than Quenton Nelson. Downs certainly hasn’t impressed with his opportunity this season, but he’s a valuable receiver and Indianapolis didn’t exactly but him in an ideal scenario with Alec Pierce hurt and Keenan Allen playing alongside him while Daniel Jones struggles to regain his 2025 form.

Schefter said that if he had to guess today, he doesn’t think the Colts will part with Taylor. There are still a few weeks ahead of the trade deadline, and it’s certainly possible that a team bowls them over with an offer. This is going to remain a topic of conversation until the deadline passes. But it is worth noting that ownership believes in Taylor as a difference-maker.

With the Colts’ season all but over, the team could trade away a series of key player as they look toward a total tear down/rebuild scenario following the 2026 season. That includes Nelson, an eight-time Pro Bowler who now has a chance to compete for a title now that he’s out of Indianapolis. Nelson will join a Seattle offensive line that ranks 21st in pass blocking win rate and 27th in run blocking win rate. His addition should be a boon for Sam Darnold and the Seahawks’ pass catchers.

Minnesota’s offensive ineptitude has reached stunning levels in recent weeks, including last Sunday against the Colts, when Murray had 150 yards and a touchdown while completing 58 percent of his pass attempts. “We’ll continue to get better,” Murray said Sunday night. “I know we will. I know we keep saying that, but I felt like we moved the ball well (against the Colts). We’ve just got to put the ball in the end zone.” The Vikings, who rank 25th in pass rate over expected this season, have operated conservatively on offense while their defense dismantles opponents week in and week out. As Lewis pointed out, the 2026 Vikings are the first team in a century to win five straight games with five or fewer TDs over that span. Murray through Week 7 ranks 28th out of 40 qualifying QBs in EPA per pass attempt and 33rd in fantasy points per drop back.

Lemon showed out with the best game of his career in the absence of both DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks, operating as the top option through the air throughout the game against the Cowboys. He started his night off with a 21-yard reception on the team’s first possession before adding a fourth quarter touchdown on a quick slant from four yards out. The uncertainty surrounding Smith’s injury could leave Lemon as the de facto lead receiver for a Week 8 divisional tilt against the Commanders, where his fantasy value will be strictly tied to the availability of the other receivers on the roster.