All 5 times Trent Baalke made a midseason trade as GM

Will the Jaguars be aggressive at the trade deadline?

The Jacksonville Jaguars are 5-2 and have one more game before the Oct. 31 trade deadline.

Clearly, the Jaguars view themselves as a legitimate contender with hopes of their first ever Super Bowl appearance. But does that mean Jacksonville is content with the current state of its roster, or does it mean the team will want to make a stronger push by acquiring another player or two?

The Philadelphia Eagles already went with the latter strategy by sending two draft picks and a player to the Tennessee Titans for two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard.

To figure out if the Jaguars are a team likely to do the same, it’s informative to look into Trent Baalke’s past as a general manager. In two previous seasons with Jacksonville and six years running the San Francisco 49ers, he’s made just five trades between the start of the regular season and the trade deadline. Here’s all of them:

Studs and duds from Panthers’ 22-14 win over Saints

Once again, Panthers LB Frankie Luvu made his presence felt. And this time, it came in a win.

The Carolina Panthers finally secured their first win of 2022—topping their NFC South rival New Orleans Saints, 22-14. And that victory wouldn’t come without some notable performances—both good and bad.

Here are our studs and duds from Sunday’s game.

Jags have 12th highest dead cap figure this season

The Jags are set to enter the season with a dead cap figure just over $23 million, which is the 12th highest currently.

The Jacksonville Jaguars aren’t unfamiliar with dead cap charges occupying their cap space with notables like quarterback Nick Foles being traded in 2020 just one year after signing with the team on a four-year deal. They also released Blake Bortles early into his second contract, which put the Jags in a situation where they took on a $16.5 million dead cap hit in 2019.

When it comes to the 2022 season, though, the Jags currently have the 12th highest dead cap figure (just over $23 million), according to Over the Cap. And while it would be great for that figure to be lower, it’s far from the figure that the Atlanta Falcons hold, standing atop the list with a $63.2 million figure due to the Matt Ryan trade.

When breaking down the Jags’ current projected dead cap figure, there are eight players who the Jags are paying that aren’t on the team. The one who carries the highest figure is former linebacker Joe Schobert (just over $9.9 million), who the Jags traded to Pittsburgh last season.

As for the rest of the list, it includes other notables like linebacker Myles Jack and C.J. Henderson, along with a few others who have cap hit figures that aren’t major.

Position Player Dead cap hit
LB Joe Schobert $9,937,500
CB C.J. Henderson $6,240,432
LB Myles Jack $4,800,000
K  Josh Lambo $875,000
RB  Carlos Hyde $450,000
LB Quincy Williams $205,545
WR Collin Johnson $153,576
WR Jalen Camp $123,219

The good news is that the Jags currently don’t have any dead cap money on their books for next season — at least for now. Time will tell if that changes, but the team appears to be on the right track when it comes to having a healthier dead cap figure than in the past and present.

Panthers injury updates: LB Shaq Thompson ‘very doubtful’ for Week 7

The Panthers likely won’t be getting back LB Shaq Thompson or LG Pat Elflein for Week 7.

The recovery of Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson was always going to be a process. That process will like continue here through Week 7.

On Wednesday, head coach Matt Rhule all but shot down the possibility of getting one of his defensive leaders back against the New York Giants, stating Thompson is “very doubtful” for this Sunday. He has missed the past two games with a strained plantar fascia.

Tuesday’s six-player workout in Carolina included a pair of linebackers, Anthony Hines and Erroll Thompson. That could, perhaps, indicate the team is looking for some much needed depth in Thompson’s absence for the time being.

Left guard Pat Elflein also likely won’t be ready, as alluded to by Rhule. Rhule told reporters that Elflein suffered a setback “in the weight room” while on the comeback from his hamstring injury. That would, in turn, give Michael Jordan his first start for the Panthers this week.

Here’s how the official injury report returned on the day:

Injury Wed. Thurs. Fri. Game status
CB C.J. Henderson Shoulder Full
LB Frankie Luvu Biceps Limited
WR Alex Erickson Concussion DNP
WR Terrace Marshall Jr. Concussion DNP
LB Shaq Thompson Foot DNP
FB Giovanni Ricci Concussion DNP

Additionally, a fresh stint on the injured reserve for Brandon Zylstra, coupled with the concussions sustained by Terrace Marshall Jr. and Alex Erickson, could leave the offense quite short at the receiver position. That left the Panthers with just three wideouts on the practice field for Wednesday—DJ Moore, Robby Anderson and Shi Smith.

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Panthers Week 6 inactives: CB C.J. Henderson out vs. Vikings

Among the Week 6 inactives for the Panthers is CB C.J. Henderson (shoulder), who has played sparingly in his first two games with Carolina.

Even after parting with a third-round pick and a tight they really liked in Dan Arnold, the Carolina Panthers aren’t going to rush cornerback C.J. Henderson into the fold. They aren’t going to rush him back from injury either.

Among Sunday’s announced inactives was the second-year defensive back, who’s played sparingly in his first two games as a Panther. Henderson, despite being listed as a full participant in practice on Friday, will remain on the sideline due to a shoulder injury.

In Henderson’s place will be veteran Rashaan Melvin, who has once again been called up to the active roster. Melvin has served as a valuable depth piece at corner for the defense this year, having taken a healthy amount of snaps on the perimeter amidst numerous injuries.

Also receiving a call-up is punter Ryan Winslow. Winslow was signed on Thursday after the team placed starter Joseph Charlton on the injured reserve.

Here’s the full list of inactives for Carolina in Week 6:

CB C.J. Henderson
LB Shaq Thompson
DT Phil Hoskins
LB Kamal Martin
RB Spencer Brown
DE Darryl Johnson

And here’s who’s down for the Minnesota Vikings across the way:

QB Kellen Mond
LB Chazz Surratt
TE Ben Ellefson
DT Michael Pierce
DE Patrick Jones
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette

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Panthers injury updates: RB Christian McCaffrey limited, OLs return

RB Christian McCaffrey may not be the only player back on his way to help a struggling Panthers offense.

The “Christian McCaffrey Watch” has started back up for the Carolina Panthers ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. And, as was the case last week, it starts off with a little cautious optimism.

McCaffrey, again, had been labeled as a limited participant for Wednesday’s practice. The fifth-year running back has missed the team’s last two games, both losses to the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, due to a strained hamstring.

Carolina might also be getting back two more starters on the left side of their offensive line. Both left tackle Cameron Erving and left guard Pat Elflein were back on the practice field.

Elflein, who is now eligible to return, had been placed on the injured reserve after sustaining a hamstring injury of his own back in Week 2. Erving sat out the Week 5 loss to Philadelphia with a neck issue.

In a bit of bad (but not surprising) news, linebacker Shaq Thompson has already been ruled out for Week 6. Head coach Matt Rhule told reporters that Thompson, who is dealing with the plantar fascia injury, will miss his second straight outing.

Here is Wednesday’s injury report for the team:

Injury Wed. Thurs. Fri. Game status
LB Shaq Thompson Foot DNP
T Cameron Erving Neck Full
RB Christian McCaffrey Hamstring Limited
CB C.J. Henderson Shoulder Limited
P Joseph Charlton Back Limited

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Analysis: Stephon Gilmore brings experience, skill to Panthers

Here’s our projected outlook at the Panthers’ cornerbacks for the remainder of this season (and beyond) following the Stephon Gilmore news.

When Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer told reporters he would “be in on every deal” earlier this year, he wasn’t joking around.

Last week, a significant injury exposed the lack of depth in Carolina’s secondary. With 2021 eighth overall pick Jaycee Horn sustaining a right foot injury that sent him to injured reserve, speculation arose around how the team would fill the major void.

That hole lasted four days. The day the team placed Horn on IR, they traded for second-year cornerback C.J. Henderson, a young and talented prospect the organization has been eyeing since the 2020 pre-draft process.

Today, though, the Panthers made an even bigger splash in the trade market, acquiring corner Stephon Gilmore from the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round draft pick. Beyond just replacing Horn for what could be the remainder of the campaign, Carolina is improving their secondary enough to win now and in the future.

Including the newest additions, names like Donte Jackson and A.J. Bouye are in the exciting mix as well, highlighting the team’s defensive backfield. With injuries, though, each player figures to see the field on a different timetable.

Here’s our projected outlook for the Panthers’ cornerbacks for the remainder of this season and beyond.

Right now: Youth takes over on the outsides

Active: A.J. Bouye, C.J. Henderson, Donte Jackson, Keith Taylor Jr., Rashaan Melvin, Stantley Thomas-Oliver III

Starters: Donte Jackson (outside), C.J. Henderson (outside), A.J. Bouye (slot)

Inactive: Jaycee Horn (injured reserve), Myles Hartsfield (injured reserve), Stephon Gilmore (PUP)

Analysis: The loss of Horn will hurt the Panthers badly, at least for now. With the newly-acquired Gilmore on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list until at least Week 7, the team must rely on the inexperienced but talented Henderson to hold down the fort opposite Jackson.

So far, the defense has rotated players like Taylor and Melvin at that position, but Rhule should begin relying more heavily on Henderson as he continues to get acclimated to Carolina’s system.

The veteran Bouye has played primarily in the slot, leading the team with 23 snaps at nickel in the team’s Week 4 loss to Dallas. We expect him to stay there despite recent injuries.

Later in the season: The first return from injury

Active: A.J. Bouye, C.J. Henderson, Donte Jackson, Keith Taylor Jr., Stantley Thomas-Oliver III, Stephon Gilmore

Starters: Donte Jackson (outside), Stephon Gilmore (outside), A.J. Bouye (slot)

Inactive: Jaycee Horn (injured reserve), Myles Hartsfield (injured reserve)

Analysis: With Gilmore elevated to the active roster from the PUP list, we project the team to send Melvin back to the practice squad.

Gilmore, once healthy, should take over Henderson’s spot as the primary starter opposite Jackson. We could, still, continue to see a rotation at the position based on matchups and game flow.

With players getting healthy midway through, Carolina has the potential to continue having one of the premier cornerback groups in the league heading into the postseason, should they qualify.

The offseason: Two top corners could hit the market

On the roster: A.J. Bouye, C.J. Henderson, Corn Elder, Jaycee Horn, Keith Taylor Jr., Madre Harper, Myles Hartsfield, Rashaan Melvin, Stantley Thomas-Oliver III, Troy Pride, Jr.

Pending free agents: Donte Jackson (UFA), Rashaan Melvin (UFA), Stephon Gilmore (UFA)

Analysis: This offseason, the Panthers have a pair of notable unrestricted free agents.

The team may try to retain both, with Jackson likely being a priority. We noted Jackson as a contract extension candidate this past offseason, so the Panthers should hope his price tag doesn’t see a significant increase now that they’ve waited an extra year. As for Gilmore, the two sides are reportedly content with letting the 2021 season play out.

The team should also get Horn and Hartsfield back from temporary injured reserve late into the season, with Pride, Jr. on season-ending injured reserve and looking to rejoin the team during the offseason. Harper and Elder are on the Panthers’ practice squad right now, so they could have a chance to compete for a roster spot this offseason, too.

Between Jackson’s strong start to the season and Fitterer’s magic working the phone lines, the Panthers could have one of the league’s scariest defenses that keeps getting better every week, especially as young players develop and injured ones continue to heal.

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Panthers snap count standouts: CB C.J. Henderson eases in

We learned a little bit on Sunday about how the Panthers will move forward without some key players.

Revisiting the Carolina Panthers’ 36-28 loss may not be fun for some, if not most, of you. But, like head coach Matt Rhule and quarterback Sam Darnold stressed after the game, you learn and move on.

So let’s learn a little something from how Sunday’s snaps were distributed in the Week 4 defeat.

Panthers tried to trade for CB C.J. Henderson before 2021 draft

If the Panthers had acquired C.J. Henderson prior to the 2021 draft, would they have still selected Jaycee Horn? Would they have, instead, selected Justin Fields? Either way, they got their guy.

We learned this past week that the Carolina Panthers really like C.J. Henderson. Today, we learned that they really really like C.J. Henderson.

According to NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo, the Panthers attempted to trade for the second-year cornerback before the 2021 NFL draft. Garafolo stated they were initially rebuffed, as the Jacksonville Jaguars tried to see the relationship with the 2020 ninth overall pick through.

That bid towards reconciliation, however, was obviously short-lived.

“At some point, it became clear it was just a matter of time before the Jaguars were gonna trade him,” Garafolo noted on Saturday’s edition of “Good Morning Football.” “He just didn’t really mesh with [Jacksonville head coach] Urban Meyer and the current coaching staff.”

Didn’t mesh with Urban Meyer, huh? You don’t say . . .

Perhaps another takeaway from this additional piece of information could raise an intriguing “What if . . . ?” had the Panthers actually acquired Henderson prior to the draft. Henderson would’ve given them that outside presence they were looking for at the time to add alongside Donte Jackson.

So would the team still have taken cornerback Jaycee Horn with the eighth overall selection? And if not, what that have given way to quarterback Justin Fields landing in Carolina?

Either way, general manager Scott Fitterer and head coach Matt Rhule got their man in Horn. And then they (finally) got their other man in Henderson.

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Panthers Week 4 injury report: Gross-Matos doubtful, Miller questionable

The Panthers have officially ruled out RB Christian McCaffrey for Week 4. But how is the rest of the report looking heading into their matchup with the Cowboys?

Carolina Panthers star running back Christian McCaffrey has been officially ruled out of Sunday’s matchup with the Dallas Cowboys due to his strained hamstring. So now that bit of expected news is out of the way, let’s get to the actual developments . . .

Injury Wed. Thurs. Fri. Game Status
RB Christian McCaffrey Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Out
DE Yetur Gross-Matos Ankle Limited Limited Limited Doubtful
G John Miller Shoulder Limited Limited Limited Questionable
WR Terrace Marshall Jr. Thumb Full Full Full
CB C.J. Henderson Groin Full Full Full
DT Phil Hoskins Non-injury DNP DNP Limited
OT Cameron Erving Knee Full Full
LB Shaq Thompson Back Full Full
WR Shi Smith Non-injury DNP

The two players of the most concern this week are Gross-Matos and Miller. Despite seemingly progressing a bit on Friday, Gross-Matos’ rolled ankle will very likely keep him out for a second straight game.

Miller, on the other hand, is much closer to the field. Head coach Matt Rhule did express some concern regarding the Week 4 availability of his starting right guard, saying he could be a game-time decision, but did describe him as one of the toughest guys he knows.

Additionally, the exclusion of any game status designations for Thompson, Erving, Henderson and Marshall Jr. are all, obviously, signs that they’ll be in uniform at AT&T Stadium.

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