Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady said on Tuesday that his dog, Junie, is a clone of his late pet, Lua, who passed away two years ago.

The pit bull mix was shared by Brady with his ex-wife, Gisele Bündchen, and their children. The new dog was cloned using a blood sample collected before Lua’s death.

The now-FOX broadcaster made the revelation on Tuesday and shared an announcement with Colossal Biosciences, a Dallas-based biotech company that claims they are ‘developing the science that will save us, our planet, and the species that inhabit it.’

‘I love my animals. They mean the world to me and my family,’ Brady said. ‘A few years ago, I worked with Colossal and leveraged their non-invasive cloning technology through a simple blood draw of our family’s elderly dog before she passed.’

The company, founded in 2021, also announced that it acquired another biotech company, Viagen Pets and Equine, and has cloned pets of numerous celebrities.

Brady also said that Colossal ‘gave my family a second chance with a clone of our beloved dog’ and said that he is ‘excited how Colossal and Viagen’s tech together can help both families losing their beloved pets while helping to save endangered species.’

Brady, a three-time NFL MVP, is also an investor in Colossal.

Sorting through the fallout from the NFL trade deadline in real time can be as complicated as orchestrating the deals themselves.

The annual cutoff for swaps arrives 4 p.m. ET Nov. 4, and an event that’s taken on added significance in recent years could once again prove plenty meaningful for contenders and rebuilding teams alike. So far, the action leading up to the deadline itself has been relatively muted. But that could change in the final stretch as teams mull whether to sell off – or buy – major contributors ahead of the stretch run.

With that said, here are our initial grades from all the deals completed during the week of the NFL trade deadline:

Los Angeles Chargers’ grade in Trevor Penning trade: B-

There’s probably no way to cobble together a viable protection plan for Justin Herbert after losing both Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater for the season. It was a good idea for the Bolts to try something, though.

Penning was moved to left guard by the Saints, but he should get another shot at sticking at his more natural position of offensive tackle. He can be a bit penalty-prone and wild as a pass protector, but he fits the Chargers’ style of play and has shown promising play in the run game. Given the shortage of other moves at the Chargers’ disposal, it was worth it to at least take a shot.

New Orleans Saints’ grade in Trevor Penning trade: B

Another expiring contract, another deal. The Saints didn’t have much reason to forge on with a former first-round pick who’s been a disappointment at multiple spots, and his departure shouldn’t set rookie quarterback Tyler Shough back considerably. Getting any draft return back for him was worthwhile.

Dallas Cowboys’ grade in Quinnen Williams trade: B+

After trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, Jones made it known that he had inquired with the Jets about Williams in a possible deal that would have included both the star edge rusher and defensive tackle. Turns out he just needed to circle back.

The Williams deal will no doubt be evaluated in tandem with the Parsons swap. Regardless of whether Dallas is actually better off this way, it’s clear that this was Jones’ preferred route. He lands one of the league’s best defensive tackles in Williams, who meets the owner’s marks as both an elite run stuffer and pass rusher, while putting him alongside another stout interior figure in Kenny Clark. (There’s the little matter of how to deploy the two along with Osa Odighizuwa, but Jones, coach Brian Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus will sort that out later.) There’s also much better financial flexibility here, with Williams signed through 2027 on a deal that has him as just the seventh-highest-paid defensive tackle.

The question here is the draft capital. The Cowboys are set to send the higher of their two 2027 first-round picks to the Jets, according to multiple reports. If that ends up as a top-10 or top-15 pick, it’ll be hard to swallow. But Dallas still has two first-rounders this year thanks to the Parsons deal, and it could be well-positioned to land a needed edge rusher to help the defensive front get its full reset.

There might be too much work to be done on the 31st-ranked scoring defense for Williams’ arrival to save a 3-5-1 campaign. But the move changes the complexion of a unit short on any hope of a turnaround, and the future is bright.

New York Jets’ grade in Quinnen Williams trade: A-

So much of Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey’s beginning with the Jets seemed to entail the new regime fighting against the current of the roster’s existing setup. Tuesday marked an abrupt shift, with the organization essentially conceding that it was going to take a much longer view in getting Gang Green to a point of competitiveness.

In a trade deadline that seemed to lack buzz due to a shortage of sellers, the Jets changed everything by essentially declaring everything – or at least their most valuable assets, including cornerback Sauce Gardner – must go. And at 1-7 with myriad problems, Gang Green had every reason to confront the full scope of its problems.

Williams had relatively modest production this season. His 10% pass-rush win rate ranks just 17th among defensive tackles, according to ESPN, while he’s notched just one sack. But it’s impossible to separate his play from the lack of support around him, with teams able to frequently double-team him and cater their game plans toward neutralizing him.

What matters now for New York, however, is that the team owns five first-round draft picks in the span of the next two years. There’s essentially a blank slate in Florham Park, and Jets brass will have immense resources in shaping their future to their liking.

Seattle Seahawks’ grade in Rashid Shaheed trade: B

This move might not have the same degree of necessity and urgency as others completed today. But it’s unquestionably fun.

The Seahawks have bombarded opponents with their deep passing game, with Sam Darnold leading the pack with 9.6 average intended air yards per attempt, according to Next Gen Stats. Between having the NFL’s leading receiver in Jaxon Smith-Njigba and several other solid targes, Darnold wasn’t hurting for weapons. But there’s little question that Shaheed can do immense damage in Klint Kubiak’s system with his downfield speed. Expect his 11.3 yards per catch this season to tick way, way up – perhaps closer or even past the 17.5 he posted in 2024.

Giving up fourth- and fifth-round picks might seem like a little bit much, but a player who can fly like this is worth the flier.

New Orleans Saints’ grade in Rashid Shaheed trade: B

The Saints have long resisted a full-scale rebuild. But with the team sinking to 1-8, it was high time to sell off some pieces that didn’t figure into the long term for Kellen Moore and Co.

With Chris Olave trending toward an extension candidate, New Orleans is able to avoid a complete reconfiguration of its receiving corps as it tries to get a half-season look at second-round quarterback Tyler Shough. But Shaheed’s ability to stretch the field made him a popular option for contenders, so selling him to the highest bidder was good business.

Indianapolis Colts’ grade in Sauce Gardner trade: C-

Where did this version of Chris Ballard come from?

Getting uncharacteristically bold has served the Colts general manager extremely well in the past few months, as his more aggressive moves helped set the table for Indianapolis’ resurgence. This, however, is the kind of move that Ballard might have laughed off as pure fantasy or speculation in previous years. Now, it’s his reality.

There’s strong incentive for Indianapolis to try to fully capitalize on what it has this season. And at 25, Gardner can be an asset for years to come. But this was an exorbitant price to pay for a player already due a massive sum.

If Gardner had lived up to his first two seasons in which he quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier cover men, there would be no pushback. But he’s surrendered a 118.8 passer rating when targeted this season, according to Next Gen Stats. Indianapolis is clearly buying that any issues are the product of the Jets’ wider defensive shortcomings. That might be at least partially true, but it’s a substantial gamble to make.

Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has done impressive work to revitalize what had been a static unit, and getting more reliable coverage on the back end could make Indianapolis a much more legitimate threat in the AFC. Yet cornerback play is inherently volatile, which typically means heavy investments there can quickly prove regrettable. If this leads to a deep playoff run, Ballard will be celebrated. But if he doesn’t, he’ll be hearing for quite a while that he got lost in the Sauce.

New York Jets’ grade in Sauce Gardner trade: A

Moving on from Gardner less than six months after making him the league’s highest-paid cornerback seems like an almost unfathomable outcome for the Jets, even amid what’s shaping up to be an expansive rebuild. But with this return, there’s little question that it was the right decision.

The Jets’ problems are far bigger than any one player, and there’s no ending the league’s longest playoff drought without substantial upheaval. The new regime clearly thought Gardner would be a cornerstone, but maybe something changed along the way in the first half of the season. Regardless, the list of players who are worth at least two first-round picks is extremely short, and it’s hard to say that Gardner belongs on it given the nature of his position and how he’s fared as of late.

Amid plenty of unrest with a 1-7 start, Gang Green now truly can preach patience. The Jets can target their quarterback of the future early this year while still using a premium pick elsewhere to boost the roster. And New York will also be able to allot much of the money and cap space that was set to go to Gardner in the coming years elsewhere.

Getting Mitchell, a talented wideout who needed a change of scenery after his regrettable goal-line fumble earlier this season, is icing on the cake.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ grade in Jakobi Meyers trade: B

James Gladstone is at it gain.

The Jaguars’ hyperaggressive general manager took another page from the Los Angeles Rams’ playbook and pursued a veteran at a key spot at the trade deadline. The splash factor doesn’t measure up to what Les Snead has delivered in previous years, but it still aids Jacksonville’s surprise resurgence in the AFC South.

For all of the progress the Jaguars have made in Liam Coen’s inaugural season at the helm, the passing attack still hasn’t clicked. Jacksonville ranks just 25th in expected points added per pass play at -0.11, according to Next Gen Stats. That’s primarily a Lawrence problem, but it’s also clear he hasn’t gotten the support everyone expected from Brian Thomas Jr. in the receiver’s wildly disappointing second pro season. Meanwhile, Travis Hunter has yet to fully take off on either side of the ball and is now on injured reserve.

Las Vegas Raiders grade in Jakobi Meyers trade: B+

When the Raiders refused to grant Meyers his preseason trade request, it served as the franchise’s latest commitment to competing in the near term. That plan has obviously gone awry in a 2-6 campaign in which Las Vegas remains a distant fourth in the AFC West. Now, however, the Silver and Black confront a harsh reality: This season is beyond saving.

Getting a fourth- and sixth-rounder for Meyers, who didn’t figure to be back in 2026, is a nice return for a team with abundant needs. With a massive war chest of cap space for 2026 – currently projected to be more than $100 million, per Over The Cap – the Raiders also couldn’t expect to capitalize off Meyers’ likely departure in free agency with a compensatory pick.

For the short term, this remains the Brock Bowers show, with the All-Pro tight end sure to vacuum up plenty of targets from Geno Smith. There’s a chance for Las Vegas to bring along Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech, but both rookies are off to slow starts and could face competition from veteran Tyler Lockett, who signed with the team last week.

Dallas Cowboys’ grade in Logan Wilson trade: C-

It’s not quite the equivalent of a defensive version of the Jonathan Mingo trade, but this seems like an awfully big kerfuffle for a so-so return.

Yes, Jones gets a proven entity and team captain who just a year ago was a formidable presence against the run. A hard-nosed and savvy approach on that front no doubt endeared Wilson to Jones, especially amid the defense continuing to be gashed in the ground game. But it was clear before his benching that the 29-year-old had fallen off, whether it was getting to plays a step later or whiffing on tackles more often once he was in position to do something.

Most of all, it’s difficult to see how this move does much to transform a unit that has so far to go before it can offer up any kind of consistent resistance under coordinator Matt Eberflus. The post-Micah Parsons pass rush isn’t where it should be, and Wilson’s blitzing skills won’t significantly shift the outlook there. The coverage problems extend far beyond one player, and that’s far from Wilson’s strong suit.

Maybe the veteran adds a degree of stability to a unit that’s been far too shaky while leaning on Kenneth Murray. But the eventual return of DeMarvion Overshown seems like the change that’s actually going to make a difference here.

Cincinnati Bengals’ grade in Logan Wilson trade: C

Can’t fault Cincinnati for trying something different amid its defense’s historically woeful run. At the same time, though, it’s hard to square exactly what this does for the Bengals in both the short and long term.

One thing is clear: It’s now up to Barrett Carter, who bumped Wilson from his starting role, and fellow rookie Demetrius Knight Jr. to lead the second level of this unit given that there’s no support coming from anywhere else.

“I see a very high ceiling in Barrett,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said last month. “I see qualities in him I wanted to see more of. The only way to do that is expand the role.”

It’s one thing to clear a path to playing time for the fourth-round pick. But Wilson was still the most reliable presence for a linebacker group that has been badly out of sorts, with the Chicago Bears’ 283-yard rushing effort against the Bengals on Sunday marking a new low.

Taylor had previously said that Wilson handled his demotion ‘really well” and had ‘done a great job with the young linebackers.’ What, then, is the upside to a split that netted a seventh-round draft pick? Unless the Bengals are also preparing to deal Trey Hendrickson and look ahead to 2026, not much is truly gained here.

A third-round pick in 2020, Wilson helped fuel the Bengals’ emergence alongside his more heralded offensive teammates. As Cincinnati tries to build up on defense, it’ll need to find more mid-round his like him in the near future.

Baltimore Ravens’ grade in Dre’Mont Jones trade: B

The seventh-year veteran probably doesn’t move the needle much for a team that looks poised for a potential second-half rally. Still, even if Jones becomes a serviceable part of Baltimore’s pass-rushing rotation, this move might be well worth it. The 6-foot-3, 281-pounder can be an inside-outside threat for a defensive front that’s clearly smarting from Nnamdi Madubuike’s season-ending neck injury. If Baltimore truly wanted to transform a pass rush that has bagged just 11 sacks in eight games, it might need to take an additional step before Tuesday’s cutoff. But adding depth and flexibility was a smart move.

Tennessee Titans’ grade in Dre’Mont Jones trade: B+

The fire sale is on in Nashville, and it was wise for Titans brass to make Jones their latest veteran flip after also dealing cornerback Roger McCreary to the Rams. Tennessee was able to sell somewhat high on Jones after he posed 1 1/2 sacks and eight pressures against the injury-ravaged Los Angeles Chargers. Given the veteran pass rusher’s ceiling, a fifth-round pick was a fine return. The compensation pick math is squarely working against Tennessee for 2027, so recouping value here was the right choice.

Philadelphia Eagles’ grade in Jaelan Phillips trade: B-

Howie Roseman wasn’t going to toil in the bargain bin of trade deadline action for long. After bringing aboard cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Michael Carter II last week, the architect of the Eagles once again got bold with what could be one of the most sizable moves before Tuesday’s cutoff.

Phillips is plenty talented and legitimately changes the outlook of an edge-rushing group that still sorely misses the injured Nolan Smith – as well as the departed Josh Sweat. Philadelphia will add more juice to a defense that has yet to reach anything close to last season’s championship form.

The incentive here is understandable, with Philly wanting to give itself every edge – wordplay not intended – to repeat. But the price is steep for getting either a half-year rental or a jump on a player set to hit the open market anyway. Fangio surely was drawn to a player whom he helped reach 6 1/2 sacks in eight games in 2023, when the defensive coordinator held the same position for the Dolphins. But Phillips isn’t the same player that Fangio last coached given that each of his last two seasons has ended with a significant injury (torn Achilles and torn anterior cruciate ligament). There’s also some potential to mitigate the cost here by playing the comp pick game as adeptly as Roseman tends to do, but there aren’t many sure things about this swap.

Phillips might reconfigure the Eagles’ pass rush, but he seems unlikely to revolutionize it. But with no Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby or (potentially) Trey Hendrickson within reach, this was likely the Eagles’ best option before February.

Miami Dolphins’ grade in Jaelan Phillips trade: B+

The calculus here isn’t nearly as complicated for Miami. A non-contender that’s in the process of bottoming out clearly needed to take advantage of a sellers’ market. The only question was whether the Dolphins would actually pull the trigger on moving one of its most valuable assets.

For a long stretch, it appeared as though the answer was no, given how the franchise’s embattled leadership appeared intent on clawing back to some semblance of relevance this season. But things shifted significantly with Friday’s parting with general manager Chris Grier. The timing seemed to suggest an interest in changing approach before the trade deadline and capitalizing on a potential sell-off.

Re-signing or franchising Phillips didn’t seem to make much sense for an organization that could be facing an extended timeline before it’s competitive again, so facing reality and selling him off to the highest bidder was the best option for getting a rebuild going. A third-round pick was likely the ceiling for a gifted player who has an injury history and is on an expiring contract.

The Dallas Cowboys have acquired linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals, according to multiple reports.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had previously hinted at a mystery trade ahead of the NFL deadline.
Wilson, a sixth-year veteran, had requested a trade after being benched by the Bengals.

Jerry Jones’ mystery trade for the Dallas Cowboys is no longer up in the air.

Ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, Nov. 4, the Cowboys agreed to acquire linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick.

On Monday night, Jones walked back his previous claim that the Cowboys had completed a deal that had yet to be revealed. He added however that a move was still on the table and he was leaning toward making it.

‘We could conceivably see something that we ought to do, in spite of tonight,’ Jones told reporters after a 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cowboys dropped the Cowboys to 3-5-1 on the season. ‘And the answer to your question: There is no trade right now. … But there is one I can do. Without question, there is one I can do, and I’m leaning toward doing it.’

Wilson, 29, requested a trade last month after he was benched for rookie Barrett Carter. The sixth-year veteran has played in just 67% of Cincinnati’s defensive snaps, the lowest figure since his rookie year.

A team captain, Wilson led the Bengals in tackles from 2021-23. He remains under contract through 2027.

‘I appreciate everything Logan has done as a player and as a person during his time in Cincinnati,’ Bengals coach Zac Taylor said in a statement. ‘He has been a central part of our defense over the past six years, and he will be remembered as a leader in our locker room. I wish him the best moving forward.’

Wilson will move from the NFL’s last-ranked scoring defense in Cincinnati (33.3 points allowed per game) to the 31st-ranked unit in Dallas (30.8 points allowed).

Jones said he envisioned Wilson as a multi-year solution for Dallas’ defense.

‘He knows how to get in the gaps,’ Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan of Wilson. ‘For what we need right now, he can come in immediately right now and help us.’

Earlier on Monday, Jones claimed the Cowboys already had an agreement in place, though he would not reveal the details of it.

‘A lot of action going on right now in terms of trading,’ Jones said on ‘The Stephen A. Smith Show’ on SiriusXM Radio. ‘We certainly have made a trade, and we may make a couple more trades before that deadline. We’ve made one. We possibly could make two more, and I’m going to wait and let you read about that when we send the papers in tomorrow.’

The first night of the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season was dominated by lopsided scores, with teams from the sport’s best conferences beating up on overwhelmed opponents from much smaller schools.

It didn’t quite go according to script for everyone, though. Just ask Boise State.

The Broncos, who were picked third in the Mountain West preseason poll and who were No. 53 nationally in the KenPom preseason rankings, were stunned in their season opener, falling at home to Division II Hawaii Pacific 79-78 on Monday, Nov. 3.

The Sharks didn’t just win, but controlled the game, leading for 27:16 of a possible 40 minutes. Guard Joshua West led his team to an improbable victory with a game-high 23 points on nine-of-16 shooting, including a three-of-six mark from 3-point range. Though Boise State wasn’t particularly sloppy, finishing the game with 12 turnovers, the Sharks capitalized on those Broncos miscues, getting 23 points off turnovers.

Unlike its opponent, Hawaii Pacific entered the season with modest expectations. The Sharks, who went 15-14 last season, were picked to finish seventh in the 13-team Pacific West Conference in the league’s preseason poll.

“We’ve just got to be more hungry. That’s really just it,” Boise State guard Dylan Andrews said after the game, according to the Idaho Statesman. “We’ve just got to want it. I feel like we just (under)estimated the team, and they wanted it more than us.”

Though it’s often overshadowed by the school’s powerhouse football program, Boise State has been one of the more consistently successful programs from outside of the five major conferences in men’s college basketball over the past 15 years. 

Under coach Leon Rice, the Broncos have won at least 20 games in 12 of the past 14 full seasons. Since the start of the 2021-22 season, they’ve gone a combined 99-40 with three NCAA Tournament appearances. Last season, they went 26-11 and fell one game short of the Big Dance, losing to Colorado State in the championship game of the Mountain West tournament.

While the loss to the Sharks doesn’t factor into the NCAA’s NET rating system since Hawaii Pacific isn’t a Division I school, the loss will appear on Boise State’s team sheet that will be evaluated by the NCAA Tournament selection committee come March.

In the 114-106 loss to the Detroit Pistons, Morant scored 18 points and recorded 10 assists in his first game back after facing disciplinary action for his behavior during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. In that Lakers game, Morant only managed eight points, seven assists, and shot 3-of-14 from the field. The suspension followed first-year coach Tuomas Iisalo’s concerns about Morant’s leadership and effort during the game, as he deemed Morant’s demeanor to be inappropriate and dismissive.

When Morant was asked if he still felt joy while playing basketball, he bluntly responded with ‘No’ and appeared irritated by the question. When inquiries about the organization were made, Morant had little to say.

‘Obviously, they can’t go and tell y’all something I ain’t said,’ Morant said to reporters. ‘If I didn’t have a good relationship with them, I wouldn’t talk to them at all.’

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is facing a lawsuit filed by 11 former Aspiration investors, who claim the company was used to pay All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard in a manner that circumvented the NBA salary cap.

The amended lawsuit, initially filed in July, was subsequently filed in the California Superior Court and obtained by USA TODAY Sports, adding Ballmer’s name as a defendant. Aspiration, whose name is now Catona, claims the former Microsoft executive used the company “to secretly funnel millions of dollars to star NBA player, Kawhi Leonard.”

The lawsuit also said that “Ballmer was complicit in and aided and abetted (co-founder Joe) Sanberg’s fraud for his own self-serving purpose.’

‘It served Ballmer’s interest in getting extra money to Leonard so he could circumvent the salary cap, beat out the competition and re-sign his team’s superstar player,’ the lawsuit said. ‘Ballmer was complicit in and aided and abetted Sanberg’s fraud for his own self-serving purpose. Ballmer publicly endorsed Catona and infused over $50 million into the company. Absent Ballmer’s support, Catona could not have sustained the frauds set forth herein.’

The NBA is investigating the Clippers and Aspiration, and Commissioner Adam Silver said last month that there is no timetable for the probe to reach a conclusion and that the All-Star Game, slated to be played at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on Feb. 15, will proceed.

‘There’s no contemplation of moving the All-Star Game, and planning for the All-Star Game and the surrounding activities are operating completely independently of the ongoing investigation,’ Silver said.

Ballmer has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, claiming he was ‘duped,’ and during an interview with ESPN in September, claimed that he was unaware of the court documents that had originally linked Aspiration to Leonard, who was reportedly paid upwards of $30 million by Aspiration for a no-show job.

‘Plaintiffs allege that Ballmer transferred other funds to (Aspiration) to keep the company afloat and buy Sanberg’s support, cooperation and silence about the secret deal with Leonard. The full extent of Ballmer’s transfers of funds to (Aspiration) and Sanberg will be ascertained in discovery,’ the lawsuit said.

Coach Sean McDermott attributes the unit’s recent success to a tougher, ‘nasty’ attitude and increased player buy-in.
The defense has overcome significant adversity, using at least seven different starting lineups this season due to numerous injuries.
Despite a strong pass defense, the Bills rank near the bottom of the league against the run, posing a challenge for their championship hopes.

ORCHARD PARK, NY – Maybe Sean McDermott was serving up the Knute Rockne coach speak version in explaining the growth of this iteration of his Buffalo Bills defense. Given the roll of the unit lately, that’s certainly the coach’s well-earned right.

The Bills frustrated and pummeled Patrick Mahomes Nov. 2 to prove that they are still capable of hanging one on their nemesis – at least in the regular season – and a week earlier the defense smashed through Carolina. Hustle, energy and punch stats are flowing.

But wait a minute. Aren’t these the same guys who were shredded by Bijan Robinson for 238 yards from scrimmage (170 rushing, 68 receiving) during a Week 6 loss at Atlanta?

Well, yes and no. In more ways than one. McDermott, though, started with the mind when pressed for details after the big win on Sunday.

What’s changed since Week 6?

“Just the attitude,” McDermott said.

He contends that players are better understanding the necessary buy-in.

“Not that it was bad,” he added. “It’s just that it’s at another level right now. And you’ve got to be nasty if you want to play good defense. If you’re not tough as a defense, what have you got? You want to play finesse defense? That doesn’t work.”

The results – including heat on Mahomes reflected with three sacks, 15 quarterback hits and the lowest completion rate for a game (44.1%) in the three-time Super Bowl MVP’s career – may start with the mindset but also coincide with the physicality McDermott alluded to.

Bills defense overcoming waves of adversity

It’s mental and physical. No stretch there, except when you consider all the bodies that have rolled in and out of the lineup all season.

The Bills defense may have found a nastier attitude along the way, but the defining identity of this unit has a lot to do with its ability to handle one dose of adversity after another that can largely trace to injuries. To say you don’t know what you’ll get from week to week is not a knock. It’s fact. Buffalo (6-3) has fielded at least seven different starting lineup combinations on its defense this season, leaving McDermott and coordinator Bobby Babich to churn for answers.

“We live in that next-man-up mentality,” edge rusher A.J. Epenesa told USA TODAY Sports. “People really buy into that. We play a game that’s full of violence. Unfortunately, injuries come along. But I think our locker room is a prime example of guys stepping up when their number is called.”

No, they aren’t looking for sympathy. Injury setbacks constitute a league-wide epidemic. Like always. Yet while the undeniable face of the franchise, reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen, leads the NFL’s No. 1-ranked offense, whatever hopes the Bills have to finally break through and claim the franchise’s first Super Bowl berth in 32 years, will weigh heavily on whether the battered defense can hold up. And be trusted. The unit passed a major test in handling Mahomes and a red-hot Chiefs offense, which should boost confidence.

But more tests await. Buffalo heads into Sunday’s game at Miami ranked No. 2 in the NFL for pass defense, but it is 28th against the run – not exactly a proven championship formula.

Yet it is the journey of this particular season. Last week, star defensive tackle Ed Oliver went on injured reserve with a torn biceps, joining safeties Taylor Rapp (knee) and Damar Hamlin (pectoral), defensive tackles DeWayne Carter (Achilles) and T.J. Sanders (knee), and cornerback Dorian Strong (neck) on IR. On Friday, Taron Johnson, arguably the NFL’s best nickel back, was scratched from last Sunday’s game with a groin injury.

Michael Hoecht injury is latest blow for Buffalo D

Then came the game. Linebackers Terrell Bernard and Matt Milano returned after missing the previous week, but a devastating blow came in the fourth quarter when edge rusher Michael Hoecht suffered a torn Achilles tendon that ended his season.

“It’s a big loss,” McDermott said.

Hoecht, like fellow D-lineman and offseason free agent signee Larry Ogunjobi, missed the Bills’ first six games due to an NFL suspension for violating the performance-enhancing drug policy. He quickly provided a boost with his toughness and smarts, McDermott said. On Sunday, he was part of the rotation, along with newcomer Joey Bosa, Greg Rousseau and Epenesa, that kept constant pressure on Mahomes. And now he’s gone.

The reaction from Hoecht after he suffered the injury fit with the identity of the unit. He waved off the cart that came to transport him to the locker room, opting instead to watch the rest of the game from the bench. When it was over, the fifth-year vet used crutches to get to the locker room.

“It says more to everybody else about who Michael Hoecht is,” Babich told reporters on Monday. “That is exactly what I thought he would do … His leg could fall off and he’d figure out a way to hop around. That’s who he is.”

Now the Bills are pressed to replace him, too. Perhaps GM Brandon Beane will swing a trade or two for reinforcements before the 4 p.m. ET, Nov. 4, deadline. Or perhaps they will find more answers from within. Third-round rookie Landon Jackson, who started training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list and has been active for just two games, could be pegged for more action.

“We’ve got to find somebody else that’s going to step up,” McDermott said. “It’s been kind of one of those years; we’ve been tasked with doing that … We’re going to continue to figure out how we can manufacture wins at this point.

“Who’s the next up? That’s why we continue to tell the guys who may not be playing yet, ‘Make sure you’re ready.’ ”

Which is so essential to the attitude.

Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on  X: @JarrettBell

Jerry Jones sure knows how to entertain at the NFL trade deadline.

The Dallas Cowboys owner initially turned heads Monday with his claim that he had completed a deal that he would not reveal until Tuesday. Then, after a 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on ‘Monday Night Football,’ he cast some doubt on whether the swap would actually materialize.

Early on Tuesday, however, the Cowboys finally agreed to terms to acquire linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick.

The exchange represented two embattled defenses moving in opposite directions. For the Bengals, the move represented a full embrace of the youth movement at the position. For the Cowboys and Jones, it might be a last gasp at bolstering a thoroughly maligned unit.

Here’s how each team graded out in the trade:

Cowboys trade grade: C-

It’s not quite the equivalent of a defensive version of the Jonathan Mingo trade, but this seems like an awfully big kerfuffle for a so-so return.

Yes, Jones gets a proven entity and team captain who just a year ago was a formidable presence against the run. A hard-nosed and savvy approach on that front no doubt endeared Wilson to Jones, especially amid the defense continuing to be gashed in the ground game. But it was clear before his benching that the 29-year-old had fallen off, whether it was getting to plays a step later or whiffing on tackles more often once he was in position to do something.

Most of all, it’s difficult to see how this move does much to transform a unit that has so far to go before it can offer up any kind of consistent resistance under coordinator Matt Eberflus. The post-Micah Parsons pass rush isn’t where it should be, and Wilson’s blitzing skills won’t significantly shift the outlook there. The coverage problems extend well beyond one player, and that’s far from Wilson’s strong suit at this point in his career.

Maybe the veteran adds a degree of stability to a unit that’s been far too shaky while leaning on Kenneth Murray. But the eventual return of DeMarvion Overshown seems like the change that’s actually going to make a difference here.

When he first teased a move Monday, Jones said he could also complete a couple more. If Dallas truly intends on competing at 3-5-1, he’ll probably need to figure out a way to get those done. Then again, this defense is probably beyond saving at midseason.

Bengals trade grade: C

Can’t fault Cincinnati for trying something different amid its defense’s historically woeful run. At the same time, though, it’s hard to square exactly what this does for the Bengals in both the short and long term.

One thing is clear: It’s now up to Barrett Carter, who bumped Wilson from his starting role, and fellow rookie Demetrius Knight Jr. to lead the second level of this unit given that there’s no support coming from anywhere else.

“I see a very high ceiling in Barrett,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said last month. “I see qualities in him I wanted to see more of. The only way to do that is expand the role.”

It’s one thing to clear a path to playing time for the fourth-round pick. But Wilson was still the most reliable presence for a linebacker group that has been badly out of sorts, with the Chicago Bears’ 283-yard rushing effort against the Bengals on Sunday marking a new low.

Taylor had previously said that Wilson handled his demotion ‘really well” and had ‘done a great job with the young linebackers.’ What, then, is the upside to a split that netted a seventh-round draft pick? Unless the Bengals are also preparing to deal Trey Hendrickson and look ahead to 2026, not much is truly gained here.

A third-round pick in 2020, Wilson helped fuel the Bengals’ emergence alongside his more heralded offensive teammates. As Cincinnati tries to build up on defense, it’ll need to find more mid-round his like him in the near future.