Baker Mayfield tracking toward Week 7 return: NFC South roundup

The NFC South had a quiet schedule yesterday with no games played, but there was plenty of movement behind the scenes. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons all made roster-related news as Week 6 comes into focus.

Buccaneers: Mayfield expected back in Week 7, eyes on Steelers

According to Pro Football Rumors, the Buccaneers expect quarterback Baker Mayfield to return to the lineup in Week 7. The outlet cites a report from Bleacher Report’s James Palmer indicating that Mayfield’s grip strength has been progressing well, fueling optimism in Tampa Bay. The Bucs sit at 1-4 in the NFC South and must first get through this week’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

CBS Sports notes that both the Steelers and Buccaneers are looking to build off impressive Week 5 wins in a game preview and prediction piece, and also flags Tampa Bay as a potential betting option in its last-minute best bets column. Those are opinions and projections, not foregone conclusions on how the game will play out.

Panthers: reinforcements activated before shorthanded Eagles

For the 2-2 Carolina Panthers, Pro Football Rumors reports that the team has activated three players: right tackle Taylor Moton, running back Trevor Etienne and defensive end Tershawn Wharton, per ESPN’s Mike Kaye. Those reinforcements arrive just in time for Carolina’s trip to Philadelphia.

CBS Sports reports that the Eagles do not plan to place Jalen Hurts on injured reserve as he deals with a superficial blood clot, but he is out indefinitely and will miss the game against the Panthers. In its betting analysis, CBS Sports points to the banged-up Eagles as a reason to like Carolina this week, framing the matchup as an opportunity for the Panthers to capitalize.

Falcons: defensive depth moves as Caleb Williams returns

The 2-3 Atlanta Falcons continue to tinker with their defensive depth. Pro Football Rumors notes that Atlanta signed linebacker Bralen Trice from the practice squad and elevated defensive end Drake Jackson and safety Jammie Robinson for the weekend. In a separate practice-squad update, Pro Football Rumors also has the Falcons signing Robinson to their practice squad.

Those moves come as, according to CBS Sports and Pro Football Rumors, the Chicago Bears are expected to get Caleb Williams back under center in Week 6 after a three-game absence. Citing ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the reports state that the Bears plan to start Williams against Atlanta, setting up a tougher assignment for the Falcons’ reshuffled defense.

Saints: quiet day in New Orleans

The New Orleans Saints, currently 1-4, did not surface in any of the reported transaction or injury headlines over the past 24 hours. With the rest of the division adjusting rosters and getting reinforcements, New Orleans heads toward its next outing with the status quo in place for now.