Vikings Bring Cousins Back; Chiefs Add Downs; 49ers Land Allen

The 3 p.m. CT deadline is closed. Minnesota got its quarterback, Kansas City and San Francisco added receivers, and a few rumored blockbusters never happened.

Kirk Cousins is back in Minnesota. The Vikings sent a 2027 third-round pick to the Raiders for the 38-year-old, pending a physical (Vikings.com, NFL.com). Cousins started all nine games in Las Vegas and threw for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He already knows Kevin O'Connell's offense and has history with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson. This morning I said Jefferson was a WR2 at best against Green Bay unless a real quarterback showed up (Tuesday morning update). This is that quarterback, but I wouldn't lock Cousins in for Sunday at Lambeau until Minnesota says he passed his physical and is ready to play. If he starts, he's a superflex start and Jefferson and Addison go back to must-start territory. If he sits this week, keep sitting Carson Wentz. In Las Vegas, Fernando Mendoza is expected to take over after one appearance this year (6 of 8, 48 yards). He's a superflex dart, not a 1QB stream yet.

Josh Downs is headed to Kansas City. The Chiefs sent 2027 fourth- and fifth-round picks to Indianapolis and got Downs plus a 2027 seventh-round pick (Colts.com, NFL.com). Downs has 33 catches for 354 yards and a touchdown on 57 targets in nine games. That's modest production, but he lands in a better offense, and Kansas City needed help after Xavier Worthy hurt his hamstring Sunday. Rashee Rice is still the receiver to start. Add Downs everywhere he's available; he's a WR3/flex with a real path to more work if Worthy sits. Indianapolis already moved Keenan Allen, so the Colts' remaining receivers are a step down in a 2-7 offense. Don't go chasing them.

Keenan Allen is heading to San Francisco. The 49ers sent a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Colts for him (NFL.com, PFT). Allen has 40 catches for 351 yards and a touchdown in eight games. He isn't the old Chargers version, but he walks into a receiver room still without Mike Evans (rib/Achilles) and Deebo Samuel (hamstring), with Christian Kirk already on injured reserve. Add or hold Allen as a WR3/flex. Demarcus Robinson stays a desperation dart, not a preference now that Allen is in the building.

Jonathan Taylor is staying in Indianapolis. Tom Pelissero reports the Colts turned down packages that included a second-round pick and wanted a blockbuster to even consider moving him (PFT, CBS Sports). Daniel Jones is staying too (theScore). That matters for this morning's waiver post: Seth McGowan is not about to inherit the starting job. He's still the handcuff to claim, not the week's biggest add by dinner. The Packers didn't get Taylor either, so the Kaleb Johnson recommendation also holds — a cheap bid while Josh Jacobs is out, not a panic spend (Week 10 waivers).

Brian Thomas Jr. is staying in Jacksonville. The Jaguars told teams they weren't dealing him, then spent Monday adding Jordan Davis, Jessie Bates III and Davon Godchaux instead (ESPN, PFT, NFL.com). Hold Thomas. Don't sell based on the rumor. A Cincinnati-Philadelphia deal for Arnold Ebiketie was agreed to and then called off (PFT, Pro Football Rumors).

Brandon Aiyuk was not traded, and I have not seen an official release. The NFL reinstated him Monday and gave the 49ers a two-game roster exemption that runs through Nov. 23 (ESPN, NFL.com). A cut has been expected, but until San Francisco posts it, I'm not guessing a landing spot or telling you to stash him.

The Cowboys did not trade for a running back. Kendre Miller visited Dallas on Tuesday after the Saints cut him last week (NBC Sports). The Dallas Morning News reports they're adding him to the practice squad, but the team has not announced a signing as of this writing, so treat it as a report, not a done deal. Javonte Williams is still the lead back. Miller is a watch-list name, not a waiver priority.

The rest of the deadline was on defense and the offensive line: Buffalo added Amani Hooker, Denver added Daiyan Henley, and Baltimore and Atlanta swapped linemen (NFL.com, PFT). None of those change your Week 10 lineup.