Cousins Returns to Vikings as Taylor Stays in Indy

The Vikings (6-2) turned to a familiar face to fix a struggling offense, getting Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders. Minnesota's push intensified after Carson Wentz's rough night in a 23-6 loss to the Bills on Monday. Wentz went 8 of 25 for 81 yards with two interceptions and a lost fumble, finishing with a passer rating of 8.9.

The Vikings started 6-0 but have now lost two straight. Their defense is the league's stingiest, allowing 14.5 points per game, yet the offense scores only 18.3. Kyler Murray has a hamstring issue, and the unit wasn't productive with him either. Cousins threw for 4,547 yards and made his fourth Pro Bowl in 2022, when he helped Kevin O'Connell's Vikings win 13 games.

The 38-year-old has thrown for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season for Las Vegas (4-5). The Raiders will now turn to rookie Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick. For Minnesota, the hope is that Cousins can steer a Super Bowl run in a tough NFC North with four teams above .500.

The 49ers (7-1) added another veteran receiver to a banged-up group by getting Allen from the Colts. The 34-year-old has 40 catches for 351 yards and a touchdown in eight games this season, giving Brock Purdy a dependable target. It was San Francisco's second trade with Indianapolis in under a month, after the team acquired defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.

The receiver room needed help. Mike Evans has missed two games with Achilles tendinitis and there is no return date. Ricky Pearsall is out for the season, rookie De'Zhaun Stribling is on injured reserve until at least December, and Christian Kirk went on IR last week. Deebo Samuel could be back this week after missing three games.

The Chiefs (6-2) are counting on Downs to be a primary option for Patrick Mahomes. He caught 33 passes for 354 yards and a touchdown in nine games with Indianapolis. Kansas City has been hit at the position: Tyquan Thornton, its top deep threat, suffered a dislocated ankle and torn ligaments in Week 4, Rashee Rice missed three games with a hamstring injury, and Xavier Worthy is expected to miss several weeks.

Elsewhere, Buffalo (7-1) added safety Amani Hooker, who is tied with Xavier McKinney for the NFL lead with five interceptions, including three against Joe Burrow on November 1. The Bills have played better defensively over the past two games after giving up 28.5 points per game in the first six. Denver (7-2) landed linebacker Daiyan Henley to help a defense that ranked second in yards allowed last season but is tied for 26th now.

Baltimore and Atlanta swapped linemen, with the Falcons sending starting center Ryan Neuzil to the Ravens for offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees and a draft pick. Baltimore also picked up center Cam Jurgens from Philadelphia last month, so one of the two will likely move to guard. The Ravens (4-5) also got veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett from Arizona after Lamar Jackson's thumb injury and Tyler Huntley's season-ending toe injury.

Several contenders made big moves earlier. Jacksonville (6-2) went all in, getting defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Davon Godchaux and safety Jessie Bates III, giving up a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 second-rounder for Davis. Chicago (7-2) added All-Pro tackle Jeffery Simmons two weeks ago, Seattle (5-4) landed guard Quenton Nelson, and Detroit (6-2) got safety Andre Cisco.

Other teams were active too. The Giants (5-2-1) pursued Taylor but couldn't make a deal, and they've leaned on backup J.J. McCarthy since losing Jaxson Dart for the season. Houston (3-5) added receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., and Dallas (4-5) picked up cornerback Joey Porter Jr. With the deadline now past, these rosters are largely set for the stretch run.

Deadline Day: Cousins Back, Taylor Stays

Kirk Cousins returns to the Vikings from the Raiders, while Keenan Allen goes to the 49ers and Josh Downs to the Chiefs in Tuesday's NFL trade deadline moves.

The biggest surprise was Indianapolis keeping Jonathan Taylor, as Buffalo, Denver, Baltimore and Atlanta also made deals to fill needs.