Roster Moves for NFL Teams After Mike Evans, Nick Bosa, More Key Injuries

During the regular season, NFL general managers can never be too comfortable with their rosters because of injuries. In Week 3, multiple teams lost key players for extended periods or the remainder of the season.

Once teams have a prognosis for a player's injury, the front office must figure out how to fill that position for the short or long term.

Following news about Nick Bosa's torn ACL and Mike Evans' hamstring strain, we'll outline moves teams can make to compensate for the confirmed absences of key players on the mend.

These suggestions include trades, signings and increased snap counts for backups.

Arizona Cardinals: Trade for RB Jerome Ford

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford

Key Injury: RB James Conner

The Arizona Cardinals must consider a long-term replacement for James Conner, who will undergo season-ending foot surgery. 

Trey Benson will become the featured running back. The coaching staff is likely to expand Emari Demercado's role to fill the No. 2 spot. Bam Knight is also an option for backup duties.

Even with in-house candidates capable of taking on bigger roles, the Cardinals should reach out to the Cleveland Browns with an inquiry for Jerome Ford.

Ford is third in touches behind rookies Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. In Week 3, he didn't record a carry but hauled in all four of his targets for 10 receiving yards.

With Judkins in the workhorse role and Sampson behind him in carries, Cleveland may be willing to deal Ford, who's in the final year of his contract. The veteran pass-catching tailback would be a complement to Benson, who has minimal production as a receiver, and an upgrade over Demercado.

Cleveland Browns: Acquire LT Cam Robinson

AP Photo/John Raoux

Houston Texans offensive tackle Cam Robinson (74) and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16).

Key Injury: LT Dawand Jones

Once again, the Cleveland Browns offensive tackles are banged up. Jack Conklin missed the team's previous two outings because of an elbow injury. Dawand Jones needs knee surgery, which will sideline him for the rest of the season.

In Week 3, against the Green Bay Packers, Cornelius Lucas and KT Leveston had rough outings at left tackle and right tackle, respectively. Rashan Gary logged two sacks.

Sure, most offensive tackles will struggle in pass protection when they face Micah Parsons and Gary, but Leveston hasn't started a game in his career. The Browns would put 40-year-old Joe Flacco in a precarious situation with a backup and an inexperienced starter at tackle.

Cleveland should attempt to acquire Cam Robinson from the Houston Texans.

Robinson has 102 starts on his nine-year resume, and he's currently a backup left tackle behind rookie second-rounder Aireontae Ersery.

If the Texans plan to keep Ersery and Tytus Howard at tackle, with Blake Fisher in a reserve position, Robinson may be available on the trade block.

Dallas Cowboys: Increase WR Jalen Tolbert's Snap Count

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert

Key Injury: WR CeeDee Lamb

In a Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears, CeeDee Lamb suffered a high ankle sprain. Owner Jerry Jones told reporters that the star receiver could land on injured reserve, which would cost him four games.

If the Cowboys are optimistic about Lamb's return in about a month, they don't need to make a big move on the trade market. George Pickens can be Dak Prescott's go-to target, while Jalen Tolbert sees more opportunities in the passing game.

As the Cowboys' No. 2 wideout last season, Tolbert logged career highs in multiple receiving categories, recording 49 catches for 610 yards and a team-leading seven touchdowns. 

Through three weeks, Tolbert has seen a steady increase in his snap count. The inside-outside receiver should be on the field for most of the offensive plays in Lamb's absence. Return specialist KaVontae Turpin will likely see more targets in the passing game as well.

Dallas Cowboys: Sign G Mark Glowinski

AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) and Indianapolis Colts center Mark Glowinski (64)

Key Injury: G Tyler Booker

Like CeeDee Lamb, Tyler Booker suffered a high ankle sprain in the Dallas Cowboys' loss to the Chicago Bears. According to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, he could miss four to six weeks.

The Cowboys don't have a starting-caliber backup to fill in for Booker. Dallas may have some urgency in addressing the interior of its offensive line, with center Cooper Beebe also recovering from a high ankle sprain.

Dallas may dip into the free-agent market for a short-term starter who could be an asset for its 11th-ranked ground attack. 

For most of his career, Mark Glowinski has been a solid guard who's lined up on the right side, where Booker played in the first three games of this season. The 33-year-old has started in 101 contests and last saw action with the Indianapolis Colts in 2024.

The Cowboys wouldn't have to invest a lot in Glowinski, who's in the latter part of his career, but still a serviceable starting guard.

Los Angeles Chargers: Trade for RB Jaylen Wright

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright

Key Injury: RB Najee Harris

On Monday, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh informed reporters that running back Najee Harris tore his Achilles, a season-ending injury. 

Rookie first-rounder Omarion Hampton is in line for a massive workload out of the backfield. Backup running back Hassan Haskins may get more touches. He played under Harbaugh for four collegiate terms at Michigan. That said, the fourth-year veteran has 59 career carries and is averaging just 3.1 yards per rush attempt.

With a 3-0 start, the Chargers should be aggressive in filling roster voids to maintain their momentum. Though Harris had a rotational role after he suffered an eye injury in an offseason fireworks incident, Los Angeles can add a veteran ball-carrier who can take some pressure off Hampton in his first year. 

Remember, the Chargers signed Harris to a one-year deal. So, they could gauge the trade market for a long-term backup running back.

Miami Dolphins rookie sixth-rounder Ollie Gordon II has looked impressive as a complement to De'Von Achane. During the preseason, he generated buzz and took advantage of his time on the field while Jaylen Wright, a 2024 fourth-rounder, missed time with a knee injury.

Through the first three weeks of the season, Gordon has logged 12 carries for 50 yards and a touchdown. Entering Week 3, Wright didn't have an injury designation, but he didn't play a snap against the Buffalo Bills. With Gordon's emergence, he may need a change of scenery to see significant playing time.

The Chargers should offer the Dolphins a late-round 2026 draft pick for Wright.

San Francisco 49ers: Sign EDGE Carl Lawson

AP Photo/Jerome Miron

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Carl Lawson

Key Injury: Nick Bosa 

For the second time in his career, Nick Bosa has torn his ACL, which leaves a significant void on the edge of the San Francisco 49ers defensive line.

As a pass-rusher, Mykel Williams is off to a quiet start in his rookie season. He's logged one pressure in three games. Bryce Huff, who played under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh for three seasons with the New York Jets, hasn't been a full-time starter or played more than 51 percent of defensive snaps in any of his six campaigns. 

Instead of paying a premium to acquire a pass-rusher from another club, the 49ers can consider signing Carl Lawson, who's also played under Saleh in New York. 

In 2022, with the Jets, Lawson registered 26 pressures and seven sacks in one of his most productive campaigns. Last year, in a rotational role with the Dallas Cowboys, he recorded 19 pressures and five sacks.

The 30-year-old pass-rusher may have more left in the tank to rush the passer. He could tag-team with Huff to absorb Bosa's snaps on the edge.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sign WR Tyler Boyd

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd

Key Injury: WR Mike Evans 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a balancing act with their wide receiver corps. Wideouts Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka are all dealing with injuries.

According to Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud, Evans will miss three to four weeks with a "moderate" hamstring strain. 

Godwin could soon make his return from two ankle surgeries after going through a week of limited practices before the team's Week 3 outing with the New York Jets. He would make a timely season debut, considering Evans' expected absence.

Egbuka hasn't missed any time, but last week, he only logged one limited practice because of hip and groin injuries. The sensational rookie first-rounder leads the Buccaneers in receiving yards (181) and touchdowns (three).

In Tampa Bay's win over the Jets, Sterling Shepard made key contributions, with four catches for 80 yards, but his production may not be sustainable at that rate in his age-32 term.

The Buccaneers need veteran insurance at receiver. Tyler Boyd can be a reliable chain-mover while the club's top three receivers recover from their injuries. In his career, he's operated primarily out of the slot with sure hands, maintaining a 68.1 percent catch rate through nine seasons. Last year, with the Tennessee Titans, Boyd caught 39 passes for 390 yards.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.