Here's a look at some of the top rumors for Monday, Nov. 9:
Last month, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that multiple teams, including the Miami Dolphins, are expected to inquire about the availability of New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton this offseason with the hopes of acquiring him as their head coach. Sunday morning, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported that Payton "is open" to other opportunities and the Saints "would be inclined to let him out of his contract" if the coach so desired this offseason. Rapoport also noted that Payton's contract has a "change of control" clause that would free Payton from his deal if owner Tom Benson is no longer running the Saints, which is a possibility, depending on the result of Benson's court battle with his daughter and grandchildren. All of this makes it sound like Payton's time in New Orleans could be nearing an end after nine seasons. The 51-year-old would likely draw plenty of interest around the league, especially because of his reputation for working well with quarterbacks. The Dolphins and Tennessee Titans have each fired their head coaches this season and have young quarterbacks in need of development, which could make Payton an appealing candidate. The Indianapolis Colts -- whose head coach, Chuck Pagano, is very much on the hot seat -- were also mentioned by Schefter last month as a possible suitor. Plenty could happen before the offseason arrives, but this situation certainly bears watching.
Another nugget about the Saints that Rapoport offered on Sunday: Backup quarterback Luke McCown's season "is in doubt" due to a lower back issue. Rapoport noted that McCown is seeing a specialist on Monday. Drew Brees has looked completely healthy and been extremely productive in recent weeks, so this isn't a huge cause for concern, but McCown is one of the league's better backups and showed as much in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers. Next up on the Saints depth chart at QB would be third-round rookie Garrett Grayson.
Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware left Sunday's game against the Colts with a back injury and did not return, playing just 38 percent of the snaps on the day. According to Bleacher Report's Jason Cole, Ware's injury suffered in Week 5 -- described then as back spasms -- flared up, and the linebacker expects to miss "a week or two." The Broncos host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10 and visit the Chicago Bears in Week 11, but if Ware misses a third week, Denver would be without one of its top pass-rushers against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Week 12. It sounds like Ware will be ready for that game, but it's a little worrisome to see a recurring injury popping up for a 33-year-old. The ailment hasn't seemed to hamper Ware in the past two weeks, however -- he had a sack-fumble in Week 8 before picking up another sack Sunday against the Colts, giving him 6.5 sacks in seven games this season. UPDATE: Rapoport hears that Ware's injury will keep the linebacker out 2-4 weeks. That could be a tough pill for the Broncos to swallow, because it could keep Ware out against the Patriots in Week 12 and for a visit to San Diego in Week 13.
It sounds like the Colts' run defense suffered a serious blow in Sunday's win over the Broncos. Rapoport reports rookie defensive end Henry Anderson "is believed to have torn his ACL, based on initial tests," with an MRI on the way to confirm. The third-round pick out of Stanford has had an excellent rookie season, grading out as Pro Football Focus' 10th-best 3-4 defensive end out of 55 qualifiers so far this season. After placing defensive lineman Arthur Jones on injured reserve in early September, the Colts are starting to run out of depth along the defensive front, and this team already had a poor reputation for stopping the run, especially against the Patriots. While Sunday's win reinforces the Colts' status as the class of a weak AFC South, holes like those up front will be tough to overcome in January. UPDATE: Anderson's season is officially over after the team placed him on injured reserve.