What happened: The Rams explored a trade for A.J. Brown before the Eagles dealt the receiver to New England, while also considering moving Davante Adams. Los Angeles ultimately backed away from discussions because of concerns surrounding Brown's knee. The wide receiver was recently sidelined for New England after experiencing a flare-up of the condition.

Why it matters: The decision underscores how medical evaluations shaped the wide receiver market before the trade deadline. New England absorbed the health risk to upgrade its perimeter offense, but Brown's recurring knee trouble tests the Patriots' depth. Los Angeles avoided committing significant assets to an injured target, maintaining roster flexibility instead.

What to watch: Brown remains sidelined as New England evaluates his recovery timeline. Los Angeles moves forward with its current receiver corps heading into its next matchup.