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NFL News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Monday, October 5

Marcus Davenport Retires From NFL After Release From Bears Squad

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Veteran defensive end Marcus Davenport requested and was granted his release from the Chicago Bears practice squad, and he officially intends to retire at age 30. Davenport had just made his season debut Sunday in a 23-12 win over the Jets, logging 12 defensive snaps and recording one tackle and one pressure. Drafted 14th overall by the Saints in 2018, he finishes his career with 25.0 sacks across 78 regular-season appearances, having battled various injuries.

J.J. McCarthy Could Serve As Giants Backup QB In Week 5

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New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh stated it is a possibility that newly acquired quarterback J.J. McCarthy could serve as the primary backup behind Jameis Winston in Week 5 against Washington. Acquired from Minnesota following Jaxson Dart's season-ending injury for a 2027 fifth-round pick, McCarthy was active in Week 4 for specific packages as the team fast-forwards his learning curve to compete for the No. 2 job.

Jayden Daniels Aiming To Return For Week 5 Versus Giants

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Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn stated the team aims to give quarterback Jayden Daniels a full week of practice to start Sunday's matchup against the New York Giants. Giants coach John Harbaugh noted they are preparing for a 100 percent healthy Daniels. He has missed the last two games after dislocating his left elbow in Week 2. His expected return is vital for the 1-3 Commanders, especially with backup Marcus Mariota facing a multi-week absence due to an MCL sprain.

Kyle Juszczyk Sidelined For 2-3 Weeks With Knee Hyperextension

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San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk is expected to miss two to three weeks after an MRI confirmed a knee hyperextension, sprain, and bone bruise sustained in Sunday's win over Denver. Initial tests confirmed his ACL and ligaments are intact, avoiding IR placement. Having recorded two catches for 28 yards prior to exiting, head coach Kyle Shanahan plans to utilize tight ends Brayden Willis, George Kittle, and Luke Farrell to temporarily fill the offensive void.

Saquon Barkley Week-to-Week With Hamstring Injury Suffered Against Rams

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is considered week-to-week after suffering a hamstring injury on his second carry during Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Rams. While he is unlikely to play Week 5 against Jacksonville in London, the injury is not long-term. Barkley finished Sunday with two carries for eight yards, bringing his season total to 174 yards on 34 carries. With Tank Bigsby headed to IR for core surgery, Will Shipley remains the only healthy running back on the active roster.

Amarius Mims Shines With Elite Pass Blocking For Cincinnati Bengals

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Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Amarius Mims continued his elite 2026 campaign against the Jacksonville Jaguars, allowing zero pressures across 58 pass-blocking snaps. According to Next Gen Stats, Mims has allowed just a 3% pressure rate this season—the lowest among all offensive tackles with 100 or more pass blocks. His stellar right-side protection highlights a rapidly improving Bengals offensive line that aims to keep quarterback Joe Burrow upright and healthy for the long term.

Joe Burrow Insists Bengals Losses Aren't Armageddon Amid Injury Struggles

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow emphasized that the team's situation is far from Armageddon despite consecutive losses, which included a costly fourth-quarter turnover against Jacksonville. Burrow completed 39 of 54 passes for 428 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions while directing an 81.7% pass rate—the highest of his career. Pressured 20 times behind a struggling line, Burrow maintains offensive optimism despite mounting injuries to key weapons and a tough schedule.

Za'Darius Smith Ruled Out With Concussion After Taking Knee To Head

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Atlanta Falcons defensive end Za'Darius Smith was ruled out of Monday night's game against the New Orleans Saints after sustaining a concussion and neck injury in the first quarter. Smith took an accidental knee to the head from teammate Brandon Dorlus while lying on the turf. He initially waved off a cart and walked to the locker room. Smith, who leads the Falcons with 2.5 sacks this season, was officially diagnosed in the training room and will not return.

Cam Jurgens Enters Concussion Protocol As Philadelphia Eagles OL Depth Dwindles

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Philadelphia Eagles left guard Cam Jurgens self-reported concussion symptoms on Monday morning and has entered the league's protocol, dealing another major blow to an increasingly depleted offensive line. Jurgens, who moved from center to left guard to replace Landon Dickerson after Week 1, struggled in his new role against the Rams. With Drew Kendall also banged up and multiple linemen already sidelined, head coach Nick Sirianni faces a severe depth crisis ahead of Sunday's game in London.

Jaydon Blue Eyed for Promotion Amid Eagles Backfield Crises

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Jaydon Blue is one of the practice squad running backs under consideration as the Philadelphia Eagles scramble to replenish their depleted backfield. Following a hamstring injury to starter Saquon Barkley and an abdominal injury sending Tank Bigsby to injured reserve, the Eagles must look to practice squad alternatives like Blue to provide essential roster depth for Week 5.

Dameon Pierce Emerges as Option for Depleted Eagles Backfield

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Dameon Pierce is among the practice squad running back options being evaluated by the Philadelphia Eagles following injuries to Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby. With Barkley sidelined week-to-week with a hamstring issue and Bigsby heading to injured reserve for core muscle surgery, the Eagles are heavily weighing reinforcements from their practice squad to bolster the active roster ahead of their upcoming matchup.

Will Shipley Sees Expanded Action Following Backfield Injuries

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Will Shipley recorded six carries for 23 yards in the Philadelphia Eagles' Week 4 loss to the Rams, seeing extended action after starting running back Saquon Barkley left with a hamstring injury and backup Tank Bigsby suffered a groin injury. Shipley matched a team-high 29 snaps alongside Bigsby and finished without receptions on a single target. With both Barkley and Bigsby sidelined, Shipley is poised for an expanded backfield role.

Tank Bigsby Heading to IR and Requires Core Muscle Surgery

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby is heading to injured reserve and requires core muscle surgery after aggravating an abdomen injury in Sunday's loss to the Rams. Expected to miss up to six weeks, Bigsby had rushed 14 times for 55 yards before exiting. With teammate Saquon Barkley also sidelined with a hamstring issue, Bigsby's absence leaves Will Shipley as the sole healthy roster running back as the team considers practice squad additions.

Joe Mixon Joins Seattle Seahawks Practice Squad For Depth

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Veteran running back Joe Mixon is joining the Seattle Seahawks practice squad following a successful workout after missing the entire 2025 season with a foot injury. Mixon, who turns 30, rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Texans in 2024. His arrival provides experienced depth to a backfield currently featuring Emanuel Wilson and George Holani, as rookie Jadarian Price sits on injured reserve and Zach Charbonnet recovers from an ACL tear.

Kyren Williams Leads Rams in Targets and Scores Two TDs

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Kyren Williams played a vital role in the Los Angeles Rams' come-from-behind win over Philadelphia, logging 70 snaps and leading the team with 13 targets. Williams added two rushing touchdowns, bringing his career total to 48 and tying Henry Ellard for 8th place on the Rams' all-time list. Crucially, he also contributed 10 catches, showcasing his evolving value as both a runner and a reliable receiving target in the Rams' offense.

Rashawn Slater Sidelined With High-Ankle Sprain as IR Candidate

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Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a high-ankle sprain in Sunday's loss to Seattle and is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks, making the two-time Pro Bowler a candidate for injured reserve. Head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed the injury following an MRI, compounding massive offensive line woes for the 0-4 Chargers who also lost right tackle Joe Alt to a neck injury and Trevor Penning to a concussion protocol.

Ladd McConkey Day-to-Day After Aggravating Foot Injury

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Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh labeled wide receiver Ladd McConkey day-to-day after he aggravated a foot injury during Sunday's loss to the Seahawks. McConkey had played through the issue during the week but failed to catch his targets before exiting. Harbaugh termed him week-to-week initially, raising the likelihood he misses Week 5. Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris are expected to step in as primary targets for Justin Herbert while McConkey recovers.

Jeremiyah Love Managing New Ankle Tweak in Arizona

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Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love is dealing with a new ankle injury on the opposite foot from his preseason high-ankle sprain. Head coach Matt LaFleur described the issue as a minor tweak and management situation, though Love limped off late in Sunday's loss to the Giants after ceding snaps to Tyler Allgeier. Through four games, the rookie first-rounder has logged 66 touches for 259 scrimmage yards and two total touchdowns.

Marcus Mariota Diagnosed With Right Knee MCL Sprain

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Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota was diagnosed with an MCL sprain in his right knee after suffering the injury in the first quarter against the Colts in London. Coach Dan Quinn stated the return timetable is uncertain, but Mariota faces a multi-week recovery. Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis is positioned to serve as the backup behind Jayden Daniels, who is expected to practice and return for Week 5 against the New York Giants.

Samson Ebukam Active and Set to Play on Monday Night

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Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Samson Ebukam is active and will play in Monday Night Football against the New Orleans Saints. Ebukam had been listed as questionable due to a hamstring injury alongside teammate linebacker Divine Deablo, but both players cleared pre-game evaluations to suit up for the NFC South matchup.