Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Newly acquired quarterback J.J. McCarthy is active for the New York Giants in their Week 4 contest against the Arizona Cardinals. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy noted that McCarthy is undergoing a progression to learn the system and get ready as a backup, with the coaching staff evaluating how much he can handle each day. It remains uncertain whether McCarthy will serve as the No. 2 or No. 3 quarterback on Sunday.
New York Giants quarterback Jake Haener was elevated from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's Week 4 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Haener provides depth under center alongside newly acquired J.J. McCarthy, as the Giants navigate their depth chart behind the main offensive unit. The team activated Haener to ensure coverage at the position while evaluating player readiness for game-day packages.
Buffalo Bills starting cornerback Christian Benford is inactive for Sunday's pivotal AFC East showdown against the New England Patriots due to a toe injury. Benford missed all three practice sessions during the week, prompting a practice-squad elevation of Kani Walker on Saturday. With Benford sidelined, rookie Davison Igbinosun is in line to start alongside undrafted rookie Kani Walker making his NFL debut.
New England Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss is active for Sunday's divisional game against the Buffalo Bills. Elliss was listed as questionable heading into the matchup due to a chest injury, but he has received the green light to play and can be deployed normally.
New England Patriots edge rusher Dre'Mont Jones is active for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. Although he entered the day listed as questionable on the injury report with a shoulder injury, Jones is cleared to take the field and can be utilized as planned in IDP leagues.
New England Patriots safety Craig Woodson is active for Sunday's matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Woodson entered the day listed as questionable due to a shoulder injury sustained during the week, but he has been cleared to play and is available for normal defensive and IDP usage.
Chicago Bears defensive back Cam Lewis is inactive and will not dress for Sunday's game against the New York Jets. The Bears finalized their gameday roster alongside other inactive players including Ozzy Trapilo and Caleb Williams, while making corresponding practice squad elevations.
Chicago Bears offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo is a healthy scratch and inactive for Sunday's home game against the New York Jets at Soldier Field. The Bears announced their inactive list alongside roster adjustments that include placing Braxton Jones on injured reserve and elevating defensive end Marcus Davenport and cornerback Nick McCloud.
Davis Allen is active for the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Rams are managing significant depth hits at tight end with Terrance Ferguson on injured reserve and Colby Parkinson inactive due to injuries, leaving Allen, Tyler Higbee, and Max Klare as the available options.
Tyler Higbee anchors the Los Angeles Rams tight end group for Sunday's game against the Eagles. With Colby Parkinson inactive due to knee and shoulder injuries and Terrance Ferguson landing on injured reserve with an ankle injury, Higbee, Davis Allen, and Max Klare comprise the active tight end unit as Puka Nacua returns to the lineup.
Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson was placed on injured reserve this week due to an ankle injury. Combined with Colby Parkinson being inactive for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Ferguson's absence leaves the Rams thin at tight end, relying on Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen, and Max Klare.
Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson is inactive for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles due to knee and shoulder injuries. With Terrance Ferguson also landing on injured reserve this week, the Rams are left down to tight ends Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen, and Max Klare for the matchup.
Max Klare and the Los Angeles Rams tight end room face a shake-up for Sunday's game against the Eagles as teammate Colby Parkinson is inactive with knee and shoulder injuries, and Terrance Ferguson landed on injured reserve. The roster moves leave Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen, and Max Klare as the remaining active tight ends available to support the offense.
New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell is inactive and will miss Sunday's contest against the Chicago Bears. Mitchell's absence sidelines a key weapon for the Jets offense, prompting the team to elevate wide receiver Sterling Shepard from the practice squad to help bolster receiving depth alongside other depleted roster spots.
New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor is inactive for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears. Taylor's absence, alongside wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, leaves the Jets short-handed on offense, though fellow tight end Kenyon Sadiq is active and expected to see increased opportunities to make up for the missing personnel.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon is expected to miss several weeks after being carted off with a foot injury during Thursday night's loss to the Browns. Wearing a walking boot and street clothes post-game, Harmon faces a potential stint on injured reserve, though it is not believed to be a season-ending issue. He recorded 12 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble through his first four games of the 2026 NFL season.
Buffalo Bills linebacker Joe Andreessen signed a two-year contract extension with the team on Saturday, Oct. 3, worth $5 million. According to reports from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter, the new deal includes $3 million in guaranteed money, securing the linebacker's future with the Bills organization through the coming seasons.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel will conclude his four-week stay on the injured reserve list following this week's games. Once Gabriel is cleared from his back injury, the Browns have a 21-day window to activate him to the 53-man roster, place him on season-ending injured reserve, release him, or trade him. General manager Andrew Berry faces a roster crunch with four quarterbacks as trade speculation swirls around the backup options.
Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is expected to play in Week 4's game against the Dallas Cowboys, according to a league source. Clowney had been listed as questionable on the team's most recent injury report due to a knee issue, but he is on track to return to the field and provide an important boost to the Texans defensive front.
Baltimore Ravens offensive guard Vega Ioane will make his first career NFL start at center in Week 4's game against the Tennessee Titans. Ioane steps into the starting lineup as a result of injuries that have sidelined centers Danny Pinter with a knee injury, Jovaughn Gwyn with a leg injury, and Ethan Pocic with a knee injury.
