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NFL News

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

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Cowboys Waive LB Damone Clark, Activate DL Perrion Winfrey from IR

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The Dallas Cowboys have waived linebacker Damone Clark and activated defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey from injured reserve. Clark, a 2022 fifth-round pick, started 26 games over four seasons with the Cowboys, recording 14 tackles this season and 198 for his career, primarily contributing on special teams recently. Winfrey, who has not played this season after going on injured reserve in September, previously played one game for the Jets and 13 for the Browns in 2023. These roster moves follow the Cowboys' victory over the Raiders.

Pete Carroll Expresses Confidence in Geno Smith Despite Raiders' 2-8 Start

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Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll remains confident in quarterback Geno Smith, despite the team's 2-8 record. Smith acknowledged his need to "play better" after Monday night's 33-16 loss to the Cowboys, where he threw for 238 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Carroll, however, stated he "thought Geno played really well for the most part" and has "no hesitation" in believing in him. Carroll emphasized the need for the team to "help him out more and protect him better," suggesting a change under center is unlikely in the near future.

Texans Activate Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz; C.J. Stroud Remains in Concussion Protocol

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The Houston Texans will be without quarterback C.J. Stroud for a third consecutive game as he remains in concussion protocol and will miss Thursday's game against the Bills. However, backup quarterback Davis Mills will have key offensive weapons back as wide receiver Nico Collins (ankle) and tight end Dalton Schultz (shoulder) returned to full practice participation on Tuesday. Collins and Schultz were limited on Monday. Stroud had a limited practice on Tuesday, but the short week made his participation unlikely. Linebacker Jamal Hill (hamstring) remained out, while Azeez Al-Shaair (knee/illness), Will Anderson (ankle), Denico Autry (knee), Trent Brown (hand/knee), Tytus Howard (ankle/knee), and Jalen Pitre (concussion) were limited. Pitre has been ruled out for the week.

Raiders Waive Safety Chris Smith; Release OT Leroy Watson IV from Practice Squad

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The Las Vegas Raiders have waived safety Chris Smith, a 25-year-old fifth-round pick from 2023 who has appeared in 36 career games, primarily on special teams. Smith was not active for Monday night's loss to the Cowboys after accumulating 156 special teams snaps this season. Additionally, the Raiders have released offensive tackle Leroy Watson IV from their practice squad.

Rams' 13 Personnel Usage Impacts Puka Nacua's Fantasy Outlook Despite Elite Talent

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The Los Angeles Rams' increased use of 13 personnel (three tight ends) has positively impacted quarterback Matthew Stafford's fantasy production, making him a weekly QB1. However, this offensive shift has led to a decrease in snaps and route participation for wide receiver Puka Nacua since Week 6. While Nacua was on the field for nearly 80% of snaps and ran routes on 85% of dropbacks in the first five weeks, his participation has since dropped, with minimal involvement in 13 personnel packages. Davante Adams has seen significant targets out of this formation. Despite this, analysts emphasize that Nacua remains an elite player and should not be faded, with expectations that the Rams may adjust their personnel usage, potentially leaning back into 11 personnel, which would benefit Nacua's route participation numbers and fantasy projections.

Browns Place CB Dom Jones on IR; Waive WR Kaden Davis

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The Cleveland Browns have placed cornerback Dom Jones on injured reserve due to a knee injury sustained in Sunday's loss to the Ravens. Jones, who signed as an undrafted free agent in April, had appeared in five games, recording five tackles on defense and special teams. The team also waived wide receiver Kaden Davis, who appeared in two games this season and one last year, primarily returning kickoffs.

Cardinals Cut Punter Pat O'Donnell; Release LB Jared Bartlett and DL Anthony Goodlow

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The Arizona Cardinals have waived punter Pat O'Donnell after five games, averaging 42.2 yards per punt with a net average of 36.2 yards. The team also released linebacker Jared Bartlett from the active roster and defensive lineman Anthony Goodlow from the practice squad. O'Donnell was signed after Blake Gillikin was placed on injured reserve with a back injury. Gillikin had averaged 51.7 yards per punt. The Cardinals will not announce a new punter immediately as they prepare to host the Jaguars.

Commanders Waive WR Jacoby Jones; Sign Kicker Jake Moody

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The Washington Commanders have officially added kicker Jake Moody to their 53-man roster and waived wide receiver Jacoby Jones. Jones, signed last week after going undrafted, spent most of the season on the practice squad and had one catch for 25 yards in Sunday's loss to the Dolphins. Moody replaces Matt Gay, who was released after missing two field goals. Moody was signed off the Bears' practice squad, where he appeared in two games earlier this season.

Nico Collins Returns to Full Practice Amidst Looming 2024 Target Competition

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Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins was a full participant in Tuesday's practice, recovering from an ankle injury. Collins experienced a significant "Year 3 breakout" in 2023, largely fueled by rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. Despite missing two full games and most of another due to calf injuries, he recorded 80+ receiving yards in eight of 13 games, finishing third among WRs in yards per target (11.9) and yards per route (3.29), and adding 164 yards in two playoff games. A 2021 third-round pick from Michigan, Collins possesses impressive physical tools (6-4, 215 lbs, 4.43 40-yard dash) but faced questions about route running. His 2024 fantasy projection is now less certain due to the Texans' acquisition of Stefon Diggs, intensifying competition for targets alongside Tank Dell, Dalton Schultz, and Joe Mixon. In his rookie year (2021), he had 446 yards and 1 TD, and 481 yards in 10 games in his second season.

Bears Sign Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin to Practice Squad

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The Chicago Bears have signed linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin to their practice squad, marking his first signing since being released by the Lions in March. Reeves-Maybin, a core special teams player and current NFLPA president, previously worked out for the 49ers. He spent his first five seasons with the Lions, then played for the Texans in 2022 before returning to the Lions in 2023, earning a Pro Bowl selection as a special teams player. He has accumulated 221 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and six forced fumbles in his career.

Davis Mills to Make Third Straight Start for Texans in Week 12

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Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills is set to make his third consecutive start on Thursday night for the Week 12 game against the Bills. Mills has led the team to a 2-0 record in his last two starts, completing 61.6% of his passes and averaging 6.6 yards per attempt. Despite being considered a lower-end QB2, his recent performance has been favorable for wide receiver Nico Collins, who has posted strong receiving numbers.

C.J. Stroud Out for Thursday Night vs. Bills; Jalen Pitre Also Ruled Out

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Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Buffalo Bills as he continues to be in concussion protocol. This marks the third consecutive game Stroud will miss. Davis Mills is expected to start at quarterback for the third straight week. Head coach DeMeco Ryans also announced that safety Jalen Pitre has been ruled out, as he is also in concussion protocol and will miss his third consecutive contest. The Texans have won their last two games with Mills under center.

Caleb Williams' Growth with Chicago Bears Discussed Amidst Team's Progress

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The development and growth of Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, alongside the team's overall progress, were key topics of discussion during an interview with Nick Wright on Colin Cowherd's "The Herd." Related segments also explored whether the Bears have proven themselves as a legitimate contender and the impact of Williams and Ben Johnson following a 19-17 victory over the Vikings, highlighting his continued evolution.

49ers Bring Back Quarterback Adrian Martinez to Practice Squad

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The San Francisco 49ers have signed quarterback Adrian Martinez to their practice squad. Martinez served as the backup to Mac Jones while Brock Purdy was injured and appeared in one game, taking a knee to end the contest against the Giants. The 49ers had hoped to re-sign Martinez after he cleared waivers. Martinez went undrafted in 2023 after playing college football at Kansas State and Nebraska, and has previously spent time with the Lions and Jets.

Matt Harmon Discusses NFL Trends, Cowboys' Dominance, and Falcons' Draft Pick Blunder

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In a discussion on NFL trends, Matt Harmon and Nate Tice recapped the Dallas Cowboys' dominant win over the Las Vegas Raiders, with Harmon believing they are contenders in 2026. They identified four trusted NFL trends, including the Atlanta Falcons' mistake in trading a top-ten pick to a contender and the Chicago Bears' strong hire of Ben Johnson. Harmon also touched on the AFC playoffs potentially looking different this year and expressed uncertainty about the Green Bay Packers' season. The conversation also covered the Seattle Seahawks' contender status and the Detroit Lions' elite defense.

Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs Face Playoff Jeopardy Amidst Recent Struggles

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Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs find themselves in a precarious 5-5 position, marking the first time in the Mahomes era they've been at .500 this late, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy. The team is 0-5 in one-score games this season, a stark contrast to their 17-game winning streak in such scenarios prior to 2025. Mahomes' personal performance has dipped in the last two losses, completing only 55.7% of passes for 526 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and a 69.9 passer rating. He missed key opportunities against Denver, including an ill-advised interception, despite the offensive line generally providing strong pass protection, except for a Week 9 game where he faced 52.6% pressure.

Woody Marks Expected to See Heavy Volume in Texans' Run Game Against Bills

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With C.J. Stroud already ruled out for Thursday's game against the Bills, rookie running back Woody Marks is projected to receive significant volume for the Houston Texans. The Texans are moving away from giving Nick Chubb a full workload, making Marks a prime candidate for increased carries and rushing yards. The Bills' defense has struggled against the run, ranking 31st in opponent rushing yards allowed and allowing the second-worst yards per carry average. Marks is favored to exceed 15.5 rush attempts and 61.5 rushing yards, with an additional prop bet on his combined rush and receiving yards also looking favorable. The game total has also dropped from 45.5 to 44.

Fantasy Football Takeaways: Chargers' Struggles Linked to Joe Alt's Absence; Chiefs' Offense Passive with Rashee Rice

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Week 11 analysis highlights significant trends, including the Los Angeles Chargers' offensive struggles, particularly in the passing game, being directly linked to the season-ending ankle injury of left tackle Joe Alt. Without Alt, their Pass EPA per play drops from 1st to 30th. The Kansas City Chiefs' offense appears more passive when Rashee Rice is on the field, with Patrick Mahomes throwing shorter passes and scrambling less, though his interception rate increases. George Pickens is recognized as a top receiver, excelling for the Cowboys. Kirk Cousins is expected to start for the Falcons after Michael Penix Jr.'s season-ending knee injury. Sam Darnold's struggles against the Rams are noted, with a blueprint laid out for stopping Seattle's offense. RJ Harvey's fantasy performance was a "dud" despite decent usage, while Sean Tucker is highlighted for his recent production. Shedeur Sanders struggled in his debut, and Brock Purdy returned efficiently for the 49ers.

Drew Brees Proposes Bold 4th-and-17 Onside Kick Alternative with Player Support

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NFL legend Drew Brees has championed a bold solution to the league's declining onside kick success rate, proposing a "fourth-and-17" alternative. Brees suggests offenses attempt this play from their own 30-yard line, arguing it offers a greater chance of success than current onside kicks while yielding similar field position on failure. He believes 15 yards is too short for a challenging play, making 17 yards a better compromise. His innovative idea has garnered significant support from current players like quarterback Daniel Jones, who desires the opportunity to make a game-deciding play, and linebacker Demario Davis, who sees it as a more exciting, higher-success play that also creates opportunities for defensive impact. Future Hall of Famer JJ Watt also advocates for an alternative.

Quinnen Williams Records 1.5 Sacks in Cowboys' Impressive Win

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Defensive lineman Quinnen Williams made a significant and impactful contribution for the Dallas Cowboys during their commanding 33-16 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Williams was a force on the defensive front, recording 1.5 sacks in the game, which played a crucial role in disrupting the Raiders' offense and helping the Cowboys secure the win. His strong individual performance was a key component of a robust team effort that has fueled speculation about the Cowboys' potential for sustained success.