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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge missed Wednesday and Thursday practice sessions due to a knee injury, casting uncertainty on his availability for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. Hodge's absence compounds injury concerns for the 49ers' wide receiver group, which is already monitoring Mike Evans' questionable status with a rib issue and led the team to elevate Brandin Cooks from the practice squad.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Watkins is positioned for potential active duty involvement as the team monitors the rib injury of veteran starter Mike Evans ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Denver Broncos. With Evans listed as iffy, Watkins is part of the remaining healthy receiving corps alongside Deebo Samuel and Jacob Cowing that may need to shoulder extra responsibilities.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jacob Cowing stands to absorb an increased workload if veteran teammate Mike Evans is unable to suit up for Sunday's contest against the Denver Broncos due to a rib injury. With Evans iffy to play and other roster adjustments underway, Cowing joins Deebo Samuel and Jordan Watkins as key healthy options on the active roster who may be called upon to step up.
Washington Commanders tight end Chig Okonkwo was a limited participant in practice for the second straight day as he works his way back from a hamstring injury suffered in Week 1 against the Eagles. Okonkwo's steady progress points toward a potential return to game action soon, providing a much-needed boost to the Commanders' offensive depth for their upcoming schedule.
As the Los Angeles Rams prepare for a Week 4 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, cornerback Trent McDuffie has emerged as one of the premier secondary players in the NFL. McDuffie and teammate Quentin Lake anchor a stout defensive backfield, with McDuffie standing out as one of only two cornerbacks in the league to be targeted multiple times in man coverage while allowing a 0.0 passer rating on the season for the 1-2 Rams.
Kyle Monangai continues to play a vital role in the Chicago Bears' offensive scheme. With D'Andre Swift sidelined from practice on Thursday due to a knee injury, Monangai is positioned for a significant boost in touches and snaps against the Jets. Following a strong primetime performance against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monangai's contributions in both the running game and pass protection remain integral as the team prepares for Sunday.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was a limited participant for a second straight practice as he works toward a return from a left elbow dislocation. Daniels plans to wear a protective brace for the rest of the season and expressed no concern about re-injury, stating he does not need immediate surgery. Head coach Dan Quinn noted a chance he could play Sunday against the Colts in London, though Marcus Mariota remains ready to make a second straight start if needed.
Carolina Panthers right tackle Monroe Freeling was a limited participant in Thursday's practice as he works his way through the league's concussion protocol. Freeling will need to receive full clearance before Sunday night's matchup against the Detroit Lions. His return to limited drills coincided with wide receiver Jalen Coker, tight end Darren Waller, and running back Chuba Hubbard also getting back on the field, though Xavier Legette and Damien Lewis remained sidelined.
Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas is in serious jeopardy of missing his second consecutive game due to an ankle injury sustained in Week 2. After logging a stellar five-catch, 94-yard debut, Douglas missed Week 3 and was absent from Thursday's practice. While labeled day-to-day by coach Jeff Hafley, his continued absence leaves quarterback Malik Willis without his top separation threat as the team prepares for a Week 4 road matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert was not spotted at Thursday's practice, marking his second consecutive absence as he deals with a sprained MCL in his right knee. After sitting out Monday's loss to the Chicago Bears, Goedert faces an uphill battle to return for Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams. If he remains sidelined, Zach Ertz is positioned to step up as the top pass catcher in an Eagles tight end room where Johnny Mundt paced snaps on Monday.
New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns is scheduled for knee surgery after doctors confirmed he tore both his ACL and his meniscus in his right knee during Sunday's 12-7 win over the Titans. The severe injury mirrors the exact same double tear suffered by teammate Malik Nabers late last September. The Giants hope Burns can follow a similar recovery path to return fully healthy for the start of the 2027 NFL season. Meanwhile, New York signed Jihad Ward off the Vikings practice squad.
With Green Bay's rushing offense struggling, recently acquired running back Kaleb Johnson is viewed as the best fit to hammer away between the tackles in a revamped ground game. The 224-pound back has seen his workload increase, logging a career-high eight carries against the Jets and playing 24 snaps against the Falcons. Johnson will face a tough test this week against a stingy Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense allowing just 3.1 yards per rushing attempt on the ground.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen looks to keep his remarkable momentum rolling as he prepares for Week 4 against the New England Patriots, with analysts closely watching whether he can extend his historic rushing touchdown streak. Reflecting on his eight-year history against New England since arriving in 2018, Allen has transformed a one-sided series into a fiercely contested divisional matchup as Buffalo seeks another crucial victory on Sunday afternoon in Orchard Park.
Chicago Bears veteran backup quarterback Case Keenum delivered an exceptional primetime performance in his first start in 1,009 days, completing 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score in a 27-7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Keenum orchestrated Ben Johnson's offense efficiently with a quick 2.19-second release time, avoiding sacks and turnovers entirely to secure the dominant win while Caleb Williams recovered from a hamstring injury.
Jacksonville's two-way superstar Travis Hunter and the Jaguars franchise face ongoing scrutiny and evaluations regarding the trade value and return on investment involving the extra draft capital sent to Cleveland, as the team looks for increased production from its marquee playmaker moving forward through the ongoing season.
The San Francisco 49ers opened the practice window for second-year defensive lineman Mykel Williams, who started the season on the PUP list while recovering from a torn ACL sustained late in his rookie year. General manager John Lynch noted Williams looks excellent and expects him to return as soon as he is eligible in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks, instantly injecting a major boost into San Francisco's defensive line.
Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Greg Rousseau was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month following a dominant September featuring an NFL-leading six sacks and three forced fumbles across three games. Rousseau recorded two sacks in each game against the Texans, Lions, and Chargers, joining elite historical company as just the third player ever with at least two sacks in each of the first three games of a season, fueling Buffalo's undefeated start.
The Pittsburgh Steelers added defensive lineman Yahya Black to their injury report as questionable with a non-injury-related personal designation ahead of their Thursday Night Football matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Meanwhile, teammate Brandin Echols was upgraded to no injury designation after clearing concussion protocol, while Jalen Ramsey remains questionable with a broken wrist, and Rico Dowdle is out for the 2-1 divisional clash.
Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September after converting all eight field goals and eight extra points across three games. His 32 points tied for the NFL kicker lead, while his five field goals from 50+ yards led the league and set a Bengals monthly record. McPherson has made his last 20 field-goal attempts overall dating back to Week 11 of last season, marking his second career monthly award.
San Francisco 49ers star defensive end Nick Bosa is likely to miss his second consecutive game this week due to a calf muscle injury pulled in practice. General Manager John Lynch stated that the team wants to ensure Bosa is fully healthy before returning, emphasizing that calf injuries can be unpredictable. Bosa continues to work diligently in his recovery as the 3-0 49ers look to weather his absence while managing other roster injuries ahead of their matchup against the Denver Broncos.
