Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk was fined twice for a total of $29,852 for celebrations imitating chugging a beer following a 21-yard reception and a 6-yard touchdown. Juszczyk appealed, explaining the gesture honors his "Juice" nickname and pads. He is also appealing a Week 1 $20,033 fine for unnecessary roughness against the Rams. Teammates Upton Stout and Keion White also received NFL fines this week.
The Denver Broncos are elevating veteran fullback Adam Prentice from the practice squad for their matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. This marks Prentice's third and final practice squad elevation, meaning the Broncos will need to open up a permanent 53-man roster spot if they intend to utilize him moving forward. Prentice serves as the team's starting fullback, lead blocker, short-yardage specialist, and special teams contributor.
The Denver Broncos are elevating undrafted rookie wide receiver and returner Kolbe Katsis from the practice squad for Sunday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams. With All-Pro returner Marvin Mims listed as questionable due to a foot injury, Katsis gets the nod to showcase his return skills. This provides an explosive rookie with a major opportunity to prove he can be a key contributor and the returner of the future.
The Denver Broncos are signing veteran long snapper Mitchell Fraboni from their practice squad to their 53-man roster. Fraboni fills an open roster spot created after rookie running back Jonah Coleman was placed on short-term injured reserve due to a high-ankle sprain. Fraboni previously did not have to go through waivers after being added to the practice squad during final cuts to help manage roster limits.
New England Patriots safety Mike Brown was elevated from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's Week 3 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 26-year-old veteran, who has appeared in 35 games with 60 career tackles, joins fellow elevation Jeremiah Pharms Jr. to provide immediate roster depth following injuries to defensive starters and recent placements of players like Dell Pettus and Mike Onwenu on injured reserve.
The New England Patriots elevated defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. and safety Mike Brown from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Pharms, a 29-year-old veteran who has totaled 45 tackles and two sacks across his career, joins the active roster for depth as the Patriots navigate defensive injuries, including season-ending injuries to guard Mike Onwenu, linebacker Quintayvious Hutchins, and safety Dell Pettus.
The NFL threatened Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair with removal from last week's game against the Bengals over his use of pro-Palestinian eye black honoring 8-year-old Wafaa Akila. Al-Shaair wore the messaging before removing it mid-game. A week prior, he was fined $11,492 for a similar tribute. The league prohibits personal messaging on game days without approval. Al-Shaair previously faced an $11,593 fine for writing 'Stop the Genocide' on his eye black in January 2024.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough was involved in a controversial fourth-down game-winning quarterback sneak that was upheld upon replay review. The play featured missed penalties later acknowledged by the NFL, resulting in fines for Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith for a facemask and Ravens outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson for a full-body weight hit on Shough before the two-minute warning.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith was handed an $11,941 fine by the NFL for a missed facemask penalty committed against New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough during a controversial game-winning quarterback sneak. The league admitted the officiating error on Saturday, while teammate Trey Hendrickson was also fined $17,911 for a separate heavy hit on Shough leading up to the play.
Seattle Seahawks safety Ty Okada remains out for the Week 3 matchup against the Washington Commanders due to a persistent hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined for the entire first month of the season. With fellow safety Julian Love also ruled out with a calf injury, the depleted Seahawks secondary forced the team to elevate Maxen Hook from the practice squad to bolster depth behind Rodney Thomas and Nick Emmanwori.
The Seattle Seahawks elevated safety Maxen Hook from the practice squad for their Week 3 matchup against the Washington Commanders to help offset severe injuries in the secondary. With Pro Bowl safety Julian Love out with a calf injury and Ty Okada sidelined by a hamstring issue, Hook is in line to see the first regular-season action of his career, providing crucial depth alongside Rodney Thomas, Nick Emmanwori, and A.J. Finley.
Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowl safety Julian Love will miss the Week 3 road game against the Washington Commanders due to a calf injury. Compounding Seattle's secondary depth issues, Ty Okada remains out with a hamstring injury and Nick Emmanwori is still working back from offseason ankle surgery. In response, the Seahawks elevated safety Maxen Hook from the practice squad, while former Colts safety Rodney Thomas is expected to start his third straight game.
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie offensive guard Gennings Dunker has been placed on injured reserve due to an MCL sprain in his knee, sidelining him for an expected four to six weeks. Dunker first appeared on the injury report on Thursday with the knee designation. To fill his spot on the 53-man roster, the Steelers signed running back Travis Homer, while also temporarily elevating running back Lew Nichols and defensive back Doneiko Slaughter from the practice squad.
Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard is listed as questionable for Monday night's game against the Chicago Bears due to a pectoral injury. After missing the first two games of the season, Greenard was a full participant in Saturday's practice and expressed optimism about playing. However, coach Vic Fangio noted he may not be ready for a normal workload, meaning he would likely join a rotation featuring Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, Arnold Ebiketie, and A.J. Epenesa.
Detroit Lions safety Thomas Harper has been placed on injured reserve due to an ankle injury sustained in Week 2, forcing him to miss at least the next four games. Despite initially wearing a walking boot and hoping the injury wasn't long-term, Harper was unable to practice. With multiple defensive backs sidelined, the Lions are shifting Christian Izzen to safety and elevating veterans like Jalen Mills and linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga from the practice squad for Week 3.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce has been officially placed on injured reserve due to a heel and ankle injury he aggravated in Week 2 against Kansas City, starting the clock on a potential return. Pierce is expected to miss at least four games and could be sidelined until midseason. With X-rays negative, the team relies on Josh Downs and Keenan Allen while signing Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Anthony Gould to bolster the active roster.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. did not travel with the team to Florida and has been downgraded to questionable for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Pace will need to make his own travel arrangements to join the team in Tampa. An undrafted player in 2023, Pace has seen limited defensive snaps over the first two games while contributing heavily on special units for a Vikings squad looking to extend their seven-game winning streak.
With Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold returning as starter, Drew Lock returns to the backup role, prompting speculation about a potential trade. However, trading Lock is considered a risky move for a Super Bowl contender, especially with developmental backup Jalen Milroe not yet ready for regular snaps. Furthermore, Lock's expiring contract makes a rental trade unlikely to yield more than an early day-three pick, whereas letting him leave in free agency could net a 3rd or 4th round compensatory pick.
The Green Bay Packers are signing veteran offensive guard Laken Tomlinson off the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad to their 53-man roster to bolster a struggling, injury-depleted offensive line. Tomlinson, 34, brings extensive experience, having started 162 of 173 career regular-season games across stints with Detroit, San Francisco, New York, Seattle, and Houston. He has not appeared in a game yet in 2026. Green Bay must keep Tomlinson on their active roster for three weeks.
New York Jets starting wide receiver Adonai Mitchell is listed as questionable for Sunday's Week 3 matchup against the Detroit Lions due to a finger injury. The injury compounds ongoing receiver depth issues for the Jets, who already have three other wide receivers currently sitting on injured reserve. In response to these offensive personnel shortages, the team has elevated veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard from the practice squad to bolster the active roster.
