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NFL News

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

Wednesday, September 23

Mike McCarthy Expresses Faith in DK Metcalf After Slow Start

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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy expressed confidence in star wide receiver DK Metcalf despite a sluggish start to the 2026 season. Metcalf has recorded eight receptions for 67 yards and no touchdowns through two games, including a four-catch, 27-yard performance with two drops in Sunday's loss to New England. McCarthy praised Metcalf's professionalism, and the team remains focused on unlocking his big-play potential moving forward.

Zay Flowers Sidelined from Wednesday Practice With Hamstring Injury

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Baltimore Ravens star wide receiver Zay Flowers did not participate in Wednesday's practice due to a hamstring injury. Although head coach Jesse Minter previously expressed optimism about Flowers playing in Sunday's upcoming matchup against the Cowboys in Brazil, opening the week as a spectator casts uncertainty on his availability. If he misses a second straight game, Rashod Bateman will step into the No. 1 receiver role.

Nick Cross Ruled Out for Week 3 After Surgery for Internal Injury

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Washington Commanders safety Nick Cross has been officially ruled out for Week 3 after undergoing surgery in Dallas for an internal injury suffered during Sunday's loss to the Cowboys. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that Cross remains back home recovering, adding to a mounting list of injuries and sidelined starters for the Commanders as they prepare to host the Seattle Seahawks.

New Orleans Saints Sign Veteran Long Snapper Cal Adomitis

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The New Orleans Saints signed veteran long snapper Cal Adomitis to their active roster following the departure of Scott Daly to the Chicago Bears. Adomitis, who has previous experience with the Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Miami Dolphins, steps in to stabilize the position after starter Zach Wood sustained a calf injury.

Scott Daly Signed Off Saints Practice Squad by Chicago Bears

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Long snapper Scott Daly's brief stint with the New Orleans Saints has ended after the Chicago Bears signed him directly off the Saints' practice squad. Daly had been brought in following a calf injury to Zach Wood and appeared in Sunday's win over the Baltimore Ravens before heading to Chicago to join the Bears' active roster.

Dohnte Meyers Positioned for More Snaps While Iosivas Recovers

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Dohnte Meyers stands to gain playing time following the placement of Andrei Iosivas on injured reserve due to a torn thumb ligament. As the Bengals adjust their receiving corps, Meyers and Colbie Young will battle for rotational snaps behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins during Iosivas's multi-week absence.

Colbie Young Eyes Expanded Snaps Following Iosivas Injury

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Colbie Young could see increased opportunities following the news that teammate Andrei Iosivas is heading to injured reserve with a torn thumb ligament. With Iosivas expected to miss several weeks, Young and fellow wideout Dohnte Meyers are positioned to compete for elevated snaps in the offense behind starters Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Arian Smith Out for Season With Torn ACL After Week 2 Loss

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New York Jets wide receiver Arian Smith will miss the remainder of the 2026 NFL season after suffering a torn ACL during Sunday's overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers. Placed on injured reserve earlier in the week, Smith's season-ending injury leaves the Jets shorthanded with only three healthy wide receivers remaining on the 53-man roster as they navigate early-season depth concerns.

First-Round Pick David Bailey Dealing With Elbow Issue

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New York Jets first-round pick David Bailey is dealing with an elbow issue following Sunday's overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers. However, head coach Aaron Glenn shared encouraging news on Wednesday, indicating that Bailey is expected to be fine. Bailey was able to participate in Wednesday's practice in a limited fashion as the Jets prepare for their upcoming schedule.

Josh Palmer Shreds Secondaries as Bills Secret Superstar

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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Josh Palmer has emerged as a vital weapon in head coach Joe Brady's offense, excelling in vertical concepts like the Dagger route. Benefiting from increased deep-passing opportunities, Palmer has recorded multiple deep catches and touchdowns early in the 2026 season. Signed to a three-year deal before 2025, Palmer continues to punish opposing secondaries alongside quarterback Josh Allen.

Undrafted Rookie Kahlil Benson Shines as Chiefs Left Tackle

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Kansas City Chiefs undrafted rookie left tackle Kahlil Benson has emerged as a reliable starter while filling in for the injured Josh Simmons. Following solid performances against Denver and Indianapolis, Benson allowed no sacks across significant pass-blocking snaps while displaying physical prowess in the run game. Head coach Andy Reid praised general manager Brett Veach and the coaching staff for identifying and developing the former Indiana standout.

Hezekiah Masses Earns AFC Defensive Player of the Week Honors

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Las Vegas Raiders rookie cornerback Hezekiah Masses was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after a stellar performance in a 26-14 victory over the Chargers. Masses intercepted Justin Herbert twice, becoming the first Raiders rookie with a two-interception game since 1979. The fifth-round pick also contributed five tackles and a tackle for loss, earning the prestigious weekly conference honor as a key contributor to Las Vegas's 2-0 start to the season.

Amarius Mims Shines as Star Offensive Tackle for Cincinnati

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Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Amarius Mims continued his stellar play, allowing just one pressure in a 20-6 road victory over the Houston Texans. Exhibiting elite athleticism, power, and size against elite pass rushers, Mims has allowed only one pressure all season, placing him among the league's top-performing offensive linemen and cementing his status as an emerging standout protector for the Bengals.

Isaiah Rodgers Named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week

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Minnesota Vikings contributor Isaiah Rodgers earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week recognition for his clutch play in a 9-3 defensive battle against the Chicago Bears. With the Vikings leading 6-3 in the fourth quarter, Rodgers blocked Cairo Santos's 23-yard field goal attempt to preserve Minnesota's lead and ultimately secure the low-scoring divisional victory on the road.

Garett Bolles Building Elite Pass-Blocking Résumé in Denver

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Denver Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles has opened the 2026 NFL season in exceptional form, having allowed zero pressures across his first 69 pass-blocking snaps. Bolles earned a position-best 90.2 PFF pass-blocking grade and maintains an active streak of 958 consecutive pass-blocking snaps without conceding a sack, marking one of the longest such stretches by an offensive tackle in the PFF era.

Andre Szmyt Named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week

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Cleveland Browns kicker Andre Szmyt secured AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after delivering a flawless performance in a 23-19 road victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Szmyt accounted for 11 points by successfully converting all three of his field goal attempts alongside both extra-point tries. He remains perfect on the young season, converting all four of his field goals and three extra points through the first two weeks.

Ty Okada Nears Potential IR Stint With Persistent Hamstring Injury

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Seattle Seahawks safety Ty Okada continues to nurse a hamstring pull that sidelined him ahead of Week 1 and kept him out through the opening stretch of the season. With the Seahawks signing fellow safety Rodney Thomas II directly to the active 53-man roster, the team is widely expected to transition Okada onto short-term injured reserve to clear roster space and allow him adequate time to fully heal from the persistent soft-tissue injury.

Travis Hunter Positioned for Increased Role in Jacksonville Offense

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Jacksonville Jaguars standout Travis Hunter is reportedly headed for a more prominent role on the offensive side of the ball heading into Sunday's upcoming matchup against the New England Patriots. Coaches are looking to expand his contributions on offense to spark the Jaguars' attack, adding a dynamic weapon to their receiving and playmaking rotation as they seek to build momentum early in the 2026 NFL regular season.

Roger Rosengarten Displays Impressive Growth in Year 3 Leap

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Baltimore Ravens right tackle Roger Rosengarten is showcasing a strong developmental leap in his third NFL season, anchoring the offensive line with zero pressures allowed across his first 73 pass-blocking reps. Rosengarten has demonstrated marked improvements in play strength, hand placement, and technical run-blocking proficiency. His ability to handle one-on-one assignments reliably allows the Ravens to allocate additional protection help toward other vulnerable areas of the offensive line.

Quinshon Judkins Poised for Bounce-Back Against Panthers Defense

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Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins is primed for a breakout performance as the team prepares to host a vulnerable Carolina Panthers defense in Week 3. Judkins has experienced a quiet start to the season, totaling just 54 yards on 24 carries without a touchdown. However, he faces a Carolina squad that currently ranks dead last in the NFL against the run, having surrendered a league-worst 448 rushing yards and an astounding 6.31 yards per carry through the first two weeks.