Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks has been placed on injured reserve and will undergo core muscle surgery for a groin injury suffered against Atlanta. Brooks is expected to miss at least six weeks, marking another frustrating setback in a career heavily impacted by injuries. The Panthers promoted linebacker Isaiah Simmons and are working out veteran running backs like Austin Ekeler to bolster backfield depth behind Chuba Hubbard and AJ Dillon during his absence.
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty is looking to recapture his Week 1 form after a tough outing in a 26-14 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. The No. 6 overall draft pick played 81 percent of offensive snaps but averaged just 2.3 yards per carry behind a struggling run-blocking offensive line while also recording three drops in the passing game. Jeanty will aim to rebound as the Raiders prepare for their upcoming matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid is poised for a breakout season in his fourth year. With increased snaps (69%) and a 23.3% target share (4th among TEs) with a 92.9% catchable rate, he's becoming a primary target for Josh Allen. Kincaid has a legitimate chance to be the team's most dynamic pass-catching threat, making him a strong fantasy TE5.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman stepped into the No. 1 receiver role with Zay Flowers sidelined by injury, delivering seven receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown on nine targets against the New Orleans Saints. Bateman played 93% of offensive snaps, successfully exploiting soft spots in zone coverage and showcasing route-running precision. His standout performance strengthens his case for a prominent role even when Baltimore's receiving corps returns to full health.
Tennessee Titans offensive tackle JC Latham has demonstrated significant improvement this season. Despite one tough play, Pro Football Focus ranks him highest in "Island Rate" and 5th highest in "Island Pass Block Win Rate," showcasing his ability to consistently win pass-blocking without help. The 7th overall pick is now a reliable right tackle, forming a strong young offensive line alongside Peter Skoronski.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has ascended into the top five of the Week 3 NFL QB Power Rankings. The rankings evaluate the league's 32 starting quarterbacks ahead of the third week of the 2026 regular season.
The Minnesota Vikings have signed punter Johnny Hekker to their practice squad. This move comes after rookie punter Brett Thorson, who won the preseason punting battle against Hekker, suffered a hamstring injury. Hekker is prepared to take over both punter and holder duties if Thorson misses any time.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley suffered a neck stinger, missing the first half of Sunday's game before returning with a neck roll. This bodes well for his Week 3 availability, though his snap count may be reduced. Tank Bigsby and Jordan Shipley could see increased usage in the backfield.
New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner is emerging as a key defensive piece in his sixth season, taking on a bigger role without Demario Davis. In a 24-17 win over the Baltimore Ravens, Werner recorded a team-high 11 total tackles (8 solo), a sack, three pressures, a tackle for loss, and a defensive stop, earning a 79.6 pass-rush grade from PFF. He is consistently around the football and showing capability for increased responsibility.
Following the placement of Charlie Kolar and David Njoku on injured reserve, Oronde Gadsden II is now one of only two active tight ends for the Los Angeles Chargers, alongside newly signed Hayden Rucci. He is seen as a significant beneficiary of the team's recent injury woes at the position.
The Los Angeles Chargers have announced the release of wide receiver Gary Jennings. This roster move was made as the team adjusted its depth, notably signing tight end Hayden Rucci to the active roster.
Los Angeles Chargers tight end David Njoku has been placed on injured reserve this week. The team subsequently signed Hayden Rucci to the active roster to address the depleted tight end position.
The Los Angeles Chargers have signed former Dolphins and 49ers tight end Hayden Rucci to their active roster. This move comes after Charlie Kolar and David Njoku were placed on injured reserve, leaving Rucci and Oronde Gadsden II as the only two tight ends on the roster. Rucci, 6'5", 247 lbs, played four career games in 2025 with the Dolphins, primarily as a run blocker.
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons has emphatically silenced any early-season doubts by putting up dominant performances through the first two weeks. Simmons leads the entire NFL in pass-rush wins with 19 and boasts a 37% pass-rush win rate, anchoring the Titans' defensive front and proving his superstar status under the new coaching scheme.
Running back Austin Ekeler is scheduled for a workout with the Carolina Panthers as the team addresses significant backfield depth concerns. The potential roster move comes directly in the wake of news that running back Jonathon Brooks is headed to injured reserve to undergo core muscle surgery, sidelining him for at least six weeks following a groin injury sustained during Sunday's game.
