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NFL News

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

Wednesday, September 16

Aaron Donald Nears Realistic Return for Rams on Monday Night Football

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Future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald is nearing a potential return to the Los Angeles Rams after a two-year retirement, with insiders reporting a very realistic chance he will play against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. Having stayed behind during the team's Week 1 trip to Australia, Donald has been working through his conditioning under Sean McVay. Rather than a limited snap count, he is expected to push for a full-time workload to help replace injured pass rusher Myles Garrett.

Kwity Paye Dominates in Raiders Debut With Career-High Three Sacks

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Las Vegas Raiders edge defender Kwity Paye posted a dominant performance in his team debut, recording two or three sacks, six to eight total tackles, and four quarterback hits during a 27-13 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Signed to a three-year, $48 million deal this offseason, Paye teamed up with Maxx Crosby to generate heavy backfield disruption in a limited role, playing on 57 percent of defensive snaps to spearhead a five-sack outing for the Raiders' defense.

Trey Amos Return Timeline Uncertain for Washington Commanders

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Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn stated it is too early to determine if cornerback Trey Amos will be immediately available once he is eligible to return from injured reserve following Week 4. Amos broke his fibula last October and subsequently suffered an ankle injury to the same leg during training camp. Even after completing the four-game minimum absence on IR, he will still need to undergo a practice and ramp-up period before returning to the active defensive lineup.

Dan Quinn Maintains Confidence in Mike Sainristil Despite Week 1 Blunders

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Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn called Mike Sainristil's two major missed plays allowed in Week 1 unacceptable, sparking discussions about potential secondary adjustments. Despite mental mistakes that led to Eagles scores, Quinn expressed strong confidence in the third-year cornerback and said he will be leveling up. The team weighs options such as moving Rasul Douglas outside or elevating Terell Smith, while waiting for Trey Amos to eventually return from injured reserve later in the season.

Linebacker Jordan Magee Placed on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Strain

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Washington Commanders linebacker Jordan Magee has been placed on injured reserve after suffering a hamstring strain during a key 22-yard scramble by Jalen Hurts in the team's Week 1 loss to Philadelphia. The injury means Magee will miss at least the next four games. His loss is a significant blow to both the defense and special teams, especially with Frankie Luvu also dealing with a groin issue that kept him out of practice. Lucas Patrick was signed to the active roster as a corresponding move.

Akeem Davis-Gaither Takes Over Helmet Transmitter for Colts Defense

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Indianapolis Colts linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither will take over helmet transmitter and defensive playcalling duties from Cam Bynum for the upcoming game against Kansas City. Head coach Shane Steichen announced the operational adjustment following communication breakdowns that allowed 506 yards of total offense in a Week 1 blowout loss to Baltimore. Moving Davis-Gaither into a central defensive role aims to stabilize the unit, while allowing Bynum to focus strictly on organizing the secondary.

Zack Baun Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

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Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after a dominant Week 1 performance against Washington. Baun posted 12 tackles, two passes defensed, and one tackle for loss in a 24-22 win. Per Next Gen Stats, he allowed just -2 receiving yards on six targets. His seven defensive stops led all NFL defenders in Week 1, cementing his role as a premier anchor for Philadelphia heading into Week 2 against Tennessee.

KhaDarel Hodge Promoted to 49ers Active Roster

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The San Francisco 49ers promoted wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge from the practice squad to their 53-man active roster on Wednesday. Hodge played four special teams snaps during the team's Week 1 victory against the Rams in Australia. He is positioned to take on an expanded role within the offense and special teams moving forward as San Francisco reshuffles its wide receiver unit following an ankle injury to rookie De'Zhaun Stribling.

Simi Fehoko Earns NFC Special Teams Player of the Week

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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Simi Fehoko was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking a fourth-quarter punt in a 26-14 victory over the L.A. Chargers. Fehoko was the only player in the NFL to block a punt in Week 1, and the play directly set up a crucial three-yard touchdown pass two plays later. Fehoko finished the game with the blocked punt and two tackles on coverage units to earn his first career weekly award.

Nick Muse Promoted to Atlanta Falcons Active Roster

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The Atlanta Falcons signed tight end Nick Muse to their 53-man active roster from the practice squad following a season-ending injury to Da'Shawn Hand. Muse was elevated for Week 1 against Pittsburgh, where he logged a special teams tackle and showed strong blocking skills. Originally signed by Atlanta in August after spending three seasons with Minnesota, Muse is expected to see elevated playing time as Atlanta leans heavily on tight ends in Week 2.

Da'Shawn Hand Placed on Injured Reserve with Season-Ending Quad Injury

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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand was officially placed on injured reserve on Wednesday after suffering a season-ending quad injury during the team's season opener against Pittsburgh. Hand's injury is a significant blow to Atlanta's defensive front, which was counting on him to serve as an early-down run stopper in the interior. The Falcons promoted tight end Nick Muse to fill Hand's vacant spot on the active roster.

Josh Allen Leads NFL MVP Odds and QB Rankings Entering Week 2

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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen anchors the top of the NFL QB power rankings and remains the favorite for MVP at +500. Coming off a dominant 36-31 Week 1 win where he tallied 334 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and two rushing scores, Allen is primed for his historic home stadium debut against Detroit. Under new head coach Joe Brady, Buffalo's expanded passing offense is unleashing Allen's immense potential as they prepare for a high-stakes Thursday night matchup.

Caleb Douglas Sets Dolphins Debut Record and Leads NFL Separation

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Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas set a franchise record for a debut by catching five passes for 94 yards against Las Vegas. According to Next Gen Stats, Douglas also leads the NFL after Week 1 with an average of 5.3 yards of separation per route run. Earning a nomination for NFL Rookie of the Week, the former Texas Tech standout is quickly proving himself a dynamic weapon for Miami's evolving offense as they prepare to face San Francisco.

Carson Wentz Likely to Start Week 2 if Kyler Murray Remains Out

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz is positioned to start Sunday's matchup against the Chicago Bears if Kyler Murray fails to clear concussion protocol. Wentz stepped in as the primary backup and successfully engineered a Week 1 comeback victory over the Green Bay Packers. Although fellow reserve J.J. McCarthy is also on the roster, Wentz enters the week as the clear favorite to take the snaps if Murray is unable to play.

Justin Herbert Endures Rough Debut in New Chargers Passing Scheme

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert struggled through a disappointing Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, managing 207 passing yards and an inexplicable interception. Despite new coordinator Mike McDaniel installing an aggressive downfield scheme featuring a healthy 10.1-yard average depth of target, protection breakdowns and five false starts derailed the offense. Herbert and the Chargers must quickly iron out execution issues against blitz packages to salvage their season.

Lamar Jackson Climbs NFL QB Power Rankings in New Ravens Offense

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has climbed near the top of the NFL QB Power Rankings and holds +650 MVP odds entering Week 2. Thriving under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, Jackson showcased elite passing and processing skills in a 41-23 shellacking of the Colts, operating effectively from under center. As a core focal point of Baltimore's high-powered attack, Jackson remains a premier dual-threat force as the Ravens look to build early-season momentum.

DK Metcalf Dominates Steelers Air Yards Profile in Week 1 Opener

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf commanded a staggering 204 air yards in Week 1 against Atlanta, accounting for 40 percent of first-read targets. Despite dropping a potential deep score and drawing pass interference, Metcalf's heavy utilization in Mike McCarthy's surprisingly pass-heavy offense signals massive statistical upside. Averaging far above his previous marks under Arthur Smith, Metcalf is positioned for elite production as Pittsburgh prepares to face the Patriots.

Caleb Downs Shines in Debut Despite Cowboys Defensive Struggles

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Dallas Cowboys rookie safety Caleb Downs delivered a standout debut in a 28-20 loss to the Giants, recording eight tackles, a forced fumble, and a 2.49-second sack—the fastest in Week 1. Downs allowed just two catches for seven yards on 61 snaps. Despite overall defensive struggles, the No. 11 overall pick emphasized that mistakes are very fixable. Washington's upcoming game plan also highlights Downs as a do-everything safety who must be accounted for on the field.

Jayden Daniels Aims for Spark Against Cowboys After Late Rally

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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels aims to rebound against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2 following a 24-22 loss to the Eagles. After starting slow with 9 of 24 passes for 65 yards, Daniels sparked a late fourth-quarter rally by completing 9 of 11 passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Washington's coaching staff continues to balance protecting their franchise QB while letting him unleash his elite athletic playmaking ability, with front office plans pointing toward a future contract extension.

Jaguars Place B.J. Green on IR and Sign Jack Kiser to 53-Man Roster

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The Jacksonville Jaguars placed defensive end B.J. Green on injured reserve with an elbow injury that will sideline him for at least four weeks after playing a handful of snaps against the Browns. In corresponding roster moves, Jacksonville signed linebacker Jack Kiser to the 53-man roster and added defensive end BJ Ojulari to the practice squad. Kiser, a 2025 fourth-round pick, primarily contributed on special teams across 14 games last season.