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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
The New England Patriots placed wide receiver A.J. Brown on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain, requiring him to miss at least four games against the Steelers, Jaguars, Bills, and Raiders. Brown recorded three receptions for 26 yards and drew a key 34-yard pass interference penalty in a loss to the Seahawks. Veteran Mack Hollins and second-year receiver Kyle Williams will take over at the X receiver spot.
The New England Patriots officially signed veteran defensive tackle DaQuan Jones to the active roster. To create space for Jones, New England placed wide receiver A.J. Brown on injured reserve. Jones joins the defensive front as the Patriots prepare for their upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, filling the open roster spot created by Brown's placement on injured reserve.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix carries no injury designation heading into the Monday night opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. After an injury derailed the Broncos' Super Bowl LX run last season, Nix and the rest of the roster enter the 2026 season completely healthy as Denver begins its defense of the AFC West title and aims for its first Super Bowl appearance since 2015.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will not sign a contract extension prior to the start of the 2026 season, with discussions expected to remain on hold until at least 2027. Jackson is focused on the upcoming campaign and reluctant to engage in long-term contract discussions. His current contract runs through the end of 2027. The eight-year veteran and three-time first-team All-Pro is seeking his first Super Bowl.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones carries no injury designation and is fully cleared for Monday's season opener against the Denver Broncos. Jones did not practice on Saturday following limited participation on Friday due to a calf issue, but head coach Andy Reid confirmed the missed session was strictly precautionary. The star defender will take his full workload as Kansas City hosts Denver on Monday Night Football.
Rookie fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik has been named the New York Jets' No. 2 quarterback behind starter Geno Smith entering the season opener against Tennessee. Head coach Aaron Glenn expressed full confidence in the Clemson product's ability to step up if called upon. Klubnik ran the scout team in practice this week while remaining prepared to run the primary offense on short notice.
New York Jets starting quarterback Geno Smith enters the 2026 regular season opener against the Tennessee Titans closing in on several key statistical milestones. As Smith aims to guide the offense to a strong start against former head coach Robert Saleh's defense, rookie fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik has been named his primary backup under center following the conclusion of training camp.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb enters the regular season opener against the New York Giants focused on proving himself after an uncharacteristic 2025 campaign. Lamb has caught six or more passes in seven of his 12 career games against New York. Dallas is expected to get the star receiver involved early and often in Sunday's NFC East matchup as he looks to launch a bounce-back season.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes carries no injury designation for Monday's opener against the Denver Broncos after practicing fully. Returning from a December 2025 torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, the 30-year-old will wear a protective brace. With first-round left tackle Josh Simmons ruled out due to a back injury, undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson will make his NFL debut protecting Mahomes' blindside.
New York Giants left guard Jon Runyan signed a two-year, $22 million contract extension featuring $21.5 million guaranteed ahead of Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys. The 29-year-old veteran has 96 games and 79 starts on his résumé. Runyan anchors an offensive line that features four starters signed through at least 2028 as the Giants open their season against a heavily revamped Dallas defense.
Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson struggled in his Los Angeles debut, allowing three catches on five targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns after signing a $51 million offseason contract. Watson, who was dealing with a toe injury prior to traveling to Australia, surrendered scores to Demarcus Robinson and Mike Evans. The poor outing comes after Watson allowed just one total touchdown across his final two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. He will look to rebound in Week 2 against the New York Giants.
Las Vegas Raiders center Tyler Linderbaum is set to make his team debut in the home opener against the Miami Dolphins. Signed during the offseason as the highest-paid center in NFL history, Linderbaum joins the starting unit alongside Spencer Burford under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Fans hold high expectations for the standout interior lineman, with 84 percent predicting a Pro Bowl selection as he takes over as the leader of the revamped Las Vegas front line.
Minnesota Vikings running back DeeJay Dallas was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Green Bay Packers. Dallas will provide backfield depth behind Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, and rookie Demond Claiborne, while also serving as a primary option in the kickoff and punt return game alongside receiver Myles Price for Minnesota's special teams unit.
Minnesota Vikings veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday ahead of Sunday's season opener against the Green Bay Packers. Van Noy, who signed with Minnesota earlier this month after final cuts, brings 57 career sacks and extensive experience in coordinator Brian Flores' system. He will provide key defensive edge depth behind starters Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel.
Atlanta Falcons undrafted rookie quarterback Jack Strand out of Minnesota State-Moorhead is set to serve as the primary backup in Sunday's Week 1 opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Strand elevates up the depth chart with starter Tua Tagovailoa ruled out due to an oblique injury and Michael Penix recovering from an ACL tear, leaving Strand directly behind emergency starter Cooper Rush, who is battling back spasms.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers after suffering an oblique injury during Thursday's practice. Backup Cooper Rush will start in his place. Tagovailoa logged an average depth of target of 3.3 yards during preseason play, and head coach Kevin Stefanski expects the overall offensive game plan to remain consistent despite his absence.
Kansas City Chiefs undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson will make his NFL debut and first career start at left tackle on Monday night against the Denver Broncos. Benson steps into the starting lineup after 2025 first-round pick Josh Simmons was ruled out with a back injury. The rookie takes on immediate high-stakes responsibility as he is tasked with protecting returning quarterback Patrick Mahomes against Denver's front.
Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons has been officially ruled out for Monday night's season opener against the Denver Broncos due to a back injury. The 2025 first-round selection missed practice Thursday through Saturday after experiencing back issues. In his absence, Kansas City will start undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson at left tackle to protect starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes against Denver's pass rush.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is listed as questionable for Sunday's season opener against the Atlanta Falcons due to a back injury that limited him in practice all week. Porter is also seeking a contract extension prior to kickoff, matching Pittsburgh's policy against negotiating during the regular season. In response to his uncertain status, the team elevated cornerback Doneiko Slaughter.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Doneiko Slaughter was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday ahead of Sunday's season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. Slaughter, who went undrafted in 2025 out of Tennessee before signing a future contract with Pittsburgh in January, provides secondary depth with starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr. listed as questionable due to a back injury and ongoing contract extension talks.
