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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
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.
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike was re-signed to the practice squad on Saturday, just one day after being released from the active 53-man roster. The vested veteran was not elevated for Sunday's Week 1 opener against the New Orleans Saints and will not play. Releasing Onwuzurike prevented his $1.215 million contract from becoming fully guaranteed, though Detroit could return him to the active roster in Week 2.
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ben Stille was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday ahead of their Week 1 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Stille, who joined Detroit during training camp, hasn't played in an NFL game since Week 9 of the 2024 season with Arizona. Lions head coach Dan Campbell praised Stille's strength, intelligence, and defensive line versatility at nose tackle, three-technique, and big end.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis is set to start Sunday's Week 1 opener against the Las Vegas Raiders after spending two seasons backing up Jordan Love in Green Bay. Under new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Miami's West Coast scheme is expected to utilize Willis' arm strength and rushing ability through read-option packages alongside running back De'Von Achane as the franchise undergoes a roster reset.
New Orleans Saints running back Audric Estimé was placed on the Reserve/Injured list ahead of Sunday's season opener against the Detroit Lions due to a lingering thigh injury. The roster move requires Estimé to miss at least four games before becoming eligible to return. To fill his spot and bolster the backfield, New Orleans elevated running back C.J. Donaldson and signed practice squad tight end Treyton Welch to the active roster.
Chicago Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent is listed as questionable for Sunday's season opener against the Carolina Panthers due to a back injury. Bagent is expected to be inactive, prompting the Bears to sign and elevate rookie quarterback Miller Moss from the practice squad to serve as depth behind starter Caleb Williams alongside Case Keenum.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Bo Melton has been elevated from the practice squad for Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. After being released late in the week and re-signed to the practice squad, Melton provides veteran receiving depth. Melton has accumulated 28 receptions for 416 yards and two touchdowns in 38 career games over three seasons with Green Bay.
Green Bay Packers linebacker Kristian Welch has been elevated from the practice squad for Sunday's season opener against the Minnesota Vikings. Welch's promotion signals that linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper is likely to miss the game due to an Achilles injury. Welch appeared in eight games and recorded three tackles for Green Bay last season.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Chamarri Conner has been officially ruled out for Monday night's Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos due to a knee injury. Conner failed to participate in practice on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. His absence leaves Kansas City without a key secondary contributor as they host their AFC West rival to open the 2026 regular season.
Los Angeles Chargers rookie second-round pick Jake Slaughter will start at center in Sunday's season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. The 23-year-old Florida product stepped into the starting role after veteran Tyler Biadasz suffered a season-ending ACL tear in August. Slaughter has earned high praise and trust from head coach Jim Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, and quarterback Justin Herbert.
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh publicly praised Justin Herbert, predicting the 28-year-old will eventually be recognized as the greatest quarterback in NFL history. Entering his seventh professional season, Herbert is set to debut a new-look offense under coordinator Mike McDaniel in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals, having built strong chemistry and trust with rookie starting center Jake Slaughter.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown restructured his contract, converting $26 million in base salary into a signing bonus to clear $20.8 million in cap space. St. Brown enters 2026 needing just 33 receptions to break Justin Jefferson's record of 579 catches through a player's first six seasons. St. Brown already holds the five-year record with 547 receptions following a 117-catch, 1,401-yard, 11-touchdown campaign in 2025.
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft agreed to a four-year, $75 million extension worth up to $92 million, featuring a position-record $26.5 million signing bonus ($31.5 million in Year 1). Returning from a Week 9 ACL tear sustained last season after recording 32 catches for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight games, the 25-year-old carries no injury designation for Sunday's opener against Minnesota but expects an early snap count.
The New Orleans Saints signed tight end Treyton Welch from the practice squad to their active 53-man roster on Saturday, September 12. Welch's promotion fills the open roster spot created when rookie running back Audric Estimé was placed on Reserve/Injured with a severe thigh injury that will force him to miss multiple weeks. Specific financial terms of Welch's contract with New Orleans were not disclosed.
Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis underwent surgery on Saturday for a severe hip injury suffered in Friday's practice and was placed on injured reserve, ruling him out for at least four games. The potential season-ending injury comes after Davis earned the RB2 role behind Javonte Williams through strong preseason play. In 2025, Davis posted 52 carries for 250 yards and two touchdowns. Dallas signed Israel Abanikanda to fill his active roster spot.
The Dallas Cowboys signed running back Israel Abanikanda to their active roster from the practice squad on Saturday as a corresponding move to placing Malik Davis on injured reserve. A 2023 fifth-round pick by the Jets, Abanikanda originally joined Dallas' practice squad last November before spending training camp on the 90-man roster. Fully versed in the system, he will provide backfield depth as RB3 behind Javonte Williams and Emari Demercado.
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely remains part of a shifting tight end financial landscape after Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer signed a three-year, $45 million contract extension. Mayer's new $15 million annual average value places him sixth among NFL tight ends, positioned just ahead of recent extensions signed by Likely and teammate Mark Andrews, reflecting the growing market value for productive tight ends across the league.
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews saw his contract benchmark surpassed following Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer's three-year, $45 million extension. Mayer's $15 million average annual salary places him sixth among NFL tight ends, slotting in just ahead of recent contract deals signed by Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Andrews remains a core piece of the Ravens' offense as tight end market values continue to escalate across the league.
