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NFL News

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

Wednesday, October 7

Pat Surtain II Expected to Avoid IR Following Week 4 Ankle Injury

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Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II suffered a non-contact ankle injury during Sunday's loss to the 49ers. Although speculation arose regarding a potential injured reserve stint, head coach Sean Payton stated Wednesday that he does not believe Surtain will land on IR. While unlikely to play in Week 5 against the Chargers, his avoidance of a long-term designation is a major boost for a Broncos defense that will turn to Jahdae Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine.

Pat Bryant Avoids IR Despite Suffering Ankle Injury in Week 4

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Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant did not participate in Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury suffered in Week 4 against the 49ers. Head coach Sean Payton indicated that Bryant will not be placed on injured reserve, suggesting he could return within the next few games. While fantasy players should not count on him playing in Week 5 against the Chargers, his avoided IR stint points toward a potential return in a few weeks as the team relies on depth.

Chris Brooks Listed Among Four Packers Non-Participants in Practice

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Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks was listed as a non-participant on the team's first injury report of the week due to an ankle injury. He was joined by offensive linemen Aaron Banks, Jager Burton, and Jacob Monk as non-participants on Wednesday. Despite these absences along the offensive line and backfield, the Packers remain heavily oversigned at offensive line positions, maintaining adequate depth for upcoming game day rosters.

Tyreek Hill Draws Trade Interest Amid Ongoing Legal Battles

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Free agent wide receiver Tyreek Hill has surfaced in trade and signing speculation, with agent Drew Rosenhaus planning talks as Kansas City and Buffalo emerge as potential landing spots. Hill continues recovering from a severe knee injury featuring a torn ACL and LCL sustained in Week 4 of last season. Meanwhile, his attorneys recently questioned his wife's testimony and police photos during cross-examination in an ongoing civil lawsuit and battery trial.

Darius Cooper Projected for Expanded Snaps in Depleted Receiving Corps

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper is slated for extended playing time as injuries heavily impact the team's offensive depth chart. With starters like DeVonta Smith and Hollywood Brown unavailable, Cooper joins Dontayvion Wicks and Makai Lemon to anchor the receiving core for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Dontayvion Wicks Steps Into Larger Role Amid Receiver Injuries

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks is positioned to serve as a primary target in the team's offense alongside Makai Lemon and Darius Cooper. With injuries sidelining key wideouts like DeVonta Smith and Hollywood Brown, Wicks faces an elevated workload and heightened expectations heading into Sunday's matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Makai Lemon Seeks Expanded Role for Philadelphia Eagles

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Rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon continues seeing regular action for the Philadelphia Eagles amidst early-season offensive consistency issues. Lemon has logged 10 receptions for 65 yards through his first four games, which includes a clutch fourth-down conversion against the Los Angeles Rams. With injuries depleting the receiving corps, Lemon is positioned to maintain an expanded role moving forward.

Brandon Jones Playing Out Final Year of Contract With Broncos

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Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones is currently playing in the final year of his contract for the 2026 season. Having played very strong football through the first four games, analysts are speculating on whether the Broncos will prioritize extending the 28-year-old safety to shore up a thin secondary unit heading into future seasons.

Riley Moss Sidelined From Practice With Rib Injury

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Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss missed Wednesday's practice after exiting the recent game against the San Francisco 49ers with a rib injury. Moss's status is one to watch closely throughout the week as the Broncos prepare for their upcoming divisional road matchup against the winless Los Angeles Chargers.

Dre Greenlaw Confronts Former Coach After Win

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San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw led the defense with 12 tackles in a 24-14 win over the Denver Broncos, then confronted former coach Sean Payton at midfield. Greenlaw confirmed telling Payton to get off the field after multiple instances of jawing at the Denver sideline. While Greenlaw faces a potential league fine for the postgame exchange, he expressed no regrets over the emotionally charged victory.

Kyle Juszczyk Wins NFL Fine Appeal Over Celebration

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The NFL rescinded a pair of fines totaling $29,852 levied against San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk for an alleged beer-chugging celebration. Juszczyk successfully appealed by clarifying he was imitating a juice box matching his nickname rather than alcohol. The ruling prompted a joint NFL and NFLPA clarification permitting imitation of drinking any beverage. Juszczyk is currently sidelined from action after hyperextending his knee.

Saquon Barkley Sidelined From Practice With Hamstring Injury

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley missed Wednesday's practice due to a hamstring strain sustained in Week 4. Considered week-to-week, Barkley is expected to miss Sunday's game in London against the Jaguars but is not expected to go on injured reserve. With Tank Bigsby on IR, Will Shipley and newly activated Dameon Pierce are slated to lead the backfield in Barkley's absence.

Joe Alt Misses Practice With Neck Injury Ahead of Broncos Game

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Los Angeles Chargers right tackle Joe Alt did not practice Wednesday due to a neck injury sustained late in the first half against Seattle. He is expected to miss Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos, though the team does not plan to place him on injured reserve. Travis Burke is positioned to step in at right tackle in his absence.

Ladd McConkey Misses Wednesday Practice Due to Foot Injury

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey did not participate in Wednesday's practice as he continues battling a foot issue that flared up during Week 4. Coach Jim Harbaugh previously noted McConkey is week-to-week after exiting Sunday's loss to Seattle without a catch. The Chargers are monitoring his status closely ahead of their upcoming home matchup against the Denver Broncos.

Za'Darius Smith Sidelined From Practice With Concussion and Neck Issues

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Atlanta Falcons defensive end Za'Darius Smith did not participate in Wednesday's practice due to a concussion and neck injury. Smith's absence highlights a growing injury report for the Falcons alongside left tackle Jake Matthews. The team will monitor Smith's progression through protocol restrictions ahead of their next scheduled matchup.

Jake Matthews Misses Practice Following Groin Injury vs Saints

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Atlanta Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews did not practice Wednesday after exiting Monday night's win over the Saints with a groin injury. The absence threatens his active streak of 199 consecutive starts. Backup Michael Jerrell is also managing an ankle injury on the injury report, though Jerrell anticipates taking backup snaps this week as the team evaluates Matthews' status.

Geno Smith and Jets Offense Seek Rebound From Slow Starts

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Veteran quarterback Geno Smith and the New York Jets aim to bounce back from a 23-12 loss to the Chicago Bears and snap a three-game skid. Smith went 8-for-15 for 119 yards and a touchdown in Chicago. The offense faces a troubling trend of slow starts, having scored just seven first-quarter points all season. Smith and coach Aaron Glenn emphasize better execution ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium.

Austin Ekeler Factor in Commanders Backfield Dynamic for Week 5

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Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler adds competition to the team's backfield mix following the return of Rachaad White to a limited practice on Wednesday. Ekeler joined the rotation ahead of last week's contest while White was sidelined with a shoulder injury, creating a crowded and complex backfield committee alongside Jacory Croskey-Merritt for Week 5 against the Giants.

Rachaad White Returns to Limited Practice From Shoulder Injury

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Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White returned to practice in a limited capacity Wednesday after missing Week 4 due to a shoulder injury. White is trending in a positive direction to play Sunday against the New York Giants. His return comes as fellow back Jacory Croskey-Merritt manages a groin strain, though White will now navigate a crowded backfield that recently added Austin Ekeler to the offensive rotation.

Antonio Williams In Line for Increased Workload With Injuries

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Washington Commanders wide receiver Antonio Williams could be thrust into a significant role in Week 5 against the New York Giants. With starting wideouts Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs both sidelined from Wednesday's practice due to hamstring injuries, Williams projects as a key option for quarterback Jayden Daniels as Washington navigates multiple absences across its receiving corps.