Football

NFL

Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) stands back to pass during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Keenum practices amid murky situation for the Chicago Bears at QB

Jay Cohen, The Associated Press 3 minute read 1:57 PM CDT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — It looks as if Case Keenum is going to start at quarterback for the Chicago Bears on Monday night against Philadelphia. Tyson Bagent and Caleb Williams are two more possibilities, depending on their health.

When it comes to the QBs for the Bears, very little is certain at the moment.

The 38-year-old Keenum practiced on Wednesday as Chicago ramped up its preparation for its matchup with Philadelphia. Keenum hasn't played in a regular-season game since Dec. 24, 2023, but at least he is healthy right now.

“We feel really good about whoever ends up playing for us and that showed in the preseason, shows up in practice every single day,” coach Ben Johnson said. “So we’re at a point right now, not sure who the starter is going to be on Monday night. We’ll let this thing play out and we’ll go from there.”

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NFL

FILE - Buffalo Bills defensive tackle T.J. Sanders (98) defends as Houston Texans guard Keylan Rutledge (66) attempts to block during an NFL football game, Sept. 13, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker, File)

Bills defensive lineman T.J. Sanders out indefinitely after having appendectomy

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Bills defensive lineman T.J. Sanders out indefinitely after having appendectomy

The Associated Press 2 minute read 1:46 PM CDT

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills defensive lineman T.J. Sanders is out indefinitely after having an appendectomy, coach Joe Brady said on Wednesday.

Brady didn’t provide a timetable on Sanders’ return in announcing the player had surgery a day earlier. The second-year player was a projected starter, and has yet to appear in a game this season after missing Buffalo’s first two games with a knee injury.

Buffalo (2-0) has been off since a 41-31 win over Detroit on Thursday, and hosts the Los Angeles Chargers (0-2) on Sunday.

Brady didn’t have an update on receiver DJ Moore (shoulder) and defensive tackle Ed Oliver (hip). Moore was hurt during the game against Detroit, while Oliver was hurt during pregame warmups.

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1:46 PM CDT

NFL

FILE - New York Jets wide receiver Arian Smith (82) carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

Jets WR Arian Smith has season-ending ACL injury and DL David Onyemata out after core muscle surgery

Dennis Waszak Jr., The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Jets WR Arian Smith has season-ending ACL injury and DL David Onyemata out after core muscle surgery

Dennis Waszak Jr., The Associated Press 4 minute read 1:18 PM CDT

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets wide receiver Arian Smith is out for the season after needing surgery to repair a torn ACL in one of his knees.

Smith, a fourth-round pick in last year's draft, was placed on the injured reserve list Tuesday and coach Aaron Glenn announced Wednesday that the speedy receiver will not return this season.

“Tough,” Glenn said. “But he'll bounce back very well.”

Defensive tackle David Onyemata will be sidelined several weeks after Glenn said he had core muscle surgery. Onyemata, also on IR, could return before the end of the season, according to Glenn.

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1:18 PM CDT

NFL

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) takes the field with teammates before an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Falcons hoping Penix’s return sparks their offense as they visit the Packers

Steve Megargee, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Falcons hoping Penix’s return sparks their offense as they visit the Packers

Steve Megargee, The Associated Press 5 minute read 12:34 PM CDT

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Michael Penix Jr.'s return comes at a time when the winless Atlanta Falcons need someone to provide a jolt for their lifeless offense.

Atlanta’s offense couldn’t reach the red zone as the Falcons opened the season with losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers. The Falcons were the first team since the Rams in 2008 not to run any plays from inside an opponent’s 20-yard line through the first two games of a season.

Penix now is back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The 26-year-old quarterback is ready to play his first game since Nov. 16 on Thursday night as the Falcons visit the Green Bay Packers.

“I’ve been working extremely hard to get to this point,” Penix said. “Man, this has been a long journey.”

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12:34 PM CDT

NFL

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is stopped by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L'jarius Sneed, left, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Colts WR Alec Pierce will be placed on injured reserve after aggravating left heel injury

Michael Marot, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Colts WR Alec Pierce will be placed on injured reserve after aggravating left heel injury

Michael Marot, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 2:02 PM CDT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts are placing receiver Alec Pierce on injured reserve, three days after he hopped off the field at Kansas City after aggravating his injured left heel.

Coach Shane Steichen made the announcement Wednesday. The move means Indy will be without its top receiver at least four weeks. The Colts host Houston on Sunday.

Pierce had been held out of offseason work and all three preseason games after undergoing offseason surgery on his left ankle and heel. He was activated from the physically unable to perform list in late August and had been steadily ramping up his activity over the past few weeks before appearing on last week's injury report with the heel injury.

The Colts remain hopeful Pierce won’t need another surgery. Steichen said Pierce hit all of his rehab benchmarks before being cleared to return, and he caught four passes for 61 yards against Baltimore in the season opener.

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Updated: 2:02 PM CDT

NFL

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, center, watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, Calif., Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Giants QB Jaxson Dart is expected to have season-ending knee surgery, AP source says

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Giants QB Jaxson Dart is expected to have season-ending knee surgery, AP source says

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 11:55 AM CDT

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart is expected to have season-ending surgery on his left knee, according to a person with knowledge of the details of the injury.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the team has not announced Dart's status.

Dart was injured on the first drive Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams when his left leg bent awkwardly as he was hit by two defenders. After initially saying it was in the neighborhood of a medial collateral ligament injury, coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday the evaluation process for Dart was still ongoing.

An MRI revealed MCL and posterior cruciate ligament damage, according to a report by NFL Network. Harbaugh is scheduled to address reporters after practice later Wednesday.

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Updated: 11:55 AM CDT

NFL

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (25) rushes the ball during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

Panthers place RB Jonathon Brooks on injured reserve, set to miss 6 weeks, AP source says

Steve Reed, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Panthers place RB Jonathon Brooks on injured reserve, set to miss 6 weeks, AP source says

Steve Reed, The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 9:02 AM CDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers placed backup running back Jonathon Brooks on injured reserve with a groin injury on Wednesday.

According to a person familiar with the situation, Brooks will have surgery Wednesday to repair a core muscle injury that will result in him missing at least six weeks. Brooks is expected to return this season, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team has yet to provide any details on how long he will be out.

The Panthers signed safety Isaiah Simmons from the practice squad to take Brooks' spot on the 53-man roster.

Coach Dave Canales said Monday that Brooks had injured his groin late in Carolina’s 34-3 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. He said at the time the team was awaiting the results of an MRI.

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Updated: 9:02 AM CDT

NFL

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) waves as he is carted off the field after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

A stunning early QB injury wave leaves up to 6 teams already turning to backups

Josh Dubow, The Associated Press 7 minute read Preview

A stunning early QB injury wave leaves up to 6 teams already turning to backups

Josh Dubow, The Associated Press 7 minute read 5:01 AM CDT

The NFL hasn't seen an early-season injury epidemic at quarterback quite like this in a long time.

With Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Jaxson Dart all getting hurt in Week 2, there's a good chance six teams will have been forced to go with a backup quarterback as the starter because of injuries by the time the games this week are finished.

This will be the first time since at least 2000 that has happened within the first three games of a season. There have been four other seasons in that time when at least six teams used multiple starting quarterbacks within the first three games, according to Sportradar, including a record-tying seven in both 2019 and 2010. There were also six in both 2001 and 2015, but the changes in all four of those seasons also included benchings and rookies getting elevated.

The spate of quarterback injuries started when Super Bowl winner Sam Darnold injured his hip on the first drive of the season for the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 9. Drew Lock replaced him and has helped Seattle get off to a 2-0 start.

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5:01 AM CDT

NFL

Chargers sign TE Hayden Rucci from Jaguars’ practice squad, waive WR Gary Jennings

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 7:58 PM CDT

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday signed tight end Hayden Rucci to the active roster from Jacksonville’s practice squad.

Rucci appeared in four games last season with the Miami Dolphins, notching a tackle on special teams. He also spent time late last season with the Detroit Lions before joining the San Francisco 49ers last offseason.

He was an undrafted free agent in 2024 after four years at the University of Wisconsin.

The Chargers waived wide receiver Gary Jennings.

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Redha Kramdi (left) had an interception and a forced fumble for the club in the Banjo Bowl — the safety’s first game back after missing six games due to a hand injury.

Bombers safety proof practice makes perfect

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Bombers safety proof practice makes perfect

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Yesterday at 6:31 PM CDT

Redha Kramdi didn’t think he belonged in the CFL.

When he was a rookie in 2021, he vividly remembers watching tape of two of the best running backs in the league at the time — Ka’Deem Carey and William Stanback — and doubting whether he belonged on the same field as them.

“I told myself I’d never play in the CFL. The gap between U Sports and professional football is pretty huge,” said Kramdi, who was chosen in the second round, 16th overall, in the 2021 CFL Draft by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers out of the University of Montreal.

“I was watching them and was like, ‘This is too fast for me. People are too strong, too physically gifted. And the communication is on a level I’ll never attain in my life.’”

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Yesterday at 6:31 PM CDT

NFL

FILE - Buffalo Bills wide receiver Brandin Cooks catches a pass during the first half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Denver Broncos, Jan. 17, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)

The 49ers agree to deal to add WR Brandin Cooks to practice squad, AP source says

Josh Dubow, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

The 49ers agree to deal to add WR Brandin Cooks to practice squad, AP source says

Josh Dubow, The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 5:43 PM CDT

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers are adding veteran help for their injury depleted wide receiver room by agreeing to a deal to sign Brandin Cooks to the practice squad.

A person familiar with the deal said Tuesday that the team reached the agreement to add Cooks. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the signing hadn't been announced by the team.

ESPN first reported the deal.

The Niners needed help at receiver after key contributor Demarcus Robinson went down with a high ankle injury in Sunday's win over Miami. Robinson is expected to miss at least a few weeks and could go on injured reserve.

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Yesterday at 5:43 PM CDT

NFL

FILE - New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (18) carries the ball against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Corey Ballentine (36) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

Colts sign veteran WR Darius Slayton with Alec Pierce expected to be sidelined with injured heel

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Colts sign veteran WR Darius Slayton with Alec Pierce expected to be sidelined with injured heel

The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 4:58 PM CDT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts signed veteran receiver Darius Slayton on Tuesday, two days after Alec Pierce hopped off the field with an injured left heel during their 33-30 overtime loss at Kansas City.

Indy (0-2) also put veteran defensive end Michael Clemons on injured reserve.

On Monday, coach Shane Steichen said Pierce aggravated an injury that put him on last week's injury report. Steichen was unsure how much time, if any, the Colts top receiver would miss. NFL Network reported Pierce could miss multiple weeks.

Pierce signed a four-year, $116 million contract in March, a deal that kept him off the free-agent market. He had surgery on his troublesome left ankle shortly after getting the extension and missed all of training camp and the preseason as he rehabbed. He was activated from the physically unable to perform list in late August and had been ramping up his activity over the past several weeks.

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Yesterday at 4:58 PM CDT

NFL

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel watches as trainers check on New England Patriots guard Mike Onwenu (71) after he was injured during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Foxboro, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Patriots place Mike Onwenu on injured reserve with an ankle injury; right guard out at least 4 weeks

Kyle Hightower, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Patriots place Mike Onwenu on injured reserve with an ankle injury; right guard out at least 4 weeks

Kyle Hightower, The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 4:06 PM CDT

The New England Patriots will be without starting right guard Mike Onwenu for at least the next four weeks after he was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury on Tuesday.

New England signed punter Mitch Wishnowsky to fill Onwenu's spot on the 53-man roster.

Onwenu left late in the first quarter of the Patriots' 20-3 win over Pittsburgh after having his right ankle rolled up on by T.J. Watt as he assisted on a sack of Drake Maye. The TV replay showed a gruesome twisting of the ankle. Onwenu got up on his own power, but had to hop to a waiting cart.

Onwenu was replaced by veteran Greg Van Roten, who was signed in August. Van Roten started 17 games each of the past three seasons during stints with the Raiders and Giants.

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Yesterday at 4:06 PM CDT

NFL

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (17) celebrates after a touchdown catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Inglewood, Calif., Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Katie Chin)

Rams’ depth shines as Adams, Young step up for injured Nacua, Garrett in blowout of Giants

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Rams’ depth shines as Adams, Young step up for injured Nacua, Garrett in blowout of Giants

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 3:53 PM CDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Puka Nacua does so many incredible things and attracts so much attention — both good and very bad — that he almost makes it possible to overlook the other elite receiver in the Los Angeles Rams' starting lineup.

Davante Adams is a wise veteran who doesn't make headlines the way his All-Pro teammate does, but he's still one of the NFL's best pass-catchers and route-runners in his 13th season.

And with Nacua sidelined by injury Monday night, Adams and Matthew Stafford put on a performance that reminded everybody the Rams (1-1) still have the resources to be the team everybody expects them to be.

“It was important to let your great players impact positive change,” coach Sean McVay said Tuesday. “I thought getting (Adams) involved early was key. Then, obviously, to do what he and Matthew did is a tremendous credit to those guys. He made some great, contested catches. I thought he ran good routes and separated. The level of difficulty on some of the throws and catches that those guys made ... .”

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Yesterday at 3:53 PM CDT

NFL

Green Bay Packers guard Zach Bako-Bewele (50) is taken off the field following an injury during an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Packers’ Zach Bako-Bewele expects to miss rest of the season after tearing his patellar tendon

Steve Megargee, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Packers’ Zach Bako-Bewele expects to miss rest of the season after tearing his patellar tendon

Steve Megargee, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 6:52 PM CDT

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Zach Bako-Bewele has a torn patellar tendon and expects to miss the rest of the season.

Bako-Bewele, who changed his name from Zach Tom before the season, hurt his right knee in the first quarter of the Packers’ 20-17 overtime road victory over the New York Jets on Sunday. The 27-year-old right tackle said he is planning to undergo surgery Thursday and that he believes the recovery should take about nine months.

“It’s definitely not what I anticipated happening, but you’ve just got to get back to work and then start thinking about next year,” Bako-Bewele said Tuesday.

Packers receiver Jayden Reed and Bako-Bewele were carted off the field after consecutive plays during Green Bay’s opening series. Reed remained in a New Jersey hospital overnight for observation rather than traveling back home with the team after suffering what the Packers described as a neck injury.

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Updated: Yesterday at 6:52 PM CDT

NFL

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. stands on the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Miami Dolphins, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Penix excited in his return as Falcons starting QB

Charles Odum, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Penix excited in his return as Falcons starting QB

Charles Odum, The Associated Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 3:21 PM CDT

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Michael Penix Jr. said Tuesday he finally began feeling healthy enough to play in a game late last week and had his rising confidence confirmed when his surgically repaired left knee reacted well to a strenuous workout on Saturday.

The Falcons announced on Monday that Penix will start on Thursday night at Green Bay. The decision came one day after Cooper Rush again struggled as the fill-in starter in Sunday's 34-3 loss to NFC South rival Carolina.

“I’m very excited, you know, obviously excited to be able to be out there,” Penix said following Tuesday's practice. “You know, I’m going to war with my brothers, so it’s very exciting when you make the final decision.”

When asked if he had been targeting the Week 3 game at Green Bay, Penix said “being healthy” was his only target.

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Yesterday at 3:21 PM CDT

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