Most Recent
Bryce Young returns to the Carolina Panthers' lineup against a stingy Denver Broncos defense
The Associated Press | Posted Oct. 24 - 11:31 a.m. | Save Story
Quarterback Bryce Young returns to the Carolina Panthers' starting lineup this weekend after Andy Dalton sprained his right thumb in an auto accident. Young was benched after two poor performances to start the season that dropped his record as a starter to 2-16 since being selected first overall in the 2023 draft. He'll face a Denver defense that is one of the league's best and which has 28 sacks so far, second only to the Giants' 31. The Broncos are 4-3 but have lost two of three at home, where they are 6-6 under head coach Sean Payton.
Washington Commanders scored a touchdown on a play called 'Taylor Swift'
Stephen Whyno, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 24 - 11:11 a.m. | Save Story
One of the Washington Commanders' touchdowns in their game last week came on a play called "Taylor Swift." Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury revealed Thursday that Marcus Mariota's completion to tight end Ben Sinnott was named after the pop star who has become one of the faces of NFL coverage over the past year or so. Swift is dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and has become a prominent fan at many of his games. Kingsbury said there's also something named "Kelce" in the Commanders' playbook, but he would not reveal if it was in reference to Travis or his brother, retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce.
Chiefs finalize trade with Titans for 3-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins
Dave Skretta, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 24 - 10:29 a.m. | Save Story
The Chiefs announced their trade for wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on Thursday, sending the Titans a conditional fifth-round draft pick. The Chiefs were desperate for help at wide receiver after injuries to Marquise Brown, Rashee Rice and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Hopkins is a three-time All-Pro who spent most of his career in Arizona and Houston and the past year-plus in Tennessee. The fifth-round pick in 2025 that the Titans are getting in the trade could become a fourth-rounder if he plays 60% of snaps with the Chiefs and they make the Super Bowl. Tennessee also agreed to pay $2.5 million of his remaining salary, an important point for the salary cap-strapped Chiefs.
Raiders begrudgingly use Week 8 opponent and AFC West rival Chiefs as the standard they need to meet
Mark Anders0n, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 7:31 p.m. | Save Story
The Kansas City Chiefs are the standard the Las Vegas Raiders are trying to reach. Their AFC West rivals have provided a roadmap for Las Vegas and other teams hoping to get into the orbit of a franchise that has appeared in four of the past five Super Bowls and won three of them. The Chiefs enter Sunday's game at Las Vegas at 6-0 and on a 12-game winning streak. Their last defeat occurring at home last Christmas to the Raiders. The Raiders head into the rematch on a three-game losing streak and with a 2-5 record.
Cody Barton says AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor doesn't ease the sting of his dropped pick-6
Arnie Stapleton, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 7:28 p.m. | Save Story
Denver linebacker Cody Barton won the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week honor for his monster game in the Broncos' 33-10 rout of the New Orleans Saints last week. But he said that he's still bothered by the dropped interception that tainted an otherwise stellar game by the sixth-year pro who joined the Broncos as a free agent last summer. Barton recorded a half dozen solo stops among his eight tackles, had a sack, broke up a pass and scooped up a fumble that he returned 52 yards for a touchdown.
Brandon Aiyuk's injury provides an opportunity for Ricky Pearsall to shine for the 49ers
Josh Dubow, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 5:22 p.m. | Save Story
The plan to ease rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall back into form as he worked his way back from being shot in the chest didn't last long for the San Francisco 49ers. With Brandon Aiyuk out for the season after tearing ligaments in his right knee on Sunday, Pearsall quickly goes from a luxury depth option on San Francisco's offense to one of the key pieces. The Niners are short-handed when it comes to playmakers on offense with Aiyuk out for the season and All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey being sidelined by Achilles tendinitis that has sidelined him since August.
Bears' Caleb Williams says he's not caught up in potential matchup with Jayden Daniels
Andrew Seligman, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 5:17 p.m. | Save Story
Caleb Williams wasn't getting caught up in any hype over a potential matchup with Jayden Daniels or playing in his hometown. The No. 1 overall draft pick comes out of Chicago's bye looking to build on a string of dominant performances when the Bears visit the Washington Commanders on Sunday. He says his job is to "go win games on Thursdays, Sundays and Mondays." The matchup between quarterbacks drafted with the first two picks this year is no sure thing after Daniels suffered a rib injury in a 40-7 rout of the Carolina Panthers. He missed practice Wednesday. Williams grew up in Maryland and Washington. He hopes Daniels is able to play. Either way, he figures they'll see plenty of each other in the coming years.
Bills rookies Coleman, Davis and Carter team up to make a youthful impact on Buffalo's 5-2 start
John Wawrow, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 5:07 p.m. | Save Story
A trio of Bills rookies has already made an impact in helping Buffalo to get off to its AFC East-leading 5-2 start. Running back Ray Davis is a fourth-round pick and grew up in the foster system, and ranks second on the team with 213 yards rushing. Defensive tackle DeWayne Carter is a third-round selection, and made a game-turning fourth-down stop in Buffalo's win over Tennessee last weekend. And then there's receiver Keon Coleman. The second-round pick leads Buffalo with 326 yards receiving after a 125-yard outing against the Titans. Their production has been key for a team forced to lean on youth after an offseason payroll purge of its roster.
Former Jets coach Robert Saleh monitoring Packers' offense and helping out good friend Matt LaFleur
Steve Megargee, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 4:24 p.m. | Save Story
Former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh is back on an NFL practice field helping out the Green Bay Packers two weeks after getting fired from his old job. Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Saleh will be staying in Green Bay through Thursday monitoring the Packers' offense. LaFleur was noncommittal about how much Saleh might assist the Packers in this informal role the rest of the season. LaFleur said on multiple occasions that the situation is "pretty fluid." LaFleur and Saleh are longtime friends.
Struggling Titans dive into rebuilding by trading 2 starters for draft picks
Teresa M. Walker, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 4:12 p.m. | Save Story
The Tennessee Titans got a jump on the NFL trade deadline by starting to stock up Wednesday on draft picks with a pair of trades. More moves are likely for a franchise mired in a 1-5 start that is the Titans' worst since 2015 that cost Ken Whisenhunt his job after going 1-6 to open his second season. Tennessee could reach 1-6 Sunday after a game at Detroit (5-1). Coach Brian Callahan couldn't address the moves when he talked with reporters midday. He called such moves the reality of the NFL. He also made clear the Titans didn't expect this after being among the biggest spenders in free agency.
Bucs place wide receiver Chris Godwin on injured reserve
The Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 3:54 p.m. | Save Story
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have placed wide receiver Chris Godwin on injured reserve with an ankle injury that will require surgery. The Bucs announced the move Wednesday, when the team also signed punter Trenton Gill and wide receiver Ryan Miller from the practice squad to the active roster. Punter Jack Browning and wide receiver Dennis Houston were added to the practice squad. Godwin dislocated his left ankle during the final minute of Monday night's 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He likely will miss the remainder of the season. Godwin leads the NFL with 50 receptions and is third in receiving yards with 576. He's tied for third with five TD receptions.
Jets' Rodgers dealing with ailing hamstring on top of knee issue but will play at Patriots
Dennis Waszak Jr., Associated Press | Updated Oct. 23 - 3:50 p.m. | Save Story
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is dealing with a hamstring injury on top of a knee issue but is expected to play Sunday at New England. The 40-year-old Rodgers was listed as limited for the team's walkthrough Wednesday. Ulbrich said the injuries, which also include a recent ankle issue, have "maybe" compromised Rodgers' ability to scramble, but Rodgers said his throwing hasn't been affected. Offensive lineman Xavier Newman was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury after being carted off the field in Pittsburgh. Ulbrich said Newman is doing "well" but will need a few weeks to recover.
Titans make 2nd trade of the day by swapping linebackers with Seattle, AP source says
Teresa M. Walker, Associated Press | Updated Oct. 23 - 3:42 p.m. | Save Story
A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that the Tennessee Titans made their second trade Wednesday, swapping linebackers with Seattle by sending Ernest Jones to the Seahawks for linebacker Jerome Baker. The deal also includes Seattle sending a fourth-round pick to Tennessee the person with knowledge of the deal told the AP. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams haven't announced the trade. The Titans earlier Wednesday agreed to a deal sending three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Adams implores new Jets teammates to improve their energy during 'realest' speech Rodgers has heard
Dennis Waszak Jr., Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 3:37 p.m. | Save Story
Davante Adams saw enough issues in one game with the New York Jets to feel the urge to speak up. The recently acquired wide receiver sensed something lacking from his new teammates in a 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. So Adams let them know he felt they lacked energy and urgency during their fourth straight loss that dropped them to 2-5. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers called it the "realest speech" he'd ever heard in a locker room in his 20-year career. Adams was acquired by New York from Las Vegas in a trade on Oct. 15.
Pro Picks: Week 8 features 3 games with double-digit favorites and five division matchups
Rob Maaddi, Associated Press | Updated Oct. 23 - 3:28 p.m. | Save Story
A full slate of games returns for Week 8 with several mismatches. Six teams are favorites by at least seven points on BetMGM Sportsbook. Three of those are double-digit favorites. Pro Picks took three of the underdogs to cover the spread. Five games feature division rivals, including showdowns for first place in both the AFC and NFC South. The Vikings and Rams kick off the week on Thursday night while the Giants and Steelers finish up on Monday night. The Cowboys and 49ers renew their rivalry on "Sunday Night Football" with both banged-up teams underachieving.
Kevin O'Connell hopes to show Sean McVay everything he learned in LA when the Vikings visit the Rams
Greg Beacham, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 3:26 p.m. | Save Story
Sean McVay has grown a healthy coaching tree in his eight seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. Five of his former assistants have become NFL head coaches, while several more have been poached for bigger jobs in college and the pros. One of the biggest branches on that tree looms in front of McVay for the first time on Thursday night Kevin O'Connell leads his Minnesota Vikings into SoFi Stadium. O'Connell won a Super Bowl ring during his two seasons as McVay's offensive coordinator. He also learned much of what he needed to succeed in Minnesota, where he has built the Vikings into a powerhouse.
Tua Tagovailoa practices for the first time since suffering a concussion in Week 2
Alanis Thames, Associated Press | Updated Oct. 23 - 2:51 p.m. | Save Story
Tua Tagovailoa practiced Wednesday for the first time since suffering a concussion in Week 2, and the Dolphins are aiming for him to start Sunday against Arizona. Tagovailoa still needs to progress through the final stages of the NFL's concussion protocol for that to happen, but he moved one step closer by returning to the practice field. Tagovailoa has met with numerous medical experts who specialize in brain and head injuries since being diagnosed with the third concussion of his NFL career on Sept. 12. The experts deemed it safe for him to return to football, coach Mike McDaniel said Monday.
Winston starting for Browns after QB Watson's injury. Coach Stefanski hands over play-calling duties
Tom Withers, Associated Press | Updated Oct. 23 - 2:42 p.m. | Save Story
Jameis Winston will start at quarterback on Sunday against Baltimore for the freefalling Cleveland Browns, who lost Deshaun Watson last week with a season-ending injury. Winston will be making his first start since 2022 when he was with New Orleans. The 30-year-old will take over a Cleveland offense ranked last in the league. The Browns are the only team not to score 20 points in a game. Watson ruptured his Achilles tendon last Sunday against Cincinnati. He's scheduled to undergo surgery this week and will likely need at least six months to recover. Coach Kevin Stefanski also announced he's handing over play-calling duties to coordinator Ken Dorsey.
Panthers QB Bryce Young will start against Broncos after Andy Dalton sprains thumb in car crash
Steve Reed, Associated Press | Updated Oct. 23 - 2:28 p.m. | Save Story
Bryce Young will start Sunday at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers against the Denver Broncos after Andy Dalton sprained the thumb on his right throwing hand during a car crash in Charlotte. Panthers coach Dave Canales made the announcement Wednesday after practice. Dalton did not practice. Canales said there were no serious injuries in Tuesday's crash, and the 36-year-old Dalton will be listed as day to day. Canales said it's possible that Dalton could be the team's No. 2 quarterback on Sunday. Young was benched two games into the season after starting 0-2. Dalton has gone 1-4 as a starter since then, losing his last four starts.
