NFL Player News

Incumbent LS Kam Canaday was cut after a bad snap in the Week 3 loss, leading to a Bills touchdown. Brewer has 64 games of experience.

McDaniel is expected to take the job as the Chargers’ offensive coordinator, but he’ll still take time to speak with the Bills about their head-coaching opening before settling for a coordinator role. McDaniel withdrew his name from the Browns’ head-coaching search earlier this week in favor of the Chargers’ job, but having the chance to lead a team with one of the best quarterbacks in the game in Josh Allen could be too much for McDaniel to pass up should the opportunity present itself. The Bills are early in their head-coaching search and still have other potential suitors to meet over the weekend, but for now, McDaniel is in the mix.

The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and national champion didn’t take long to announce his decision. Just days after downing Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game, Mendoza, who is widely believed to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, will leave college for the pros. Mendoza is a fourth-year prospect who got his start at Cal, before transferring to Indiana for the 2025 season. Under head coach Curt Cignetti, Mendoza showed tremendous improvement, throwing for career-highs across the board while finishing with a line of 3,535-41-6 through the air and leading the nation in yards per attempt (9.3) and touchdown passes. He’s a prototypical pocket passer standing at 6-foot-5, and weighing in at 225 pounds, but Mendoza also showed off the wheels at times, rushing for 76-377-7, per PFF, who does not account for rushing yards lost due to sacks. The Raiders, who currently hold the No. 1 pick in the draft, seem destined to take Mendoza come April in hopes of fixing the quarterback woes that have plagued them since Derek Carr left after the 2022 season.

Pleasant’s current stint with the Rams began in 2023, when they hired him as the defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator. He was promoted from the former role in 2024, though per the team’s website, he continued to work closely with the defensive backs last season. He previously coached cornerbacks for the Rams from 2017-2020.

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters earlier today that they are “optimistic” about Cross’ availability this week. Cross’ top-two backups, OT Josh Jones (knee/ankle) and OT Amari Kight (knee), were also absent again on Thursday and are considered “day-to-day,” per Macdonald.

We fully expect Darnold to play in the Seahawks’ NFC Championship Game against the division-rival Rams. The Seahawks’ quarterback was able to throw at practice today, which is great to hear. The two teams faced each other twice this season, both squads coming away with one win. The Rams’ defense has held Darnold to less than 280 passing yards in both outings, while intercepting six passes and allowing just two passing touchdowns.

Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters that keeping Young sidelined thus far is a precautionary measure. The Rams’ sack leader (13) is still expected to play. Young ranks second on the team in quarterback pressures (74) and fifth in tackles (56). Rams S Quentin Lake (illness) resumed practicing fully today.

Weidl spent the last four seasons in his current role. He previously served as the Eagles’ vice president of player personnel and has worked in the NFL for 27 years. This is Weidl’s first interview in the current hiring cycle.

Franklin has a chance to play this week, but hamstring injuries can be finicky. The young wide receiver was forced from last week’s Divisional Round win over the Bills after suffering the injury in-game. He earned zero targets before departing.

Dobbins is in the questionable camp at this time. The 27-year-old rusher is attempting to return from a Lisfranc injury suffered during an illegal hip-drop tackle in Week 10 against the Raiders. Ideally, he upgrades to full participation tomorrow.

Great news. The Broncos’ third-round rookie is on track to play in the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots as long as he remains setback-free. Bryant caught three passes for 32 yards on the Broncos’ opening drive last week. He should handle a featured role in the offense once again this week, though head coach Sean Payton may opt for a run-heavy approach with backup QB Jarrett Stidham under center.