NFL Player News

We’ve heard plenty of smoke about Lovie Smith being on the hot seat this weekend, but this is the first real report we’ve had noting that Nick Caserio’s job could be on the line. After two years as Houston’s general manager, Houston remains one of the oldest rosters in the NFL. It’s perhaps a little unfair to expect the Texans to have made the playoffs or anything like that at this point given where they started with Caserio and David Culley, but it’s not hard to argue they should look a little more functional than they have to date.

Loop suffered an undisclosed injury in the Week 8 loss to the Bills, something that is reportedly serious enough to warrant injured reserve consideration. When asked if Jake Moody would be kicking on Thursday Night Football against the Jaguars, Minter replied with a simple, “At this point, yes.” The Ravens were dealt numerous injury issues in their loss to the Bills as they lost both Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley, with third string rookie Joe Fagnano also emerging dinged up after taking numerous hard sacks.

Whelp, that isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement for the rookie quarterback’s chances of starting under center for the Ravens when they host the Jaguars on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 9. The team lost both Lamar Jackson to a season-ending thumb injury and backup Tyler Huntley to a turf toe injury in their Week 8 loss to the Bills, now in desperate need of a viable quarterback option as they fight for their playoff lives. It is possible the team addresses the position through trade with just over a week until the trade deadline, although that is unlikely to help them on a short week. More to come in what quickly became a dire situation in Baltimore.

Njoku has been on the shelf since being placed on injured reserve ahead of Week 3, with the potential to return following five missed games plus the team’s Week 7 bye. The team will have 21 days to activate him from short-term injured reserve, meaning Njoku is not guaranteed to be activated in time for Week 9 against the Texans. Fantasy managers that have held Njoku through his time on injured reserve can continue patiently waiting for his return while those in shallower leagues can consider adding him from waivers before he is activated.

Garrett will reportedly retake the practice field this week as he looks to make his return from injured reserve, a welcome sight for fans and the team, alike. Garrett played only 40 defensive snaps in Week 1 before suffering the injury that would cost him the following seven games. His eventual return will bolster a defense that has been underperforming preseason expectations, bringing a jolt to a team currently stuck at .500 with a 4-4 record. We’ll know more of the timing of his activation throughout the week.

Speaking to media Monday following the team’s sixth consecutive loss, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni expressed confidence in his 26 year old quarterback, saying, “Tanner is out guy.” He was asked directly if he was considering a change at quarterback following McKee’s third straight loss, quickly putting those rumors to rest. McKee appears to be the team’s starting quarterback, at least in the immediate future, as they limp past the half way point of the regular season with a Week 9 meeting against the division rival Giants.

Shortly after head coach Mike LaFleur said Bourne’s injury could be season-ending, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Bourne suffered a fractured tibia that will sideline him for the next three months, effectively ending his season. Bourne caught 26 passes for 263 scoreless yards in his first season with the Cardinals. He remains under contract for the 2027 season, but the Cardinals can release him for a dead cap hit of $2.2 million.

The Jaguars lost two starters on the defensive side of the ball in Sunday’s win over the Colts, with Murray and DT DaVon Hamilton (quad) both being dealt season-ending blows. Murray, 32, started all six games he appeared in for the Jags this season, totaling 15 tackles while earning a PFF coverage grade of 60.4. His loss, along with the loss of Hamilton, deals a substantial blow to the Jags’ run defense, as both players have been key contributors in stopping the ground game.

Pearce is eligible to play in Week 9 against the Bengals and will likely join the team when it flies to Madrid for the international matchup. Pearce’s return should provide a nice spark to the 17th-ranked Falcons’ defense after the 2025 first-rounder racked up 10.5 sacks and 10 TFLs as a rookie while totaling 26 tackles.

Knight will need to clear protocol if he hopes to suit up in time to play in Week 9 against the Seahawks. The former UDFA has turned in a solid season thus far for the Cardinals, rushing for 28-168-0 while adding another six receptions for 43 additional yards. With Jeremiyah Love (ankle) likely to miss time, Knight could again find himself in a split with Tyler Allgeier when he returns. The Cardinals will likely need to address their running back room at some point in the week with Allgeier currently being the only healthy back on the roster.

According to LaFleur, the injury is to “a new portion of the ankle” that Love hadn’t previously injured. LaFleur didn’t dismiss the possibility of Love being placed on injured reserve, suggesting he would wait until Wednesday to decide if that is on the table. A tough rookie season only gets tougher for Love, who sounds like he will be at risk of missing more time even if he isn’t an IR candidate. Meanwhile, Bam Knight, who left Week 8’s game with a concussion, is in the league’s protocol, making Tyler Allgeier the only healthy back on the roster entering Week 9 against the Seahawks.