NFL Player News

Both Downs and WR Ashton Dulin (chest) were absent during the portion of practice that is open to the media. We expect both players to be listed as non-participants. This is bad news. Players must pass through all five phases of the NFL’s concussion protocol, while remaining setback-free, before they can return from a concussion. Even if a concussed player resumes practicing late in the week, the protocol adds a unique hurdle to the return-to-play process. Should Downs practice in full on Friday, he must then successfully meet post-practice observation standards. The Colts’ slot receiver has not yet been ruled out, and he does still have a chance to play, but he is trending toward a Week 7 absence. Colts WR Adonai Mitchell will seemingly get a shot at redemption against the Chargers with Dulin also ailing.

Young spent the last two seasons coaching running backs at Iowa. He has coached with the Patriots, Bears, Packers and Browns, and also has experience at the junior college level, Division-II, FCS and FBS. He played defensive back at Willamette University and earned his bachelor’s degree at Savannah State University.

McMahon was initially hired for his prior role back in 2022. He was relieved of his duties in November 2025. He has served as an NFL special teams coordinator every year, dating back to 2009, spending time with the Rams, Chiefs, Colts and Broncos. The Packers will also interview Patriots ST coordinator Cameron Achord and Saints assistant special teams coach Kyle Wilber.

Lynch has served as the Browns’ cornerbacks coach for the past three seasons. He now adds pass game specialist to his title. Lynch notably interviewed for the Titans’ defensive coordinator vacancy back in 2024, then serving as a member of former Browns DC Jim Schwartz’s staff.

Ogbongbemiga, 27, spent the last two seasons with the Bears after spending his first three in the NFL with the Chargers. He recorded the most tackles since his 2021 rookie season in 2025 (10) and broke up a pass for the first time in his career.

Bandy, 28, scored his first career touchdown in 2025. Good for him. Bandy typically turns in an explosive play or two in the preseason, but rarely contributes once the calendar shifts from August to September.

Williams served as the Falcons’ special teams coordinator from 2021-2025. He has been coaching in the NFL since 2013, spending time with the Lions (two stints), Bears and Chargers before signing on with the Falcons.

Fleury’s theoretical ability to run a similar offensive system is ostensibly one reason that the Seahawks hired him. Fleury served as the 49ers’ run game coordinator and tight ends coach last season. Former Seahawks OC and new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak served as the 49ers’ pass game coordinator in 2023. We can expect to see the Seahawks again feature shifts, motion and play action. Although Fleury has called plays defensively and for special teams, he has never done so offensively. He will do so this season, and he told reporters that he has already begun preparing to execute that assignment.

King replaces former Bears assistant general manager and new Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham. Cunningham held his prior role for four seasons. King joined the NFL’s administrative ranks as a Bears scouting intern in 2015, following an eight-year playing career. He served as a pro scout from 2016-2018 before becoming the assistant director of pro scouting in 2019. He became the director of pro scouting in 2021, the co-director of player personnel in 2022 and was promoted to his prior role in 2024.

Jones “didn’t just look like a starter in 2025 but someone who could lead an imperfect team.” Per Barrows, Quarterback-needy teams could be hoping that Jones becomes the next “Shanahan reclamation project” after watching Sam Darnold lead the Vikings to a 14-3 record in 2024 and the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory in 2025. Darnold spent the 2023 season as a 49ers backup. The incoming rookie quarterback class is currently viewed as a thin group, which could spur teams to pursue Jones via a trade rather than rolling the dice on a questionable prospect. Barrows notes that the Dolphins, Cardinals and Vikings “are running Shanahan’s offense or something similar,” and views all three as potentially interested parties.