NFL Player News

You are forgiven if you don’t know who this is. The Chiefs’ No. 3 quarterback, Oladokun was forced into action after Gardner Minshew joined Patrick Mahomes on the shelf with a knee injury. Like Mahomes, Minshew is also feared to have torn his ACL. Unlike Mahomes, Minshew confusingly tried to play through the issue for more than a quarter before finally admitting defeat. Injured on the opening series, he departed the following quarter. Playing without Rashee Rice, Oladokun lost 44 yards on four sacks, giving him a passing net of 67 yards. Don’t expect things to get much better in Week 17 against the Broncos, though Oladokun will at least know he’s playing this time. The major problem is, it’s a short-week Thursday night date with the Broncos’ elite defense. Avoid all Chiefs for the fantasy finals.

Washington, 24, is entering a contract year, coming off the best season of his career. He is reportedly expected to be the team’s No. 1 wide receiver. If Washington plays up to that standard, he will unquestionably be able to raise his asking price. Signing him to a deal right now could save the team money in the long term, but the front office evidently wants to see how he fares early in the year. Although this route could be costly, having a true No. 1 wide receiver affirm his financial value with top-tier play is a good problem to have.

The Broncos released him last week. A reunion is clearly possible. At 28 years old, he is likely best suited to a backup role while contributing on special teams.

According to ESPN’s Michael DiRocco, Lawrence’s offseason “was about gaining a graduate-level understanding” of coach Liam Coen’s offense. Last season, Lawrence was rehabbing an injury while attempting to change his footwork and adjust to a new play caller. He is now calmer and “can play more freely the way he did in the second half of last season.” Lawrence was the overall QB1 in total scoring from Weeks 9-18. If Lawrence and his pass catchers can carry the momentum into 2026, Lawrence can once again finish as an elite QB1, this time from Week 1 onward.

Kareem spent the last two seasons as a Falcons backup, totaling eight tackles and nine quarterback pressures. He will now fly to Australia ahead of the 49ers’ Week 1 game against the Rams.

It’s a reasonable assessment for a rookie who missed valuable spring and summer practice reps due to a recurring hamstring strain. Lemon reportedly admitted that he should have been “more professional off the field” regarding the injury, and Eagles WR coach Aaron Moorehead eventually told him to do “whatever” WR DeVonta Smith did during his own hamstring rehab program. Per McManus, “coaches say Lemon attacked the mental part of the game with high intensity as he waited to get healthy.” McManus believes Lemon should get playing time right away, but Smith and WR Dontayvion Wicks will “receive the bulk of targets while the rookie gets his footing.” Lemon must be safely stashed on benches at this time.

Flannigan-Fowles, 30, could end up contributing to a special teams unit elsewhere in the NFL.

McManus adds that “the feedback internally has been positive” regarding Hurts’ development. Mannion’s West Coast-style system is a “heavy under-center operation” that will increase the team’s play-action rate, decrease its shotgun usage and require the quarterback and his pass catchers to be on time throughout the play. Hurts has thrown more interceptions than beat reporters are “accustomed to seeing” in training camp, but McManus believes “some” of them can be chalked up to the learning curve that comes with a new system, particularly one featuring passes thrown over the middle. McManus adds that the offensive line depth’s emergence has been the biggest under-the-radar development this season, boding positively for Hurts’ performance in both the short- and long-term.

Per Garafolo, Mason is free to sign with and play for a team immediately. “All charges against Mason from an August 2025 arrest were dropped in April.” The arrest occurred five months after Mason had been released by the Texans in March 2025, and he remained unsigned throughout the 2025 season.

Odukoya is an international player from the Netherlands. He was most recently on the Patriots roster and spent 2024 with the Titans, playing just one regular season snap. If the Chiefs sign him, expect him to join the practice squad.

Regarding recently unretired DT Aaron Donald’s potential participation, McVay said that “if he feels good enough to go, great. If not, I’ve got a lot of confidence in the other guys.” The Rams have a two-game roster exemption for Donald, so they can take their time with him if they would like to. Regardless, the fact that he is traveling with the team suggests he has a real chance to play next week.