NFL Player News

Fowler noted, as he did in his post-combine article over the weekend, that Kyler Murray and Geno Smith are the likely “tier-one” options for the Vikings, who are expected to be one of the premier destinations for available quarterbacks this offseason. Tagovailoa, who still needs to be traded or released by the Dolphins, could be a name to watch for the Vikings in the coming weeks, but it sounds like KOC and company will target other players before settling on Tua. Tagovailoa struggled mightily last season on his way to throwing for 2660-20-15 in 14 games, but could bounce back in the right setting.

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.

It’s a tough break for Bourne, who was getting more involved with the offense following the trade of Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Texans. If his season is over, he finishes it with a 26-263-0 receiving line on 38 targets. He also topped 70 yards twice in the seven games he appeared in. Bourne signed a two-year, $10 million contract earlier this offseason but can be released by the Cardinals in exchange for a $2.2 million dead cap hit. It wouldn’t be surprising if the 10-year vet was playing elsewhere next season.

After holding out part of the offseason for a new deal that was fitting for a starting QB in the league, Brissett now finds himself as the QB3 of the Cardinals entering Week 9. There’s a good chance this is the end of the road for Brissett as far as his time with the Cardinals is concerned, as a handful of dire QB situations around the league could warrant a trade to a contender who is looking to upgrade at QB before the trade deadline. Brissett was solid last season for a three-win Cardinals team, throwing for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 12 starts. He currently sports a 1,719-10-7 line this season but has struggled in his last three starts, throwing just one touchdown to two interceptions. With Brissett being demoted to QB3, rookie Carson Beck will be elevated to QB2 on game days, and draws ever closer to making his first career start at some point in the season.