The European games have created a new NFL viewing window on Sunday mornings. And while the numbers aren’t shabby, they’re nothing close to what NFL games do in the more traditional windows.
Via Nielsen, the Week 4 Colts-Commanders game from London averaged 4.987 million viewers on NFL Network.
In 2025, the six Sunday morning international games on NFLN averaged 6.2 million viewers.
That next chance to improve the international performance comes on Sunday, when the Eagles face the Jaguars at 9:30 a.m. ET. In Week 6, it’ll be Texans-Jaguars in London.
The next week, the Steelers meet the Saints for the NFL’s first-ever game in Paris. Two weeks later, it’s Falcons-Bengals in Madrid. The European series ends in Week 10, with the Patriots and Lions in Germany.
The NFL wants to expand the maximum number of international games from 10 to 16. That would mean even more Sunday morning games. And while the numbers aren’t great in comparison to other standalone windows, it’s bonus viewership in comparison to the usual cluster of Sunday afternoon games.
The NFL trade deadline is still a month away, but Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is one of the NFL players who could find a new home in the coming weeks.
He finally hired representation, recently signing with agents Todd France and Tory Dandy after previously representing himself. That has increased speculation that Harrison expects to be dealt.
Harrison said Thursday isn’t listening to the trade rumors.
“Truthfully, I pay it no mind,” Harrison said, via ESPN. “I’m only focused on Detroit, helping the Cardinals win football games at the moment. So whatever rumors you’re talking about, I don’t pay it no mind.”
ESPN reports that the Cardinals are not shopping Harrison, but other teams are doing their due diligence. The Colts are among those teams.
Harrison’s father, Marvin Harrison Sr., became a Hall of Famer in Indianapolis.
Harrison has five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown, with his 12 targets ranking fifth on the team.
Coach Mike LaFleur again expressed confidence in Harrison, but Harrison has yet to live up to being the fourth overall pick in 2024.
The Colts practiced without wide receiver Ashton Dulin (hamstring) and defensive end Arden Key (hamstring) on Thursday.
Neither player has practiced this week.
It does not bode well for their availability for Sunday’s game.
Linebacker Jaylon Charles (ribs) also has missed both practice days this week.
Center Tanor Bortolini (ankle) returned to practice with limited work Thursday, and linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee) was a full participant after not practicing Wednesday.
Wide receiver Keenan Allen (rest/groin) and cornerback Charvarius Ward (rest/groin) were limited a second consecutive day.
The Steelers did not have a couple of defensive backs for Wednesday’s practice as they begin to get ready to face the Colts.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey (wrist) and cornerback Jamel Dean (ankle) both did not participate.
While defensive tackle Cameron Heyward also didn’t practice, he was given a veteran rest day.
Additionally, running back Rico Dowdle (toe) and receiver Michael Pittman (foot) were both limited.
Dowdle has missed the last two games with his injury.
The Colts won in London last Sunday, but it was not a day cornerback Sauce Gardner would like to remember.
Gardner got beaten on a pair of deep balls and his substandard effort at trying to chase down Commanders wideout Antonio Williams on a long touchdown that was ultimately called back due to a penalty earned him plenty of criticism after the game. On Wednesday, Gardner called film of his performance “definitely embarrassing to watch.”
“There was multiple plays where my effort was not there,” Gardner said. “That’s not what I stand for. That’s not the type of person I am. That’s not the type of player I am. That’ll never happen again.”
Gardner said he doesn’t have “an answer” for why his effort was lacking against the Commanders before reiterating that it won’t happen again in the future. Given the price the Colts paid to get him, that’s the least the team will be hoping to see from him in the future.
