Raiders To Place LT Kolton Miller On IR

Kolton Miller signed a second Raiders extension this offseason, locking in the Jon Gruden-era draftee for the long term under yet another new Las Vegas power structure. But the new regime will have a look at what a Miller-less offensive line looks like for a while.

The Raiders are placing Miller on IR, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. An MRI on Miller’s ankle revealed a high ankle sprain and a hairline fracture, per RapSheet. This move will park the Raiders tackle for at least four games, leading to big changes up front.

This will ensure Miller matches his career high in missed games. He missed four in 2023; otherwise, Miller has been a reliable piece on a Raiders O-line that continues to see turnover. The eighth-year blocker is signed to a three-year, $66MM extension — after angling for a new deal during the offseason.

Pete Carroll said Monday the Raiders would turn to Stone Forsythe, one of the new HC’s former Seahawks charges, if Miller missed time. The Raiders will go from a 111-start player to one whom the Giants waived upon moving their roster to 53 players last month. The Raiders quickly scooped up Forsythe for their 16-man practice squad and have used him as a backup in four games thus far.

Miller, 30, went down shortly before the Raiders’ game-winning field goal attempt against the Bears. He played 17 games last season, and the Raiders’ solutions when Miller went down in 2023 is no longer rostered. Both Justin Herron and Jermaine Eluemunor, each an ex-Patriot brought in during Josh McDaniels‘ short HC stint, started in place of Miller in 2023. Forsythe represents one option, with Carroll adding rookie Charles Grant could push for playing time. The third-round pick out of Division I-FCS, however, has been inactive all season.

The Raiders used two Day 2 picks on O-linemen last year — Jackson Powers-Johnson, DJ Glaze — and doubled down to start the Carroll-John SpytekTom Brady era by drafting Caleb Rogers and Grant at Nos. 98 and 99. Neither rookie blocker has been active this season. Grant comes from William & Mary, and the team gave him work at both tackle spots during his first NFL offseason. Glaze sits as the Raiders’ RT starter, while Rogers is another backup option.

This could certainly be a big loss for Vegas, as Miller is one of the NFL’s better tackles. Through four games, Pro Football Focus ranks the 6-foot-8 blocker fourth among all tackles. ESPN’s pass block win rate metric slots Miller ninth this season. PFF graded Miller as a top-15 tackle in each of the previous four seasons. A former Seahawks fourth-rounder, Forsythe has made 14 career starts. He logged 213 left tackle snaps in 2023, but all of his 2024 action came on the right side.

Bills Sign P Mitch Wishnowsky, Place P Cameron Johnston On IR

The Bills finished their Week 4 game without their usual kicker and punter. Cameron Johnston joined Tyler Bass as injured specialists in Buffalo, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport indicating the punter would miss time with a leg injury.

As a result, the Bills will add former 49ers staple Mitch Wishnowsky, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Wishnowsky is joining Buffalo’s 53-man roster. Rather than carry two punters on the active roster, Buffalo is placing Johnston on IR, per Schefter. The 33-year-old will now miss at least four games after suffering an injury on a roughing the punter penalty in a win over the Saints last Sunday.

Wishnowsky, also 33, is already the third punter the Bills have employed this season. Interestingly, he joins Johnston as the second Australian the Bills have used at the position this year.

The Bills began 2025 with Brad Robbins as their punter, but they cut him loose after he averaged 39.5 yards per boot (38.0 net) in a win over the Ravens in Week 1. Johnston, a former Eagle, Texan, and Steeler, averaged 44.0 yards with a nearly identical 37.9 net in two games before landing on IR.

A 49er from 2019-24, Wishnowsky carries a career average of 45.6 yards per punt and 40.7 net. He played in just nine games last year before going on IR with a season-ending back injury in mid-November. Wishnowsky began this season on the Commanders’ practice squad, but they released him on Sept. 13. He’ll now get an opportunity to give the undefeated Bills something they haven’t found in 2025 — a solution at punter.

Browns Place WR Cedric Tillman On IR, Sign WR Malachi Corley From Practice Squad

The Browns will be without their No. 2 wide receiver for a while. Cedric Tillman Jr. sustained a hamstring injury in the team’s loss to the Lions, and the team announced it will lead to an IR stay.

Kevin Stefanski had confirmed (via the Akron Beacon Journal’s Chris Easterling) Tillman would be out “in the weeks department”; the IR trip will sideline the third-year receiver for at least four games. The Browns signed wideouts Malachi Corley and Gage Larvadain to their 53-man roster from the practice squad. Cleveland also waived cornerback Cameron Mitchell, a 2023 fifth-round pick who started four games from 2023-24.

Although the Browns signed Diontae Johnson, he never appeared to threaten Tillman’s spot. Cleveland released the nomadic veteran on roster-cutdown day and turned to the player whose role had increased following last year’s Amari Cooper trade. The Cooper Bills swap opened the door for more Tillman work alongside Jerry Jeudy, and the former third-round pick did enough to keep that top sidekick gig entering this season. Tillman reached 75 receiving yards in his first three starts, teaming with Jameis Winston last year, but could not build on that momentum.

Tillman started six games last season but did not finish the campaign on Cleveland’s active roster, missing six games to close the season. Tillman, who did not enjoy a big role as a rookie, missed three games during that season. This represents another setback in the Tennessee product’s development. He has 11 catches for 106 yards this season.

Cleveland entered the season light on receiver experience, carrying Tillman as Jeudy’s top wingman. Only two other receivers — Jamari Thrash and rookie UDFA Isaiah Bond — are on the Browns’ 53-man roster. Bond, a draft prospect who fell off the board due to off-field trouble, figures to see a bigger role. The Texas alum caught three passes for 58 yards against the Lions. Bond was not indicted after an arrest on sexual assault charges, leading to his Browns signing soon after. Beginning his career at Alabama, Bond did not eclipse 700 receiving yards in a college season but garnered draft interest from several teams.

The Browns also placed wideout DeAndre Carter on IR, thinning their receiver position further. Journeying the league as a return specialist, Carter joined the Browns this offseason. A knee injury will lead Carter off Cleveland’s 53-man roster. This will force the Browns into multiple changes, with Carter serving as their primary kick and punt returner.

The Jets drafted Corley atop Round 3 last year, with the Western Kentucky alum famously drawing a Draft Day-like “no matter what” reference from then-decision-makers Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh. After slogging through a rough rookie year, Corley did not impress the Jets’ new decision-making team and was waived last month. The Browns added him to their practice squad soon after. Corley, who caught just three passes for 16 yards last season, has not played in a Browns game yet.

Saints’ Cesar Ruiz Suffers High Ankle Sprain

Although the Saints are 0-4 and in a transition phase this season, they still roster a host of starters beyond their rookie contracts. Six such vets are on the offensive side of the ball, including eight-figure-per-year cogs Erik McCoy, Juwan Johnson and Cesar Ruiz. The sixth-year guard will be shuttled out of New Orleans’ lineup for the foreseeable future.

Ruiz sustained a high ankle sprain against the Bills in Week 4, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, who indicates a four- to six-week timetable may be the return range here. This would stand to make Ruiz an IR candidate. Scans will determine Ruiz’s timetable, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football, who initially reported the former first-round pick would be expected to miss game action.

The Saints have used Ruiz as a starter throughout his career; he is currently part of a line that features four first-round picks and McCoy (a 2019 second-rounder) as starters. Ruiz, McCoy and Alvin Kamara are the only starters remaining from the Saints’ most recent playoff team — the 2020 edition — and the right guard is signed to a four-year, $44MM extension. That deal runs through the 2027 season.

Despite being in Year 6, Ruiz is still just 26. He has made 73 career starts, though he did miss eight games from 2022-24. Knee and ankle trouble limited Ruiz to 13 games last season, and he missed three contests in 2022. That said, Ruiz has never played fewer than 13 games in a season, managing to avoid serious injuries.

With the Saints not a playoff contender, it should be expected they will be cautious with a player who likely factors into their post-2025 plans. Ruiz has started slowly this season, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 73rd among guards. Because of a recent restructure on Ruiz’s contract, cutting him in 2026 would bring a $16.85MM dead money bill.

The Saints used both their allotted summer IR-return slots, dropping their activation count from eight to six. Ruiz would stand to reduce that number to five if he goes on IR, as this is not a season-ending injury. The Saints also have backup Dillon Radunz battling a turf toe malady. A former Titans guard signed this offseason, Radunz started at left guard in place of Trevor Penning in the season’s first two games. Penning is now back in the lineup. Rookie UDFA Torricelli Simpkins replace Ruiz after he was carted off the field during the Saints’ loss to the Bills.

Commanders To Sign WR Robbie Chosen

Robbie Chosen has lined up his next NFL opportunity. The veteran receiver is signing with the Commanders, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

This will be a practice squad agreement. Chosen – whose moniker has shifted from Robby Anderson to Robbie Anderson to Chosen Anderson over the course of his NFL tenure – has bounced around the league in recent years. The 32-year-old’s most recent regular season action came with the Dolphins last season.

Following a lengthy spell on the open market, Chosen took a workout with the 49ers in early August. That visit produced a deal along with playing time in the preseason, but San Francisco did not keep the former UDFA on the roster during cutdowns. Chosen remained unsigned through the first month of the campaign, but he has now landed a chance with Washington.

The Commanders were without receivers Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown last week, so it comes as little surprise depth is being targeted as those two continue to recover. General manager Adam Peters was not in the 49ers’ organization during Chosen’s time there this summer, but the Temple product is hardly the first player to have spent time with San Francisco before signing with the Commanders. It will be interesting to see if he receives any looks on the active roster in the near future.

Many of Chosen’s best seasons came with the Jets (including a career-high seven touchdowns in 2017). He enjoyed a 1,000-yard campaign in 2020, his first year under former college coach Matt Rhule with the Panthers. After a tumultuous exit from the Panthers, Chosen has not managed to secure a full-time role in the NFL. His latest opportunity to chip in offensively will come in the nation’s capital.

Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey, LB Roquan Smith To Miss Time

The Ravens exited Sunday’s game with a 1-3 record and a slew of injuries. Baltimore’s efforts to rebound will include missed time from multiple key defenders.

Cornerback Marlon Humphrey exited the Ravens’ loss to the Chiefs with a calf injury. The ailment is not season-ending, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Humphrey is expected to miss multiple weeks. Likewise, linebacker Roquan Smith is dealing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain (per Rapoport). Smith is in store to miss time as well.

These updates come in the wake of head coach John Harbaugh announcing on Monday that defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike will be out for the remainder of the campaign due to a neck injury. Losing the two-time Pro Bowler for the rest of the season will deal a massive blow to the Ravens along the defensive line. Multiple games spent without Humphrey and Smith will also leave the team notably shorthanded in the secondary and at the second level.

Humphrey was limited to 10 games in 2023. Otherwise, the ninth-year veteran has largely avoided major injuries over the course of his career. Humphrey witnessed a downturn in production before setting new career highs in interceptions (six) and pass breakups (15) in 2024. Those figures helped him earn a fourth Pro Bowl invite and a spot on the first All-Pro team for the second time in his career.

The Ravens have 2024 first-rounder Nate Wiggins in place as a starter, although he too went down with an injury on Sunday. Baltimore signed Jaire Alexander in free agency after his release from the Packers; the oft-injured Pro Bowler has only played once this season, though, while attempting to ramp up after significant missed time in training camp. Fellow veteran Chidobe Awuzie could see an uptick in usage with Humphrey sidelined, and former fourth-round pick T.J. Tampa is another candidate for an increased workload.

Smith formed a strong partnership alongside Patrick Queen upon arriving via trade in 2022. The former Bears first-rounder has remained a foundational member of the team’s defense since Queen’s free agent departure in 2024. Smith has amassed 432 tackles and five sacks across 45 games with the Ravens, and while he has drawn criticism for his struggles in coverage the 28-year-old’s play against the run will be missed during his absence.

Baltimore has made recent draft investments at the linebacker spot in the form of Trenton Simpson (third round, 2023) and Teddye Buchanan (fourth round, 2025). The latter has handled a 69% defensive snap share early in his rookie campaign, and that will no doubt rise provided Smith remains sidelined for a notable period. Simpson is a likely candidate to take on a full-time starting role alongside Buchanan for the time being.

The Ravens have two games remaining until their bye. Given the timeline for Humphrey and Smith, both could be unavailable until after that point. As Baltimore looks to dig out of an early hole, the team will be forced to do so with a depleted unit on defense.

Saints Designate TEs Taysom Hill, Foster Moreau For Return

During final roster cuts, the Saints moved Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau to the reserve/PUP list. That ensured at least a four-game absence for both veteran tight ends.

This week marks the first point at which Hill and Moreau can return to practice. That will indeed be the case, since the team has officially opened the practice window for both players. The Saints have 21 days to activate each of them to avoid a season-ending absence.

The fact Hill and Moreau have been designated for return at the first possible opportunity is of course an encouraging sign for their respective outlooks. Hill’s 2024 campaign was cut short by an ACL tear, while Moreau suffered a knee injury of his own during New Orleans’ season finale. In both cases, a lengthy recovery period included missed time during training camp. Given this news, though, their rehab processes have gone according to plan.

Hill’s contract was restructured shortly before the start of the season. The 35-year-old saw a portion of his base salary converted into per-game roster bonuses (taking into account the fact he would be sidelined for the first month of the campaign). Hill remains a pending free agent, so managing to avoid any injuries in 2025 while carving out a role of one kind or another within new head coach Kellen Moore‘s offense will be key in establishing his value for the spring.

Moreau, 28, is also entering the final year of his pact. With 413 yards and 32 receptions in 2024, the LSU product essentially matched his career bests in those categories last year; Moreau also set a new personal mark with five touchdowns. Duplicating that production could be challenging with Juwan Johnson in the fold, but being back to full strength at the tight end spot will nevertheless be welcomed by the winless Saints.

New Orleans will take on the Giants in Week 5. Depending on how the next few days unfold, the team’s offense could have one or two more options available for that game.

Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill Suffers Dislocated Knee

11:27pm: Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed (via ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques) that Hill dislocated his knee and told media that the star receiver will remain in the hospital overnight. There is no word yet regarding any additional damage to Hill’s leg.

8:02pm: Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was carted off the field after a brutal leg injury on Monday Night Football against the Jets.

The Dolphins quickly announced that he was out for the game and would be taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. Hill is believed to have suffered a dislocated knee, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. If the diagnosis is confirmed, his season would likely be over, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. Ligament damage is also a concern with an injury of this nature, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Bleacher Report’s James Palmer.

[RELATED: Opinions Were Split On Hill’s Trade Value]

Hill went down early in the third quarter on a tackle by Jets rookie safety Malachi Moore. Trainers immediately put Hill’s leg in an air cast and teammates gathered around as the 10th-year receiver was loaded into the cart and ferried off the field. He acknowledged Dolphins fans on his way out of Hard Rock Stadium, as the injury could mark the end of his time in Miami.

Miami will be expecting Jaylen Waddle to take over as the team’s WR1 in Hill’s absence while hoping that 2024 draftees Malik Washington and Tahj Washington can step up. Veteran Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has had a quiet begin to his tenure as a Dolphin, but will likely be asked to take on an expanded role. The team also has five-year veteran D’Wayne Eskridge on their active roster and undrafted rookies AJ Henning and Theo Wease on the practice squad.

Hill, 31, may have played his last snap in a Dolphins uniform. With a $52MM cap hit scheduled for the 2026 season (via OverTheCap), Miami was not expected to keep Hill past this year. The team reworked the likely Hall of Fame-bound player’s deal in 2024, providing a guarantee influx of $54MM. Nothing is guaranteed beyond 2025, however, and the Dolphins did not add any years to Hill’s deal — one originally agreed to upon being traded to Miami in March 2022.

Trade speculation has followed him since the end of the 2024 season, including links to the Steelers and the Chiefs after the Dolphins’ slow start this year. The Chiefs now have Xavier Worthy back and intent to play through his labrum tear, and Rashee Rice is due back from a suspension in Week 7. The Steelers were believed to have removed themselves from the running for the historically elite speed threat due to the latest round of domestic violence allegations against him.

Hill’s ex-wife alleged a host of troubling allegations against him in a divorce filing, though no criminal charges have been filed. That differs from Hill’s past, which involved an ugly arrest while in college for domestic violence, but the NFL does not need a conviction or charges being filed to levy a suspension. Despite extensive off-field turmoil, Hill has yet to be suspended as a pro.

Obviously, a trade will no longer be possible, so the team’s only other option will be to part ways with Hill next offseason. He is due $35MM in compensation in 2026, including a $5MM roster bonus due on March 18, marking a clear decision point for Miami’s front office.

The Dolphins made a big commitment to Waddle weeks before agreeing to the Hill rework. Waddle is tied to a three-year, $84.75MM extension, a deal that runs through the 2027 season. Miami played the 2021 season with Waddle as its No. 1 target but traded for Hill upon hiring Mike McDaniel as HC, loading up around Tua Tagovailoa‘s rookie contract. The ex-Chiefs speed merchant posted back-to-back first-team All-Pro seasons, rewarding the Dolphins for the blockbuster swap. Those seasons also catalyzed Tagovailoa’s belated ascent and provided leverage for Hill’s guarantee influx, but three years still remained on the contract at the time of the adjustment. The Dolphins giving in and rewarding Hill early will make a 2026 separation costlier.

As we covered in our Dolphins Offseason In Review piece, that has been an issue for Dolphins GM Chris Grier, who has taken criticism as of late for his player-friendly M.O. Like the Jalen Ramsey separation, a Hill divorce will be more expensive because of the Dolphins appeasing him with an adjusted contract. Dolphins fans will see a preview of a post-Hill offense in the coming weeks.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

Browns Acquire Cam Robinson From Texans

In search of help at the left tackle spot, the Browns are making a move aimed at addressing the position. Cam Robinson is heading to Cleveland.

The Browns and Texans have worked out a Robinson trade involving a late-round pick swap, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Sixth- and seventh-round selections in 2027 are being swapped, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network add. The deal is now official, with Houston receiving the sixth-round pick in exchange for Robinson and the seventh-rounder.

The 29-year-old spent eight-plus years handling blindside duties with the Jaguars. Robinson’s time in Duval County came to an end midway through the 2024 campaign when he was traded to the Vikings. That move allowed him to fill in for an injured Christian Darrisaw through the remainder of the season. As a free agent, Robinson returned to the AFC South by inking a one-year pact with Houston carrying a base value of $12MM.

The majority of that compensation was already paid out as a signing bonus. As a result, the Browns will only take on the prorated remainder of Robinson’s $2MM base salary; $1.25MM in per-game roster bonuses are also present. This agreement will give Cleveland – a team which has struggled at both tackle spots early in the season en route to a 1-3 start – a veteran presence on the blindside. Robinson has 104 regular season appearances (all but two of those being starts) to his name.

Houston underwent a number of changes up front this offseason, one in which Laremy Tunsil was traded away. That appeared to open the door to Robinson handling first-team duties at the left tackle spot, but rookie Aireontae Ersery impressed during training camp. The second-round pick has handled the starting gig as a result, relegating Robinson to backup duties. The Texans looked into a trade during roster cutdowns, but the Alabama product remained in the fold through the first month of the campaign.

Despite Houston’s struggles up front so far, the team has elected to move forward with a trade this time around. Robinson will look to quickly work his way into Cleveland’s lineup. A strong run of play with the Browns will likely not be sufficient for a postseason berth to be possible, but it could help his free agent stock for next spring. With both tackle spots being a question mark for the Browns beyond the current season, Robinson could play his way into an extended stay in Cleveland depending on how the coming months unfold.

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski Noncommittal On Week 5 Starting QB

Joe Flacco has handled starting quarterback duties through the first four weeks of the season. Cleveland’s setup under center could change in the near future, though.

When speaking to the media on Monday, head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked repeatedly about the quarterback position. Flacco and the offense have not fared well so far, raising the possibility of a switch being made. Nothing is official yet, but Stefanski declined multiple opportunities to confirm Flacco will occupy the top spot on the depth chart in Week 5.

“I just would tell you, I understand the question and I understand the scrutiny that comes with the position,” Stefanski said (via Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal). “But we have to play better as an offense. We have to do a better job at all positions, including coaching. That’s really what I want to get across.”

Flacco has topped 200 passing yards only once this season, completing just 58.1% of his pass attempts. The 40-year-old has also thrown six interceptions compared to two touchdowns, figures which add to the case in favor of a change taking place. Flacco has long been expected to serve merely as a bridge QB during his second Browns stint with the reins ultimately being handed over to one of the team’s rookie passers.

Throughout the offseason, it became clear Cleveland’s preferred backup quarterback was Dillon Gabriel. That stance was confirmed after Kenny Pickett was dealt to the Raiders shortly before the start of the campaign. Taken in the third round of this year’s draft, Gabriel has seen spare usage during the closing stages in two of Cleveland’s three losses. His performances in that small sample size – three-of-four passing, one touchdown – will presumably not be a major factor in the decision Stefanski has yet to make (or at least announce).

Fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders is currently Cleveland’s third-string passer, meaning he has only been able to dress as the team’s emergency quarterback to date. If that were to change, Flacco would need to be relegated to QB3 status after handling the starter’s workload to start the campaign. Such a shift would certainly be a surprise, meaning the former Super Bowl MVP will likely find himself no lower than second on the depth chart for the time being.

The Browns also have Bailey Zappe on the practice squad. With 15 games and nine starts to his name, the former Patriots draftee could offer Cleveland a slightly more experienced alternative if Flacco is to be replaced. In any event, it was recently reported neither Gabriel nor Sanders will likely be able to do enough in the QB1 spot to prevent a first-round quarterback being taken in 2026.

For Gabriel in particular, receiving the opportunity to take over starting duties sooner rather than later could give him the time to change the Browns’ minds on that front. It will certainly be interesting to see if his first chance at the helm will come in Week 5, which will see Cleveland take on Minnesota in London.