Ravens DT Nnamdi Madubuike Will Not Return In 2025
Ahead of their Week 4 game, the Ravens placed Nnamdi Madubuike on injured reserve. At the time, it remained unclear how long the Pro Bowl defensive tackle would be absent. 
When speaking to the media on Monday (video link), head coach John Harbaugh revealed a return will not be taking place. Madubuike’s neck injury will leave him sidelined for the remainder of the campaign. Today’s news marks a major blow to a defense which exited Sunday with a number of high-profile injuries.
Madubuike has spent his entire career in Baltimore after entering the league in 2020. The former third-rounder emerged as an impactful player along the defensive front while playing out his rookie contract, and the franchise tag was used last offseason to ensure a free agent departure would not take place. In the end, team and player worked out a four-year, $98MM deal.
That monster pact fell in line with the surging defensive tackle market and cemented Madubuike’s status as a foundational player for the Ravens moving forward. The 27-year-old posted his third consecutive season without any missed games in 2024. Instead of that being the case once more this year, however, he will turn his attention to a lengthy recovery process. The Ravens will now move forward with a depleted D-tackle group.
Fellow starter Broderick Washington is on injured reserve, and Sunday marked the first of at least four games he will miss as a result. Travis Jones was also inactive yesterday, leading to a defensive front comprised entirely of backups against Kansas City. That setup may prove to be necessary moving forward, depending on Jones’ status. Baltimore has veterans John Jenkins and Brent Urban, along with sixth-round rookie Aeneas Peebles, in line to handle an increased workload the rest of the way.
Those depth options will not be able to replace Madubuike’s impact against the pass, however. The Texas A&M product earned second-team All-Pro honors with 13 sacks in 2023. He followed that up with 6.5 last year, leading to a second straight Pro Bowl nod. Madubuike notched a pair of sacks this year prior to being injured in Week 2.
While his attention will now turn to recovery, the 1-3 Ravens will aim to rebound on defense. Baltimore leads the league in points allowed, but making needed improvements will be challenging without Madubuike in the picture.
Giants Owner John Mara Diagnosed With Cancer
John Mara announced on Monday that he has been diagnosed with cancer. The Giants’ co-owner made it clear he will remain involved with the team as he proceeds with treatment. 
“I have recently been diagnosed with cancer and have been following the treatment plan recommended by an outstanding team of doctors,” a statement from Mara reads in part. “I’m feeling strong and optimistic, and I’m committed to seeing this through to a positive outcome. I plan to remain active with the team throughout my treatment, and I’m fortunate to be surrounded by incredible support – personally, professionally, and medically.”
Mara was present for yesterday’s game at MetLife Stadium. The 70-year-old will presumably continue to be a regular figure at the Giants’ headquarters as much as possible based on his statement. Mara’s time with the Giants dates back to 1991.
That span includes his tenure as the team’s general counsel which was followed by time spent as the Giants’ executive vice president and COO. When Mara’s father Wellington passed away in 2005, he took on his current role as president in addition to co-owner. Alongside chairman and EVP Steve Tisch, Mara has overseen the organization ever since.
It remains to be seen how much of an impact this news will have on the day-to-day operations of the franchise. For now, at least, Mara’s diagnosis has left him in position to continue working in his current capacity on a regular basis. Hopefully that will remain the case through the course of his treatment.
Texans Open Practice Windows For DE Denico Autry, S Jaylen Reed
Texans defensive end Denico Autry and safety Jaylen Reed will both return to practice this week after starting the season on reserve lists, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
Their 21-day return window will officially open on Tuesday when the Texans hold their first practice of the weeks. Autry and Reed will need to be activated by the end of that period; if not, they will revert to a reserve list for the rest of the season. Returning to practice as soon as they were eligible is a good sign that neither player will be subject to that worse-case scenario.
Autry was placed on the physically unable to perform list at the beginning of training camp as he recovered from a 2024 knee injury that lingered into this season. He played through it in 2024, appearing in 10 games (two starts) after a six-game suspension sidelined him to start the year. The injury affected Autry’s production, which took a significant dip relative to the rest of his career.
Houston’s defensive line has otherwise been healthy to start the season, so Autry can take his time ramping up in practice before officially starting his 12th NFL season.
Reed, a sixth-round pick in April’s draft, sprained his knee in training camp and was placed on injured reserve with a return designation during final roster cuts. The Texans are thin at safety after releasing C.J. Gardner-Johnson, so Reed would offer some depth upon his return. However, the rookie is untested against NFL-caliber competition after missing the preseason and will be unlikely to see the field upon his return outside of special teams work.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/29/25
Here are the NFL’s practice squad transactions immediately following Week 4.
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: RB D’Ernest Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OT Logan Brown
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DB Alex Johnson, RB Blake Watson
- Released: RB Raheem Blackshear, T Andrew Rupcich
The Broncos wanted to re-sign Watson to their practice squad, per Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette, but they would have had to wait until Week 7 after a previous injury settlement with the second-year running back. Watson is now healthy and preferred to sign with a new team as soon as possible.
Bengals Make RG Switch
SEPTEMBER 29: Cincinnati did opt to make a switch at right guard, starting Rivers in place of Risner for their Monday night matchup with the Broncos.
SEPTEMBER 26: The Bengals are considering a change at right guard for Week 4 after veteran Dalton Risner‘s struggles in the last two weeks.
Lucas Patrick won the starting job out of training camp, but landed on injured reserve after Week 1 with a calf injury. He will be eligible to return in Week 6.
The Bengals were originally planning to start Risner until then, but he injured his calf in Week 3 with rookie Jalen Rivers finishing the game.
Though Risner appears to be healthy this week – he was a full participant in practice on Thursday – head coach Zac Taylor indicated (via Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer) that the team was considering starting Rivers in Week 4. Risner has not played well this year; his 42.4 grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) is the ninth-worst among guards with at least 125 snaps this year.
Rivers only received a 50.7 grade from PFF in Week 3, but practicing with the first-team could improve his chemistry and confidence for Week 4.
“This week, I’m getting some reps with the 1s,” said Rivers, per Conway. “Getting the cadence down. Being next to the guys, [center Ted Karras] and [right tackle Amarius Mims], just gelling with them. If I am in on Monday…it’s good to gel with the guys. Monday Night Football, everyone is watching, they are going to trust me, I’m going to make the most of my opportunity.”
Starting Rivers would introduce a second rookie into the Bengals’ starting OL. Third-round pick Dylan Fairchild has started all three games at LG, with somewhat disappointing results. His 52.3 PFF grade ranks among the bottom-20 guards (min. 125 snaps).
There is certainly some risk with starting a pair of rookie offensive linemen, though they won’t be responsible for protecting franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. Rivers and Fairchild would instead be playing in front of backup Jake Browning, who has struggled under pressure since taking over the starting job. It’s not that the Bengals don’t care about Browning’s health, but they might be willing to roll the dice with him under cetner rather than Burrow.
The Bengals have struggled to develop their drafted offensive linemen over the last few years, but starting Rivers could help his long-term progression. He would get starting reps against starting-caliber competition, which could be a baptism by fire that helps him in the long run.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/29/25
Four teams are playing on Monday night, three of which made elevations from their practice squad. Here are those transactions and the rest of today’s minor moves from around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed from practice squad: RB Michael Carter
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on IR: WR DeAndre Carter
Denver Broncos
- Elevated from practice squad: LB Garret Wallow
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed from Cowboys’ practice squad: LB Buddy Johnson
Miami Dolphins
- Signed from practice squad: K Riley Patterson
- Placed on IR: CB Jason Marshall
New York Giants
- Placed on IR: WR Malik Nabers (story)
- Waived: OLB Tomon Fox
New York Jets
- Elevated from practice squad: S Dean Clark, LB Mykal Walker
With Jason Sanders on IR, Patterson has been the Dolphins’ kicker to start the season. The team used up his three practice squad elevations in the first three games, so he had to be signed to the active roster to play in Monday night’s game vs. the Jets.
Marshall, a fifth-round pick in April’s draft, played a rotational role in a depleted Dolphins secondary in Weeks 1-3. The unit will now need to turn to depth options like Cornell Armstrong and Julius Brents.
Cardinals Open DT Bilal Nichols’ Practice Window
The Cardinals opened the 21-day practice window for defensive tackle Bilal Nichols to return from the physically unable to perform list, per team writer Zach Gershman.
Since Arizona played on Thursday night in Week 4, they started their practice week on Monday with Nichols in the mix. The eight-year veteran started the 2025 season on the physically unable to perform list after sustaining multiple stingers in 2024 that turned into a season-ending neck injury. He will have three weeks to practice before he must be added to the active roster or revert to the PUP list for the rest of the season.
Nichols’ return would be a major boost to a Cardinals defensive line that has been decimated by injuries. Veterans Justin Jones and L.J. Collier are already out for the year, while first-round rookie Walter Nolen landed on the PUP list before training camp even began. Second-year defensive tackle Darius Robinson also left last week’s game with a chest injury and did not practice on Monday.
The injuries have forced the Cardinals to rely heavily on third-year UDFA Dante Stills alongside veteran starters Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson. Campbell and Tomlinson have largely held up, but Stills’ 47.2 grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) is the seventh lowest among defensive linemen with at least 115 snaps. (Robinson’s 35.5 grade is the second-lowest in the same group.) As such, Nichols’ return would significantly help reinforce the unit.
“[Nichols] can play a couple of different hats for us,” said head coach Jonathan Gannon after Monday’s practice. “Good to have him back out there today. He plays the way we want him to play. He’s got energy and juice, so it was good to see him out there.”
Opening Nichols’ window as soon as he became eligible is a good sign for his return timeline, but neck injuries are notoriously tricky and the Cardinals are unlikely to rush him back to the field.
Chargers T Joe Alt Suffers High Ankle Sprain
SEPTEMBER 29: Monday’s MRI has confirmed the diagnosis of a high ankle sprain. Rapoport reports Alt is now seeking second opinions, although in any case a notable absence is in store.
SEPTEMBER 28: As if it hadn’t been through enough, things went from bad to worse for the Chargers offensive line today when offensive tackle Joe Alt was carted off the field with an ankle injury, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Rapoport followed up that report with news that X-rays on the ankle came back negative for broken bones but that a high ankle sprain was the preliminary diagnosis. Alt will undergo MRI testing tomorrow to determine the severity of the injury. 
The Chargers came into today down two starters on the offensive line already. Regular left tackle Rashawn Slater is already out for the season with a torn patellar tendon, and starting right guard Mekhi Becton was ruled out for Week 4’s game due to a concussion. They lost their third starter on the line when Alt was carted off, leaving only center Bradley Bozeman and left guard Zion Johnson as the last of the original first-team offensive line remaining.
While we know Slater isn’t coming back to the field until next year, Becton should be back as soon as he clears concussion protocol. Alt’s timetable for return will depend on the results of the upcoming MRI. A high ankle sprain usually means an absence of, at least, a couple weeks. If the injury is severe enough, it could take months for Alt to return to the line. An absence of that length would be brutal for a team that has had such a promising start to the season.
Alt was only playing left tackle for the Chargers because of Slater’s injury. With Alt vacating the right tackle spot he played in his rookie campaign, Los Angeles has been starting Trey Pipkins on the right side. When the Chargers lost their second left tackle in as many months, it was Austin Deculus who came in to fill out the first-team offensive line at left tackle.
Pipkins had had prior experience as a starting tackle for the Chargers, though his time in that role was partially the reason for the team drafting Alt. He shifted in to a starting guard spot once Alt came in, but his return to a starting tackle role was not a necessarily difficult move. Deculus, on the other hand, has only started one game in his four-year NFL career, and even including that start, he has never played more than 38 snaps in an NFL game.
Deculus’ lack of experience is only a potential concern if Alt’s MRI comes back with bad news. If it turns out that the Alt is in for an extended absence, the Chargers will have to navigate that time with two backup tackles. They should know more about what they’re dealing with tomorrow.
Opinions Split On Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill’s Trade Value
The Dolphins enter tonight’s contest with a record of 0-3. Especially if Miami loses, attention will turn to the possibility of changes on the sidelines and/or in the front office. 
Head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier are viewed as being on the hot seat, although owner Stephen Ross‘ preference is to finish out the season with the current regime remaining in place. Regardless of what happens on that front, Miami falling to 0-4 would lead to increased speculation surrounding Tyreek Hill‘s future.
The All-Pro receiver has been linked to trade talk for much of his Dolphins tenure, especially in the aftermath of his decision to pull himself from the team’s season finale in 2024. Conversations with McDaniel helped smooth things out to an extent, but it would come as little surprise if a trade were to be explored at some point by Miami. Should that take place, opinions are split with respect to the compensation in a potential deal.
Jeff Howe of The Athletic polled a number of NFL coaches and executives to gauge the market of a Hill trade (subscription required). Nearly half (six of 13) predicted the Dolphins could receive a third-round pick, which would fall in line with recent receiver deals worked out before the deadline. In 2024, both Davante Adams and Amari Cooper fetched third-round picks in their respective trades.
Cooper was on an expiring contract at the time, but Adams had term on his pact. However, the lack of future guarantees essentially made him a rental for the purposes of the trade. Hill is in a similar situation; the 31-year-old is on the books through 2026 but none of his scheduled base salary for next year ($29.9MM) is locked in.
Hill’s status as a rental (for all intents and purposes) could make him an attractive target for contending teams, especially in the case of a reunion with the Chiefs. The Steelers have also been floated as a suitor for Hill, although the most recent update on that front indicated Pittsburgh is no longer interested in a swap. Price would of course be a major factor in any trade agreement, and Howe’s poll drew responses stating a Day 3 pick is all Miami could expect for dealing away Hill.
Speculation about a trade taking place comes against the backdrop of domestic violence allegations made by Hill’s ex-wife which emerged earlier this month. Hill has denied the allegations, but in the absence of certainty regarding a criminal case being launched or an NFL investigation opening – neither of which have happened as of yet – suitors could understandably hesitate on the trade front.
Miami’s passing attacks ranks 20th entering Monday’s action. Hill topped 100 yards in Week 2 but his other games have been quiet with respect to production. The six-time 1,000-yard wideout has plenty of time to rebound in terms of his statistical impact, but it remains to be seen if that will include a full campaign with the Dolphins.
Commanders To Place DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste On IR
3:00pm: Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed (via Jhabvala) Jean-Baptiste suffered a pectoral injury and will miss extended time as a result (although the door is open to a return late in the year). Surgery is in store, along with a move to injured reserve.
9:51am: The Commanders appear to have suffered another blow at the defensive end spot. Javontae Jean-Baptiste is feared to have suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 4, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports. 
An MRI will be used to confirm the diagnosis. Provided a torn pec is indeed the case in this instance, though, Jean-Baptiste could miss the remainder of the campaign. The 2024 seventh-rounder made 12 appearances as a rookie during the regular season and played in each of Washington’s three playoff games. He served in a depth capacity while doing so.
Jean-Baptiste handled a 30% snap share on defense this season, and he would have been in line to remain a part-time contributor at the DE spot moving forward if not for the injury. A lengthy rehab process will be in store for the 25-year-old provided a torn pec is confirmed with further testing. That would leave Washington even thinner at the position given the team’s other injuries early in the campaign.
Deatrich Wise suffered a season-ending quad injury in Week 2, something which prompted an in-season addition along the defensive line. Preston Smith returned to Washington in the wake of Wise’s injury, although he has yet to play in 2025. The 10-year veteran could be counted on to handle a notable role once he is fully prepared to suit up given the Commanders’ injury situation.
Jean-Baptiste’s rookie contract runs through 2027, so he has plenty of time to return to full health and contribute for Washington. That may not be possible until next season, however. Especially if the worst-case scenario is to be confirmed in this case, the Commanders could again find themselves in the market for an addition via trade or free agency.