Lions Extend RB David Montgomery
The Lions’ highly effective backfield tandem is set to remain intact for years to come. David Montgomery has agreed to an extension which will keep him in place through 2027, as noted by FOX2’s Dan Miller.
The deal is now official, per a team announcement. As a result, Montgomery has become the latest Lion on the offensive side of the ball to land a new contract. The 27-year-old has proven to be a strong fit in the team’s scheme since arriving as a free agent in 2023. Adding financial details to the agreement, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports this will be an $18.25MM deal including $10.5MM guaranteed. 
Montgomery began his career with the Bears, immediately serving as a key member of their offense during his rookie campaign. He logged no fewer than 201 carries during his four years in Chicago, remaining highly durable despite that heavy workload. Across his tenure in the Windy City, however, the former third-rounder only averaged 3.9 yards per carry and questions were raised about his efficiency coming off his rookie contract.
The Bears were interested in retaining Montgomery on a new deal last spring, and an offer was made. Minnesota was also interested in a contract, but he wound up making a different intra-divisional move. Montgomery joined the Lions to serve as the team’s Jamaal Williams replacement. The Iowa State product inked a three-year, $18MM pact to head to Detroit. Guaranteed salary only existed on the first two years of the pact, however, and it was set to void in February 2025. That helps explain the timing of this move.
Of course, a mutual desire would also naturally exist to continue this relationship given how productive it has proven to be. Running behind one of the league’s top offensive lines, Montgomery topped 1,000 rushing yards for the second time in his career last season at a career-best rate of 4.6 yards per attempt. He added a personal best 13 touchdowns, which ranked tied for third in the NFL amongst running backs. The early portion of the current campaign has also yielded strong numbers; Montgomery has found the end zone once in every game so far in 2024.
The Lions used the first of their two Day 1 selections on Jahmyr Gibbs last April, adding him as a high-upside complement to Montgomery in the backfield. The Alabama product – as expected – had notable production in the passing game (52 catches, 362 yards) as a rookie, and an expanded role was planned in the offseason for 2024. Indeed, Gibbs has seen his number of carries increase to 13.5 per contest this year, and he has remained efficient on the ground and productive overall (four total touchdowns). While Gibbs plays out his rookie contract, Montgomery will remain in place after receiving a raise.
The latter will now be attached to the seventh-highest AAV amongst running backs after previously ranking 14th in that regard. Montgomery will be expected to remain a strong short-yardage and red zone contributor over the coming years as Gibbs continues to develop. If that tandem can remain arguably the league’s best, Detroit’s offense will be among the most efficient on the ground for several years.
The 2024 offseason saw quarterback Jared Goff, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and offensive tackles Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker each land multi-year extensions. Those players will stay in place as pillars of the offense for the foreseeable future. Montgomery’s new pact is much smaller in value, but it too will help ensure a notable degree of continuity on that side of the ball for the Lions.
Broncos Place Josh Reynolds, Luke Wattenberg On IR, Activate Audric Estime
Josh Reynolds recently underwent finger surgery, and it will keep him sidelined for a notable period. The Broncos wideout was placed on injured reserve Saturday, per a team announcement. 
Reynolds had already been ruled out for Week 6, with further missed time being on the table. Today’s move confirms he will be sidelined for at least the next four games, something which will create a notable vacancy in Denver’s receiving corps. The free agent pickup’s 138 yards rank second on the team this season.
Finding production through the air will be a key goal moving forward for the 3-2 Broncos. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix has shown signs of improvement compared to his opening two contests, but without Reynolds in the fold Courtland Sutton will be leaned on even more in the passing game. The likes of Marvin Mims, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, DeVaughn Vele and fourth-round rookie Troy Franklin will be counted on to help fill the void created by the 29-year-old’s absence.
Lloyd Cushenberry departed the Broncos in free agency, landing a big-ticket deal with the Titans. His departure left an opening on a Denver offensive line which is otherwise spoken for in terms of first-team contributors. A competition amongst internal replacement options took place during the offseason, with Wattenberg edging out Alex Forsyth for the gig. Wattenberg, 27, hardly played during his first two seasons in Denver but he logged every snap to begin the 2024 campaign before going down in Week 5.
Forsyth took over at center last week, and he represents a logical candidate to start moving forward. Drafted in the seventh round last year (after playing with Nix at Oregon), Forsyth did not see any playing time as a rookie. The 25-year-old dressed for each of Denver’s first four contests but only logged special teams snaps before Wattenberg’s injury. That could change over the coming games.
In more positive injury news, rookie running back Audric Estime was activated from IR. The fifth-rounder was injured in Week 1, so Sunday’s contest marked the earliest point at which he could be brought back into the lineup. Estime practiced this week, suggesting he would indeed be activated today. With Tyler Badie on injured reserve, a depth role should await him right away behind Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin.
Chargers Place RB Gus Edwards, CB Asante Samuel Jr. On IR, Activate LB Nick Niemann
The Chargers made a number of IR-related moves ahead of their Week 6 contest. The team placed running back Gus Edwards and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. on injured reserve while activating linebacker Nick Niemann. 
As a result, both Edwards and Samuel will be shut down for at least four games. The former has been dealing with an ankle injury which kept him out of practice coming out of Los Angeles’ bye week. His absence will leave a vacancy in the Bolts’ backfield, one which has a Ravens background given the presence of J.K. Dobbins along with offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
Roman – not to mention head coach Jim Harbaugh – has a reputation for leaning heavily on the ground game, so expectations pointed to a heavy workload for Edwards when he signed in free agency this spring. The former UDFA spent each of his first six years in the league with Baltimore, proving to be effective when healthy. Edwards missed the 2021 campaign due to an ACL tear, but upon return he remained efficient the following year. Last season, the 29-year-old set career highs in rushing yards (810) and touchdowns (13). His absence will lead to a larger workload for Dobbins moving forward.
Samuel is dealing with a shoulder injury. He managed to practice on two occasions this week, but that was not the case yesterday and this IR stint will give him a long runway to recover in full. The former second-rounder has been a full-time starter throughout his career, which began in 2021. Samuel was limited to 12 games as a rookie, but he played a full season each of the following two years. Missed time as a pending free agent is of course an unwanted circumstance for team and player.
The Florida State product won out a training camp competition for the slot corner job last year, but he wound up primarily playing on the outside. That has been the case throughout Samuel’s tenure, and in both the 2022 and ’23 campaigns he earned a top-30 PFF grade amongst qualifying corners. His performance this year has not been viewed as highly, but overall the Chargers rank ninth against the pass. Remaining strong in that category will require compensating for Samuel’s absence.
Niemann, like many other players around the league, was designated for return from IR ahead of the cutdown deadline in August. That allowed the Chargers to avoid naming him to their initial 53-man roster, though it did use one of the team’s eight IR activations. After missing the requisite four games, Niemann – a key special teams presence in his first three Los Angeles campaigns – will be able to make his season debut tomorrow.
Woody Johnson’s View Of Jets’ Jeff Ulbrich Improved Following 49ers Interest
Jeff Ulbrich was added to the Jets’ staff in 2021 as defensive coordinator, a role he held until this week. Now in place as New York’s interim head coach, Ulbrich has seen his stock within the organization rise over time. 
The 47-year-old was not highly thought of by owner Woody Johnson after his first two years working under Robert Saleh. Ulbrich was a potential target of Johnson’s during the 2023 offseason with respect to coaching changes, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated notes (video link). Johnson’s view changed that winter, however, when 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan showed interest in Ulbrich as a potential San Francisco defensive coordinator replacement for DeMeco Ryans.
Ulbrich was blocked before an interview could take place that year, but he remained on the 49ers’ radar. As The Athletic’s Matt Barrows writes, San Francisco once again tried to “pry [Ulbrich] from New York” this February (subscription required). That renewed effort was unsuccessful, and the 49ers promoted Nick Sorenson to DC after Steve Wilks was dismissed. Now, Ulbrich – who spent his entire 10-year playing career in the Bay Area – is believed to be held in high regard by Jets players and staffers alike as he begins his first stint as an NFL head coach.
New York has ranked no worse than fourth in yards allowed since 2022, and the team’s total defense sits in the top five for the third time in the past four years. Ulbrich will retain play-calling duties on that side of the ball, and expectations will remain high as improvements on offense are sought out. Ulbrich followed through with Saleh’s intention of handing play-calling duties to Todd Downing, taking them away from offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett in the process.
“This is more a byproduct of a different take on things,” Ulbrich said of the decision (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini). “I’m not saying it’s a better or worse take on things by any means, but just a different take on things, a fresh approach.”
In addition to calling plays, Ulbrich confirmed Downing will have control over the offensive game plan moving forward. Hackett will still hold the title of OC, although this week’s changes will leave him with a notably reduced role. For Ulrich, the remainder of the campaign will prove to be an audition period as he attempts to stake his claim to the full-time Jets gig. Should New York go in a different direction this offseason, though, the 49ers would represent a team to watch closely regarding another pursuit.
Broncos WR Josh Reynolds To Miss Time
The Broncos will be shorthanded at the receiver spot for a stretch. Josh Reynolds underwent finger surgery, as first reported by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2.
As a result of the procedure, Reynolds will miss Denver’s Week 6 game against the Chargers. Further time on the shelf could be in store as well, per Wilson. Missing the free agent pickup for any extended stretch would hinder a receiving corps which has not posted strong numbers to date.
The Broncos rank 22nd in scoring (19.2 points per game) and are averaging only 164 yards through the air through five contests. The development of first-round rookie quarterback Bo Nix is of course a central factor in the team’s improvement on offense, but Reynolds will be missed while he recovers. The latter ranks second on the team with 183 receiving yards.
Courtland Sutton‘s name was again mentioned in trade speculation this offseason, but he and the Broncos reached agreement on additional incentives for the 2024 campaign. Sutton remains under contract through 2025, and with Jerry Jeudy having been dealt to the Browns (along with Tim Patrick‘s release) he has been leaned on as Denver’s top wideout. The team also has Marvin Mims, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, DeVaughn Vele and fourth-round rookie Troy Franklin in place at the receiver spot.
Reynolds had a strong season with the Lions in 2023, posting 608 yards and five touchdowns. Detroit showed interest in retaining the 29-year-old, but the team did not submit a market level offer. Reynolds cited the presence of head coach Sean Payton as a reason he signed with the Broncos on a two-year, $9MM pact. That investment has made him a key figure on offense, but the 3-2 outfit will need to get by without him for a short-term period.
Raiders Place TE Michael Mayer On NFI List
Brock Bowers has enjoyed a strong start to the 2024 season, but his fellow Raiders tight end will be absent for an extended period. Michael Mayer was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list Friday, per a team announcement. 
As a result of the move, Mayer will be sidelined for at least the next four games. Specifics on his situation are not yet known, but it was announced a personal matter is the cause for today’s transaction. The 23-year-old suited up for Vegas’ first three games, but he has been absent ever since.
Viewed as one of the top prospects at his position in the 2023 draft class, Mayer was selected early in the second round. That led to high expectations, and he flashed potential with 304 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 27 receptions during his rookie campaign. Known more for his well-rounder skillset than his pass-catching upside, Mayer was joined this offseason by Bowers. One of the most celebrated rookie tight ends in recent memory, the latter – selected 13th overall in April – has already racked up 28 receptions for 313 yards and one score.
Bowers will continue to be leaned on in the passing game moving forward, especially with Davante Adams absent. A deal sending the All-Pro wideout continues to be negotiated, and Bowers could soon stand alone as Vergas’ top target on offense. Week 6 will see Aidan O’Connell start at quarterback after Gardner Minshew struggled in Sunday’s loss to the Broncnos.
O’Connell will be at the helm of a shorthanded offense, though, with Adams out of the fold and Mayer set to miss extended period. Bringing the Notre Dame product back into the fold will give Bowers a notable complement at the TE spot, but it remains to be seen when that will take place.
Packers WR Romeo Doubs Expected To Play In Week 6
Last week, Romeo Doubs was absent from practice and subsequently suspended for one game by the Packers. The third-year wideout has returned to the team, though, and no further issues in his case are expected. 
“The one thing I’ll say about it is, I mean, it’s a pretty isolated incident,” head coach Matt LaFleur said (via Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). “Like this has not happened with him before. I don’t expect it to happen moving forward.”
Shortly before the Packers announced their decision to suspend Doubs for conduct detrimental to the team, multiple reports stated Doubs was unhappy with his role in Green Bay’s offense this season. The 24-year-old currently ranks third on the Packers with 20 targets, and his 169 yards place him second on the team. His share of the passing attack has taken a step back compared to last season, but Doubs has remained a full-time starter in 2024. When speaking publicly for the first time since his suspension, he denied his workload drove last week’s absence.
“I had to make sure that I got the family together again,” Doubs said as a reference to the Packers’ receiver corps (h/t The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman). “I’d say there was some things going on off the field, so as far as just the organization and just the staff, players, there’s nothing going on within that area, so I just wanna make myself clear there.”
Doubs added he “had some things going on mentally” last week, while stating he is better now and expressing regret about how he handled the situation. The former fourth-rounder recently had a productive meeting with the team, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, positioning all parties involved to move forward. Questions were raised about a potential Doubs trade in the wake of last week’s events, but no such move is expected to receive consideration on Green Bay’s end.
Beginning again in Week 6, the Nevada product will likely handle a key role in the passing game. Doubs posted a 59-674-8 statline last season, and repeating that production could set himself up for an extension as early as this spring. For the time being, though, he and the Packers will look to put the suspension in the past and avoid any similar situations arising.
Pats, S Brenden Schooler Agree To Extension
A key member of the Patriots’ special teams unit is set to remain in place for years to come. Brenden Schooler agreed to an extension on Friday, per his agency. 
As noted by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, this will be a three-year, $9MM pact. $3.6MM is guaranteed, and incentives bring the maximum value of the contract to $10.5MM. Schooler is now on the books through the 2027 season.
This marks a considerable raise for Schooler compared to his previous AAV of $858K. The Oregon and Texas product was on track to hit restricted free agency this offseason. A tender decision has now been avoided with a long-term commitment, however.
Schooler joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2022, and he managed to make 16 appearances as a rookie. He has remained a regular ever since, but the two snaps he logged last year represent his only playing time on defense. A heavy special teams workload (between 77% and 89% each campaign) has allowed Schooler to carve out an important role, though, and that will remain the case moving forward.
Of course, the Patriots had one of league’s top special teams aces in Matthew Slater throughout his decorated 16-year career. The 10-time Pro Bowler retired this offseason, creating a notable vacancy for New England’s third phase unit. Schooler, 27, has maintained a key role in that department in 2024, and the Pats currently rank third in the league in special teams DVOA.
Now, he will continue to be counted on as an anchor in that department with Slater having transitioned to an advisory role. The Patriots entered today with ample cap space, and their spending power ranks among the league’s highest in future seasons. Absorbing this pact will not be a problem as a result, and expectations will remain high on special teams with Schooler landing a new deal.
Browns’ James Hudson Undergoes Shoulder Surgery; T Likely Out For Season
The Browns’ injury woes along the offensive line continue. James Hudson – who has seen time at both tackle spots this year – revealed on social media he underwent shoulder surgery this week. 
No firm timeline is in place with respect to his recovery, but Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal writes the injury is expected to be season ending. At a minimum, a stint on injured reserve should be expected. Moving Hudson to IR would ensure at least a four-game absence, but a longer period than that where he is unavailable is likely in store.
With Jedrick Wills missing time during the year and Jack Conklin remaining sidelined through five weeks, the offensive tackle spot has been in flux in 2024. Hudson has started three of his four appearances this year, filling in as needed along the line. He injured his shoulder in Week 3 but managed to suit up for the following contest. The 25-year-old has not practiced since that game against the Raiders, though, and the surgical route has now been taken.
Especially if the injury proves to shut him down for the remainder of the campaign, the timing of the ailment will be particularly problematic for Hudson. The former fourth-rounder is currently in the final year of his rookie contract, so signficant missed time will hinder his market value. It will also add further to the injury situation Cleveland has dealt with throughout the year at the tackle spots but also along the interior of the O-line.
In a positive update on that front, Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot notes Conklin will be active for Week 6. That will mark his first game action since the ACL tear he suffered in Week 1 last season, although head coach Kevin Stefanski did not specify what Conklin’s role will be on Sunday. If he and Wills can remain healthy, Hudson’s absence can be compensated for the rest of the way. If not, being without their swing tackle will deal a blow to the Browns’ bid to rebound from their 1-4 start.
Cardinals Open DL Darius Robinson’s Practice Window
OCTOBER 11: Robinson experienced discomfort with his calf during Thursday’s practice, Gannon said. As a result, he will not be activated in time for Week 6. Plenty of time will remain for Arizona to being Robinson into the fold before his 21-day activation clock expires.
OCTOBER 7: Darius Robinson was sidelined for the Cardinals’ first five games of the season, but he could be close to suiting up. The first-round rookie had his practice window opened on Monday, per Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. 
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Robinson suffered a calf injury in August, threatening his Week 1 availability. To little surprise, Arizona elected to designate him for return from injured reserve ahead of the roster cutdown deadline. Teams were permitted to do so with two players in 2024 as part of an IR rule tweak, and the Cardinals took that route with Robinson as well as O-lineman Christian Jones.
During a five-year run at Missouri, Robinson primarily worked along the defensive interior. During the 2023 campaign, however, he played on the edge and enjoyed success in a pass-rushing role. The 23-year-old racked up 8.5 sacks (a major jump compared to his previous career high of 3.5) along with 14 tackles for loss. That production put him in the first-round conversation, and Arizona selected him at No. 27.
Robinson’s addition came about as the Cardinals sought to bolster their pass rush. That unit suffered a notable blow before the regular season even started when BJ Ojulari suffered an ACL tear, shutting him down for the campaign. Especially with Ojulari out of the picture, Robinson could find himself logging at least a notable rotational role once he is activated.
Today’s move opens gives Arizona 21 days to officially bring Robinson onto the active roster. One of the team’s eight IR activations was already used when he was designated for return, which also applies to Jones. The latter practiced last week, though he has yet to be activated. A move on that front for he and Robinson should be expected to take place relatively soon.