Ravens OLB Tavius Robinson To Miss Extended Time
The Ravens’ pass rush group was thinned out by last week’s decision to trade away Odafe Oweh. The unit will be shorthanded to a even larger extent moving forward. 
Head coach John Harbaugh announced on Monday (video link) that Tavius Robinson suffered a broken foot in Week 6. As a result, the third-year outside linebacker is facing an absence of six to eight weeks. This will mark the first missed time of Robinson’s career.
The 26-year-old Canadian handled a part-time defensive workload as a rookie, but he took on a much larger role last season. After starting seven games in 2024, Robinson worked as a first-team presence each game this year and handled a 65% snap share prior to going down. That workload was set to remain high through the remainder of the campaign, especially with Oweh no longer in the picture.
Instead, the Ravens will be forced to move forward with an EDGE group led by veteran Kyle Van Noy. Baltimore also has David Ojabo and second-round rookie Mike Green in place as candidates to take on an increased role with Robinson sidelined. Second-year pass rusher Adisa Isaac is still in the team’s plans for 2025 after being designated for return from IR during roster cutdowns.
When speaking about Isaac on Monday (video link), Harbaugh said a return in mid-to-late November is expected. Isaac – who missed most of his rookie campaign through injury – sustained ligament damage in his elbow during the 2025 preseason. He continues to rehab the ailment, and a depth role should be in store upon return given the lack of available pass rushers for Baltimore at the moment.
Robinson totaled 13 pressures in 2024 and was well on his way to increasing that figure this season with five through his first six games. Given the former fourth-rounder’s ability to move inside in certain situations, his absence will be acutely felt on a Baltimore defense which ranks at or near the bottom of the league in several categories. After the Ravens acquired two new safeties last week, it will be interesting to see if a pass rush addition is targeted in the wake of today’s news.
Vikings Designate LB Blake Cashman For Return From IR
Blake Cashman has been out since Week 1, but he could be back in the fold for the Vikings soon. The veteran linebacker returned to practice today, per a team announcement. 
Cashman suffered a hamstring injury during Minnesota’s season debut, and it quickly became clear he was in line to miss multiple weeks. The team’s decision to move him to injured reserve came as no surprise as a result, and it ensured an absence of at least one month. A return in time for Week 7 could now be in store, however.
Today’s move will open Cashman’s 21-day practice window. Minnesota must activate him within that span to avoid having Cashman revert to season-ending IR. Provided things go as planned over the coming days, the 29-year-old could be back in place as early as Sunday, something which would be welcomed by the team.
Cashman operated as a full-time starter last season, his debut campaign with his hometown team. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota native set a new career high in tackles (112) and sacks (4.5) along the way, illustrating his importance to the team’s defense. A first-team role should again be in store for Cashman once he is activated.
The former fifth-rounder is under contract for next season, but none of his scheduled base salary for 2026 ($6.9MM) is guaranteed. As such, managing to remain healthy the rest of the way will be key for Cashman as he looks to reprise his role from 2024 as a productive contributor and in doing so help his chances of remaining in Minnesota for at least one more year. DC Brian Flores‘ unit ranks fifth in points allowed, and adding Cashman will help it remain among the league’s best through the rest of the campaign.
The Vikings have already used one IR activation on fullback C.J. Ham, and the decision to use the designated for return option on pass rusher Tyler Batty during cutdowns accounts for another. Minnesota will be down to five activations once Cashman is back in the fold.
Eagles DE Za’Darius Smith Retires
Za’Darius Smith has taken part in five of the Eagles’ six games this season, but his time with Philadelphia is abruptly coming to an end. The veteran pass rush announced on Instagram Monday that he is retiring. 
“Who would’ve thought that a kid from Greenville, Alabama, with just one year of high school football experience, would go on to play professional football in the NFL for 11 incredible years,” Smith’s announcement reads in part. “Football has transformed my life and my family’s lives forever – and for that, I’m forever grateful.”
Smith has served as a starter for much of his career, and he notched four sacks upon arriving via trade in Detroit last season. In spite of that, the three-time Pro Bowler remained unsigned through training camp. One day after opening the campaign, the Eagles signed Smith to a one-year deal. He has played in all five of the team’s games since then, logging a 38% snap share.
Today’s announcement comes as quite the surprise as a result, as Smith was in position to continue handling a rotational role with his latest team. Instead, his NFL career has come to an end. This decision is a personal one and not tied to his playing time in Philadelphia, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. Nevertheless, an Eagles team which entered the campaign with questions about pass rush production will be shorthanded moving forward. This news could steer the team toward a trade for an edge rusher in the near future.
Smith entered the league as a fourth-round pick of the Ravens in 2015. He flashed potential with 5.5 sacks as a rookie, and after developing into a regular on defense posted 8.5 sacks in the final year of his rookie contract. That resulted in a big-ticket free agent deal with the Packers, the first of three NFC North teams Smith wound up playing for in his career.
Following his 2022 release from Green Bay, Smith seemed to have a Ravens reunion lined up. In the end, however, he signed with the Vikings. That did not lead to a lengthy tenure in Minnesota, as the Kentucky alum was traded to the Browns after one season. Smith was limited to just one game in 2021, but across his healthy campaigns with Green Bay and Minnesota he amassed 36 sacks. Expectations remained high for continued production with the Browns.
Smith was unable to establish himself as a long-term complement to Myles Garrett with a downturn in sack totals during his one full Cleveland campaign. After Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending injury last year, Smith was named as a candidate to be dealt to the Lions. That took place as expected, and during this past offseason Smith remained in contact with Detroit even after being released in a cost-shedding move.
With no deal being worked out on that front, though, Smith eventually took a pact with the Eagles. The defending Super Bowl champions have lost two straight but they sit at 4-2 on the year and could again find themselves in contention for a deep postseason run in 2025. The team’s plans ahead of the deadline could now include the pursuit of a Smith replacement.
Smith will now turn his attention to his post-playing days at the age of 33. He exits the NFL with 154 combined regular and postseason appearances and nearly $91MM in career earnings.
Browns Willing To Trade DT Shelby Harris
After Sunday’s loss, the Browns sit at 1-5 on the year. The team has already authorized two notable trades, sending Greg Newsome to the Jaguars in a swap for fellow cornerback Tyson Campbell after Joe Flacco was dealt to the Bengals. 
It would come as no surprise if other trades were to take place ahead of next month’s deadline. Provided the Browns continue to sell, a number of veterans will presumably draw trade interest. One of those is defensive tackle Shelby Harris.
The Browns will listen to offers on Harris, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports. Likewise, ESPN’s Adam Schefter names the 11th-year veteran as one of the league’s top trade candidates. Harris is a pending free agent, so he would be viewed as a rental for an acquiring team. With a base salary of just $2MM, the 34-year-old would also be an affordable target for any number of suitors.
Cleveland invested a second-round pick in defensive tackle Mike Hall last year. The Ohio State product has yet to play this season, but Cabot notes he is nearing a return to full health. When that takes place, Hall will join Mason Graham – selected fifth overall in April after the Browns traded out of the No. 2 slot – as a tandem along the defensive interior for years to come. With those two in the team’s plans well beyond the current campaign, Harris could be deemed expendable in the near future.
The former seventh-rounder has 135 appearances and 84 starts to his name. Harris was a first-team presence through much of his five-year Broncos run before heading to Seattle as part of the Russell Wilson trade. After a single campaign with the Seahawks, the Illinois State alum signed the first of two contracts with the Browns. In addition to drafting Graham this offseason, though, the team added Maliek Collins in free agency, something which threatened to limit Harris’ playing time.
As a result, Harris was a cut candidate this summer. The Browns elected to keep him in the fold through training camp and into the start of the season, and Harris has handled a 42% snap share so far. He could offer a rotational presence to a contending team for the second half of the campaign, and it will be interesting to see how strong of a market develops on the trade front in this case.
Jets Still Committed To Justin Fields As Starting QB
Justin Fields was absent from Week 3 while recovering from a concussion. Head coach Aaron Glenn made it clear at the time, however, that the starting gig would be his upon return. 
Indeed, Fields has led New York’s offense since he came back in Week 4. Things have largely not gone according to plan with the free agent signing in the lineup, though, and that was especially the case on Sunday. During the Jets’ loss to the Broncos in London, Fields amassed just 45 passing yards while being sacked nine times.
Following the Jets’ 13-11 loss, Glenn was asked whether or not a quarterback change is being considered. Benching Fields – who inked a two-year deal this spring containing $30MM guaranteed – would result in veteran Tyrod Taylor taking over. Once again, Glenn offered a reply stating Fields will remain atop the depth chart at this point.
“There’s a number of guys that, you know, I mean, sometimes this league is like this,” Glenn said when asked if Fields will be benched (video link via SNY). “There are guys that have bad games. That doesn’t mean you just bench him.”
Across his four games with the Jets this year, Fields has completed 67% of his attempts while posting a passer rating of 100.1. Both of those marks are career bests. The 26-year-old has also matched his personal watermark with an average of 7.1 yards per attempt, and he has yet to throw an interception. With an additional 204 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, it is easy to see the appeal of keeping Fields in place moving forward. The former Bear and Steeler is already owed $10MM in guaranteed salary for next year, something which adds further to the upside of maintaining the current depth chart from Glenn’s perspective.
Taylor has been with the Jets since last season. During that time, he has made just four appearances and one start (while Fields was sidelined). The 36-year-old is a pending free agent, so any extended run as QB1 would of course be key in determining his market value next spring. For now, at least, Taylor should not be expected to take over.
Glenn and the Jets fell to 0-6 with today’s loss. As such, New York is expected to operate as a seller ahead of next month’s trade deadline. No quarterback moves are anticipated in that respect, but by the time the second half of the campaign begins it will be interesting to see if Fields is still viewed as the team’s starter.
Packers Sign K Lucas Havrisik
OCTOBER 12: McManus is among the Packers’ inactives for today. As a result, it will indeed be Havrisik handling kicking duties for at least one game.
OCTOBER 11: With Brandon McManus‘ status in question, the Packers auditioned a pair of kickers earlier this week. One of those was Lucas Havrisik, and he now has a deal in place. 
The Packers announced on Saturday that Havrisik has been signed to the active roster. That means he will be available to the team for tomorrow’s game against the Bengals. Green Bay had two open roster spots heading into today, making the decision to sign an insurance option a relatively easy one.
McManus is dealing with a quad injury, one head coach Matt LaFleur deemed a “major concern.” In spite of that, McManus said on Thursday he plans on playing in Week 6. In case that does not wind up happening, it will be Havrisik taking on kicking duties in his place. The Packers could have turned to International Player Pathway Program member Mark McNamee, but he will remain on the practice squad at this time.
Havrisik kicked in nine games for the Rams last season. During that period, the 26-year-old was perfect from within 40 yards. Beyond that distance, however, he only went four for nine; Havrisik also missed three of his 22 extra point attempts. His stock was boosted this spring during a spell with the UFL’s Arlington Renegades which included conversions on 22 of 25 field goal kicks.
The 2-1-1 Packers are coming off their bye week, and they will be expected to deliver a strong scoring output given the struggles of the Bengals’ defense. The kicking game may not be particularly relevant depending on how things play out, but it will nevertheless be interesting to see monitor McManus’ status for Sunday and beyond. In the event he misses any time, Green Bay’s contingency plan is in place.
Mexico City To Host NFL Game In 2026
In recent years, the NFL has explored a number of new markets for international games. One reason for that has been the inaccessibility of Mexico City for staging games, but that will not be the case next year. 
Commissioner Roger Goodell announced earlier this month (via the Associated Press) the league will once again hold an international game in Mexico City. Renovations to Azteca Stadium have been ongoing in anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Starting next season, though, a return will take place.
A total of four games have been played at Azteca Stadium to date, covering a span from 2016-22. The Chiefs-Rams game scheduled to be played there in 2018 had to be relocated due to field conditions. That will no doubt be a concern on the league’s part ahead of its return to Mexico City, but a regular season contest is being planned for next year. It is unknown at this point which teams will be taking part.
The current campaign includes seven overseas games, but expanding that figure has long been known as an NFL priority. As such, it would come as no surprise if Mexico City became a staple of the International Series moving forward. In any event, a key element of future international games will be the position of the NFLPA in terms of issues related to travel, playing surfaces and recovery. This year, positive reviews have generally been the common perspective on those fronts.
“I was pleased to hear from players — a lot of very positive comments — and that the clubs on this trip took a lot of that seriously and were listening to players,” NFLPA interim executive director David White said during an interview with Mike Jones of The Athletic (subscription required). “That’s our primary concern: Are our players being listened to?… So, I was very pleased with that overarching experience — and there were certain issues that people raised — but for the most part, the clubs on these trips seemed like they were doing a pretty good job.”
A setup in which 16 regular season games are played outside the United States on an annual basis – one international game per team per year – is the NFL’s target at this point. That could very well feature one or more contests taking place in Mexico City each season, depending on how next year’s return plays out.
Cardinals To Start QB Jacoby Brissett In Week 6
OCT. 12: Brissett will start on Sunday. Murray is inactive, the team announced.
OCT. 11: The door is open to Kyler Murray handling quarterback duties for the Cardinals this week. As things stand, however, it is unlikely that will be the case. 
Jacoby Brissett is expected to get the nod on Sunday, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler. Brissett has made a pair of appearances this season, his debut campaign in Arizona. He has yet to make a start for his latest team, though.
[MAILBAG: Looking Into Possible Cardinals Offseason Moves]
Barring an unforeseen development, that will change tomorrow. Murray is still a possibility in terms of suiting up, but he was limited in practice on Friday after missing the previous two days. The former No. 1 pick’s foot ailment is a version of a Lisfranc injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. As a result, Murray’s absence may not be limited to one game. His status will certainly be one to watch closely.
As of yesterday, the Cardinals were uncertain of their Week 6 starter; that left the team to craft plans for both Murray and Brissett. The latter is now in position to take on QB1 responsibilities for at least one week, however. Brissett has 53 starts and 83 appearances to his name. That includes a four-year spell with the Colts; Arizona will play Indianapolis in Week 6.
That Indy tenure included starting duties for two seasons. Brissett has also seen a multi-game run atop the depth chart with the Browns in 2022 while filling in for the suspended Deshaun Watson and at the start of last year before the Patriots handed the reins over to Drake Maye. The 32-year-old has not managed to post a winning record during any of his QB1 runs, but he will be counted on to keep Arizona’s offense afloat for at least one contest.
The Cardinals opened the season with two straight one-score wins, but they have lost three straight contests on game-ending field goals. Murray will be counted on to continue playing a central role in the efforts to reach the postseason when healthy, but his recovery process will determine the point at which he is back to full strength. It would come as little surprise if the Cardinals proceeded with caution in terms of his return to action given Murray’s status as their franchise passer (something all-but confirmed past the current campaign through his contract structure).
The 4-1 Colts have started out N0. 3 in the league in terms of points allowed this season. However, new DC Lou Anarumo‘s unit sits just 19th against the pass and injuries in the secondary remain a concern. That group will look to improve beginning tomorrow against a shorthanded Cardinals offense.
Broncos Activate Malcolm Roach, Place Ben Powers On IR
Malcolm Roach returned to practice recently, a development suggesting he could be available to the Broncos for Week 6. That will indeed be the case. 
The veteran defensive tackle was activated from injured reserve on Saturday, per a team announcement. Given the timing of when Roach had his 21-day practice window opened, it was expected Denver would make this move. He is now in line to make his season debut during the Broncos’ matchup with the Jets in London.
Roach is one of several former Saints who reunited with Sean Payton upon arrival in Denver. The 27-year-old logged a full campaign last year, setting new career highs in tackles (43) and sacks (2.5) along the way. Roach also recorded a personal best in terms of usage rate with a 42% snap share. A similar workload could be in store upon his return.
The Broncos’ defensive line also includes Zach Allen, D.J. Jones and John Franklin-Myers, of course. That trio has remained healthy through the early stages of the 2025 campaign and as long as that continues, each of its members will handle a large workload. Even in that case, Roach will be counted on to fill in on a part-time basis moving forward. As a pending free agent, his performance upon retuning to action will be key in determining his market value.
To make room on the roster, the Broncos moved starting left guard Ben Powers to injured reserve. The 2023 free agent signing suffered a biceps injury in Week 5, and shortly after that game it became clear an IR stint would be necessary. Powers has not missed a game to date in his Denver tenure, but that will now change. A return to action in December is the team’s target in his case.
With Powers sidelined for at least the next four games (but quite probably more), depth up front will be something to monitor. The Broncos have elevated Calvin Throckmorton from the practice squad for tomorrow’s game. The former UDFA played two games last season with Denver, and he is now in position to make his season debut on Sunday.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/11/25
Saturday’s taxi squad moves:
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: T Brant Banks
- Released: DL Deslin Alexandre