Buccaneers WR Mike Evans Expected To Miss Multiple Weeks
Mike Evans missed time last year due to a hamstring injury. The Buccaneers’ No. 1 receiver is once again in store for a stint on the sidelines for that reason. 
Evans suffered a hamstring injury on Sunday, and testing took place today to determine the extent of the damage. The worst-case scenario has been avoided, but a spell out of the lineup is still on tap. Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report Evans is expected to miss multiple weeks.
Notably, this latest ailment is affecting the opposite hamstring which was injured last season. The 2024 injury led to an absence of three games and nearly cost Evans his streak of 1,000-yards campaigns. Per the NFLN report, the six-time Pro Bowler’s current hamstring injury is less severe than the one he suffered last season. As such, there is optimism a long-term absence will again be avoided.
That would of course be welcomed news for a Buccaneers team which has dealt with numerous key injuries already in 2025. Tampa Bay’s offensive line is far removed from full strength, while the team’s WR room has been without Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan to date. Godwin could be back in the fold as early as Week 4, and with Evans now set to miss that game the Bucs would very much stand to benefit from a return on that front.
Evans has averaged 10 yards per reception so far this season, which represents a career-worst figure. The 32-year-old will break a tie with Jerry Rice for the most consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns (12) if he can reach that mark again in 2025. Today’s news will make it more challenging for Evans to do so, however.
The Texas A&M product recently revealed he could retire after the 2025 season. As a pending free agent, his future beyond the current campaign is unclear, and that will be especially true if serious thought is given to hanging up his cleats. For now, Evans’ attention will turn to recovering from his latest short-term ailment.
49ers Open To Edge Rush Trade Addition
The 49ers have started the season 3-0 but yesterday brought about a massive blow to their defense. Testing on Nick Bosa‘s knee revealed he suffered an ACL tear. 
As a result, San Francisco’s top pass rusher will be sidelined for the remainder of the season. Replacing Bosa’s production will be a challenge if in-house options are relied upon as replacements. An outside move could be made as well, as head coach Kyle Shanahan noted.
“There’s got to be trade options that make sense for you and another team, but you can’t just do that stuff just to do it,” Shanahan said when speaking about the possibility of acquiring a pass rusher via trade (h/t Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio).
For the most part, a by-committee approach will of course be needed to compensate for losing Bosa. First-round rookie Mykel Williams has already established himself as a key figure along the defensive front, and that will need to continue moving forward. Veterans Yetur Gross-Matos (who is in his second campaign with the 49ers) and Bryce Huff (who was acquired via trade this offseason) are in the fold, and they could see an uptick in usage now that Bosa is sidelined. Gross-Matos is a pending free agent, while Huff is on the books through 2026 (although his base salary for next season is not guaranteed).
In both cases, then, a strong showing to close out the current campaign would be key ensuring an extended stay in the Bay Area. At least one of Gross-Matos or Huff could land a full-time starting gig moving forward; the latter has recorded one sack in each of the past two games while handling a 48% snap share. Huff is not known as a strong run defender, on the other hand, something which could lend itself to an outside addition as a depth option.
The likes of Za’Darius Smith (Eagles), Jadeveon Clowney (Cowboys) and Preston Smith (Commanders) have signed with their new teams early in the season, taking them off the market. The trade route will be explored to no surprise, but the 49ers may need to wait several weeks before the list of sellers becomes more clearly defined. In any case, it will be interesting to see if a deal is pursued with Bosa out of the picture.
Giants RB Tyrone Tracy To Miss Time
The Giants will be shorthanded in the backfield for a stretch. Tyrone Tracy suffered a dislocated shoulder during the team’s Week 3 loss, and he is set to miss time. 
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Tracy is expected to miss between two and four weeks while recovering from the injury. As a result, Tracy is set to be sidelined for regular season action for the first time in his young NFL career. The 2024 fifth-rounder logged a full campaign as a rookie, and he continued operating as a regular on offense this year prior to going down on Sunday.
As the Giants began the post-Saquon Barkley era, Tracy emerged as a key figure in the backfield. He started 12 games and amassed 230 touches in 2024; that workload resulted in 1,123 scrimmage yards and six total touchdowns. Early in the current campaign, the 25-year-old’s efficiency has taken a step back on a Giants offense which has underperformed twice in three games. Still, Tracy’s absence will be felt over the coming weeks.
In the meantime, New York will move forward with veteran Devin Singletary as an experienced backfield option. The team also has fourth-round rookie Cam Skattebo in the fold as a candidate for an increased workload. Skattebo received only two carries during his debut, but he has handled double-digit attempts for each of the past two contests. That could very well continue with Tracy temporarily out of the picture.
For the time being, questions surrounding the 0-3 Giants are centered on their setup at quarterback. It is currently unclear if Russell Wilson will remain atop the depth against the Chargers in Week 4 or if that game will mark the point at which the reins are handed over to first-round rookie Jaxson Dart. The futures of many key Giants staffers (including head coach Brian Daboll, general manager Joe Schoen and others) are well known to be hanging in the balance at this point.
As such, New York’s offense will be a unit to watch closely. Regardless of what takes place in the near future on that front, though, Tracy will not be in the fold.
49ers DE Nick Bosa Suffers ACL Tear
Further testing on Nick Bosa‘s knee has produced an unwanted outcome. The 49ers will be without their top pass rusher for the rest of the season. 
Bosa was believed to be in the clear regarding an ACL tear after initial tests, although head coach Kyle Shanahan left the door open to other serious injuries. An MRI has revealed that initial optimism was misplaced. Bosa did in fact tear his ACL yesterday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
Schefter adds this was a clean tear, something which represents only a small consolation. Bosa’s latest injury occurred in his left knee; that is the same one which experienced an ACL tear in 2020. As was the case that time around, the 49ers will need to play out a lengthy spell with a shorthanded defense.
Bosa recovered in full from his first ACL tear (at the NFL level) and only missed four total games across the following four seasons. After going down in Week 3 of the current campaign, however, the All-Pro is in line for another lengthy rehab stint. No other ligaments were damaged, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. That will help lessen Bosa’s recovery timeline, but he will still be forced to miss the remainder of the campaign.
After managing to deliver a string of healthy and highly productive seasons, Bosa managed to reset the EDGE market shortly before the start of the 2023 season. The five-time Pro Bowler inked a five-year extension averaging $34MM per year. At the time, that represented the highest AAV for defensive players and non-quarterbacks around the NFL. The bar has since moved on both fronts, but Bosa obviously represents a major element of the 49ers’ financial plan for the near- and long-term. The impact of losing him to another ACL tear cannot be understated.
Another three years remain on Bosa’s contract. He will return to his role as an impact starter once healthy, but in the meantime the 49ers will proceed without him. San Francisco has first-round rookie Mykel Williams in place as the team’s other first-team defensive end. He has logged a 69% snap share to date, and that figure could increase moving forward. Trade acquisition Bryce Huff is also in the fold, along with Yetur Gross-Matos, Tarron Jackson and Sam Okuayinonu.
That group will be tasked with helping to maintain the 49ers’ strong start on defense. San Francisco sits at 3-0 so far in 2025, and with nearly $26MM in cap space a short-term addition could be sought out via trade or free agency. In any event, the team’s expectations have been dealt a blow with the news Bosa will not be in the fold the rest of the way.
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh‘s unit has thrived early on in his return to the Bay Area. The 49ers rank fourth in total defense and third in yards allowed. San Francisco has only managed five sacks to date, however, with Bosa accounting for two of them. Finding a way to replace his production will prove to be a key storyline for a team still dealing with numerous injuries on offense.
Eagles Made Draft-Day Contact With QB Shedeur Sanders
Earlier this month, it was reported the Ravens initially planned to select Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of April’s draft. Instead, the oft-discussed quarterback wound up being taken by the Browns. 
During an appearance on the New Heights podcast (video link), Sanders’ father Deion confirmed the Ravens’ interest. He also corroborated reporting which stated the presence of Lamar Jackson as Baltimore’s starter severed as the reason why the Sanders camp preferred a selection from another team. A poor pre-draft process led to a slide well into the Day 3 order, something which added further to the unusual storyline surrounding this situation.
Deion Sanders made another notable revelation when speaking about the draft, though (h/t Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com). In addition to interest from the Ravens and Browns, the Eagles made contact during the event. Philadelphia’s QB depth chart is of course topped by Jalen Hurts, something which will remain the case for the foreseeable future. The team made a number of moves at the position this offseason, however.
Kenny Pickett was dealt from the Eagles to the Browns in a move which made him one of four passers to take part in training camp for Cleveland. After the team elected to go with Joe Flacco as the starter, Pickett became expendable and he was traded to the Raiders. That left Sanders in a third-string role behind fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. Flacco has handled QB1 duties for each of the first three weeks this season, and it does not appear a change in the pecking order is imminent.
Had the Eagles drafted Sanders, they would presumably have avoided trading for Sam Howell late in August. The latter was traded during Day 3 of the draft from Seattle to Minnesota, but the Vikings’ decision to sign Carson Wentz as a new backup opened the door for Howell to change teams once again. The Eagles also have 2023 sixth-rounder Tanner McKee on their quarterback depth chart.
Howell is a pending free agent, but McKee’s rookie contract runs through 2026. Selecting Sanders would have represented a long-term (and inexpensive) investment under center on the part of Philadelphia. The issue of having an entrenched starter still would have been an issue similar to that of the Ravens, however. The situation is much different in Cleveland, and it remains to be seen when – or if – Sanders will receive playing time in 2025.
NFL Removes Texans’ Jimmie Ward From Commissioner’s Exempt List
SEPTEMBER 22: Following the Ward legal development, the NFL has removed the Texans safety from the commissioner’s exempt list, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. Not yet recovered from a December foot injury, Ward will shift back to the reserve/PUP list. He must remain on the PUP list through at least Week 4.
SEPTEMBER 18: A legal resolution has emerged for Texans safety Jimmie Ward. A Montgomery County grand jury has decided to no-bill his felony domestic violence case, meaning the prosecution will not proceed with charges. 
Ward was arrested in June on third-degree felony charges. It became known earlier this month his case would be presented to a grand jury, with his attorneys expressing optimism their presentation would be sufficient to result in the proceedings coming to an end. That has now taken place.
“Today we presented our grand jury packet and evidence to the grand jury to show that Mr. Ward was factually innocent of the allegations against him,” a statement from attorney Stephen Jackson reads (via KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson).
“The district attorney also provided information to the grand jury, that we believe, assisted the grand jury in coming to the conclusion that Mr. Ward should be no-billed. We believe not only was he exonerated by the grand jury but that the actions of the grand jury show that Jimmie was factually innocent.”
Just ahead of the deadline for roster cuts, Ward was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list. That remains the case at this time. As a result, the 34-year-old is prohibited from playing or practicing. Ward is still recovering from offseason foot surgery, and he is currently unable to play anyway.
“We continue to monitor all developments in this matter, which remains under review,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said (via Wilson). Especially in the case of domestic violence allegations, the league often waits until criminal proceedings finish to conduct its own investigation. Pending the outcome of that process, Ward could remain on the exempt list for an extended period. Findings of criminal wrongdoing are not necessary for an NFL probe to result in a fine and/or suspension under the personal conduct policy.
Ward – who is still the subject of a civil lawsuit stemming from his alleged April 2025 actions against his former fiancée – has one year remaining on his contract. The former 49er will provide DeMeco Ryans and the Texans with a veteran presence and starting option in the secondary when available, and today’s news marks a key development with respect to determining when that will be the case.
Commanders Place S Will Harris On IR
Last night, it was reported Will Harris suffered a fractured fibula during the Commanders’ Week 3 game. That is indeed the case, as head coach Dan Quinn confirmed on Monday. 
To no surprise, then, Washington has moved Harris to injured reserve. That transaction took place on Monday, per a team announcement. It represents a corresponding move to the addition of veteran defensive back Darnell Savage following today’s visit.
When speaking to the media, Quinn said (via The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala) he is hopeful Harris will be able to return at some point this season. An absence of at least four games is ensured as a result of the IR placement, but a longer period than that will be required for Harris to heal in full. The 29-year-old managing to take part in the latter stages of the campaign would be a welcomed development.
Harris has started each of the three games in 2025, his first season as a member of the Commanders. The former Lion and Saint joined Washington in free agency this spring by signing a two-year pact. That $8MM deal marked a raise compared to Harris’ previous contract, and it elevated expectations. Prior to going down yesterday, he posted 11 tackles, one forced fumble and one pass deflection across the current campaign.
With Harris now out of the picture for the time being, Savage could take on a notable role immediately upon joining the team. Otherwise, options in the secondary which began the season in the nation’s capital will be counted on in for the time being. In any case, it will be interesting to see if Harris manages to play again in 2025.
Lions Place DE Marcus Davenport On IR
Marcus Davenport was limited to just two games during his debut Lions campaign. The veteran edge rusher is once again in store for a notable absence. 
Davenport was placed on injured reserve on Monday, per a team announcement. The move ensures he will miss at least the next four games, beginning with tonight’s contest against the Ravens. It was already known Detroit would be without Davenport for Week 3, but it is now clear a longer absence will be in store.
With that said, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Davenport is dealing with a pectoral strain. As a result, he is viewed as a candidate to return later this season. Per Rapoport, the 29-year-old should be back in the fold shortly after the four-week timeframe guaranteed by the IR stint.
Today’s news means the worst-case scenario has been avoided, but it adds further to Davenport’s history of missed time. The former Saints first-rounder did not manage to log a full campaign during his five years with New Orleans. That span was followed by a single campaign with the Vikings, during which Davenport played only four games. As expected, he was forced to take another one-year deal on the open market upon arrival in Detroit.
During his debut Lions season, Davenport went down with an elbow injury which limited him to just 89 snaps. His absence was one of many endured on defense in 2024 and was acutely felt once Aidan Hutchinson was lost for the year. Davenport remained in the Motor City by re-signing in March. He did so on another one-year pact, one which checked in at a lower value than his first Detroit deal ($2.5MM compared to $6.5MM).
Hutchinson is healthy, so losing Davenport may not deal a massive blow to the Lions’ defensive front. The latter has nevertheless started both of the team’s opening two games, logging a 48% snap share along the way and recording one sack. Losing Davenport will thus lead to changes along the edge for the time being. Detroit sits at 1-1 entering today’s game, but the team’s defense will be shorthanded for weeks to come.
Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb Suffers High Ankle Sprain
The Cowboys’ defense endured another poor outing in Week 3. The team’s efforts to rebound will likely include a shorthanded unit on offense. 
CeeDee Lamb exited yesterday’s loss against the Bears with an ankle injury and did not return. It became clear afterwards that further testing would be needed to determine the severity of his injury. The All-Pro wideout now looks to be in line to miss time.
“Certainly, he’s got a high ankle sprain and every one of those are different,” Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said of Lamb during a Monday appearance on 105.3 The Fan (via ESPN’s Todd Archer). “We’d love to have him back for Green Bay but at the same time we also got to understand the injury is what it is and we’ll play it out.”
The Cowboys will play the Packers in Week 4, so Jones’ comments leave the door open to Lamb managing to avoid any missed time. Based on the reports which have emerged this afternoon, however, it appears far more likely Dallas will be without him for a short stretch. A timeline of two to four weeks is being considered internally, as first reported by Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News.
Since then, both Archer and WFAA’s Ed Werder have pointed to an absence between three and four weeks. Provided those are accurate, Lamb can be considered a lock to at least miss the Cowboys’ upcoming game against a Green Bay defense featuring Micah Parsons. Injured reserve is not being considered in this case, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
As such, Lamb is eligible to return at any time without needing to miss a stretch of four games or longer. The four-time Pro Bowler being back at full strength will be critical for the Cowboys’ offense, of course. On the other hand, it would be sensible to proceed with caution while managing Lamb’s injury. That could especially be true with George Pickens in the fold.
The offseason trade acquisition has totaled 68 yards and scored one touchdown in each of the past two games. Pickens will be counted on to operate as Dallas’ top pass-catching option until Lamb is healthy. It will be interesting to see when that will prove to be the case as the Cowboys aim to improve on their 1-2 start.
Aaron Glenn: Justin Fields To Remain Jets’ Starter Upon Return
Justin Fields was absent for Week 3 while recovering from a concussion. The free agent addition has yet to receive clearance, but when that happens he will reprise his role as the Jets’ starting quarterback. 
Once Fields was ruled out for yesterday’s game, veteran Tyrod Taylor was confirmed as New York’s top option for the contest. The 36-year-old posted 197 yards, two touchdowns and one interception on Sunday while also chipping in with 48 yards on the ground. Taylor will not retain QB1 duties if Fields is healthy for Week 4, though.
“Justin came in as our starter,” head coach Aaron Glenn said on Monday (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini). “He’s been our starter. Tyrod was the backup. I want to make sure I know exactly where Justin’s at. I don’t want to say anything until I know that Justin’s clear. So once Justin is clear, I’ll let you know exactly where we’re going.”
Indeed, Fields will not be eligible to play until he clears concussion protocol. It is commonplace for players to miss one game upon suffering a concussion, but a return before the two-game mark is relatively standard. If the 26-year-old manages to play in Week 4, he will look to return to the form shown during his Jets debut as opposed to his outing in Week 2.
Fields totaled 218 yards and one touchdown through the air in Week 1 while adding a pair of rushing scores in the process. The following game – New York’s lopsided loss against Buffalo – saw a much less productive outing before Fields exited through injury. As the Jets seek out their first win under Glenn and Co., being back at full strength under center would be key.
Taylor has 96 appearances and 59 starts to his name, so he will give the Jets a highly experienced option in the event Fields is not able to suit up against the Dolphins one week from today. If the opposite is true, though, Taylor will return to the backup role.
Fields inked a two-year, $40MM pact in free agency with $30MM guaranteed. Given the nature of that investment from rookie general manager Darren Mougey, it comes as little surprise the former first-rounder will be back atop the depth chart once he is healthy.