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.
Commanders Sign DB Darnell Savage
12:50pm: Savage’s visit has indeed produced a deal, as confirmed by his agent (via Fowler). Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports this is, to no surprise, a one-year pact. Savage will look to take on a regular defensive role with his latest team and rebuild his market value to an extent in the process.
10:28am: Darnell Savage‘s tenure with the Jaguars came to an abrupt end last week. The veteran defensive back finds himself on the open market, but that could change relatively soon. 
Savage has lined up a visit with the Commanders, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. Today’s news comes in the wake of safety Will Harris suffering a fractured fibula in Week 3. That injury will presumably lead to a stint on injured reserve and create a vacancy in Washington’s secondary.
There is also a degree of familiarity in today’s Washington visit. The Commanders’ current defensive pass game coordinator is Jason Simmons; he and Savage worked together with the Packers in 2019. That represented Savage’s rookie campaign and the first of five years operating as a starter for Green Bay. The former first-rounder had a strong statistical showing during his first two seasons, but afterwards he struggled in coverage.
Upon reaching the open market for the first time in his career, Savage took a three-year, $21.75MM pact to join the Jaguars. The Trent Baalke-Doug Pederson regime was in place at the time, and the 2025 offseason saw their replacements move on from a number of notable contracts. Savage remained in place through the start of the campaign, but in short order the Jags’ new decision makers (general manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen) elected to proceed with a release despite incurring a notable dead money charge in the process.
Savage allowed five touchdowns in coverage during the 2024 campaign, and after recording eight interceptions in his first three seasons he has been held to two since then. Another lucrative pact will not be in store with the Commanders or any other suitors which emerge in the near future, but Savage could carve out a depth role with a new team. Washington entered Monday with over $28MM in cap space, so an in-season signing will not be challenging from a financial perspective.
Browns T Dawand Jones To Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery
The Browns recorded their first win of the campaign yesterday, but their offensive line suffered a blow in the process. Tackle Dawand Jones will miss the remainder of the season. 
The third-year blocker suffered a knee injury during Cleveland’s Week 3 contest and did not return. When speaking to the media on Monday, head coach Kevin Stefanski said (via Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal) Jones requires surgery and will be sidelined for the rest of the campaign as a result. 2025 thus marks the third consecutive year in which Jones has found himself in this situation.
The 24-year-old started at left tackle for the first two games of the campaign as the Browns sought out a long-term answer on the blindside. Things did not go according to plan, however, prompting the team to move Jones back to his familiar right tackle spot for Sunday. That decision resulted in only a short-term impact given the timing of the injury.
Jones will now turn his attention once again to the recovery process. The former fourth-rounder was limited to 11 games as a rookie and 10 the following year. After only three appearances in 2025, he could still be viewed as a starting option for the future but one without a track record of availability. Jones’ rookie contract runs through next season, and in the wake of this latest injury it would come as a surprise if he were to receive an extension during the spring.
As a rookie, Jones drew a strong PFF evaluation for his pass protection; 2024 produced a regression across the board, though. Cleveland’s overall play up front has been a sore spot, particularly at the tackle positions. Losing the Oklahoma product for the year will leave the Browns shorthanded to an even larger extent moving forward.
Jedrick Wills is recovering from a knee injury of his own, and the former Browns first-rounder remains unsigned as a candidate to miss most (potentially all) of the campaign. A reunion on that front should not be expected, while veteran Jack Conklin has logged just 20 snaps to date in 2025. He is a pending free agent, and an offseason departure would come as no surprise. For now, Cornelius Lucas and KT Leveston are positioned to handle tackle duties. The Browns could be in the market for an in-season addition, particularly if Conklin continues to miss time.
In any event, Jones will not be in the picture for the rest of the way. The 1-2 Browns are in need of improved play on offense, including up front. The will need to attain it while dealing with a shorthanded unit.
Colts, CB Mike Hilton Agree To Deal; CB Kenny Moore To Miss Time
11:45am: Moore’s calf injury is expected to leave him sidelined for multiple weeks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Given that update, the Hilton signing comes as no surprise. Per Rapoport, his addition has come about via a practice squad deal, but Hilton could land on the active roster in short order.
11:02am: Shortly after Miami release, Mike Hilton met with the Colts. No deal was worked out with the veteran corner, but that has now changed. 
Hilton is signing with Indianapolis, as first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The pact represents a reunion between the veteran slot corner and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. The latter led Cincinnati’s defense from 2019-24, overlapping with Hilton over that span.
As such, it came as little surprise when a Colts visit took place shortly before the start of the season. After no agreement was reached, Hilton also met with the Eagles. Upon seeing the first three weeks (with tonight’s contest pending) of the campaign go by without a contract in hand, though, Hilton now has his next NFL gig lined up. He could see notable playing time right away.
Kenny Moore suffered a calf injury yesterday, meaning the Colts’ regular slot starter could be unavailable for a period. ESPN’s Stephen Holder reports there is initial optimism with respect to a serious injury having been avoided in this case. Further testing will nevertheless take place on Monday, and more clarity will presumably emerge once that takes place.
In any event, Hilton will be counted on to play a role on a Colts secondary which dealt with a number of ailments even before the Moore injury. Having amassed 56 starts and 123 appearances in the regular season, Hilton represents a highly experienced option to be brought in during the season (and his familiarity with Anarumo’s scheme should make his acclimation process a relatively seamless one). The 31-year-old’s production has been consistent over the course of his career, and the same has generally been true in coverage.
Details on the pact are not known at this point, but it would come as no surprise if this were to be a deal near the veteran minimum covering the remainder of the campaign. Indianapolis entered Monday with roughly $4.8MM in cap space, and that figure will be lowered to an extent once the Hilton agreement become official. He will look to chip in defensively as the 3-0 Colts aim to maintain their strong start.
49ers DE Nick Bosa Suffers Knee Injury
The 49ers earned a win on Sunday but their defense suffered a notable blow in the process. Defensive end Nick Bosa went down with a knee injury during the contest and did not return. 
At this point, a clear diagnosis is not in place. The initial fear was an ACL tear, although head coach Kyle Shanahan said (via Matt Barrows of The Athletic) that has been ruled out. Further testing will take place on Monday.
“We can’t rule everything out,” Shanahan added (via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News). “They checked [Bosa’s] ACL and it was good with that. But we have to check on everything.”
That is an encouraging first sign, although Shanahan later clarified an ACL injury other than a tear could still be possible (h/t ESPN’s Nick Wagoner). A serious injury affecting Bosa’s knee would of course be crippling to San Francisco’s defense, a unit which currently ranks third in the NFL in points allowed and fourth for yards surrendered. It would also mark the second time Bosa, 27, has been forced to miss considerable time in a season.
The former Defensive Rookie of the Year was limited to just two games during his second NFL campaign. Bosa managed to remain healthy (largely speaking) since then, however, playing between 14 and 17 games over each of the past four years. The five-time Pro Bowler saw a downturn in production with nine sacks in 2024, but he has already posted two in the early stages of the current campaign.
Adding to that total would help allow for the 49ers’ defense to remain among the league’s best. Without Bosa – who is attached to a $34MM-per-year extension – for a long period, though, San Francisco’s 3-0 start to the campaign would be undone to an extent. Further clarity once follow-up tests take place will be worth watching for during the day.
Falcons Have Not Received Trade Calls On QB Kirk Cousins
Week 3 saw the Falcons suffer a blowout defeat to the Panthers. Kirk Cousins took over quarterback duties late in the shoutout loss, marking his first game action with Atlanta this year. 
Starter Michael Penix Jr. was healthy when his Week 3 participation came to an end, but he was benched with the game out of hand. Penix completed 18 of 36 attempts for 172 yards and a pair of interceptions. Cousins took over and went five-for-seven in mop-up duty. For the time being, his future is set to consist of further backup duties as a member of the Falcons.
Cousins requested a trade this past offseason once it became clear Atlanta would hand the reins over to Penix on a full-time basis. That was the situation at the end of the 2024 campaign, and after being selected eighth overall Penix naturally represents the Falcons’ long-term plan under center. At no point did a Cousins trade appear imminent over the summer, though, and that is still the case at this point.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports (video link) Atlanta has yet to receive any calls on the four-time Pro Bowler. Every current injury being dealt with by a starting quarterback – aside from Joe Burrow‘s – is a short-term one. Cincinnati does not intend to add a veteran passer, so a market does not exist at this point for an in-season deal (presuming Cousins, who holds a no-trade clause, would sign off on one anyway).
Of course, finances are a major factor in this case. Cousins’ 2025 salary ($27.5MM) is guaranteed in full, and his $10MM roster bonus for next March is already locked in. Keeping in line with their earlier stance, the Falcons would only entertain a trade involving the 37-year-old if an interested team were to take on the remainder of his compensation. Rapoport adds a “premium” draft pick would also be required for Atlanta to sign off on a Cousins trade.
Barring another major injury to an established starter, then, the status quo should remain the expectation in this situation. ESPN’s Dan Graziano notes the Falcons would need to upgrade their QB2 situation behind Penix for a Cousins trade to be feasible, something which has not appeared imminent. For now, attention will turn to a rebound on offense for Atlanta coupled with a stronger showing by Penix. Failing that, the team will have a highly experienced backup to turn to.
Mike Vrabel: Patriots Not Considering K Change
Andres Borregales just took part in his third career regular season NFL game. The Patriots’ kicker did not impress during his first two outings, but for now his job appears to be safe. 
The sixth-round rookie missed one of his three field goal attempts in Week 1. Borregales connected on both of his field goal tries the following game, but he also missed a pair of extra point kicks. Those inconsistencies prompted questions about a change taking place or at least competition being added.
“I don’t think we’re ready to have that conversation yet,” head coach Mike Vrabel said after Week 2 when asked about the subject (h/t Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald). Such a sentiment is understandable given Borregales’ status as a rookie and the fact he was brought in by the Patriots’ current regime. On the other hand, of course, teams have been known to move on from kickers in short order if they fail to live up to expectations.
Over the course of his four-year career at Miami, Borregales proved to be a highly effective and consistent kicker. The 23-year-old Venezuelan converted 74 of his 86 field goal attempts (good for a success rate of 86%) and only missed one extra point try. It thus came as little surprise when he was among the kickers who were selected in April’s draft.
Borregales’ play moving forward will be worth watching over the coming weeks following the (relative) vote of confidence he received. During Sunday’s loss to the Steelers, he connected on both of his extra point kicks while not attempting any field goals. As the Patriots look to bounce back in Week 4, they will presumably do so with Borregales still in place.
Tush Push’s Future Remains Uncertain
During the 2025 offseason, efforts to ban the Tush Push proved to be highly controversial and ultimately unsuccessful. A vote on the matter in May produced a 22-10 result. 
Rule changes require the support of 24 teams at a minimum, so for at least the 2025 campaign the play is still legal. Of course, given the nature of the opposition to the Tush Push, it would come as no surprise if a new campaign aimed at eliminating it were to take place after the season. At this point, however, it is not certain if that will be the case.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required), momentum for banning the play is currently “stronger than ever.” She adds a contingent within the NFL’s league office remains opposed to the Tush Push; that group would presumably still include commissioner Roger Goodell, who was known to favor a ban last year. Philadelphia’s Week 2 win over Kansas City fueled a fresh wave of discussions about the play being outlawed in 2026.
During the league’s standard training tape for officials ahead of this week’s action, the NFL stated at least one of the Eagles’ Tush Push touchdowns against the Chiefs should have been flagged for a false start. As Mark Maske of the Washington Post notes, the league has instructed referees to tighten their officiating on the play moving forward. Regardless of what happens on that front through the remainder of the campaign, the Tush Push will no doubt remain a talking point.
In spite of that, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports there are currently “no assurances” another vote regarding a ban will be brought up this offseason. An important factor, as Schefter observes, is the fact a different author of any new proposal for a ban will be needed. Mark Murphy and the Packers led the charge last offseason, but in accordance with team policy he retired as CEO during the summer. Ed Policy now holds that position. He or the executive of another team will need to serve as the focal point of any renewed efforts made at a ban this coming offseason.
Initial talks on the Tush Push produced strong opinions on both sides, and an informal poll of teams resulted in a 16-16 split. Opinions clearly shifted after Green Bay’s proposal was tweaked to address a broader range of plays in which the ballcarrier is pushed, with an increase in support emerging for a ban. Over the coming months, it will be interesting to see if any of the 10 teams which voted to keep the play alive change their stance, something which would be critical in determining the Tush Push’s future.
Browns Could Extend G Wyatt Teller
2025 marks the seventh consecutive year of the Browns’ Joel Bitonio–Wyatt Teller tandem at guard. It may well be the last, given the fact Bitonio contemplated retirement this offseason. 
The 12th-year Cleveland blocker is playing in 2025, and he and Teller are again expected to remain among the league’s best at their position. Bitonio is of course a candidate to hang up his cleats at the end of the year, while Teller is a pending free agent as things stand.
In the latter’s case, though, things could change relatively soon. Zac Jackson of The Athletic writes (subscription required) a Teller extension can be considered “somewhere between possible and likely.” For now, Teller’s deal is set to void on February 10, 2026. That will leave Cleveland with a cap charge of $10.39MM given the void years present in the pact. That dead money will need to be accounted for regardless of what happens, but another Teller commitment would be reasonable from the Browns’ perspective.
Over the course of his seven seasons (and counting) in Cleveland, the 30-year-old has racked up 83 starts and delivered consistent performances up front. Teller received a Pro Bowl invitation each season from 2021-23, and he has two second-team All-Pro nods to his name. Teller’s PFF evaluations early in the current season have been an improvement compared to last year, and he would be expected to maintain a high level of play in the event of a new deal being worked out.
After playing out most of his rookie contract in Cleveland, the former Giants draftee landed a $14.2MM-per-year pact in 2021. The guard market has surged since then, with seven of its members now earning $20MM or more annually. Teller would not be expected to move to the top of the pecking order in terms of AAV on a new Browns contract, but another notable investment could be in store. It will be interesting to see if talks on an extension pick up over the course of the campaign.
The 0-2 Browns have struggled up front based on their tackle play to date. Dawand Jones has struggled on the blindside, while veteran Jack Conklin (another pending free agent up front) has played just 20 snaps so far. Changes taking place at both tackle spots for next year would thus come as no surprise, but Teller could find himself in his familiar right guard role in 2026.