Bears CB Jaylon Johnson To Undergo Surgery; 2025 Return In Doubt
1:50pm: Johnson will indeed need surgery, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. He adds a return could take place late in the campaign but there is a strong chance Johnson will be out for the remainder of the season. Fellow corner Terell Smith has already been lost to a torn patellar tendon suffered during the preseason. Chicago’s setup in the secondary will be worth monitoring given this latest blow dealt to the unit.
12:57am: Jaylon Johnson made his season debut yesterday but was unable to finish the game. The Bears’ top cornerback is now in position to miss an extended period. 
Johnson missed training camp as well as Chicago’s season opener while recovering from a groin injury. During the second quarter of the team’s blowout loss against the Lions, he exited and did not return. In the latest update on the situation, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Courtney Cronin report Johnson is out indefinitely. This is a new groin injury, per head coach Ben Johnson (via Scott Bair of the Marquee Sports Network).
The full extent of the injury is unknown at this point. Surgery could be on the table, depending on what further testing reveals. In any event, losing Johnson for an extended stretch will deal a notable blow to the Bears’ defense. The unit struggled mightily with and without him on Sunday, and being shorthanded in the secondary will be an unwelcomed development as the team looks to recover from its 0-2 start.
Johnson is in his sixth NFL season, each of which have come as a member of the Bears. The 26-year-old received the franchise tag last offseason to prevent a potential free agent departure. Johnson later signed a four-year, $76MM deal ensuring his status as a foundational member of the team’s secondary. He earned a second straight Pro Bowl nod last season but missed considerable time during the summer in advance of the current campaign.
Johnson was activated from the PUP list during roster cutdowns, allowing for him to return within the first four weeks of the season. The former second-rounder managed to do so, but after a brief spell on the field he will be sidelined for a notable stretch. Slot corner Kyler Gordon – who landed a lucrative new deal this spring – has yet to play this year, so Johnson’s absence could be particularly troublesome if Gordon remains unavailable for Week 3.
Chicago allowed a fourth-quarter comeback against the Vikings in Week 1 before surrendering 52 points against the Lions yesterday. Improvements on defense will be sought out over the coming weeks, and the team’s secondary will be a unit worth watching closely. Johnson will not be part of the Bears’ efforts to take a needed step forward for at least the time being, though.
Cowboys C Cooper Beebe Facing Multi-Week Absence
The Cowboys’ offensive line was shorthanded to close out their overtime win in Week 2. That will remain the case for an extended period. 
Center Cooper Beebe suffered a lateral sprain in his ankle along with a bone fracture in his foot on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer. A recovery timeline of six to eight weeks is expected, meaning a stint on injured reserve would come as little surprise. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, there is hope Beebe will manage to be back in the fold by the early portion of that range.
A move to IR would ensure at least a four-week absence. The Cowboys are likely to take that route given Beebe’s prognosis. In any case, Brock Hoffman will be counted on to handle starting center duties for several games. Hoffman made a total of nine starts across the 2023 and ’24 campaigns, and the former UDFA is now in position to add to that total.
Beebe was selected in the third round of last year’s draft as a replacement for Tyler Biadasz following his departure on the open market. The Kansas State product immediately took on starting duties and logged over 1,000 snaps (all at center). Beebe finished 15th amongst qualifying centers in term of PFF grade, and expectations were high for an effective follow-up campaign. That could still prove to be possible, but only after a notable period on the sidelines.
Hoffman was retained this offseason in a move which could now prove to be critical given his looming stint as a starter. The 26-year-old is a pending restricted free agent, so an effective run with the first-team offensive line could help his value with the Cowboys next spring (or another team in the event he is non-tendered). Beebe’s rookie contract runs through 2027.
Dallas just made a record-breaking investment in guard Tyler Smith, inking him to a $24MM-per-year extension. He and 2024 first-rounder Tyler Guyton will reprise their roles on the left side of the Cowboys’ offensive line through the coming weeks. That period will not have Beebe available at center, however.
Panthers’ Robert Hunt, Austin Corbett Facing Lengthy Absences?
The Panthers’ late comeback attempt came up short on Sunday, dropping them to 0-2. Attempts at turning the season around will likely include replacements being counted on along the offensive line. 
Both right guard Robert Hunt and center Austin Corbett suffered injuries yesterday. Hunt is dealing with a biceps injury which occurred in the fourth quarter. Corbett, meanwhile, is facing the prospect of missed time due to a knee ailment.
In each case, an MRI is pending. As Joe Person of The Athletic writes (subscription required), though, neither Hunt nor Corbett are optimistic about their respective outlooks. Biceps tears carry lengthy recovery timelines when surgery is required, while Corbett was “distraught” in the locker room after the game when contemplating the fallout of his latest injury (h/t ESPN’s David Newton).
Hunt was one of the Panthers’ two big-ticket guard investments during free agency in 2024 (Damien Lewis being the other). The former Dolphins second-rounder played 16 games during his debut Carolina season, earning a Pro Bowl nod along the way. Expectations were high for a strong follow-up, but it appears a lengthy absence will instead be in store. Hunt is under contract through 2028.
Corbett, by contrast, is a pending free agent. The eighth-year veteran avoided major injuries during his time with the Browns and Rams early in his career. After logging a full campaign with the Panthers in 2022, however, the 30-year-old has been struck by a series of injury woes. Corbett ended the ’22 season with an ACL tear and was limited to just four games the following campaign (during which he suffered an MCL tear). In 2024, a biceps tear ended his season in Week 5.
This offseason, Corbett was retained on a one-year pact while the Panthers also kept Cade Mays in the fold. The two engaged in a training camp competition for the starting center gig, and Corbett won out. The 69-game starter now appears to be facing another lengthy tenure on the shelf, something which would hinder his market value next spring and presumably move Mays into a first-team role.
Carolina’s offensive line welcomed back left tackle Ikem Ekwonu yesterday. The unit could be notably shorthanded along the interior moving forward, though. It will be interesting to see what further testing reveals for both Hunt and Corbett as the Panthers look to build off the momentum from their second half showing yesterday.
Cowboys, Jadeveon Clowney Agree To Deal
10:10pm: Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Clowney’s new contract is a one-year, $3.5MM pact. If the veteran defender can maximize the value of the deal, he could earn up to $6MM in 2025.
4:08pm: Jadeveon Clowney will, in fact, be heading to Dallas for the 2025 season. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said after the team’s Week 2 game (via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero) the veteran edge rusher has a deal in place. 
Clowney visited Dallas on Wednesday, a clear indication an interest existed between team and player. No deal was reached, and in the immediate aftermath of the visit it was reported a signing was not expected. Instead, Clowney has indeed managed to line up his next opportunity.
Shortly after the visit, Bryan Broaddus of 105.3 The Fan reported (h/t Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams) Dallas preferred a signing, with Clowney electing to wait. In the aftermath of a wild overtime win, the Cowboys have now added a veteran presence along the edge. The team’s post-Micah Parsons setup will see Clowney take on at least a part-time role.
Th3 32-year-old has bounced around the league since his Texans tenure ended. Following a five-year spell in Houston, Clowney has played for the Seahawks, Titans, Browns, Ravens and Panthers. Only his Cleveland tenure (2021-22) lasted longer than one season. Carolina preferred to open up playing time for the team’s younger options along the edge, something which informed the team’s decision to release Clowney.
A lengthy free agent tenure ensued, and the three-time Pro Bowler drew interest from a number of teams. Despite aiming to have a deal in place before Week 1, Clowney (who has posted nine sacks in a season three times, including 2024) remained on the market through to today. Now, his attention will turn to joining a 1-1 team aiming for an improvement compared to its defensive showing in Week 2. The Giants scored 37 points (including a go-ahead touchdown inside the final minute of the contest) before ultimately falling short against Dallas.
The Cowboys notched two sacks on Sunday, one of which was recorded by defensive tackle Kenny Clark (acquired in the Parsons trade). Only James Houston managed one amongst the team’s edge rushers. As Dallas looks to add production in that respect, Clowney will join a group featuring Houston, Dante Fowler, Sam Williams, Marshawn Kneeland and second-round rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku. It will be interesting to see when Clowney will make his debut and how much of an impact he will be able to make on his seventh career team.
Cowboys, Jets Discussed Micah Parsons Trade Involving Quinnen Williams
In the aftermath of the Micah Parsons trade, a number of details have emerged with respect to other potential partners for a swap. Discussions took place between the Cowboys and Jets, but it quickly became clear no agreement would be feasible. 
[RELATED: Eagles Made Top Parsons Offer Amidst AFC Interest]
During an appearance on ESPN 880 AM in New York, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini) he contacted the Jets about Parsons. His asking price as part of a package from New York general manager Darren Mougey would have included defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. That comes as little surprise since Dallas specifically targeted an addition at that position in the event Parsons were to be dealt.
As one would expect, Mougey and the Jets let it be known in short order no trade would be taking place. Williams, 27, has three Pro Bowls and one first-team All-Pro nod to his name. The former No. 3 pick is well established as a focal point of the team’s defense, and his contract runs through 2027. With $64MM in outstanding compensation, Williams would have been considerably more expensive for the Cowboys than their eventual acquisition (Kenny Clark).
A major reason why the Packers ultimately swung the Parsons trade, of course, was their willingness to make a record-breaking commitment via an extension. The All-Pro edge rusher landed $47MM in AAV on a four-year pact, the highest figure ever for a non-quarterback. Parsons secured over $123MM in full guarantees, as detailed by Cimini’s colleague Rob Demovsky. The 26-year-old will also see $12.09MM – most of his 2028 salary – shift to a full guarantee early in the 2027 league year. Per-game roster bonuses worth up to $200K annually along with $250K workout bonuses are present from 2026-29, with three void years included in the accord.
SNY’s Connor Hughes notes the Jets were never going to match an extension with those terms, nor a pact in line with the informal agreement Parsons and Jones reached early this offseason. New York’s regime led by Mougey and first-year head coach Aaron Glenn made a number of lucrative commitments but prioritized in-house players in the process. Cornerback Sauce Gardner reset the cornerback market while fellow 2022 first-rounder Garrett Wilson also secured a monster second contract. Fitting in Parsons would have substantially altered the Jets’ financial planning for years to come.
Green Bay will instead look to translate the Parsons acquisition into success in 2025 and beyond. The Jets, meanwhile, will aim to end their playoff drought in Year 1 of the Mougey-Glenn era. Williams will be a critical factor in that effort, and he will no doubt be counted on well beyond 2025 as well.
Bengals’ Joe Burrow Diagnosed With Turf Toe
6:09 PM: Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Burrow has been diagnosed with turf toe. What this means for his availability to play will depend on the severity of the injury. Minor sprains can be overcome in just a few days’ time, while more serious sprains can require multiple weeks of recovery and even worse iterations can require surgery and a recovery timeline measured by months.
Rapoport cites Jeremy Rauch of FOX19 who in turn cites a source that claimed the injury is believed to involve torn ligaments, which could mean an absence of “several weeks” for Cincinnati’s QB1. The Bengals are the only NFL team with an MRI machine in their stadium, so they should have a good idea of his outlook, but they haven’t revealed much to the media at this point in time.
3:09 PM: The Bengals’ efforts to improve to 2-0 have hit a notable roadblock. Quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a toe injury midway through the second quarter of today’s game against the Jaguars. 
The injury occurred while Burrow was attempting to avoid pressure. The play resulted in a sack, and after receiving medical attention he walked off the field. Burrow was initially listed as questionable to return, but he has since officially been ruled out.
Burrow underwent an MRI shortly after suffering the injury. Once it was completed, the 28-year-old was seen using a scooter to return to the locker room with his left leg elevated (h/t FOX19’s Joe Danneman). Needless to say, further testing and updates will be critical in this situation over the coming days.
Throughout his decorated career, injuries have been a concern for Burrow. The former No. 1 pick suffered an ACL tear during his rookie season; he has also missed time due to a calf strain and a ruptured ligament in his wrist last season. During the Bengals’ Super Bowl loss, Burrow suffered an MCL sprain. If this latest ailment leads to more missed games, Cincinnati’s offense will be notably shorthanded.
The Bengals made an effort to buck the trend of slow starts early in regular seasons by playing Burrow and other key players during the preseason. That did not result in a productive outing in Week 1, although Cincinnati emerged with a one-point victory over Cleveland. Prior to going down today, Burrow completed seven of 13 pass attempts for 76 yards and one touchdown.
Backup Jake Browning has taken over under center. The 29-year-old made nine appearances and seven starts last season, completing a league-best 70.4% of his pass attempts. Browning has been in the organization since 2021, and he inked a two-year deal last spring. As a pending free agent, his performances will be key in determining his value on the open market (if he reaches it). Depending on Burrow’s outlook, Browning may be needed beyond the closing stages of today’s game.
Jets QB Justin Fields Suffers Concussion
The Jets fell to 0-2 on Sunday and they lost their starting quarterback in the process. Justin Fields is also in danger of missing New York’s Week 3 game. 
Midway through Sunday’s loss against the Bills, Fields hit his head on the turf while being hit immediately after an incompletion. One play later, he was sacked. Fields was then taken to the medical tent for evaluation and brought to the locker room alongside the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant for further concussion tests.
After being evaluated, Fields was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Head coach Aaron Glenn has since confirmed the free agent addition is in the concussion protocol, per Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports. Players can sometimes progress through the protocol in time to suit up for the following game. It is far more common, however, for at least one contest to be missed while recovering.
As a result, there is a strong possibility Tyrod Taylor will be counted on to handle starting duties for New York in Week 3. It was Taylor that stepped in for Fields today. An abysmal day for Fields, in which he completed just three of 11 pass attempts for only 27 yards while rushing five times for 49 yards, put Taylor in a tough situation. In the two drives that the veteran was able to put together, it didn’t take much for Taylor to surpass Fields passing total and score the team’s only touchdown of the day, granted Buffalo’s defense probably featured more youth than usual at that point in the game.
The only other name on the team’s roster is practice squad rookie Brady Cook out of Missouri. Cook may get called up the backup Taylor if Fields can’t clear the protocol in time, but Taylor should be the only one we see play. Taylor lasted started a game in the 2023 season, when he won two of five starting opportunities with the Giants. His experience makes him the clear choice over Cook if Fields can’t go.
After home losses to the Steelers and Bills, things don’t get much easier for New York as they hit the road for back-to-back games in Florida against the Buccaneers and Dolphins. With the Jets set to play their third straight playoff team to open the season, hopes will be high that Fields can make it through the protocol in time to play. New York will have Taylor preparing as QB1 in the meantime.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.
Panthers LT Ikem Ekwonu To Play In Week 2
Ikem Ekwonu was sidelined for the Panthers’ season opener. Carolina’s left tackle is set to make his season debut today, however. 
Ekwonu underwent an emergency appendectomy late in August. The procedure resulted in a day-to-day status and created questions about his ability to suit up in time for Week 1. That did not wind up being the case, but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports the 24-year-old is expected to play this afternoon.
That will be welcomed news for a Panthers team which struggled on offense last week. Ekwonu is entering his fourth season with the team, and the former No. 6 pick has started each of his 49 games on the blindside to date. After playing every contest in 2022 and ’23, Ekwonu missed two games last season. Another campaign without any major absences would be key for the Panthers’ prospects this season but also the chances of a long-term commitment being worked out.
Ekwonu is currently scheduled to receive $17.65MM in 2026 given Carolina’s decision to pick up his fifth-year option this spring. The NC State product has made it clear he would welcome an extension, although no indications about contract talks emerged over the course of the summer. A healthy season would of course be pivotal in determining the Panthers’ willingness to make a multi-year investment in this case. Improving in Year 4 would also help Ekwonu’s earning power after an up-and-down start to his NFL career.
The 0-1 Panthers will take on the Cardinals this afternoon. Improvement will be sought out on offense, and Ekwonu being back at full strength marks a positive sign with respect to the team’s chances of taking a needed step forward in Week 2.
Giants Prefer To Keep Russell Wilson In Place As Starting QB
Throughout the offseason, questions have lingered about how long Russell Wilson will remain atop the Giants’ quarterback depth chart. The Super Bowl winner will get the nod for Week 2, but Jaxson Dart looms as a replacement option. 
Wilson and the Giants’ offense endured a highly unproductive outing during a season-opening loss. Head coach Brian Daboll confirmed the 36-year-old will start tomorrow against the Cowboys, although it was reported this week Dart’s strong summer performances could accelerate the timeline for him to take over. Indeed, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Dallas has prepared a defensive package in case the first-round rookie sees time on Sunday.
The Giants’ preference, though, would be to keep Wilson on the field as much as possible. Per Fowler’s colleague Adam Schefter, there is “no sense of urgency” on the part of the Giants to make a quarterback change. That stance is especially understandable with left tackle Andrew Thomas in line to miss tomorrow’s game. It would come as little surprise if New York waited until the veteran blindside blocker was healthy to consider starting Dart.
After selecting edge rusher Abdul Carter third overall, the Giants traded back into the first round to select Dart. The Ole Miss product was the second signal-caller off the board, and he entered the NFL with upside based on his college production but questions about his ability to quickly acclimate to the pro game. With Wilson and fellow free agent addition Jameis Winston in place, Dart could afford to sit for a large portion of the campaign. On the other hand, of course, Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen are on shaky ground with respect to their job security.
With pressure no doubt mounting as it pertains to a change on the sidelines and/or in the front office, Dianna Russini of The Athletic confirms (subscription required) Dart taking over at some point is “on the table.” He has a number of supporters within the organization, per Russini. That could lead to a QB change relatively soon depending in large part on how Wilson performs.
On the open market, Wilson took a one-year pact, meaning his future will be linked to his ability to remain atop the depth chart and deliver consistent play under center. Thomas coming back into the fold would be a key development, but in any case the possibility of Dart receiving the reins will continue to make for an interesting storyline to follow.
Dolphins Place RT Austin Jackson On IR
The Dolphins will be notably shorthanded up front through the early portion of the campaign. Miami placed right tackle Austin Jackson on injured reserve Saturday. 
The move ensures at least a four-week absence, beginning with tomorrow’s matchup against New England. Miami is already without right guard James Daniels due to a pectoral injury. Jackson now joins him on injured reserve.
A toe injury will see the USC product sidelined for an extended period. Jackson’s sixth NFL season – all with the Dolphins – has not gotten off to a desired start given his current ailment. After playing just two games in 2022 and eight last season, today’s news marks the continuation of an unwanted trend regarding his availability. With Daniels out of the picture as well, the play on the right side of Miami’s offensive line will be worth monitoring.
The Dolphins struggled mightily in all phases last week, and a bounce-back on offense in particular would be key for all involved. Pass protection could be a concern with Daniels and now Jackson unavailable, however. The latter encountered a setback early last month after returning to full health. Jackson managed to suit up for the season opener, but Miami’s tackle setup will be altered as Patrick Paul continues his first campaign as a starter at the LT spot. Free agent addition Larry Borom could fill in at the opposite position.
Jackson’s pact (which was restructured in March) runs through the 2026 campaign. He is due a $9.88MM base salary for next year, but the former first-rounder’s only scheduled guaranteed compensation is a $1MM roster bonus. Further financial moves in this case could thus be coming depending on how the 2025 season plays out. Jackson will look to deliver a run of healthy play against that backdrop once he is back in place.