Raiders TE Brock Bowers Will Not Play In Week 5
OCTOBER 5: ESPN’s Adam Schefter offers some more specifics on Bowers’ knee, reporting that last year’s runner-up in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting has been playing through a bone bruise on his knee as well as a PCL injury. Naturally, those ailments have affected his performance, and doctors say rest is the only remedy. Bowers was simply unwilling to sideline himself until now.
Schefter adds that the Raiders consider Bowers week-to-week and will reevaluate him in the coming days to see if he can suit up in Week 6. He is officially inactive for Week 5.
OCTOBER 4: The Raiders could be down two tight ends on their trip to Indianapolis this this weekend. After Raiders columnist Paul Gutierrez reported that Michael Mayer would miss tomorrow’s game with a concussion, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network added that starting tight end Brock Bowers‘ status for the game has been trending down as he’s been battling a knee injury. 
While head coach Pete Carroll had seemed confident that the second-year pass catcher would be available, his absences from Thursday and Friday’s practices didn’t bode well for Bowers. While nothing official has been decided on his availability for tomorrow, Rapoport claims that “Bowers is trending toward not playing” against the Colts, leaving Las Vegas without their first- and second-string tight ends.
This leaves the Raiders with Ian Thomas and Carter Runyon as the only healthy tight ends on the 53-man roster. This is Thomas’ first year in Las Vegas after spending the first seven years of his career in Carolina. He’s never been much of an impact receiver in the passing game, but he can contribute some if needed. He’s appeared in all four games this season as a third option behind Bowers and Mayer, and he made his first start for the Raiders last week in Mayer’s first absence.
After being elevated and appearing in his first NFL game last weekend, Runyon was signed to the active roster from the practice squad earlier this week. The undrafted rookie out of Towson could find himself in the TE2 role for Las Vegas if Bowers can’t go tomorrow. After only appearing on special teams in his NFL game, Runyon could figure into the offense in his second.
The Raiders added a bit more depth at the position from the practice squad today by calling up Albert Okwuegbunam as a standard gameday elevation. Okwuegbunam has a chance to appear in his first game since 2023.
Vikings Place C Ryan Kelly On IR; J.J. McCarthy Uncertain For Week 7
The Vikings continue to be burdened with injuries in 2025. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network was the first to report today that Vikings center Ryan Kelly will be placed on injured reserve. The team’s official announcement shows that Minnesota will be getting a body back from IR, though, as it activates fullback C.J. Ham. 
Kelly is in his first season with the Vikings after spending the first nine years of his career with the Colts. The four-time Pro Bowler will miss the next four games after suffering his second concussion in three weeks. Kelly is no stranger to injuries; he’s only ever played in every game of the regular season three times in his career, most recently missing seven games last year.
Surgery for a broken bone in his Kelly’s foot sidelined him for the first four games of his second year in the league, and after he returned for seven games, a concussion sidelined him for the remainder of that year. Since then, recurrent concussions and neck injuries saw him frequent the sideline for a couple weeks each year. Last season, he added a knee injury to his list of ailments, causing a stay on IR as he recovered from surgery.
Minnesota decided to look past his extensive injury history when signing him because Kelly has routinely performed as one of the better, more consistent centers in the league. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Kelly was playing some of the best football of his career for the Vikings this season before landing on the injured list.
Kelly becomes the third offensive lineman, the sixth offensive player, and the eighth overall player to land on IR from the Vikings’ roster. To make matter worse, starting right tackle Brian O’Neill, starting left guard Donovan Jackson, and backup center Michael Jurgens have all been ruled out for this weekend on the team’s injury report, leaving only left tackle Christian Darrisaw and right guard Will Fries as the last starters standing in front of backup quarterback Carson Wentz, who is starting with J.J. McCarthy ruled out, as well.
Blake Brandel, who started every game for Minnesota at left guard last year, filled in for Jackson last week, but the team’s depth chart has him listed as the third option at center behind Kelly and Jurgens. Justin Skule is listed as the primary backup for both tackle spots, and Joe Huber and Walter Rouse were the only other remaining healthy backups on the 53-man roster before today’s transactions.
The Vikings waived quarterback Desmond Ridder in order to sign practice squad rookie offensive lineman Vershon Lee to the 53-man roster. Lee adds incredible versatility to the offensive line after starting 40 games at three different positions in college at South Carolina — 18 at center, 16 at left guard, and six at right tackle. He finished his career as a center and could be an option if the team wants to keep Brandel at left guard.
The team also used one of its two standard gameday practice squad elevations to call up guard Henry Byrd, who appeared in his first career game earlier this season after going undrafted in 2023. The other elevation was utilized to call up running back Cam Akers, as usual starter Aaron Jones is one of the six offensive players on IR.
The team cutting Ridder comes as a bit of a surprise considering some of the rumors surrounding McCarthy this weekend. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, sources have relayed that “McCarthy isn’t healthy, and while the target return has been Week 7 against the Eagles, it could still be longer.” This follows rumors that Minnesota may be using the injury to keep McCarthy off the field for a bit after they watched him struggle more than expected in his first two NFL games, arguing that the extra time could help him prepare a bit more for a return to play.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell has been extremely clear about the conditions for McCarthy’s return, though, saying that the second-year passer “won’t play until he’s had a full week of practice.” Since exiting Week 2 with an injury, he hasn’t yet practiced in any capacity. Still, O’Connell asserts that once his young quarterback is healthy, he’ll return to his starting role. With McCarthy still out and Ridder off the team, undrafted rookie quarterback Max Brosmer stands as the only remaining quarterback on the roster to back up Wentz.
Despite a lot of tough news, the Vikings will see Ham return to the field. The two-time Pro Bowl fullback missed the start of the season with a knee injury. He’ll return to an offensive backfield that looks a bit different without the starting quarterback and running back.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/4/25
Here are Week 5’s minor moves and standard gameday practice squad elevations:
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: QB Tyler Huntley, DT C.J. Okoye
Buffalo Bills
- Signed to active roster: LB Jimmy Ciarlo
- Elevated: DT Zion Logue, DT Phidarian Mathis
- Placed on IR: CB Dorian Strong
Cleveland Browns
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: T Devin Cochran, CB Tre Flowers
Houston Texans
- Elevated: CB Damon Arnette, S Jalen Mills
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed from practice squad: CB Chris Lammons
- Elevated: RB Ameer Abdullah, CB Mike Hilton
- Placed on IR: S Daniel Scott
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: OLB Clelin Ferrell, RB Kimani Vidal
New York Giants
- Elevated: LB Neville Hewitt, K Jude McAtamney
New York Jets
- Signed from practice squad: LB Mykal Walker
- Elevated: S Dean Clark, RB Avery Williams
- Waived: WR Isaiah Williams
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: S Jerrick Reed II, DT Brandon Pili
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: WR Tay Martin
Huntley will be on hand to back up backup quarterback Cooper Rush in Baltimore tomorrow against the Texans. Okoye is called up for the second week in a row as injuries continue to hamper the Ravens’ defensive line, as well.
With some continuing injuries causing some concern in the secondary, the Browns will elevate Avery and Jones for the second straight week. Jones is being elevated for the third time this season, meaning that if Cleveland wants to see him in another game this year, the team will need to sign him to the active roster. The same is true for Logue in Buffalo, Hewitt with the Giants, Clark with the Jets, and Pili in Seattle.
Arnette’s promotion means Week 5 will mark his first regular season action in the NFL since the end of his Raiders tenure in 2021. The former first-round pick revived his career in part through his performances in the UFL this spring, something which created interest from multiple teams in free agency. Arnette, 29, will look to use tomorrow’s contest in a bid to land a permanent role in Houston.
This is the second time the Jets have parted ways with a kick returner following a game in which they had a costly fumble. Williams follows in footsteps of Xavier Gipson, who was waived following a similar mistake in the team’s season opener. There appears to be a pretty short leash for young returners in New York at the moment.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/4/25
Here is Saturday’s only practice squad transaction:
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB Cameron Mitchell
Panthers Activate DT LaBryan Ray From IR
OCTOBER 4: The Panthers have officially made the move to activate Ray from IR. With defensive end Tershawn Wharton ruled out this week with a toe injury, Ray’s added depth is well-timed. Additionally, linebacker Krys Barnes has been called up as a standard gameday practice squad elevation.
OCTOBER 1: A slew of transactions came out of Carolina today, including the opening of defensive tackle LaBryan Ray‘s 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve. The team announced Ray’s return to practice today among several other roster announcements.
Once a five-star recruit who came out of Alabama undrafted, Ray will look to join an improved defensive line rotation for the Panthers. Ray earned nine starts last year filling in for an injured Derrick Brown. He’ll now have 21 days to return from an injury of his own before being reverted to season-ending IR if he can’t be activated.
Carolina had three open spots on their active roster after some injured reserve placements, and taking those spots on the 53-man roster will be practice squad running back DeeJay Dallas and practice squad safety Trevian Thomas. Dallas signed to Carolina’s taxi squad after being cut by the Cardinals one year into a three-year deal. While he adds depth the running backs room as Chuba Hubbard continues to be limited at practice with calf issue, his real value in the NFL has come a return man, where he can add depth after the loss of David Moore.
To fill the open slots on the practice squad, the Panthers signed offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles, running Anthony Tyus III, and offensive lineman Aiden Williams.
Trade Candidate: Jaelan Phillips
While a lot of the focus in Miami right now is on the loss of star wideout Tyreek Hill, the attrition might not stop there. The trade market appears to be hungry for pass rushers, and the Dolphins may just be willing to open one up to the crowd in fifth-year outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips. 
The team’s second first-round pick in 2021, Phillps didn’t have to go far after finishing out his collegiate career at The U. A five-star recruit out of Redlands East Valley HS in southern California, Phillips first committed to play at nearby UCLA. He made an immediate impact as a true freshman before seeing his sophomore season come to an early end after only four games because of a season-ending concussion.
After being dealt multiple other injuries, including some from being hit by a car while on a moped, Phillips followed advice to medically retire from the sport. After the school year ended, though, Phillips transferred to Miami (FL), where he intended to return to football. He sat out the 2019 season, as required by the NCAA transfer rules at that time, before delivering a second-team All-American season for the Hurricanes. He opted to forgo his eligibility and was drafted 18th overall by Miami.
Phillips came swinging out the gate for the Dolphins. Rotating in off the bench most of the time as a rookie, Phillips’ 8.5 sacks were a half-sack away from the team lead, which he did achieve with seven sacks in his sophomore campaign. Over those first two years, in addition to the 15.5 sacks, Phillips compiled 17 tackles for loss, 41 quarterback hits, three pass deflections, three fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble.
In 2023, Phillips looked to be on pace for career-defining year. After missing three of the team’s first five games, he went on a six-game tear. In eight games total, Phillips had racked up 6.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss. With six games left in the season, Phillips looked certain to achieve some new career highs. Instead, a torn Achilles tendon ended his season.
The Dolphins exercised Phillips’ fifth-year option, giving themselves a bit more time to see how he might recover and rejoin the team, and he worked hard to make his way back to the field in time for some training camp. He had overcome injury again and was ready to reap his reward. Unfortunately, Phillips’ injury troubles did not stay at bay for long. In just the fourth week of the 2024 season, Phillips suffered a partially torn ACL that would end that season, as well.
After three and a half healthy seasons of high-level play, it seemed as if Phillips had beaten his injury demons, coming back from the brink of football retirement to become a first-round pick and an NFL starter. In the past two years, though, the medical red flags from his past have begun to stick again.
Still, Phillips is healthy today. Once again working his way back to the field for the start of the regular season, Phillips has started every game so far for Miami and hasn’t appeared on a single injury report. He hasn’t amassed a sack, tackle for loss, or quarterback hit this year, but the Dolphins have been slow to work him back up to the volume of snaps he was playing back in 2022.
If a team is willing to give up some draft compensation for a partial-year rental of Phillips, it seems Miami would be more than willing to oblige. With Phillips on the final year of his contract, there’s a chance he could earn a lucrative deal in free agency if the team that trades for him doesn’t extend or re-sign him. If so, that team could potentially earn a compensatory pick for losing him.
The Dolphins, too, could just wait for the compensatory reward of letting Phillips walk in free agency, but according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports, Miami would prefer to get a pick for the 2026 NFL Draft now rather than wait for the comp pick in 2027. Plus, because of the comp pick potential, they can ask for a bit more in draft compensation, though it may be a wash as the team receiving him would be taking on more than half of the $13.25MM base salary he’s due this year on his fifth-year option.
So, what teams might be interested in acquiring the 26-year-old with a bit of an injury history? It would likely be a team that is struggling to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and knowing the short-term nature of his deal, they could be hoping to contend this year. The 49ers fit that bill, considering their 18 pressures are good for second-worst in the NFL, despite the fact that they are one of only two teams to have played five games this year. The Commanders, Chiefs, and Eagles are also playoff-hopeful teams who currently sport middle-of-the-road pass rush numbers.
Regardless, there may not be much of a future for Phillips in Miami. Even if he could work his way past a slow start and finish the season strong, his brutal injury history may dissuade a Dolphins front office that has already watched him miss a good portion of the last two seasons. Counterintuitively, a brighter future for Phillips may await him outside of Miami.
Latest On 49ers’ Injuries
San Francisco is one of a few teams that have been bitten especially hard by the injury bug this season. Luckily, they’ve avoided the injury to their star running back that had everyone worried about to start the year, but in a crucial divisional matchup last night, the 49ers’ injury report ruled out five players, including the starting quarterback and three wide receivers. 
San Francisco was able to pull out a victory in last night’s game despite the team that’s taken so many hits thus far taking a few more in Los Angeles. The successful trip saw injuries sustained by defensive tackles Kalia Davis, Yetur Gross-Matos, and rookie Alfred Collins, as well as rookie cornerback Upton Stout, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. The only one who appears to have gotten off easy is Stout, who avoided a high ankle sprain, just suffered a regular ankle sprain, and is currently day-to-day.
Davis, on the other hand, will require surgery to repair a broken bone in his hand. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the procedure was scheduled to take place today. There’s some thought that Davis could potentially miss as few as two games. As a defensive lineman, Davis doesn’t have too much use for the gripping mechanic of that appendage in a game, and some expect him to return to play with a club cast on his hand.
Gross-Matos had just come off his only full practice of the week as he worked his way back from a knee injury. While the knee seemingly held up last night, Gross-Matos is now set to miss time with a hamstring strain, which could mean a multi-week absence. The rookie, Collins, suffered a sprained knee. With the Thursday Night Football matchup allowing for a bit more time to recover before their next game, Collins may stand a chance at not missing time, depending on the severity of the sprain.
Lastly, while we knew that star tight end George Kittle would be eligible to return from injured reserve in Week 6 after being placed on list after the season opener, we’ve finally received some insight on a more specific timeline. Per Vic Tafur of The Athletic, head coach Kyle Shanahan informed the media that Kittle likely will not be able to make it back until at least Week 7. At best, this will limit the veteran in-line pass catcher to a five-game absence.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/3/25
Today’s practice squad transactions as we head into the weekend:
New York Jets
- Signed: RB Avery Williams
- Released: RB Lawrance Toafili
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: OLB Antwaun Powell-Ryland, CB Eli Ricks
- Released: DE K.J. Henry, DT Jacob Sykes
Yesterday, the Eagles released Powell-Ryland and Ricks and signed Henry and Sykes, making today a complete undoing of yesterday’s moves. Since failing to make Philadelphia’s initial 53-man roster, Ricks has been signed and released three times, making this his fourth time signing to the taxi squad.
Powell-Ryland is catching up to Ricks after being signed, released, and then signed again in each of the last three days. Similarly, this is Sykes’ second one-day stay on the practice squad, and Henry’s first after joining yesterday. It seems likely that the Eagles have worked out some handshake deals that allow them to keep some regulars nearby to fill out the practice squad without going over the 16-man limit.
NFL Minor Transactions: 10/3/25
Here are Friday’s minor moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Claimed off waivers (from 49ers): DT Jordan Jefferson
- Waived: DT Howard Cross III
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: WR Alex Bachman
- Placed on IR: OLB Brennan Jackson
The Bengals are the second team to claim Jefferson this year. A 2024 fourth-round pick out of LSU, Jefferson couldn’t make it to Year 2 in Jacksonville and was waived in final roster cuts. Cincinnati tried to claim him then, badly needing improved depth on their defensive line at the time, but San Francisco had higher priority. When the Niners waiving him yesterday, the Bengals got a second chance to claim him.
Jackson is dealing with a foot injury that will take at least four weeks to come back from, making him an easy candidate for injured reserve.
Colts CB Xavien Howard To Retire
Xavien Howard‘s return to football was brief one. After eight years in Miami and a year away from the game, Howard’s new venture with the Colts has ended after four games as Indianapolis placed the 32-year-old cornerback on the reserve/retired list today. 
A four-time Pro Bowler and a one-time selection for both the first and second All-Pro teams over his career, Howard gave the Dolphins every bit of what was asked of him as a second-round pick out of Baylor. An immediate starter in Miami’s secondary, Howard struggled with injuries early in his career but showed enough promise in two mostly healthy seasons of his rookie contract to earn a five-year, $76.5MM extension shortly after his third NFL season.
After a rookie year in which a meniscus surgery caused him to miss all but seven games, Howard exploded onto the scene with 11 interceptions and 25 passes defensed over the next two seasons. After being rewarded with the above-mentioned extension, a nagging knee injury limited Howard to five games before ultimately ending his 2019 season. He came back to have the strongest season of his career, starting all 16 games, leading the league in both interceptions (10) and passes defensed (20), and earning first-team All-Pro honors.
Over the next three seasons, Howard would continue to provide solid pass defense. His interception numbers dwindled as he only picked off seven passes over that span, but his 40 passes defensed showed that his penchant for breaking up plays still remained. At the conclusion of the 2023 campaign, the first in which Howard failed to earn a Pro Bowl selection since his injury-plagued 2019 season, the Dolphins opted to release Howard with a post-June 1 designation as a way to clear out cap space.
Despite committing to playing and even fielding offers, Howard found no place to call his football home in 2024, missing out on the entire NFL season. He visited the Bengals during the team’s defensive struggles last year but never signed with a team. The Colts landed his signature in the weeks leading up to the 2025 regular season, reuniting Howard with the game of football and with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who had coached him for a couple years in Miami.
Week 1 started off strong for Howard, as his former team failed to manage any offense in their first time facing him on the other side of the field. Week 2 brought a sobering reality, though, as Denver picked on Howard, targeting him eight times and completing eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns. He showed slight improvement in a Week 3 game against the Titans, but Week 4 brought him crashing back down. The Rams targeted Howard 10 times, completing seven passes for 112 yards and a touchdown.
According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, “there were many questions about his viability” after the rough performances, “but no one saw this coming.” Holder went on to claim that the media was not aware of any plans to release Howard, and after missing practice today with a “personal day” designation, Howard came to the decision to retire on his own.
In a statement (via Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald), Howard explained, “Throughout my career, I’ve always played football for the love of the sport. I enjoyed everything that came with being a part of the NFL; it was my passion for the game that drove me. I love and appreciate the Miami Dolphins for drafting me and giving me the chance to play pro football. I cannot thank the Indianapolis Colts enough for letting me continue to live out my dream, but my dream has now changed.”
Howard goes on to explain how much he enjoyed spending time with his kids and family during his year away from the NFL before officially declaring his intention to retire from football. He concluded, “My purpose has been fulfilled in this sport, but my kids are more important to me than football. I’ve had a hell of a career, and even though it’s ending in a unique way, I’m cool with that because, for once, I’m putting my family first, and I’m proud and excited about that decision.”