HEADLINES

49ers’ George Kittle To Miss Multiple Weeks

September 8th, 2025 at 6:01pm CST by Ben Levine

While the 49ers escaped Week 1 with a victory, it wasn’t all positive news for the organization. George Kittle exited yesterday’s win in the first half after suffering a hamstring injury, and it sounds like the veteran tight end will miss a handful of games. While speaking with reporters today, coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle will miss some time as he recovers from the injury (per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner).

While Shanahan indicated that his star TE will miss multiple weeks, he wouldn’t commit to Kittle landing on injured reserve (via Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group). Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has a more definitive timeline for the Pro Bowler, as a source indicated that Kittle would miss between three and five weeks. That timeline would make the player a prime candidate for IR.

While injuries were a theme early in Kittle’s career, the tight end has remained relatively healthy recently. Since being limited to eight games in 2020, the veteran has missed eight total contests over the past four years. He’s also continued to produce as he passed his age-30 season; after finishing the 2023 campaign with 1,022 yards, Kittle compiled 1,106 yards during the 2024 season. He seemed to pick up where he left off to start 2025, as he found the end zone to cap off San Francisco’s first offensive possession.

With Kittle out of the lineup, the 49ers will turn to Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell. Tonges made the most noise yesterday, hauling in three receptions, including the eventual game-winning touchdown.

The injuries don’t stop there. Shanahan revealed that quarterback Brock Purdy is dealing with both a shoulder and toe injury, with the coach stating “we’ll see” when asked about the player’s status for Week 2 (per Wagoner). Shanahan said the toe issue is more serious than the shoulder issue, and the team will use the upcoming week to evaluate the quarterback’s progress. If Purdy isn’t able to go against the Saints, Mac Jones would draw the start.

Finally, receiver Jauan Jennings was sidelined yesterday thanks to a shoulder injury. Shanahan told reporters that the team is still awaiting imaging on the wideout, although initial tests indicated that the player should be okay (per Wagoner). With Brandon Aiyuk out to start the season and Deebo Samuel no longer on the squad, the 49ers were going to be especially reliant on Jennings to begin the 2025 season. The 28-year-old hauled in a pair of catches for 16 yards before exiting yesterday’s game.

Chargers LB Denzel Perryman Suffers High Ankle Sprain

September 8th, 2025 at 4:33pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Chargers secured a win in Week 1, but their defense suffered a notable loss along the way. Linebacker Denzel Perryman departed early in the contest, and he was in a walking boot after the game.

Testing has taken place, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports a high ankle sprain has been diagnosed. As a result, missed time is in store. High ankle sprains tend to carry a recovery timeline of multiple weeks, so a move to injured reserve could be in store.

[RELATED: Chargers DC Jesse Minter Potential 2026 HC Candidate?]

An IR stint would require at least a four-game absence, so it will be interesting to see how the Chargers proceed in this case. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said on Monday (via ESPN’s Kris Rhim) no decision regarding IR has been made yet. Perryman played eight snaps on Friday before suffering the injury. His departure represented a blow to the Chargers’ defense, although the unit nevertheless enjoyed a solid outing in the 27-21 win over the Chiefs.

Perryman has served as a full-time starter for much of his career, including his second Chargers stint. The 32-year-old returned to Los Angeles last offseason on a one-year pact. He was limited to 11 games, but when on the field the former second-rounder was a key figure defensively. Perryman took another one-year deal in March to stay with the Bolts, and by late May he was fully recovered from the elbow injury he suffered in the wild-card round.

A fully healthy season would have been critical for team and player, but that will not be the case in 2025. Perryman is set to spend time on the shelf, something which will leave Los Angeles thin at the second level. Junior Colson was placed on season-ending injured reserve during roster cuts due to a shoulder injury. 2023 third-rounder Daiyan Henley and sixth-year veteran Troy Dye handled much of the linebacker work on Friday, and that will likely continue with Perryman sidelined.

The former Pro Bowler’s 2026 market value will take a hit with further missed time. In the event the Chargers do not move him to injured reserve, however, Perryman will be eligible to return within the next four weeks.

Texans TE Cade Stover Suffers Broken Foot

September 8th, 2025 at 2:26pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Texans’ tight end depth has been dealt another blow early in the season. Cade Stover suffered a broken foot yesterday, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports.

Stover is now out indefinitely as a result. The news comes after fellow tight end Brevin Jordan was lost for the season in August. A lengthy absence in Stover’s case would leave Houston notably short on options at the position.

The 2024 fourth-rounder played 16 combined regular and postseason games as a rookie despite undergoing an emergency appendectomy in December. Stover also had offseason shoulder surgery but was at full strength in time for Week 1. Losing him for an extended period will leave the Texans with Dalton Schultz as their top tight end; only he and Stover dressed at that position on Sunday.

Houston has a pair of replacement options on the practice squad. Harrison Bryant – acquired from the Eagles in the John Metchie trade – as well as seventh-round rookie Luke Lachey are in place on the team’s taxi squad at the moment. It would come as little surprise if at least one were to be elevated to the active roster shortly. Bryant is a veteran of 78 games, so the pending free agent could offer experienced depth at the position at least until other roster moves take place.

Stover recorded just 15 receptions and one touchdown last season, but he served as the Texans’ starter yesterday. The 25-year-old led the team in catches with four, producing 22 yards along the way. As Houston looks to improve on offense moving forward, the team will do so without an important figure in the picture for the time being.

NFL Could Suspend Eagles DT Jalen Carter

September 8th, 2025 at 1:52pm CST by Rory Parks

SEPTEMBER 8: No decision has been made yet regarding supplemental discipline for Carter at this point, Mark Maske of the Washington Post notes. He adds the league’s evaluation process is expected to conclude early this week, so clarity in the case case should emerge shortly.

SEPTEMBER 7: Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter did not play a single snap during his club’s win over the Cowboys in the NFL’s regular season opener on Thursday. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Carter may also miss at least Philadelphia’s Week 2 matchup with the Chiefs, as the league could suspend the 2024 Pro Bowler.

Following an injury to Philadelphia fullback Ben VanSumeren on the opening kickoff, Carter spit on Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott while the two teams were waiting on the field during the ensuing injury delay (it later became clear that Prescott spit in the direction of Carter and the Eagles’ defense before Carter’s retaliation). Carter was promptly ejected, and a decision from the NFL as to whether the Georgia product will miss any additional games is expected on Monday. 

He will at least receive a substantial fine, per Schefter, who says a speech given by NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent during the spring owner’s meetings could be instructive in this matter. In his speech, Vincent said sportsmanship posed one of the biggest threats to the NFL’s brand, and that there would be “zero tolerance for acts that demean the game.”

The Eagles survived the Cowboys contest and hung on for a 24-20 victory, but Carter’s absence was noticeable, particularly in the early stages of the game. The team would obviously love to have him on the field for the upcoming Super Bowl rematch.

Carter, the ninth overall pick of the 2023 draft, finished second to Texans defensive end Will Anderson in Defensive Player of the Year voting in his rookie season and earned Second Team All-Pro acclaim last year, in addition to his first Pro Bowl nod. He has compiled 10.5 sacks, 25 quarterback hits, and 20 tackles for loss over his first two years in the league.

“It was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won’t happen again,” Carter said after the game. “I feel bad for my teammates and the fans out there. … It won’t happen again. I can make that promise.”

Technically, a suspension of any length would automatically void the remaining guarantees on Carter’s rookie contract, as Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports confirms. However, Jones says the club would not try to claw back any money, so the ascending player will likely earn every dollar due to him under his deal. He will be extension-eligible after the 2025 season.

Head coach Nick Sirianni did not indicate whether Carter would receive any internal discipline.

Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw Uncertain To Play In Week 1

September 8th, 2025 at 1:08pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Vikings will be without safety Harrison Smith during tonight’s game against the Bears. Minnesota’s offensive line could also be shorthanded during the team’s season opener.

Christian Darrisaw missed most of the 2024 campaign due to ACL and MCL tears. The standout left tackle has spent the offseason rehabbing his knee, and he managed to return to practice in June. At that point, however, Darrisaw had yet to receive full medical clearance.

The 26-year-old continued to make progress through the summer, and he was listed as a full participant in practice for the past two days. In spite of that, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes Darrisaw is not a lock to suit up tonight (video link). A cautious approach would come as little surprise given the 26-year-old’s importance to Minnesota’s offense.

Darrisaw inked a $26MM-per-year extension last summer, and he is under contract through 2029 as a result. The Vikings’ offensive line will depend on him this season and well beyond that point, so making sure he is back to full strength before playing him would be an understandable approach. Should Darrisaw sit out tonight (or any further games early in the year), though, the Vikings will be notably shorthanded on the blindside.

One of Minnesota’s top priorities this offseason was improving along the offensive line. Ex-Colts Will Fries and Ryan Kelly were added at guard and center, respectively. They will be joined by veteran right tackle Brian O’Neill and first-round rookie Donovan Jackson as starters. It will be interesting to see if Darrisaw is present as well for quarterback J.J. McCarthy‘s regular season debut.

Saints’ Julian Blackmon Suffers Torn Labrum

September 8th, 2025 at 12:21pm CST by Adam La Rose

For the second time in 2025, labrum surgery is in store for Julian Blackmon. The veteran safety’s tenure with the Saints is set to last only one game.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Monday Blackmon was feared to have suffered a torn labrum, an injury he encountered late last season. Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football has since confirmed that is indeed the case. As a result, season-ending surgery is upcoming.

Blackmon underwent surgery on his previous tear in January. Rapoport notes this latest ailment concerns a different portion of the same labrum, while Underhill adds surgery will take place soon. The news marks a notable blow to New Orleans’ secondary, a unit which lost Tyrann Mathieu to retirement in July. Blackmon was added in the immediate aftermath of that decision.

That came about via a one-year pact featuring $3.17MM in guarantees. After just one regular season contest, Blackmon’s attention will now turn once again to the recovery process. The Saints, meanwhile, will presumably need to seek out a safety addition with the regular season already underway.

Blackmon played out his rookie contract with the Colts, serving as a full-time starter during that span. The 27-year-old did not generate a notable market during his first trip to free agency, however, and he remained in Indianapolis on a one-year pact. The Colts added Camryn Bynum this spring, pointing to a Blackmon departure taking place. The latter spent much of the offseason unsigned, and this injury will no doubt hurt his earning potential next spring as well.

New Orleans recently released special teams ace J.T. Gray, who has since joined the Ravens. Gray would not have been a preferred candidate to fill in on defense, but his absence will compound the Saints’ depth issues at safety given the fact Blackmon is now out for the rest of the campaign. New Orleans entered Monday with $8.61MM in cap space, so finances will not be an issue if another low-cost addition is sought out in the near future.

Kevin Stefanski: Browns Not Seeking K Addition

September 8th, 2025 at 11:02am CST by Adam La Rose

The Browns began their season with a 17-16 loss to the Bengals. Dropped passes were a key factor in the game, but so too were missed kicks.

During his regular season debut, Andre Szmyt connected on one field goal attempt and one extra point. However, he also missed an extra point in the third quarter before what would have been a go-ahead field goal (from 36 yards out) late in the game wound up off target. As is the case with other teams around the league, questions have been raised about competition being brought in for the Browns.

For now, at least, that will not be taking place in Cleveland. Head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked after the game about Szmyt, who enjoyed a strong preseason. He said the 26-year-old is not in danger of being replaced after Sunday’s poor performance.

“I’m not there,” Stefanski said (via Pro Football Talk’s Myles Simmons) when asked about competition being brought in this week. “You know, points are at premium obviously. So that’s frustrating. Andre’s had a really good camp. He’s done a nice job for us. So I’m not there.”

Dustin Hopkins had a stellar debut campaign with the Browns in 2023, connecting on 33 of 36 field goal tries (including all eight attempts from 50 yards and beyond). Last year, however, the veteran struggled from a number of distances, making just 18 of his 27 attempts. Hopkins was replaced for Week 13 in 2024 before ultimately being released as part of Cleveland’s roster cuts following training camp.

That move confirmed Szmyt’s status as Cleveland’s preferred kicking option. The former UDFA certainly did not make the best of first impressions with the Browns, but based on Stefanski’s comments he is not in danger of being replaced early in the campaign.

CB Mike Hilton To Visit Eagles

September 8th, 2025 at 9:31am CST by Adam La Rose

As he expected, Mike Hilton found himself in Miami by the end of July. The veteran corner did not survive roster cuts with the Dolphins, however, and he has remained a free agent through the opening week of the regular season.

A new opportunity could be in place shortly. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports Hilton will visit the Eagles today. Depending on how Monday’s workout goes, an agreement could be reached allowing the 31-year-old to continue his career in Philadelphia.

Not long after being released by Miami, Hilton visited the Colts. Indianapolis’ defensive coordinator is Lou Anarumo, who worked with Hilton in Cincinnati for four years. No deal was reached, however, leaving Hilton in search of another landing spot. That destination could prove to be Philadelphia, a team which has already made a September addition on defense with the Za’Darius Smith signing.

The Eagles have 2024 draftees Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in place as first-team cornerbacks. Adoree’ Jackson operated as a perimeter starter in Week 1, but he struggle in that capacity. An in-season addition could relegate him to backup duties. Signing Hilton – who has primarily worked in the slot during his eight-year career – would likely result in DeJean moving to the boundary in the event Hilton were to be used as a starter.

A more realistic scenario could be a backup gig in Hilton’s case. Avonte Maddox served as a fill-in option in the slot for 2024 before departing in free agency this spring. With 123 games and 56 starts to his name, Hilton would certainly offer plenty of experience to Philadelphia’s secondary in any capacity. The former UDFA has averaged two interceptions and eight pass deflections per season over the course of his career.

The Eagles currently have roughly $19.5MM in cap space. As a result, finances will not be an issue if today’s workout results in a one-year offer being made.

Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy Suffers Dislocated Shoulder, Expected To Miss Time

September 7th, 2025 at 10:50pm CST by Rory Parks

The Chiefs, already short-handed at the wide receiver position due to Rashee Rice’s six-game suspension, are now expected to be without Xavier Worthy for an undetermined amount of time, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (video link). Worthy collided with teammate Travis Kelce during Kansas City’s Week 1 loss to the Chargers on Friday, and he sustained a dislocated shoulder as a result. 

Worthy will obtain a second opinion on the matter, and Rapoport says the most likely scenario is that the second-year pro will be able to return this season and play with a brace. That said, surgery is still an option as of the time of this writing.

The 28th overall pick of the 2024 draft, Worthy set a scouting combine record for the fastest 40-yard dash in the history of the event, though that speed did not translate to massive yards-per-reception numbers in his first NFL regular season. Worthy was targeted 98 times last year, and he hauled in 59 catches for 638 yards and six touchdowns.

He did, however, add 20 carries for 104 yards and three more scores, and he elevated his game in the postseason. In three playoff games, Worthy caught 19 of his 21 targets, tallying 287 yards and three TDs. That led to heightened expectations for the 2025 slate, especially in the wake of Rice’s early-season ban.

Unfortunately, those expectations will be put on hold for the time being. The Chiefs still have Hollywood Brown as a big-play threat, and Brown and fellow veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster combined to catch 15 passes for 154 yards in the Los Angeles game. 

Meanwhile, fourth-round rookie Jalen Royals missed the regular season opener due to a knee injury, so the Chiefs are certainly feeling the pinch when it comes to their WR depth chart. Although Rapoport does not say so, it is fair to wonder if the team will look to fortify the group with a free agent signing.

At present, Tyler Boyd and Nelson Agholor represent two of the most accomplished names on the list of FA wideouts.

2025 Offseason In Review Series

September 7th, 2025 at 10:25pm CST by Adam La Rose

Here are PFR’s breakdowns of each NFL team’s 2025 offseason.

AFC East

AFC North

AFC South

AFC West

NFC East

NFC North

NFC South

NFC West

Load More Posts