Broncos LB Alex Singleton Recovering From Testicular Cancer Surgery
Alex Singleton announced to his teammates today that he recently underwent surgery for testicular cancer. The veteran linebacker will be absent from the Broncos for the time being but offered an encouraging statement on his status.
“I shared with my teammates and coaches that I underwent successful surgery on Friday for testicular cancer after being diagnosed last week,” Singleton posted on X. “Thankfully, we believe the cancer was caught early… While we are still awaiting some test results, I fully expect to return to the field in the coming weeks.”
Singleton was selected for random drug testing by the NFL recently. His results indicated the presence of the hormone hcG, which prompted the seventh-year veteran to consult a urologist. The diagnosis was confirmed shortly thereafter. Singleton still managed to play in the Broncos’ Week 10 game on Thursday night; his surgery took place the following day.
The 31-year-old confirmed (via Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post) he will miss at least this week’s matchup with the Chiefs. Singleton is hopeful he will be back in action relatively soon, though. Provided that takes place, his return will give the Broncos’ elite defense a boost.
Singleton has been a core part of a unit that ranks third in both points allowed and total defense. His 89 tackles lead the Broncos and rank fifth in the NFL, putting him on pace for similar production as his stellar 2022 and 2023 seasons. Those were his first two years in Denver; his third was cut short by a torn ACL in Week 3, though Singleton played the whole game despite suffering the injury in the first quarter.
Singleton’s professional career technically started in the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2015, but he never rose above the practice squad as a rookie. Instead, he made his name in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders, earning a Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in 2017, a Grey Cup championship in 2018, and a CFL All-Star nod in each year. That drew him plenty of NFL interest, and Singleton opted to join the Eagles in 2019. He played for three years in Philadelphia, starting out as a special teams contributor and quickly growing into their starting No. 2 linebacker.
Hopefully, Singleton can quickly put this health scare behind him and return to leading the Broncos defense as they look to continue their excellent start and make a deep playoff run.
Nikhil Mehta contributed to this story.
Raiders G Jackson Powers‑Johnson Could Miss Remainder Of Season
Jackson Powers-Johnson suffered an ankle injury during the Raiders’ Week 10 loss. After the game, head coach Pete Carroll indicated a lengthy absence could be in store. 
That has proven to be an accurate assessment. The second-year blocker is headed to injured reserve, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Powers-Johnson will miss at least the next four games as a result, although Rapoport adds he may not return this season.
That would deal a blow to Vegas’ offensive line the rest of the way. Powers-Johnson entered the league with high expectations and the second-round pick logged 14 starts as a rookie. In 2025, Powers-Johnson has started seven of his eight appearances while playing exclusively at right guard after spending time at all three interior spots last year. His development will be paused for a notable stretch even if a late-season return proves to be possible.
Powers-Johnson saw a large variance in his PFF evaluations from one game to the next this season. Improvement toward the end of the campaign would not have been enough to help the Raiders contend for a playoff spot, but it could have helped the 22-year-old cement his status as a guard starter for the future. Efforts on that front could now be delayed until 2026.
Veteran Alex Cappa – who was signed in free agency following his Bengals release – is an option to take over right guard duties moving forward. The same is also true of third-round rookie Caleb Rogers. The 2-7 Raiders will already be shorthanded on offense thanks to their decision to trade away Jakobi Meyers, and they will now proceed without a first-team figure up front as well.
49ers Do Not Expect Brock Purdy To Fully Heal In 2025
Brock Purdy‘s early return to action in Week 4 resulted in an aggravation of his turf toe injury. He has yet to appear for the 49ers since, and being available at full strength may not be possible for the remainder of the season. 
Head coach Kyle Shanahan recently noted (via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner) the team does not expect Purdy to return to 100% at any point during the 2025 campaign. As a result, a decision will need to be made regarding how close to full strength he is to be worth re-inserting into the lineup. To date, a cautious approach has been taken in this case.
The 49ers have of course been able to play things safe with Purdy thanks to the consistent performances of backup quarterback Mac Jones. San Francisco lost on Sunday, but Jones delivered another strong outing; the former Patriots first-rounder has posted a triple-digit passer rating four times in his eight starts this season. The 49ers sit at 6-4 on the year despite a slew of injuries on both sides of the ball. If Jones continues his level of play, a postseason berth will remain possible down the stretch.
San Francisco’s schedule includes games against the Cardinals, Panthers and Browns before the team’s bye week. Each of those opponents sport a losing record, and it could allow the 49ers to carry on with Jones atop the depth chart. Shanahan did say after yesterday’s game, however, that Purdy could have dressed as the backup in Week 10. That means the door is open to a return as early as next week.
“It depends on how close to 100% he gets,” Shanahan said (via Wagoner). “Our dilemma or what we’re trying not to do is put him out in the situation we did versus Jacksonville six weeks ago… I do believe he’s closer and further along than what he was at that time.”
The team has been clear in stating Purdy will operate as the starter once he is back in the fold. Questions about Jones playing his way into the QB1 gig have grown in the wake of his surprisingly strong performances, but Purdy inked a five-year extension averaging $53MM per season this past offseason. The former ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ will be tasked with guiding the offense whenever he is back on the field.
Especially if the 49ers feel Purdy will not be fully healed in the event he returns in 2025, however, it remains to be seen when the team will truly feel comfortable playing him. As the team deals with a number of other high-profile injury matters, this one will continue to be worth watching closely.
Jon Runyan Jr., Devin Singletary, Graham Gano Among Giants’ Cut Candidates
The Giants fell to 2-8 on the year thanks to another blown fourth-quarter lead. Quarterback Jaxson Dart is in danger of missing Week 11 due to a concussion, and questions continue to linger about the job security of head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. 
Regardless of what happens the rest of the way, a number of key decisions will need to be made after the season ends. Several veterans represent strong candidates to be released in cost-shedding moves with or without a new regime in place. As Darryl Slater of NJ.com writes, there are at least a few who are locks to be let go this offseason.
Among those is guard Jon Runyan Jr., running back Devin Singletary and kicker Graham Gano. Runyan signed with the Giants in free agency in 2024 after playing out his rookie contract with the Packers. The 28-year-old has served as a starter during his time in New York, but he has not managed to live up to expectations. Runyan is not owed any guaranteed salary for 2026, the final year of his deal. A release would create $9.25MM in cap savings while only generating $2.5MM in dead money.
Singletary spent one season in Houston after his four-year run in Buffalo came to an end. With the Giants in need of a Saquon Barkley replacement, he inked a three-year contract featuring $9.5MM in guarantees. That agreement did not result in an RB1 workload for Singletary with his new team, however. He logged a rotational role during his debut New York campaign before seeing his workload reduced even further in 2025. With Tyrone Tracy and Cam Skattebo each on their rookie deals, cutting Singletary (and saving $5.25MM in the process) would come as little surprise.
Gano has been a consistent contributor when healthy over the course of his Giants tenure, but injuries have been an issue dating back to 2023. The 38-year-old has only played in 23 games across the past three seasons and Slater deems him a “sure thing” to be released. Doing so would yield $4.5MM in savings against a dead money charge of only $1.25MM.
Plenty of other moves will be made ahead of the 2026 campaign, but as Slater notes the Giants are currently projected to be in the bottom half of the league in terms of cap space for next year. The team’s financial outlook will change dramatically if a major roster rest is pursued, but in any case those three cut candidates could very well find themselves on the move relatively soon.
Lions HC Dan Campbell Assumes Week 10 Offensive Play-Calling Duties
11:00pm: When speaking after his team’s 44-22 win, Campbell said (via ESPN’s Eric Woodyard) he decided to make the change following last week’s game. Morton was still involved in handling the offense in Week 10, though. Campbell added this situation is different from that of 2021, the year in which he permanently took over play-calling duties from Anthony Lynn midway through the campaign.
6:33pm: Leading up to Week 10, there were questions about a potential change in terms of how the Lions would operate on offense. For at least one game, head coach Dan Campbell is handling play-calling duties. 
“I’ve got a million ideas,” Campbell said last week when speaking about his team’s offense (via Mike Garafolo of NFL Network). “And I believe it’s going to work this week. And if it doesn’t, then I’ve got another idea. I’ve got plenty. We’ll get this thing going.”
Entering Sunday’s game, the Lions ranked fourth in the NFL in scoring but only 12th in terms of yards per game. Middling production through the air led to talk about new offensive coordinator John Morton being stripped of play-calling duties. Garafolo was among those who noticed Campbell appeared to be handling those duties, although the fifth-year head coach regularly consults a callsheet even when that is not the case.
When speaking to Fox Sports’ Megan Olivi at halftime, Campbell confirmed he has assumed the role of play-caller for today’s game. He noted the team simply wanted to “change things up,” and it will be interesting to see if that setup continues moving forward. Campbell called plays early in his Lions tenure.
Those responsibilities were shouldered by Ben Johnson during his three-year tenure as Detroit’s offensive coordinator. His success in that role made him one of the league’s top head coaching candidates, and Johnson took charge of the Bears this offseason. Campbell and the Lions looked internally to replace DC Aaron Glenn by promoting Kelvin Shephard to that spot, but Morton was brought in as an outside hire following his two seasons working alongside Sean Payton in Denver.
The Lions have enjoyed a very strong outing against the Commanders, a team which has been reeling as of late. Still, that level of success could lead Campbell to carry on calling plays moving forward. Otherwise, Morton will be tasked with building on Detroit’s momentum and in doing so putting to rest doubts about his status.
Cowboys-Packers Micah Parsons Trade Includes Poison-Pill Provision
This summer, the Eagles reportedly made the top offer for Micah Parsons when it became clear the Cowboys were prepared to trade their star pass rusher in the wake of failed extension talks. Naturally, Dallas did not want to deal Parsons to a division rival, and the club ultimately shipped Parsons to the Packers. The Cowboys also took added measures to ensure Parsons would not end up in Philadelphia anytime soon.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Packers-Cowboys swap includes a poison-pill provision that requires Green Bay to surrender its 2028 first-round pick to Dallas if the Packers trade Parsons to another club in the NFC East. Likewise, the Cowboys will owe the Packers a 2028 first-rounder if they should trade defensive tackle Kenny Clark – who was sent to Dallas as part of the Parsons package – to another team in the NFC North.
While the Parsons component of the poison-pill condition technically applies to any NFC East team, Schefter’s sources say the Cowboys’ real concern was Philadelphia. In addition to the Eagles’ status as reigning Super Bowl champions and the fact that they look to be a championship contender for the foreseeable future, Parsons is a Harrisburg (Pa.) native and Penn State product who entertained dreams of playing for the Birds.
On the other hand, the condition expires at the end of the 2026 season, and Parsons’ childhood fantasies notwithstanding, the record-setting contract he signed with the Packers keeps him under club control through 2029. Even if Green Bay were inclined to trade him before the expiration of the condition – which is highly unlikely – the accompanying dead money charge would complicate those efforts.
Additionally, if the Packers and Eagles were adamant about completing a Parsons trade before the end of the 2026 slate, they still could. Philadelphia simply would have to include enough trade compensation to make up for the loss of Green Bay’s 2028 first-rounder.
Schefter and Jason Wilde of Channel3000.com acknowledge the odds of the poison pill coming into play are slim, though it does add yet another element to one of the most stunning trades in recent memory. The provision only recently came to light when other clubs, in preparation for last week’s trade deadline, reviewed the NFL’s database that tracks each team’s draft picks and realized the Cowboys and Packers have conditions attached to their 2028 first-rounders.
Many fans will remember that the Packers have been involved in high-profile poison-pill agreements before. When Green Bay traded quarterback Brett Favre to the Jets in 2008, part of the deal was that Gang Green would owe the Pack three first-rounders if they were to flip Favre to an NFC North outfit.
Steelers ‘Hope’ To Retain QB Aaron Rodgers In 2026
Whenever Aaron Rodgers‘ career ends, he will officially retire as a member of the Packers. His current team could spend another season with him atop the QB depth chart, though. 
It was reported late last month the Steelers would be open to re-signing Rodgers for 2026. The future Hall of Famer took a one-year deal to head to Pittsburgh, and he stated before the campaign began he expected to hang up his cleats once the season ended. If a different approach were to be taken, the Steelers would welcome it.
Taking previous reports one step further, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports writes the team “hopes” Rodgers will continue playing next season. Pittsburgh entered the year without a long-term succession plan in place under center, but a second season with Rodgers at the helm would give the team more time to establish one. Not long from his 42nd birthday, the four-time MVP has given the Steelers a consistent presence at the QB spot, especially compared to their other post-Ben Roethlisberger passers.
Rodgers was not a lock to play in 2025, and he spoke with other teams (including the Vikings, reported to be his preferred destination) before joining the Steelers. He has delivered strong showings across the board while remaining healthy and leading the team to a 5-4 record. Provided Rodgers continues to enjoy a productive campaign, it would come as little surprise if a mutual interest were to emerge regarding a deal covering 2026.
The Steelers allowed Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to depart in free agency, reuniting with Mason Rudolph along the way. He was made aware of Pittsburgh’s Rodgers interest but signed a two-year deal nevertheless. The Steelers also added a developmental arm in the form of sixth-rounder rookie Will Howard. The Ohio State product has yet to see any time on the field, and that is likely to remain the case with Rodgers and Rudolph healthy.
Pittsburgh’s defense played a key role in the team’s win against the Colts but in general the unit has not lived up to expectations. If that continues, the Steelers’ offense will face increased pressure. Rodgers has done well to date, and Jones cautions the team’s approach will depend on how the coming weeks play out. At this point, though, efforts to continue Rodgers’ career for one more year can be expected after the current campaign comes to an end.
Bills Were “High Bidder” For Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle, Also Pursued DT Quinnen Williams
After Tuesday’s trade deadline passed, Bills GM Brandon Beane lamented the fact that he was unable to swing a deal to improve his roster. He also noted that his club’s salary cap situation – Buffalo has under $3MM of cap space – prevented him from “fishing in the deep end of the pond.”
But subsequent reports suggest Beane did plenty of deep sea (or pond) fishing. The problem is that several of his targets are/were on teams in the same division, making it more difficult to consummate a trade.
According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Bills were the “high bidder” for Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle. The team was known to be interested in a receiver upgrade, and Waddle certainly would have fit the bill(s).
Champ Kelly, the Dolphins’ interim GM, was said to be more amenable than Chris Grier, his predecessor, to a Waddle deal. Kelly nonetheless set a high asking price on Waddle, which was reported to be a first-round pick “and then some.”
According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the Dolphins were seeking a third-rounder in addition to a first–round selection in a Waddle trade. Pelissero reports Beane was willing to meet that price, but not in the way Miami wanted (video link). Beane was prepared to part with a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 first, but Kelly wanted the first-rounder to be in 2026. Plus, Pelissero’s NFL Network colleague Mike Garafolo hears Kelly would have required even more than that if he were to agree to send Waddle to the division-rival Bills. Waddle’s prorated 2025 base salary of $1.17MM would have been feasible for Buffalo to absorb, but the cost of the trade itself clearly was not. In the end, Waddle stayed put.
More difficult from at least a financial standpoint for the Bills to acquire was Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, though Pelissero reports Beane pursued him as well (and offered a first-round pick as part of his proposal). Buffalo has one of the worst run defenses in the league, and starting DT Ed Oliver suffered a torn biceps in Week 8 and will not return until the postseason (if at all). Williams would have been an ideal on-field fit, but his prorated 2025 salary of $15.65MM would have required a great deal of last-minute maneuvering on Beane’s part (as Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com observes). And, it is fair to assume New York, like Miami, would have set an even higher price tag for a divisional foe (Gang Green ultimately dealt Willams to the Cowboys in exchange for a 2026 second-rounder, a 2027 first-rounder, and DT Mazi Smith).
Having struck out in their trade pursuits – which also included a stab at a CB upgrade and linebacker Logan Wilson – the Bills will hope their existing roster can make another playoff run. The team is 6-3 and in a close race with the surprising Patriots (8-2) for the AFC East title.
Browns Planned Adonai Mitchell Move Before Jets-Colts Trade
Even if the Jets hadn’t insisted on getting Adonai Mitchell in the Sauce Gardner deal, the second-year wideout was likely headed out of Indianapolis at the trade deadline.
Multiple teams were interested in Mitchell, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Among them were the Browns, who were planning to send a late-round pick to the Colts in exchange for the 23-year-old receiver
However, the Jets’ desire to acquire Mitchell – and the Colts’ to acquire Gardner – made it impossible for the 2024 second-round pick to land in Cleveland. There, he could have stepped into a WR2 role right away. Of the Browns’ top six pass-catchers in terms of receptions, only one – Jerry Jeudy – is a receiver. After career-best numbers in 2024, his 22-257-0 line this season is even more disappointing considering his 54 targets. No other Browns wideout has more than 11 catches or 125 yards on the year.
That would have given Mitchell ample opportunity for more targets after averaging only two per game to start the season in Indianapolis. He should still see increased usage with in New York, as the Jets badly need a second receiver behind Garrett Wilson. He racked up 56 targets in the Jets’ first six games, and even after missing two games with a knee injury, he still has almost one-fourth of the team’s target share. Wilson hurt the same knee in Sunday’s win over the Browns, according to head coach Aaron Glenn, which could sideline him for a few more games. Mitchell should have a chance to step up in his absence, and even when his star teammate returns, there should still be plenty of targets to go around. The Jets’ other primary pass-catcher is rookie tight end Mason Taylor, who has 29 catches for 242 yards. Beyond that, the team’s next-most productive receivers are Tyler Johnson (10 catches for 187 yards) and Josh Reynolds (11 catches for 101 yards).
A glance at the Jets’ cap table shows even more opportunity for Mitchell in the future. The only receivers under contract beyond this year are Wilson, second-year UDFA Isaiah Williams, and fourth-round rookie Arian Smith. Williams has just three catches for 31 yards this year, while Smith has just six for 47.
It might take Mitchell a while to get acclimated to a new scheme midseason, but a full offseason in New York won’t just help him fit into the offense. It will help his new coaching staff figure out the best ways to use him. Whether the Jets stick with Justin Fields or use their new draft capital to add a coveted veteran or rookie quarterback, they will want a better support system than what was in place for the franchise’s past signal-callers. That includes a young, athletic wideout like Mitchell who has plenty of potential and may now have the chance to show it.
49ers QB Brock Purdy Could Return In Week 11
The 49ers could get quarterback Brock Purdy back on the field next week.
After San Francisco’s loss to the Rams on Sunday, head coach Kyle Shanahan said (via The Athletic’s Vic Tafur) that Purdy “could have gone today.” However, the 49ers deactivated Purdy before the game and did not designate him as the emergency third quarterback. Doing so would not have affected the team’s game day roster, but Purdy would have been able to play had starter Mac Jones and backup Adrian Martinez both gotten injured. That decision runs contrary to Shanahan’s postgame pronouncement that Purdy was ready to play.
It seems like the 49ers are trying to avoid a repeat of Purdy’s first return from injury in Week 4. He played every snap, but re-aggravated his toe injury in the process and hasn’t played since. A similar incident this week or next could sideline him until the last few games of the regular season. He would likely be dropping right into the heat of a playoff race with little time to re-acclimate to the field before the win-or-go-home games begin. Instead, the team will wait until he is at 100%, so when he comes back, he comes back for good.
The 49ers’ success in Purdy’s absence is another reason not to rush his recovery. The team has gone 5-2 in his seven absences, keeping them firmly in playoff contention. Mac Jones‘ stats that aren’t far off from Purdy’s last season and outpace his two starts this year. Shanahan has made it clear that Purdy will retake the starting job once he is healthy, but Jones’ capable stewardship of the offense is a primary reason that he can take his time.