Each NFC Team’s Largest 2026 Cap Hit
With training camp a few weeks away and the NFL in the midst of a rare quiet period, this is a good time to examine each team’s largest 2026 cap hit. This exercise will take a look at players who are still on their teams’ rosters. That disqualifies massive dead money hits for the likes of Kyler Murray (Cardinals) and Derek Carr (Saints) from this edition, which will focus on the NFC.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Rams ($48.27MM)
One of the league’s most productive quarterbacks throughout his 17-year career, Stafford finally won his first MVP last season. During his first 17-start season since 2021, Stafford guided the Rams to a 12-5 record while leading the league in yards (4,707) and touchdowns (46, against eight interceptions). He was also among the elite in passer rating (second; 109.2) and QBR (fourth; 71.2).
In the playoffs, despite Stafford’s 374-yard, three-TD effort in the conference title game, the Rams dropped a 31-27 nail-biter to the division rival Seahawks. Stafford briefly contemplated retirement afterward, but the 38-year-old is now under contract through 2027 after inking an extension in May.
Looking to take advantage of Stafford’s remaining years as a top-level QB, the Rams added reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and ex-Chiefs starting cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to an already loaded roster over the past few months. They also turned heads in using the 13th overall pick in the draft on a quarterback, Ty Simpson, but he is obviously not a threat to Stafford in the near term.
Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys ($43.51MM)
Prescott was not at his best in 2024, an eight-start season that ended in November with a major hamstring injury, but he returned to Pro Bowl form last year. Thanks in part to the acquisition of wide receiver George Pickens, Prescott led the league with 404 completions, threw for 4,552 yards and tossed 30 touchdowns (against 10 interceptions). Prescott put up a 99.5 passer rating, the 10th-best mark in the league, and ranked an even better fifth in QBR (70.2).
The Cowboys went a lackluster 7-9-1 and missed the playoffs for the second straight year, but Prescott and the offense did their part. A bottom-dwelling defense torpedoed the Cowboys’ chances of contending. Their prolific offense remains intact. If Dallas’ defensive additions pay dividends, Prescott & Co. could return to the playoffs in his age-32 season.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Buccaneers ($39.98MM)
Mayfield remained an above-average starter in 2025, his third year with the Buccaneers, but most of his numbers declined compared to the previous season. Neither the 31-year-old nor the offense as a whole functioned as well under coordinator Josh Grizzard as they did in 2024 under Liam Coen. In fairness to Mayfield and Grizzard, a rash of injuries along the offensive line and at the skill positions didn’t help matters. Those issues contributed to an 8-9 finish for Tampa Bay, which missed the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
The Buccaneers reacted by firing Grizzard and hiring Zac Robinson, who will be Mayfield’s fourth different OC in as many seasons with the club. Franchise institution/potential Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans is also gone (to the 49ers).
Mayfield could follow Evans out the door in a year if he and the Bucs don’t hammer out a contract extension by next March. It has been a month since Mayfield told the media the sides had not made progress toward an agreement. However, there is mutual interest in getting something done before the Bucs open camp in late July, Mayfield’s self-imposed deadline. Unless he adjusts the deadline, the team has a little over three weeks to lock up its two-time Pro Bowl passer.
Sam Darnold, QB, Seahawks ($37.9MM)
The Vikings erred in allowing Darnold to leave for Seattle in 2025, when he scored a three-year, $100MM contract in free agency. All Darnold did in the first season of the contract was help the Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship. Darnold posted a 14-3 record for the second straight regular season, in which he completed a career-high 67.7% of attempts, went over the 4,000-yard mark and fired 25 touchdown passes. While he threw 14 INTs in the regular season, he didn’t add to the total in three playoff games, including a Super Bowl LX win over the Patriots.
Darnold was at his best in the aforementioned NFC title game win over the Rams, whom he torched for 346 yards and three TDs. While the Rams are now the betting favorites to win it all this season, Darnold and the reigning champion Seahawks shouldn’t be discounted.
Jared Goff, QB, Lions ($37.6MM)
The Lions’ win total plummeted from 15 in 2024 to nine last year. The six-victory decline led to the Lions missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022, but Goff remained among the game’s most prolific signal-callers. He threw for 4,564 yards and 34 touchdowns, trailing only Stafford (whom he was traded for in 2021) in those categories. Goff also tossed just eight interceptions on 578 attempts and ranked near the top of the league in passer rating (second; 105.5), completion percentage (fifth; 68%), and yards per attempt (sixth; 7.9).
Notably, this will be the third year in a row in which Goff will pair with a different play caller. After Ben Johnson left to become the Bears’ head coach in 2025, the Lions hired John Morton. The decision didn’t go according to plan, as head coach Dan Campbell took Morton’s play-calling duties away during the season and then fired him when it ended. Campbell replaced Morton with Drew Petzing, previously the Cardinals’ OC. Petzing walked into an enviable situation with Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and tight end Sam LaPorta as weapons.
Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles ($31.97MM)
Hurts took home Super Bowl LIX honors after the Eagles thrashed the Chiefs in February 2025, but the honeymoon didn’t last long. While the Eagles won 11 games and a second consecutive NFC East title, their offense markedly declined under new coordinator Kevin Patullo. With 33 total touchdowns, six interceptions and a 98.5 passer rating, Hurts put up nice numbers en route to a third Pro Bowl nod. But as the leader of the league’s 23rd-ranked passing offense, he was a source of frustration both in the building and among the team’s fans.
Worsening matters, the Eagles’ offense showed little life in a 23-19 loss to the 49ers in the wild-card round. That proved to be the last game as an Eagle for star receiver A.J. Brown, who voiced his dissatisfaction with the offense multiple times throughout the year. After a long-awaited trade with the Patriots came together on June 1, Brown revealed that he and Hurts drifted apart during the season.
Patullo and Brown are out of the organization, meaning Hurts will go into 2026 with another new OC in Sean Mannion and a few new pass catchers (first-rounder Makai Lemon, second-rounder Eli Stowers, Dontayvion Wicks and Marquise Brown) to complement holdovers DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert. This will be a crucial season for Hurts, whose five-year, $255MM contract is due to expire after 2027. The Eagles could open talks on an extension next offseason if Hurts performs to their liking in his age-28 campaign.
Jordan Love, QB, Packers ($31.6MM)
It became more obvious last season that the Packers found their third straight franchise QB in Love, who has been up to the mountainous task of following Brett Favre (1992-2007) and Aaron Rodgers (2008-22). Over 15 regular-season starts, Love threw 23 touchdowns against a meager six interceptions. He was also comfortably in the league’s top 10 in QBR (third; 72.7) passer rating (sixth; 101.2) and yards per attempt (eighth; 7.7).
Despite the positives Love showed in his third year as a starter, Green Bay’s season ended in bitter fashion. Not only did the Packers drop their last four regular-season games to finish 9-7-1, but they blew a 21-3 halftime lead in a 31-27 wild-card round loss to the archrival Bears. The defeat came in spite of Love’s 323-yard, four-TD showing.
Daron Payne, DT, Commanders ($27.95MM)
The 6-foot-3, 320-pound Payne has been a full-time starter in seven of eight seasons since the Commanders drafted him 13th overall in 2018. Payne racked up a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2022, his lone Pro Bowl season, and the Commanders kept him around with a four-year, $90MM offer a few months later. Payne is now entering the last year of the pact, but the Commanders do not plan to pursue a new deal until 2027 (if at all). Over 15 starts in 2025, Payne notched 46 tackles, eight QB hits, seven TFL, five pass deflections and three sacks. The 29-year-old came in fifth in run stop win rate, but the defense still surrendered the third-most rushing yards in the league.
Chris Lindstrom, RG, Falcons ($26.25MM)
The durable and dependable Lindstrom has started in all 105 appearances since the Falcons made him the 14th pick in the 2019 draft. In 2023, with Lindstrom then coming off his first Pro Bowl/second-team All-Pro season, former Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot gave him a five-year, $105MM extension. Money well spent, as Lindstrom has since put up three more Pro Bowl/second-team All-Pro campaigns. The 6-4, 310-pounder made his second straight 17-start season in 2025 and finished as Pro Football Focus’ second-ranked guard.
Montez Sweat, DE, Bears ($25.09MM)
The Bears won the NFC North last season despite a below-average pass rush that finished 26th in sacks and 31st in win rate. You can’t blame the Bears’ ineffective rush on Sweat, who easily led the team in pressures (54), QB hits (18) and sacks (10) over a full 17-game schedule. The Bears, who have not made any noteworthy pass-rushing additions since the Rams eliminated them in the divisional round, will count on similar production from Montez in 2026. It will be his age-30 campaign and the second-last season of a four-year, $98MM contract.
Robert Hunt, RG, Panthers ($24.3MM)
Hunt made the Pro Bowl in 2024, the beginning of a five-year, $100MM contract, but an MCL injury wiped out most of his 2025 campaign. He went down in Week 2, landed on IR, and did not return until the postseason. Hunt ended up playing 76% of the Panthers’ offensive snaps in a loss to the Rams in the wild-card round. Now heading into his age-30 season, a healthy Hunt will continue as the Panthers’ No. 1 right guard.
Paulson Adebo, CB, Giants ($24.2MM)
Adebo missed 10 games with a broken femur in 2024, his fourth and final season with the Saints, but that didn’t stop the Giants from giving him a three-year, $54MM deal in free agency. The first season of the contract didn’t go great for Adebo, who sat out five games with a knee injury. Across 12 starts, Adebo tallied 73 tackles, eight passes defensed and an interception. On 80 targets, he yielded a 98.2 passer rating (up from 70.8 the previous year). PFF ranked Adebo a below-average 72nd among 108 qualifiers at his position, though he remains atop the Giants’ depth chart going into Year 2 of his contract. Either Greg Newsome, Deonte Banks or Colton Hood will start on the other side.
Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers ($23.71MM)
This is an eminently reasonable cap hit for a healthy Purdy, who has defied the odds and excelled since he entered the NFL as Mr. Irrelevant (the last pick in the draft) in 2022. San Francisco committed to Purdy on a five-year, $265MM extension in May 2025, but turf toe limited him to nine starts last season.
Despite a rash of injuries to Purdy and other key players, the 49ers still went 12-5 and clinched a playoff berth. Purdy & Co. got a wild-card road win over Philly, but the Seahawks knocked the 49ers out a week later with a 41-6 rout in the divisional round. If Purdy and the 49ers stay relatively healthy this season, they should be legitimate championship contenders.
Brian O’Neill, RT, Vikings ($23.16MM)
The reliable O’Neill has been a full-time starter and a career-long Viking since they took him in the second round of the 2018 draft. Now a two-time Pro Bowler and the longest-tenured Viking, O’Neill is on track to play the final season of his five-year, $92MM contract in 2026. However, the soon-to-be 31-year-old has made it clear he wants to sign a second extension in Minnesota. Given the Vikings’ mutual interest, there is a good chance the sides will work something out this summer. The bigger question may be whether O’Neill will block for newly acquired quarterback Kyler Murray or holdover J.J. McCarthy. Murray and McCarthy will continue to compete for the starting job in the next couple of months.
Budda Baker, S, Cardinals ($19.22MM)
A Cardinal since he came into the league as a second-rounder in 2017, Baker is under contract through 2028 on a three-year, $54MM extension. While his team is expected to contend for the league’s worst record and the No. 1 overall pick, Baker will vie for his eighth straight Pro Bowl and ninth overall. Last season was a mixed bag despite the Pro Bowl selection. The versatile Baker made 16 starts and recorded decent counting starts (120 tackles, five passes defensed and an interception), but PFF rated him a lowly 79th among 84 safeties.
Chris Olave, WR, Saints ($15.49MM)
Olave bounced back from a concussion-marred 2024 to catch 100 passes for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns over 16 games in 2025. All of those numbers represent career highs for the four-year veteran, who earned a second-team All-Pro nod. Although Olave has been recovering from a blood clot, he is optimistic the Saints will extend him this summer. If not, Olave will play the season on his fifth-year option. The Saints drafted a new No. 2 receiver, first-rounder Jordyn Tyson, to team with Olave and second-year quarterback Tyler Shough.
Information from Over the Cap was used in the creation of this post.
Falcons Restructure Chris Lindstrom’s Deal
In March 2023, the Falcons made Chris Lindstrom the NFL’s highest-paid guard. The Pro Bowler remains second on that list, but multiple developments requiring additional funds have prompted Atlanta to adjust its top O-lineman’s deal.
The Falcons moved part of Lindstrom’s $12.5MM salary into a signing bonus, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. More specifically, Atlanta created just less than $9MM via this restructure, according to Fox Sports’ Greg Auman, who indicates the team dropped Lindstrom’s base number to $1.3MM.
This is a common tactic that occurs dozens of times per year around the NFL, and the Falcons may not be done rearranging funds. They are bringing in Matt Judon‘s $6.5MM base salary and met with Justin Simmons last week. Atlanta came into Thursday with just more than $7MM in cap space, which sat 30th in the NFL. Jessie Bates‘ deal, Auman adds, could also be restructured to create 2024 cap space.
No extension is imminent with Judon, who is not planning to take Haason Reddick‘s path and stay away from his new team absent a deal. It would not surprise if Judon was a limited practice participant, however, as it is not yet known if the veteran edge rusher (32 today) received assurances his contract would be adjusted. As the Patriots went through an uncharacteristic spree of pricey extensions and re-signings, Judon’s deal went untouched. This naturally prompted frustration on the player’s part, and the Pats ended the saga — the New England part of it, at least — by collecting a third-round pick from the Falcons.
Simmons, 30, would not be expected to sign a lucrative deal. The four-time All-Pro remaining in free agency for this long effectively confirms he was unhappy with his market. Several safeties became cap casualties this offseason, with Simmons the most accomplished of the group. The rest of that lot found deals, however. It should be expected Simmons signs somewhere soon, and it probably will take more than the veteran minimum. He also visited the Saints, who are keeping tabs on the eight-year Bronco.
As for Lindstrom, he remains tied to the five-year, $102.5MM extension he signed last March. The contract runs through 2028. The two-time All-Pro will now see some money early, via this base-to-bonus conversion — one that certainly could precede other notable Falcons transactions.
Falcons, OG Chris Lindstrom Agree To Extension
Atlanta has just acquired a new playmaker on offense, but one of the unit’s top players will remain in place for years to come. Right guard Chris Lindstrom has agreed to terms on a “mega-extension,” per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (Twitter link). The team has confirmed the deal.
Providing terms on the deal, Fowler’s colleague Adam Schefter tweets that it is a five-year pact worth $105MM. The former first-rounder was set to play on the fifth-year option in 2023, but he will now be on the books for the foreseeable future as the league’s highest-paid interior o-lineman. SI’s Albert Breer adds that the contract includes $63MM in guaranteed money (Twitter link).
The $21MM annual average value of this deal puts the 26-year-old slightly ahead of Colts left guard Quenton Nelson, who last offseason became the only non-left tackle in NFL history to eclipse the $20MM-per-season mark. The fifth-year option on Lindstrom’s deal carries a value of $13.2MM. This new pact may be aimed at lowering that figure slightly, though Atlanta entered the offseason in better financial shape than most teams.
Lindstrom was the 14th overall pick in the 2019 draft, and represented one of several moves in recent years by the Falcons to invest in their offensive front. He has certainly lived up to expectations, serving as a full-time starter at right guard right away. His rookie season was limited to just five contests, but he has not missed a game since then. That durability, along with his level of play, makes this move a worthy investment.
The Boston College alum was PFF’s highest-rated player last season, earning a sparkling overall grade of 95. His rating in that regard his increased steadily over each of his four campaigns in Atlanta. His strength has been in run blocking, though his pass protection has taken notable strides as well. Now, the Falcons are banking on continued development over the coming years.
Right tackle Kaleb McGary is set to hit the open market, after he too worked as a full-time starter on the right side of the Falcons’ o-line. While his level of play hasn’t been at the level of Lindstrom, McGary is slated to be one of a few RTs in line for a considerable deal in the coming days. Regardless of if Atlanta can retain the latter, they now have Lindstrom on the books as the anchor of their offensive front for the long-term future.
2023 NFL Fifth-Year Option Results
Monday marked the deadline for NFL clubs to officially pick up their options on 2019 first-rounders. Fifth-year option seasons are no longer just guaranteed for injury — they’re now fully guaranteed, which makes these decisions a little tougher for teams.
Nineteen players had their options exercised, a tick up from 14 last year. Here’s the full rundown:
1. QB Kyler Murray, Cardinals – Exercised ($29.7MM)
2. DE Nick Bosa, 49ers: Exercised ($17.9MM)
3. DE Quinnen Williams, Jets: Exercised ($11.5MM)
4. DE Clelin Ferrell, Raiders: Declined ($11.5MM)
5. LB Devin White, Buccaneers: Exercised ($11.7MM)
6. QB Daniel Jones, Giants: Declined ($22.4MM)
7. DE Josh Allen, Jaguars: Exercised ($11.5MM)
8. TE T.J. Hockenson, Lions: Exercised ($9.4MM)
9. DT Ed Oliver, Bills: Exercised ($10.8MM)
10. LB Devin Bush, Steelers: Declined ($10.9MM)
11. OT Jonah Williams, Bengals: Exercised ($12.6MM)
12. LB Rashan Gary, Packers: Exercised ($10.9MM)
13. DT Christian Wilkins, Dolphins: Exercised ($10.8MM)
14. G Chris Lindstrom, Falcons: Exercised ($13.2MM)
15. QB Dwayne Haskins:
16. DE Brian Burns, Panthers: Exercised ($16MM)
17. DT Dexter Lawrence, Giants: Exercised ($10.8MM)
18. C Garrett Bradbury, Vikings: Declined ($13.2MM)
19. DT Jeffery Simmons, Titans: Exercised ($10.8MM)
20. TE Noah Fant, Seahawks: Exercised ($6.9MM; originally drafted by Broncos)
21. S Darnell Savage, Packers: Exercised ($7.9MM)
22. OT Andre Dillard, Eagles: Declined ($12.6MM)
23. OT Tytus Howard, Texans: Exercised ($13.2MM)
24. RB Josh Jacobs, Raiders: Declined ($8MM)
25. WR Marquise Brown, Cardinals: ($13.4MM; originally drafted by Ravens)
26. DE Montez Sweat, Commanders: Exercised ($11.5MM)
27. S Johnathan Abram, Raiders: Declined ($7.9MM)
28. DE Jerry Tillery, Chargers: Declined ($11.5MM)
29. DE L.J. Collier, Seahawks: Declined ($11.5MM)
30. CB Deandre Baker — N/A (released by Giants)
31. OT Kaleb McGary, Falcons: Declined ($13.2MM)
32. WR N’Keal Harry, Patriots: Declined ($12.4MM)
Falcons Exercise Chris Lindstrom’s Fifth-Year Option, Decline Kaleb McGary’s
The Falcons are splitting the decisions on their 2019 first-round offensive linemen. In a pair of tweets, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Atlanta is picking up the fifth-year option on guard Chris Lindstrom, but declining to do so with tackle Kaleb McGary. 
Neither move is seen as much of a surprise. Lindstrom, the 14th overall selection and second offensive linemen to come off the board in that class, has started all 38 games he has played in. While that total includes only five games in his rookie season, he has improved from year to year so far. He was credited with just two penalties committed and zero sacks allowed by PFF, helping him earn a career-high 83.7 grade.
For McGary, who went 31st overall, the transition to the NFL hasn’t gone as smoothly. He has also logged plenty of snaps, starting 45 of 46 career games, but has had neither the immediate impact nor the upward trajectory of Lindstrom. His PFF grades have been in the low-to-mid-60s the past two seasons, and in 2021 he ranked 59th out of 83 qualifying tackles. He will head into this season unsure of his future with the team beyond that point.
By picking up Lindstrom’s option, Atlanta will have a key cog on the offensive line in place for at least two more seasons. As a Tier 3 player for financial purposes, he will earn just over $13.2MM in 2023. Given his level of play – and, to a lesser extent, the team’s lack of significant additions at the position in the draft – it would come as little surprise for a long-term deal to be on the horizon for him.
Falcons Activate G Chris Lindstrom
Chris Lindstrom‘s season will resume Sunday. The Falcons activated the rookie guard off IR on Saturday and will reinstall him as their starting right guard.
Atlanta waived tight end Carson Meier to clear a roster spot. The team has used both of its IR-return spots over the past week, activating both Lindstrom and punter Matt Bosher. The latter, however, re-injured his groin and is back on IR.
Lindstrom returned to practice just this week, but the Falcons are evidently satisfied with his health and progress after a few days. The Boston College-developed prospect has spent nearly three months on IR because of a foot injury, last playing in Atlanta’s opener.
The Falcons used two first-round picks on offensive linemen this year, selecting Lindstrom at No. 14 overall and adding Kaleb McGary at No. 31. Neither’s first years have gone as the team hoped. McGary underwent heart surgery but returned to start all 12 Falcons games thus far. As a result, the Falcons have barely seen their two top rookie investments in uniform together.
NFC South Injury Notes: Cappa, Little, Lindstrom, Logan
The Buccaneers will be without starting right guard Alex Cappa this week, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN. Cappa sustained an elbow injury in Tampa Bay’s game against the Jaguars this past Sunday. Head coach Bruce Arians removed Cappa from the game in hopes that the precaution could allow Cappa to play this week, but unfortunately the injury is just too severe.
Veteran offensive lineman Earl Watford is behind Cappa on the depth chart and is expected to start in his place against the Colts. A six-year veteran, Watford has played all across the line, but is primarily an interior lineman. An injury earlier in the year forced Watford to start in place of Cappa for two games, so this will not be entirely unfamiliar territory for Tampa’s o-line.
Here’s some more injury notes from the NFC South:
- Panthers tackle Greg Little was ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Falcons with an ankle injury, per Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic. While Little was selected with the 37th pick in this year’s draft by Carolina to immediately jump into their rotation along the line, injuries have limited him to only four appearances on the season. Little can play either tackle spot, but was listed as the team’s top left tackle on the depth chart. Fellow rookie Dennis Daley will likely return to the starting lineup in his place.
- Rookie offensive guard Chris Lindstrom will return to the field for the first time since Week 1 for the Falcons. According to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta is activating Lindstrom from the injured reserve to start this week against the Panthers. The Falcons focused on solidifying their offensive line through the draft last offseason, selecting Lindstrom with the 14th overall pick and tackle Kaleb McGary later in the first round. Lindstrom, however, has been out since injuring his foot in the season opener and the offensive line has struggled mightily, allowing 38 sacks on the season.
- Buccaneers running back T.J. Logan broke his thumb during practice and will be out for the remainder of the season, according to Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times. Logan has played a couple dozen offensive snaps on the season, accruing 23 yards from scrimmage. His primary role though, is as the team’s punt and kickoff returner. This season, Logan averaged 9.5 yards per return on 13 punt returns and 20.8 yards per return on 13 kick returns. Jenna Laine of ESPN reports that Justin Watson and Sean Murphy-Bunting will share punt return duties while Dare Ogunbowale handles kick returns in Logan’s absence.
Falcons Designate Chris Lindstrom For Return
The Falcons have designated rookie guard Chris Lindstrom to return from injured reserve, per a club announcement. In related moves, they’ve also signed offensive tackle John Wetzel and formally activated punter Matt Bosher from injured reserve.
Lindstrom, 22, was selected by the Falcons with the No. 14 pick in the 2019 draft. He started at right guard in the season opener against the Vikings, but, unfortunately, he suffered a foot injury that landed him on injured reserve.
With his return to practice, the NFL’s 21-day window for activation begins. If Lindstrom is not activated to the 53-man roster during that window, he will not be eligible to return this season.
Bosher, 32, landed on IR prior to Week 5 matchup with a groin injury. Then, in late November, they earmarked him for return. The veteran has averaged 45.7 yards per punt during his nine seasons with the Falcons and will resume his place in the lineup starting this week against the Panthers.
Falcons To Place Chris Lindstrom On IR
Chris Lindstrom‘s rookie season is not definitively over, but the Falcons guard will not be back until at least November. The team is expected to place the first-round pick on IR, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com notes (on Twitter).
The Boston College product broke a small bone in his foot on Sunday, and Pelissero adds this injury can be categorized as similar to the one Deion Jones suffered in September of 2018. Jones went to IR and returned for five games.
Atlanta has dealt with issues involving both of its first-round lineman choices. Kaleb McGary missed much of training camp because of a heart condition but has since returned.
The Falcons have some veteran insurance behind Lindstrom, adding both James Carpenter and Jamon Brown this offseason. Carpenter operated as Atlanta’s Week 1 left guard starter; Brown was inactive in Week 1. The Falcons also have third-year man Wes Schweitzer as well. A 2017 sixth-round pick, Schweitzer started 28 games for the past two Falcons editions.
Although Schweitzer replaced Lindstrom on Sunday, Dan Quinn confirmed the Falcons’ Week 2 guard configuration will be Carpenter-Brown. The latter was a regular Rams starter before being waived in 2018; Brown spent the final eight games of 2018 as a Giants starter.
Injury Updates: Mixon, Mayfield, Mahomes
Week 1 of the NFL season unfortunately saw a bunch of big names go down. Nick Foles is out indefinitely after breaking his clavicle, and Tyreek Hill will miss a few games with a shoulder issue. They weren’t the only ones to suffer potentially significant injuries, and we’ve got all the latest updates down below:
- The 49ers already suffered a blow to their deep backfield when they placed Jerick McKinnon on IR prior to the start of the season, and now they’re down another member of the group. Tevin Coleman was knocked out of their Week 1 game against the Bucs by an ankle injury, and he left the locker room with a boot on his foot, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports (Twitter link). Maiocco notes he’ll have an MRI on Monday. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game he was “concerned” about Coleman’s ankle, Matt Barrows of the Athletic tweeted. Shanahan also implied the team will promote Jeff Wilson Jr. from the practice squad, and said the team will look at adding outside running back help. Matt Breida figures to take on a more prominent role in the meantime while Coleman is sidelined.
- Speaking of running backs with ankle injuries, Joe Mixon suffered one of his own. The Bengals’ runner is “believed to have just an ankle sprain,” according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, who tweets that “early reports [are] optimistic.” It’s unclear how sever the ankle sprain is, although fortunately it doesn’t sound like it’s going to be a longterm absence for the Oklahoma product.
- Baker Mayfield had a rough game in his highly anticipated 2019 debut. He threw three interceptions, and to make matters worse also hurt his hand. Mayfield had his wrist and hand wrapped and went for an X-Ray after the Browns’ to the Titans, sparking some concern. Fortunately he suffered only a bruise and the injury is “not considered serious,” a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).
- Fans were also left holding their breath when Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes went limping off the field. Mahomes returned to Kansas City’s win over the Jaguars, but Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after the game Mahomes had a sprained ankle, according to Terez Paylor of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). It doesn’t sound like Mahomes will miss any games, although his mobility may be limited moving forward.
- The Falcons got blown out by the Vikings, and they also lost a key piece. The team fears that rookie first-round pick Chris Lindstrom fractured his foot, according to Jay Glazer of The Athletic (Twitter link). Lindstrom won the competition to start at right guard, and the organization thinks very highly of the 14th overall pick. Lindstrom’s rookie year could be over, as former NFL team doctor David Chao tweets the type of fracture “will determine if part of the season can be salvaged.” Even if he does make it back, it won’t be for a while.