Month: October 2025

September 28, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) during the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

49ers’ Brock Purdy (toe) questionable, but Mac Jones starting vs. Giants

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants but Mac Jones will once again draw the start.

San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan made the announcement Friday afternoon that Jones will start while indicating Purdy (toe) has made progress.

“(Purdy) has a chance to be available,” Shanahan said.

Jones will be starting for the fifth straight game and seventh time overall. The 49ers (5-3) are 4-2 with him in the starting role.

Purdy was initially hurt during the season-opening 17-13 victory over against the Seattle Seahawks and missed the next two games. He aggravated the injury during a 26-21 home loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4.

Purdy was listed as limited in practice Friday for the third straight day. However, Shanahan said that Purdy’s toe isn’t fully healthy.

“He didn’t get all the starter reps this week,” Shanahan said. “As soon as he had a chance to get through practice and stuff, the first time (ahead of Week 4), we let him get all those starter reps, and it was great. And then, there was a chance he could re-hurt it in the game, and he did, and he’s been out for the last month.

“He got more reps this week, but we weren’t going to commit to all of that, like we did last time. I think it’s easing him back more than last time.”

If it turns out Purdy isn’t available Sunday, Adrian Martinez will again serve as the No. 2 quarterback.

Jones has stood out for the 49ers by passing for 1,597 yards and eight touchdowns against five interceptions. Purdy has completed 48 of 73 passes for 586 yards, with four touchdowns and four interceptions in his two games as a starter.

San Francisco receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) will miss his fifth straight game. Others who will sit out against the Giants are center Jake Brendel (hamstring) and defensive ends Yetur Gross-Matos (knee/hamstring) and Bryce Huff (hamstring).

In addition, five other 49ers join Purdy as questionable. They are guard Ben Bartch (ankle), offensive tackle Spencer Burford (knee), defensive tackles Jordan Elliott (ankle) and Sam Okuayinonu (ankle) and linebacker Dee Winters (knee).

–Field Level Media

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) attempts to leap over Lions defense at Soldier Field during a game against the Chicago Bears at in Chicago, Ill., on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024.

Bears RB D’Andre Swift (groin) ruled out vs. Bengals

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Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift will miss Sunday’s game at Cincinnati due to a groin injury.

Swift, who started the first seven games this season, missed practice for the third straight day on Friday.

Swift, 26, has rushed for 464 yards and four touchdowns and added 18 catches for 192 yards and one TD this season.

With running back Roschon Johnson (back) also sidelined, the Bears (4-3) will rely on rookie Kyle Monangai to carry the load against the Bengals (3-5).

A seventh-round draft pick, Monangai has carried 42 times for 186 yards and one touchdown in seven games.

Rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (concussion) and defensive end Dominique Robinson (ankle) were also ruled out Friday.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks on from the sideline during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

NFL fines Ravens $100K for violating injury report policy

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The NFL fined the Baltimore Ravens $100,000 on Friday for violating the league’s injury report policy by incorrectly listing quarterback Lamar Jackson’s practice participation status last week.

The Ravens released a statement saying they would not appeal the ruling.

“It is critical that the Baltimore Ravens always operate with integrity and in full accordance with NFL guidelines. We clearly made an error regarding player injury reporting and cooperated transparently with the league’s investigation,” the statement said. “We accept the decision by the NFL that we violated the policy and have taken steps to ensure that we will be compliant moving forward.”

The Ravens initially listed Jackson as a full participant in practice last Friday despite the two-time NFL MVP being relegated to taking reps with the practice squad as he dealt with a hamstring injury.

The following day, Jackson was ruled out of the Ravens’ game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, with the team retroactively downgrading his practice status to limited.

“Lamar Jackson was present for and participated fully in our entire Friday practice ahead of Sunday’s game against the Bears,” the Ravens said in a statement last Saturday. “Upon further evaluation today and after conferring with the league office, because Lamar didn’t take starter reps in practice, we updated our report to reflect his practice participation.”

Per ESPN, the NFL believed the Ravens’ listing of Jackson as a full participant was a result of negligence, not an attempt to gain a competitive advantage.

Jackson, 28, returned from a three-game absence on Thursday night and threw four touchdown passes to lead the Ravens (3-5) to a 28-6 win at Miami.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) reacts during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Pats RB Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) won’t play vs. Falcons

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New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson will miss Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons due to a toe injury.

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed the news on Friday after Stevenson missed practice for the third consecutive day.

Rookie TreVeyon Henderson is expected to handle the rushing duties for the Patriots (6-2) against the visiting Falcons (3-4). The Patriots also signed veteran running back D’Ernest Johnson to the practice squad on Wednesday.

Stevenson, 27, has rushed for 279 yards and three touchdowns and has 16 catches for 169 yards through eight games (all starts) this season, his fifth with the Patriots. His average of 3.4 yards per carry is a career low.

A fourth-round pick by New England in 2021, Stevenson has contributed 4,464 yards from scrimmage with 26 scores in 64 career games (43 starts). He rushed for a career-high 1,040 yards in 2022.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) attempts to pull in a pass in front of Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

Week 9 NFL Capsules

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Week 9 NFL game preview capsules for Sunday games:

Atlanta Falcons (3-4) at New England Patriots (6-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Patriots -5.5, Total 44.5
Series Rewind: New England has won its last seven games against Atlanta and leads the all-time series 10-6. The Patriots have won the last two regular-season games since rallying from down 28-3 to beat the Falcons in overtime of Super Bowl LI.

The Patriots are riding high on their longest winning streak in four years entering this week’s game. Drake Maye has thrown 10 touchdowns to one interception over New England’s five-game winning streak, playing his way into the MVP conversation in his second season. He’s been helped by the league’s fourth-best scoring defense (18.3 points per game) and having this level of offensive success despite the fact that the Patriots still don’t have a 300-yard rusher this season. The Falcons are feeling low after last week’s 34-10 home loss to Miami when QB Michael Penix Jr. was sidelined due to a bone bruise in his left knee. It was the team’s second straight loss coming out of its bye week. Penix and leading receiver Drake London (hip) have both been limited through the team’s first two practices of the week. Atlanta coach Raheem Morris labeled them as “day-to-day” while Penix said he’s trending in the right direction. That’s badly needed for an offense which has generated 20 points the last two weeks.

Indianapolis Colts (7-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Colts -3, Total 50.5
Series Rewind: The Colts have won the past two meetings after Pittsburgh prevailed in the previous eight matchups.

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor might be the best overall player in the league. Taylor has scored three touchdowns four separate times this season and leads the NFL with 850 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. He has 14 total touchdowns, giving him a chance to challenge the total touchdowns record of 31 set by then-San Diego Chargers great LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006. Taylor’s touchdown count is more than the grand total of four different teams and is tied with another. Indianapolis has topped 30 points in each of the past four games and quarterback Daniel Jones is excelling with 2,062 passing yards, 13 touchdowns through the air and three interceptions. Pittsburgh is looking to rebound after back-to-back setbacks against the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers. Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers lost 35-25 to his former club (the Packers) while completing 24 of 36 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns. The Pittsburgh defense featuring stars such as outside linebacker T.J. Watt and defensive tackle Cam Heyward has allowed more than 30 points in consecutive games and four times overall. The Steelers sustained a huge blow when safety DeShon Elliott was carted off with a hyperextended left knee against Green Bay and later placed on injured reserve. Pittsburgh traded for New England safety Kyle Dugger on Wednesday to help soften the loss.

Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) at Tennessee Titans (1-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Chargers -9.5, Total 43.5
Series Rewind: The Chargers have won four of the past six meetings, including last season’s 27-17 home triumph.

The Chargers looked great at the outset of the season with three straight victories and were dominant while crushing the Minnesota Vikings 37-10 last week. But in between, they lost three of four games so who knows which team makes up the real Chargers. Quarterback Justin Herbert has thrown three touchdown passes in back-to-back games and is tied for third with 16 scoring passes. He also leads the league with 2,140 passing yards. Unsung Kimani Vidal has saved the running back position by rushing for 117 yards against the Vikings, 11 days after collecting 124 against the Miami Dolphins. He became the starter after injuries to Najee Harris (Achilles) and rookie Omarion Hampton (hamstring). This is the first of four straight home games for the Titans but that gift from the schedule makers isn’t going to vault Tennessee into the playoffs. The Titans have a bunch of injuries to deal with and rookie quarterback Cam Ward is experiencing weekly growing pains while surrounded by minimal talent. However, interim coach Mike McCoy surely would like to deliver some payback against the organization that fired him following the 2016 campaign after four seasons. Star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (4.5 sacks), the best overall player on the squad, is in danger of missing his second straight game. Simmons (hamstring) sat out last week and hasn’t practiced yet this week.

Minnesota Vikings (3-4) at Detroit Lions (5-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Lions -8.5, Total 48.5
Series Rewind: The Lions buried the Vikings, 31-9, in the regular-season finale last season to win the NFC North title. Detroit took six of the past seven games in the series.

A QB carousel the Vikings appeared to have resolved last season with Sam Darnold has spun once more with J.J. McCarthy returning to the QB1 role and Carson Wentz hitting injured reserve. McCarthy was hurt in this second career start but has practiced for two weeks to prove his health while recovering from a high ankle sprain. This is his first division game since a miraculous comeback for Minnesota at Chicago in Week 1. Keeping up with the Lions might require another gear. Chief concerns for the Vikings start with protecting McCarthy. Starting tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill are banged up and lead blocker C.J. Ham (hand) was limited all week. Building a wall in front of McCarthy could spare him an unceremonious introduction to Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Hutchinson has three sacks and five tackles for loss in two games in Detroit against the Vikings. If he has time to throw, McCarthy can dial up Justin Jefferson, who has 72 catches and averages 120.6 yards per game in 10 career meetings with Detroit. Lions QB Jared Goff thrives in this matchup, too. In 10 career games, he averages 288.4 passing yards with 18 TDs, five INTs and a 105.1 passer rating.

Denver Broncos (6-2) at Houston Texans (3-4)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Texans -1.5, Total 40.5
Series Rewind: Houston recorded a 22-17 home victory last season after the Broncos won four of the previous five matchups.

Both teams have excelled on the defensive side this season so a low-scoring contest won’t be a surprise. The Texans lead the league in scoring defense (14.7) and total defense (266.9) and Denver ranks fifth in both categories – 18.9 and 281.4, respectively. Houston has allowed more than 20 points just once this season and features star pass rushers in Will Anderson (five sacks) and Danielle Hunter (four) as well as standout cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (two interceptions). Denver has allowed 17 or fewer points on four occasions but has got the offense cranked up during its current five-game winning streak. The Broncos scored 33 fourth-quarter points to rally past the New York Giants by one point two weeks ago and torched the Dallas Cowboys 44-24 last week. Denver quarterback Bo Nix threw four touchdown passes for the third time in his two-year career in the win over Dallas. The bad news is that cornerback Patrick Surtain II (pectoral) was hurt against the Cowboys and could miss multiple games. Surtain is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is back after a one-game suspension for berating referee Brad Allen after the comeback win over New York. Houston will get back Nico Collins (concussion) after a one-game absence while fellow wideout Christian Kirk (hamstring) might be back after missing two games. Collins topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons.

Chicago Bears (4-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-5)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bears -3, Total 50.5

Series Rewind: Chicago has three consecutive wins over the Bengals. The last meeting (September 2021) featured 27 total fourth-quarter points; the Bears won 20-17, sacked Joe Burrow five times and intercepted three passes.

Cincinnati’s run defense is the worst in the league, yielding 151.9 yards per game. The Bears are determined to attack weaknesses, which could mean more of rookie seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai in an expanded role. D’Andre Swift has been fighting a groin injury. Head coach Ben Johnson noted the importance of setting up a defense with success on the ground to ease the burden and simplify the pre-snap process for the skill-position group. Caleb Williams has 11 touchdowns and three interceptions in his past eight road games. The Bengals are thriving on downfield throws since Joe Flacco jumped into the lineup. Flacco is dealing with a shoulder injury but has pushed to play. WR Ja’Marr Chase had 12 catches for 91 yards last week and leads the league in catches. He has 38 receptions in his past three games, tied for the most in a three-game span in league history. Even if Flacco makes the start, there is a chance he won’t be able to finish the game given the severity of his shoulder (AC injury) issue. Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson has a QB sack in each of his three career games against the Bears. He’s still dealing with a hip injury suffered at Green Bay on Oct. 12.

San Francisco 49ers (5-3) at New York Giants (2-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: 49ers -2.5, Total 48.5
Series Rewind: San Francisco has won three of the last four meetings to take a 22-21 lead in the series, including a 4-4 split in the playoffs. New York won both NFC Championship clashes (1990 and 2011 seasons).

Both teams are 2-3 in their last five games, the 49ers following a 3-0 start and the Giants after an 0-3 start. It could be a big day for 49ers star Christian McCaffrey, as the Giants are giving up a league-high 5.7 yards per carry and have allowed 10 rushing touchdowns this season. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said he can’t name a starting quarterback until he sees how Brock Purdy’s troublesome toe fares in practice this week, but here’s one interesting stat of note: Mac Jones is 0-5 against NFC East opponents in his career and Purdy is 6-0. Whoever starts better keep both eyes on Giants linebacker Brian Burns, who has sacks in seven of his past eight games. New York rookie Jaxson Dart has won both of his home starts so far (versus the Chargers and Eagles) but won’t have sparkplug running back Cam Skattebo, handing the ball instead to erstwhile starter Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Carolina Panthers (4-4) at Green Bay Packers (5-1-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel Odds: Packers -13.5, Total 43.5
Series Rewind: Green Bay beat the Panthers on Christmas Eve at Carolina in 2023, 30-13, and the Packers have won three in a row in the series.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said it’s fair to view TE Tucker Kraft as the team’s No. 1 receiver after his 7-143-2 performance last week in QB Jordan Love’s 10th career game with three TD passes. Kraft has a TD catch in three home games in a row and the Panthers are committed to the ground game to prevent engaging in a shootout at Lambeau. Carolina’s wide receivers gain only 3.2 yards after the reception this season, forcing the offensive line to create push for the tandem of Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard on early downs. Dowdle has 364 rushing yards on first down since Week 5, which is the most in the league. Shifting away from ball control always sparks the Packers’ potent pass rush featuring Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary, who have combined for 14 sacks. The Packers have given up on six points in the first quarter and leads the NFL with an average of 7.3 points allowed in the first half in 2025.

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-5)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Jaguars -3, Total 44.5
Series Rewind: The Raiders won 19-14 last season in their first matchup in Las Vegas since the team’s relocation. Jacksonville leads the all-time series 6-5, last beating the Raiders in 2016.

Jacksonville is hoping the bye week it just concluded can be a reset of sorts for the final 10 games of the regular season. After jumping out to its first 4-1 start since 2007, the Jaguars limped into their bye week with a home loss to Seattle followed by an uncompetitive 35-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in London. The Jaguars could be limited at receiver against the Raiders, with Brian Thomas Jr. (shoulder) and Tim Patrick (groin) both limited in the first two practices. Two-way sensation Travis Hunter Jr. (knee) was also limited in Thursday’s practice after he had no designation on Wednesday. Las Vegas, also coming out of a bye, will be playing its first game since co-owner Carol Davis, The First Lady of Raider Nation, passed away on Oct. 24 at the age of 93. The offense, shut out the last time out by Kansas City, should get a spark with the return of All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers, who will return after missing the last three games and been out of the starting lineup since Week 1 with a knee injury. Standout defensive end Maxx Crosby (back) didn’t practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday.

New Orleans Saints (1-7) at Los Angeles Rams (5-2)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Rams -14.5, Total 43.5
Series Rewind: Los Angeles leads the all-time series 45-35 and has won four of the last five games against the Saints, including each of the last two years.

After throwing for five touchdowns last time out vs. Jacksonville in London, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford remains tied for the NFL lead in touchdown passes (17) coming out of the team’s bye week. He did that without leading receiver Puka Nacua, who missed the game with an ankle injury, but it appears that will be just a one-game absence as Nacua was a full participant in Thursday’s practice. That’s timely for Los Angeles, which remains in a tightly contested NFC West race, with three of the four teams either 5-2 or 5-3. New Orleans made a quarterback change midway through last week’s 23-3 home loss to Tampa Bay, bringing rookie Tyler Shough off the bench. After completing 17 of 30 passes for 128 yards and an interception, Shough’s first start will be a steep challenge against a Los Angeles team which ranks third in scoring defense (16.7 points per game), second in sacks (26) and eighth in takeaways (10). It remains to be seen if Shough will have either of his top two running backs available, as both Alvin Kamara and Devin Neal have been limited in practice with ankle injuries.

Kansas City Chiefs (5-3) at Buffalo Bills (5-2)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Chiefs -1.5, Total 52.5
Series Rewind: Josh Allen’s Bills are 4-1 in the regular season vs. Patrick Mahomes, but Mahomes’ Chiefs are 4-0 vs. Allen in the postseason. Their teams have won a combined 14 division titles since 2016.

Kansas City has won three straight and five of six since an 0-2 start to the season. Buffalo snapped a two-game slide with a 40-9 pounding of the Panthers last weekend. Mahomes is looking for his fourth straight game with three or more touchdown passes, while Allen is looking for his sixth straight game at home with two or more TD passes and a 100-plus passer rating. Mahomes actually leads the two quarterbacks in rushing, 280-261, although Allen holds a 5-4 edge in rushing TDs. Chiefs star Travis Kelce needs 26 yards to become the fourth tight end in NFL history with 500-plus yards in 12 seasons. Bills running back James Cook is coming off a career-high 216-yard game against the Panthers and has scored at least one rushing TD in seven of his last eight home games. Kansas City is the only team that has not lost a fumble this season.

Seattle Seahawks (5-2) at Washington Commanders (3-5)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Seahawks -3, Total 47.5
Series Rewind: The last four regular-season meetings (since 2017) were all decided by five or fewer points, with each side winning once at home and once on the road.

The Seahawks are 3-0 away from home this season and have won nine straight road games under second-year coach Mike Macdonald, while the Commanders are 9-3 at home under second-year coach Dan Quinn. Future Seahawks Ring of Honor member Bobby Wagner is in his second season with Washington and is the only NFL player with eight or more tackles in eight games this season. Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba is trying to become the first WR since 2018 (Adam Thielen) with 100-plus receiving yards and a TD in four straight games. Commanders fans are excited about the expected return of quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has thrown for at least 200 yards and two TDs in three straight prime-time games. Counterpart Sam Darnold threw four TD passes in his only previous appearance against Washington (2019 with the Jets). The Seahawks are 2-0 under the lights so far this season and the Commanders are 0-3.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) looks to pass the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter of the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (hamstring) to start vs. Seahawks

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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will start their game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night, coach Dan Quinn said Friday.

Daniels, 24, missed Washington’s 28-7 loss on Monday night to the Kansas City Chiefs because of a right hamstring strain. He was a full practice participant on Wednesday and Thursday.

The second-year quarterback suffered the injury in the third quarter of a 44-22 road loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 19. He also sat out two games earlier this season with a knee sprain sustained in a 27-18 Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

“Jayden will be back and we’re pumped about that,” Quinn said.

The 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Daniels has thrown for 1,031 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception this season with 211 rushing yards and one rushing score.

Marcus Mariota relieved Daniels in the Cowboys game and has started in his place for three games, playing the entire contests against the Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons and Chiefs. He is 1-2 as a starter this season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 20, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) throws a pass downfield against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

ASU QB Sam Leavitt (foot) to have season-ending surgery

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Arizona State starting quarterback Sam Leavitt will undergo season-ending knee surgery to fix an ongoing issue with his right foot.

Head coach Kenny Dillingham said Friday on “Bickley & Marotta Mornings” on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM radio Friday, that Leavitt would stay behind in Tempe when the Sun Devils (5-3, 3-2 Big 12) travel to Iowa State for their Saturday game. He already had been ruled out against the Cyclones.

Leavitt, voted Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, initially was injured in a 27-24 win against Baylor on Sept. 20. He has not played consistently since.

“It’s definitely something that’s been lingering all year,” Dillingham said earlier this week. “It’s definitely something that could definitely turn into that (long-term) for sure, just because it hasn’t progressed like we hoped. He’s been dealing with this for pretty much the whole year.”

Leavitt ends his season with 1,628 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Backup Jeff Sims will start against Iowa State.

Last season, Leavitt threw for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions as he led the Sun Devils to the Big 12 title and their first College Football Playoff appearance.

He could have made his last appearance for the Sun Devils. As a redshirt sophomore, he is eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Dillingham said Friday that he didn’t know what Leavitt’s future holds.

“?I wish I could answer that question,” Dillingham told the radio show. “I’m not even beginning to process what are his next steps. I haven’t even asked him that.

“I just feel bad for him that he has been dinged up all year and he’s been battling for our football team. It’s unfortunate that it just hasn’t gotten any better.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) is carted off after a third quarter injury against the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Steelers place S DeShon Elliott, DT Daniel Ekuale on IR

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The Pittsburgh Steelers placed starting safety DeShon Elliott and defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale on injured reserve Friday.

Elliott already had been ruled out for Pittsburgh’s Sunday game against the Indianapolis Colts due to a hyperextended knee, head coach Mike Tomlin announced Tuesday.

The move to injured reserve will require Elliott to miss at least four games.

Ekuale sustained a torn ACL in the Steelers’ 35-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night and, per Tomlin, will be out for the season.

Elliott, 28, missed two games this season after sustaining a knee injury in the season opener against the New York Jets. He has 38 tackles, one interception, one sack and one forced fumble in five starts this season.

Ekuale, 31, had six tackles in seven games this season.

–Field Level Media

Tigers Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier 18, LSU Tigers take on the Texas A&M Aggies. October 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.

LSU interim AD given green light to hire football coach

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LSU interim athletic director Verge Ausberry has something his fired predecessor did not have: authority to hire the school’s next football coach.

Ausberry, along with university Board of Supervisors members John Carmouche and Scott Ballard, met with the media briefly Friday morning in Baton Rouge, La., working to reassure the LSU community about the plan moving forward.

The week has been a whirlwind for LSU. Football coach Brian Kelly was fired Monday after a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M left the Tigers with a 5-3 record. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry was critical of Kelly’s $54 million buyout and vowed athletic director Scott Woodward would not hire Kelly’s replacement.

On Thursday, Woodward was fired and Ausberry was given the job on an interim basis.

Ausberry said a search committee, which will include Ballard and Carmouche, is being formed to assist with the search.

The interim AD — a former LSU linebacker — has spent 24 years working in the Tigers’ athletic department, most recently as executive deputy athletic director.

Ausberry said the events of the week — including the perceptions of government interference possibly created in the coaching community — will not keep top coaches from being interested in the job.

“We’re LSU. Our phone is still ringing,” Ausberry said. “It’s one of the best jobs in the country. It is the best job in the country at this time. I don’t see any problems bringing the right person to LSU.”

And the interim AD vowed that LSU will become a College Football Playoff team.

“We’re going to hire the best football coach there is,” Ausberry said. “That’s our job. We are not going to let this program fail. LSU has to be in the playoffs every year in football. There’s 12 teams that make it. It’s going to expand here. We have to be one of those teams at LSU. No substitute.”

“We’re LSU,” Ausberry said. “This place is not broken. The athletic department is not broken. We win.”

The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to announce the hiring of LSU’s next president on Tuesday.

“We’re not slowing down for that,” Ballard said. “Verge is going to move forward and knows what he needs to do. But, depending on how that works out and when the new president starts, the new president will absolutely have input and hopefully hit the ground running.”

–Field Level Media

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross (left) talks with general manager Chris Grier before a game in November 2022.

Dolphins, general manager Chris Grier mutually agree to part ways

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The Miami Dolphins and general manager Chris Grier mutually have agreed to part ways, the team announced on Friday morning.

The news come hours after Miami fell to 2-7 on the season following a 28-6 setback to the Baltimore Ravens. Multiple reports citing sources indicated the Dolphins will keep head coach Mike McDaniel in his position until the end of the season before ruling on his status.

“As I assessed the state of the team and in my discussions with Chris, it became clear to both of us that change could not wait. We must improve — in 2025, 2026 and beyond — and it needs to start right now,” said Stephen M. Ross, Dolphins chairman of the board/managing general partner.

“Champ Kelly will serve as interim general manager effective immediately, and we will begin our search process for a new general manager. I want to thank Champ for stepping up and his commitment to the Dolphins success this season. There is a lot of football left to play and we all need to fight even harder.”

Kelly, senior personnel executive of the Dolphins, was interim general manager of the Raiders in 2023.

Grier, 55, has served as the Dolphins general manager since 2016. He has been with the team since 2000 when he was hired as a scout.

The Dolphins haven’t won a playoff game since the 2000 season, the longest active drought of any NFL club.

“I have always been and remain committed to building a winning team that consistently competes for championships,” Ross said. ” … our performance on the field and our team-building process have not been good enough. There are no excuses.”

–Field Level Media