Cowboys activate CB Trevon Diggs from IR

The Cowboys activated cornerback Trevon Diggs from injured reserve Saturday, making him available to play for the first time in more than two months when Dallas hosts the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

In a corresponding move, cornerback DaRon Bland, who is expected to have surgery on his left foot, was placed on injured reserve.

Diggs has been out since the Cowboys’ Week 6 loss to the Carolina Panthers. At some point later that week, Diggs sustained a concussion in an “accident at his home.” Head coach Brian Schottenheimer and owner Jerry Jones have not shared details of the incident or described how Diggs was injured.

On Oct. 25, Diggs was placed on IR to help strengthen a right knee problem.

Diggs said last week he expected to play in what was ultimately a 34-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 14, but Schottenheimer held him out, saying the Cowboys first wanted to see consistency in “everything” from Diggs.

Schottenheimer seemed more pleased with Diggs’ progress when talking to reporters Friday.

“I’ll say this, when you look at Trevon this week, what I’ve loved the most about him is he’s having fun playing football,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s smiling, running around, but he’s, to his credit, he’s having a really good week.”

The 27-year-old Diggs has 18 tackles in six games (four starts) this season.

He was activated from the physically unable to perform list in August after missing the final six games last season with a left knee injury. The two-time Pro Bowl selection previously sustained a torn ACL in practice two games into the 2023 campaign.

In 64 games (61 starts) since Dallas drafted Diggs in the second round in 2020, he has recorded 20 interceptions, 63 passes defensed, 233 tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles. He was named first-team All-Pro in 2021, when he led the league with 11 interceptions and returned two of them for touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice enters procotol after self-reporting symptoms

Rashee Rice reported concussion symptoms to the Kansas City Chiefs and entered league-mandated protocol, putting his availability for Sunday’s game at Tennessee in doubt.

Rice leads wide receivers on the Kansas City roster with 53 receptions despite serving a six-game NFL suspension to begin the regular season. The Chiefs already are taking the field in Week 16 without quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who had reconstructive left knee surgery this week and is out for the season.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Rice reported his symptoms to the team on Monday as part of a standard follow-up with trainers following the Sunday loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that spun the team’s record to 6-8 this season. It was last season against the Chargers (Sept. 29, 2024) when Rice went down with a season-ending ACL tear.

Reid said Tyquan Thornton (concussion) also was not available for practice on Wednesday. Hollywood Brown was inactive last week and has only 10 receptions since Rice returned to the active roster on Oct. 19.

Tight end Travis Kelce leads the Chiefs with 67 receptions.

–Field Level Media

Texans QB C.J. Stroud (concussion) participates fully at practice

The Houston Texans got promising news on Wednesday as quarterback C.J. Stroud was a full participant at practice after missing the last three games because of a concussion.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Stroud remains in concussion protocol and will start Sunday’s game at AFC Central-leading Indianapolis (8-3) if he clears.

“C.J. (Stroud) has been our starter when he’s out there,” Ryans said. “He’s played well for us. He’s done some really nice things when it comes to delivering the football where it needs to be. He’s one of the best in the league at doing that. So, we’re hoping that he gets back, so he can get out there and help us.”

Stroud, 24, practiced just once last week — and it was in a limited capacity on Thursday. He sustained the concussion in Houston’s 18-15 loss to the Denver Broncos on Nov. 2. In his absence, Davis Mills has led the Texans (6-5) to three wins in as many starts to bring the team back into playoff contention after an 0-3 start.

Houston is one game behind the Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills, the teams who currently hold the AFC wild-card spots with 7-4 records.

Stroud has 1,702 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions in eight starts this season. Mills has completed 58.7% of his passes for 879 yards, five touchdowns and one interception in five games (three starts) this season.

Safety Jalen Pitre, who also is in concussion protocol, was limited at practice Wednesday, as was offensive tackle Trent Brown (hand).

Offensive tackle Blake Fisher (illness), linebacker Jamal Hill (hamstring), cornerback Ajani Carter (hamstring) and defensive end Denico Autry (knee) did not practice.

–Field Level Media

Report: Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy (concussion) likely out vs. Seattle

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy likely will not play Sunday when Minnesota visits the Seattle Seahawks, a week after reporting concussion-like symptoms, The Athletic reported Wednesday.

He has not yet been ruled out officially. With veteran backup Carson Wentz out for the season with a shoulder injury, undrafted rookie Max Brosmer would get the start if McCarthy remains sidelined.

The Vikings fell to 4-7 for the season with their third straight loss Sunday at Green Bay, 23-6. McCarthy threw for a season-low 87 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions and was sacked five times.

It’s been a nightmarish career start for McCarthy, 22, who was the 10th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

After missing his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus and sitting out five games this season with a high ankle sprain, McCarthy has six touchdown passes to 10 interceptions in six starts this year (2-4 record).

So confident were the Vikings that McCarthy would recover from the injury and become the long-term solution at the position, they let starter Sam Darnold depart in free agency. They will see him on Sunday in Seattle, where he has led the Seahawks to an 8-3 record.

Darnold was 14-3 with the Vikings in 2024. Minnesota is in last place in the NFC North.

–Field Level Media

Steelers CB Darius Slay (concussion) ruled out vs. Chargers

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Darius Slay exited Sunday night’s game against the host Los Angeles Chargers due to a concussion.

Slay was injured when he banged heads with teammate Kyle Dugger while making a tackle on Chargers running back Kimani Vidal in the second quarter. Slay was walked off the field by trainers with 11:36 left in the quarter.

The 34-year-old Slay was initially termed questionable to return before being ruled out at the outset of the third quarter.

Slay had three tackles before departing. The six-time Pro Bowler and 2017 first-team All-Pro is in his 13th NFL season and first with the Steelers.

The Detroit Lions selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played for the Lions (2013-19) and Philadelphia Eagles (2020-24) before signing with the Steelers as a free agent in March.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2025; Athens, Ohio, USA; A football with the Ohio Bobcats logo is seen on the field during the fourth quarter of a game between the Ohio Bobcats and the West Virginia Mountaineers at Peden Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

NCAA must pay Robert Geathers, wife $18M in concussion suit

The NCAA was found to be negligent in failing to warn a former South Carolina State football player about the long-term effects of concussions, a state jury ruled, resulting in a combined $18 million award to the former player and his wife.

An Orangeburg County jury delivered the verdict following a civil trial in which lawyers for Robert Geathers, 68, and his wife, Debra, argued that the NCAA was aware of the potential lasting dangers of concussions but did not share those safety concerns until after Geathers’ career ended.

“All the information they knew, they withheld,” attorney Bakari Sellers told jurors, per the Associated Press, claiming the NCAA had known about concussion risks since the 1930s.

Geathers was a defensive end at South Carolina State from 1977 to 1980.

During the trial, physicians testified that Geathers shows symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition that occurs after repeated head injuries.

Diagnosed with dementia in 2017, Geathers is unable to hold a job, dress himself or make a meal due to severe memory loss issues and other physical ailments, according to multiple reports.

Attorneys for Geathers and his wife argued these symptoms are the result of head injuries sustained during his football career that caused trauma he was unaware of at the time and resulted in symptoms that didn’t show up until decades after he last played college football.

The jury ruled the NCAA “unreasonably increased the risk of harm of head impacts to Robert Geathers over and above the risks inherent to playing football” and that the NCAA “voluntarily assumed duties to protect the health and safety of Robert Geathers” and that the NCAA “negligently breached their duties” to him.

The NCAA can appeal the verdict, which NCAA spokesperson Greg Johnson said the organization disagreed with, citing the results of multiple similar lawsuits.

The “NCAA has prevailed in every other jury trial around the country on these issues,” Johnson said, per the AP, and is “prepared to pursue our rights on post-trial motions and on appeal, if necessary.”

Geathers was awarded $10 million as a result of the civil trial and his wife was awarded $8 million for the loss of consortium.

The Geathers have two sons who played defensive end in the NFL. Robert Geathers Jr. played 11 seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2004-14. Clifton Geathers played in 37 games for five teams from 2010-14.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) warms up before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Cowboys put CB Trevon Diggs (concussion) on IR

The Dallas Cowboys placed cornerback Trevon Diggs on injured reserve Saturday, which will require him to miss at least four games.

Diggs already had been ruled out by the Cowboys (3-3-1) for their game Sunday at the Denver Broncos (5-2).

Diggs sustained a concussion in an “accident at his home” last week and was ruled out for the Week 7 win over the visiting Washington Commanders. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer and owner Jerry Jones have not shared details of the incident or described how Diggs was injured.

The 27-year-old Diggs has 18 tackles in six games (four starts) this season.

He was activated from the physically unable to perform list in August after missing the final six games last season with a left knee injury. The two-time Pro Bowl selection previously sustained a torn ACL in practice two games into the 2023 campaign.

In 64 games (61 starts) since Dallas drafted Diggs in the second round in 2020, he has recorded 20 interceptions, 63 passes defensed, 233 tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles. He was named first-team All-Pro in 2021, when he led the league with 11 interceptions and returned two of them for touchdowns.

Also Saturday, the Cowboys elevated defensive back Corey Ballantine and running back Malik Davis from the practice squad for the Denver game.

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA;  Alabama running back Jam Miller (26) breaks off a touchdown run to seal the victory over Vanderbilt at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama downed Vanderbilt 30-14. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Alabama RB Jam Miller (concussion) questionable vs. Tennessee

Alabama running back Jam Miller is in concussion protocol and is questionable for Saturday night’s Southeastern Conference showdown between the No. 6 Crimson Tide and No. 11 Tennessee in Tuscaloosa.

Head coach Kalen DeBoer confirmed Wednesday that Miller sustained the injury late in last weekend’s 27-24 win at then-No. 14 Missouri.

Miller has rushed 58 times for 267 yards and one touchdown in three games this season. The senior was sidelined for Alabama’s first three games after breaking his collarbone during fall camp.

Over four seasons with the Crimson Tide, Miller has gained 1,638 yards from scrimmage with 13 touchdowns in 43 games.

If Miller can’t go, Kevin Riley (183 yards) and AK Dear (85 yards) likely will see more action when Alabama (5-1, 3-0 SEC) and Tennessee (5-1, 2-1) meet.

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) runs with the ball during the second half against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy returns after diagnosis change

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy returned to practice Friday after further evaluation revealed he did not sustain a concussion, coach Andy Reid said.

Worthy’s head hit the ground during training camp practice on Tuesday, and he was placed in concussion protocol the next day. Reid said the diagnosis changed after additional testing on Thursday.

His return was welcome news for the Chiefs with fellow wide receivers Hollywood Brown (ankle) and Skyy Moore (hamstring) still sidelined on Friday.

Worthy, 22, had 59 catches for 638 yards and six touchdowns and also rushed for three TDs in 17 games (13 starts) last season after being selected with the 28th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The rookie added three touchdown receptions in the playoffs, including two in the second half of the Chiefs’ 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.

The Chiefs open the preseason at Arizona on Aug. 9 and kick off the regular season against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 5.

–Field Level Media

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA;  Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy placed in concussion protocol

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy is in concussion protocol, the team announced on Wednesday.

The move comes one day after Worthy banged his head while vying for a deep pass in practice.

Worthy will have to clear the protocol before returning to training camp. The Chiefs open the preseason at Arizona on Aug. 9 and kick off the regular season against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 5.

Worthy, 22, had 59 catches for 638 yards and six touchdowns and also rushed for three TDs in 17 games (13 starts) last season after being selected with the 28th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The rookie added three touchdown receptions in the playoffs, including two in the second half of the Chiefs’ 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

–Field Level Media