Samwise NFL Newsletter
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Seahawks Host Patriots in Super Bowl LX Rematch to Open 2026 NFL Season
The 2026 NFL regular season kicks off Wednesday night as the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots. The game begins at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Sam Darnold, who has guided Seattle to back-to-back 14-win seasons, leads the Seahawks into their championship banner unveiling ceremony before kickoff. New England's Drake Maye — last season's MVP runner-up who led the league in Total QBR and completion percentage — arrives with a revamped supporting cast including newly acquired wide receiver A.J. Brown. Both quarterbacks sat out all three preseason games, adding intrigue to the Super Bowl LX rematch.
49ers and Rams Set for Historic First-Ever NFL Game in Melbourne, Australia
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will make history Thursday when they face off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the first regular season NFL game ever played in Australia. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:35 p.m. ET on Sept. 10, with Netflix carrying the broadcast as part of the league's continued push to grow the sport internationally. The Melbourne game is one of a record nine international contests on the 2026 NFL schedule, spanning four continents, seven countries, and eight stadiums. The Rams will serve as the designated home team at the iconic MCG venue, which has a capacity of roughly 100,000.
Patrick Mahomes Set to Start Week 1 vs. Broncos Nine Months After ACL Tear
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is on track to start Sunday's opener against the Denver Broncos after a remarkable recovery from his torn ACL and LCL, suffered last season. Head coach Andy Reid told reporters that Mahomes, who participated fully in every training camp practice without playing in any preseason game, is “most likely” to take the first snap against Denver despite initial projections suggesting an October return. Mahomes spent the offseason rehabilitating his left knee, working with trainers to beat the standard ACL recovery timeline, and entered camp ahead of schedule, dispelling concerns about his readiness for Week 1.
George Kittle Trending Toward Playing in 49ers' Season Opener vs. Rams
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is trending toward suiting up for the team's season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia on Thursday, according to multiple reports. Kittle suffered a torn Achilles tendon during San Francisco's playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles in January, but has recovered ahead of schedule. He was activated off the active/physically unable to perform list and returned to full practice, which team sources described as an “encouraging” development. Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed Kittle's surgery, has cleared him to resume football activities, putting him on pace for a potential Week 1 appearance.
Sources: Bleacher Report
49ers DT Alfred Collins Out for 2026 Season With Torn Patellar Tendon
San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins suffered a torn patellar tendon during the team's Tuesday practice in Melbourne, Australia, ruling him out for the entire 2026 season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the injury Wednesday, saying Collins went down early in practice before 11-on-11 drills began. The 24-year-old was a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and was expected to start as the team's nose tackle alongside Osa Odighizuwa this season. The injury adds to San Francisco's mounting health concerns heading into Thursday's opener against the Rams, with wide receiver Ricky Pearsall already lost for the year to a PCL injury.
49ers WR Ricky Pearsall Out for Entire 2026 Season After PCL Surgery
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will undergo season-ending knee surgery to address a posterior cruciate ligament injury, general manager John Lynch confirmed. Pearsall began experiencing issues with his PCL during the first week of training camp, aggravating an injury initially suffered during the 2025 season. Despite most PCL injuries healing without an operation, Pearsall's condition did not improve, and the team ultimately determined surgery was necessary. Lynch said recovery is expected to take six to twelve months. The 49ers placed Pearsall on season-ending injured reserve as San Francisco enters 2026 depleted at wide receiver heading into Thursday's game against the Rams in Australia.
Sources: CBS Sports
Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson Ruled Out for Season Opener in Seattle
New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson has been ruled out for Wednesday's season opener against the Seattle Seahawks due to an ankle injury. Henderson, who did not practice all week, is expected to miss additional time if the injury is confirmed to be a high ankle sprain. Rhamondre Stevenson is set to handle the bulk of the backfield work in Henderson's absence, with recently acquired Corey Kiner as the only other back on the roster. The loss of Henderson is a significant blow to New England's offensive plans for the Super Bowl LX rematch against a stout Seattle defense.
Sources: Patriots.com
Harrison Smith Returns to Vikings on One-Year, $12.25 Million Deal
Safety Harrison Smith has re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year contract worth $12.25 million, the team confirmed. The six-time Pro Bowler returns to Minnesota for another season after continuing to play at a high level for the Vikings defense. Smith has spent his entire career in Minnesota since being drafted by the organization in 2012. His return provides the Vikings secondary with a veteran anchor who brings experience and leadership to a defense looking to contend in the NFC North. The signing was finalized as the league heads into the 2026 regular season opener this week.
Drake Maye Enters 2026 With New Weapons and Offensive Continuity
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye enters the 2026 NFL season with new weapons and system continuity. Wide receiver A.J. Brown provides a clear No. 1 target, and New England retains the same offensive system for a second straight year. Maye finished as the runner-up for last season's MVP award, leading the league in completion percentage at 72 percent and Total QBR at 77.1. He has focused his offseason work on reducing sacks, having surrendered 21 last season. Neither Maye nor the Seahawks' Sam Darnold played in any preseason games, setting the stage for an unpredictable Super Bowl LX rematch.
Cowboys Left Guard Tyler Smith to Miss Four to Six Weeks After Thumb Surgery
Dallas Cowboys left guard Tyler Smith is expected to miss four to six weeks after undergoing thumb surgery, a significant blow to the team's offensive line heading into the 2026 regular season. Smith, a key piece of the Cowboys' interior line, had the procedure during the preseason, with the team initially hopeful he could be ready for Week 1. Dallas will need to adjust its offensive line configurations for the early portion of the schedule while Smith recovers. The Cowboys open their 2026 season on Sunday, September 13, against the New York Giants in the season debut of Sunday Night Football on NBC.
Sources: NBC Sports
AFC Standings — Week 1
Season opens tonight — all teams 0–0
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC East | |||
| New England Patriots | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Buffalo Bills | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AFC North | |||
| Baltimore Ravens | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cleveland Browns | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AFC South | |||
| Houston Texans | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AFC West | |||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Denver Broncos | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
NFC Standings — Week 1
Season opens tonight — all teams 0–0
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFC East | |||
| Dallas Cowboys | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Giants | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NFC North | |||
| Detroit Lions | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chicago Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NFC South | |||
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Carolina Panthers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NFC West | |||
| Seattle Seahawks | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency