Samwise NFL Newsletter
Thursday, September 24, 2026
Jaxson Dart Out for Season, Jameis Winston Named Giants Starting Quarterback
Jaxson Dart, the New York Giants’ starting quarterback, will miss the remainder of the 2026 NFL season after MRI imaging confirmed damage to his MCL, PCL, and meniscus in his left knee — worse than initially feared following his Week 2 injury against the Los Angeles Rams. His ACL remains intact, and the second-year passer is expected to make a full recovery. Dart will undergo surgery to repair the knee. Head coach John Harbaugh has named veteran Jameis Winston as the team’s new starting quarterback. The Giants are exploring options to add depth behind Winston before the roster deadline.
Sources: Giants.com
Michael Penix Jr. Named Falcons Starter for Thursday Night Football Debut vs. Packers
Michael Penix Jr. will make his 2026 NFL debut Thursday night in Atlanta’s prime-time road game at Green Bay, the Falcons announced Wednesday. The second-year quarterback missed the team’s first two games as he continued recovering from a torn ACL sustained in November 2025. ‘I’m where I want to be,’ Penix told reporters ahead of kickoff. With the Falcons sitting at 0-2, Thursday Night Football against the Packers on Prime Video represents a critical chance to salvage the early season. Tua Tagovailoa, who started Weeks 1 and 2 before an oblique injury, is healthy enough to serve as Penix’s backup.
Jets WR Arian Smith Undergoes ACL Surgery, Out for 2026 Season
New York Jets wide receiver Arian Smith has undergone surgery for a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season, the team confirmed Tuesday. Smith, a fourth-round pick selected 110th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, tore his ACL during the Jets’ Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The 24-year-old played college football at Georgia, where he won two National Championships. His season-ending injury adds to a significant list of receiver injuries across the league and will require the Jets to adjust their offensive approach as they navigate a challenging schedule in the weeks ahead.
Brock Purdy Named NFC Offensive Player of Week, Makes NFL History Against Dolphins
Brock Purdy was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week following his Week 2 performance against the Miami Dolphins, completing 20 of 22 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns with a 149.1 passer rating and also adding a rushing touchdown in the 49ers’ 35-13 victory. NFL.com notes Purdy became the first player in NFL history to complete at least 90 percent of his pass attempts, throw for at least 285 yards and two touchdowns, and score a rushing touchdown in the same game. The 49ers improved to 2-0 after opening with back-to-back wins by at least 20 points — a first in franchise history.
Josh Allen Earns 19th Career AFC Player of the Week Honor After Bills Rout Lions
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the 19th time in his career — the most for any Bills quarterback since Allen entered the league. Allen completed 20 of 31 passes for 248 yards, rushed for 69 yards, and accounted for five touchdowns in Buffalo’s 41-31 victory over the Detroit Lions in Week 2. The dominant performance kept the Bills at 2-0 as they enter Week 3 as one of the NFL’s top-ranked teams. Allen’s 19th such award gives him the most AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors in his career, according to NFL.com.
Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks Placed on Injured Reserve With Core Muscle Injury
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks was placed on injured reserve Wednesday after it was determined he needs surgery to repair a core muscle injury, the team announced. Brooks, who had been dealing with the injury for some time, is expected to miss at least six weeks following the procedure. His placement on IR represents a significant blow to Carolina’s rushing attack as the Panthers navigate the early weeks of the 2026 season. Carolina will need to look within their depth at running back to compensate for the loss of Brooks, who was an important part of their offensive game plan.
Seahawks Safety Julian Love Leads NFL’s Stingiest Defense Into Week 3
Seahawks safety Julian Love has returned to form and is playing some of the best football of his career, leading Seattle’s rebuilt defensive backfield into Week 3. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald praised Love as ‘an elite safety’ who ‘can do everything,’ citing his ability to ‘play man, play zone, disguise’ and his sure tackling as key assets. Seattle’s defense has been among the stingiest in the league through two weeks, with only the New England Patriots allowing fewer points than the Seahawks. Love’s leadership has been especially important as the secondary has dealt with multiple injuries to cornerbacks.
Bears QB Tyson Bagent in Concussion Protocol; Case Keenum Likely to Start vs. Eagles
Chicago Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent has been placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol and is unlikely to play Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to multiple reports. Bagent is believed to have sustained the concussion on the final play of the Bears’ Week 2 loss when he took a sack from Vikings edge rusher Dallas Turner. With starter Caleb Williams sidelined by a hamstring injury that coach Ben Johnson said likely keeps him out this week, veteran Case Keenum is in line to start under center for Chicago. The Bears play Monday at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC.
Sources: CBS Sports
Cowboys and Ravens Head to Rio de Janeiro for NFL’s First Game in the City
The Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens will square off Sunday at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro in the NFL’s first-ever regular season game played in that city. Dallas serves as the designated home team for the international matchup, which kicks off at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS. Both clubs enter at 1-1 overall, and Baltimore is listed as a one-point favorite for the Sunday afternoon contest. The Brazil game expands the NFL’s international footprint as Rio de Janeiro becomes the newest city to host a regular-season contest. Both teams are looking to reach 2-1 as the 2026 season moves into Week 3.
Sources: National Football Post
NFL Power Rankings Week 3: Bengals, Chiefs Rise; Buccaneers and Bears Tumble
NFL.com’s official Week 3 Power Rankings saw significant movement, with the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs among the biggest risers. The Bengals, one of eight teams entering the week at 2-0, climbed after an impressive road victory. The Chiefs moved up six spots to No. 4, with the arrival of running back Kenneth Walker III credited as a key development. At the other end of the spectrum, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tumbled to No. 26 following their 0-2 start, with NFL.com noting coach Todd Bowles’ ‘head-coaching seat should be piping hot.’ The Chicago Bears also dropped significantly after a difficult opening two weeks.
AFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC East | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| AFC North | |||
| Cincinnati Bengals | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Cleveland Browns | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| AFC South | |||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Houston Texans | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| AFC West | |||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Denver Broncos | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 2 | 0 |
NFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFC East | |||
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Giants | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| NFC North | |||
| Minnesota Vikings | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Detroit Lions | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Chicago Bears | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| NFC South | |||
| Carolina Panthers | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| NFC West | |||
| Seattle Seahawks | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 1 | 0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency