Samwise NFL Newsletter
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Mike Ditka, Hall of Famer and Coach of the 1985 Bears, Dies at 86
Hall of Famer Mike Ditka, the legendary coach of the 1985 Chicago Bears, has died at 86. His family announced his passing on Friday morning, saying that while the world knew him as a Hall of Fame player and leader of the Bears’ Super Bowl XX championship team, “we knew him as the heart of our family.” Ditka was the first tight end inducted into the Hall of Fame. As a rookie in 1961, he became the first tight end in NFL history to generate 1,000 receiving yards in a season. He played on the Bears’ 1963 NFL Championship team and became Chicago’s head coach in 1982.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Ravens Rule Out Lamar Jackson; Tyler Huntley to Start Against Falcons
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will miss Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons with the ankle injury he suffered last week, head coach Jesse Minter said at his Friday press conference. Tyler “Snoop” Huntley will start in his place, and edge rusher Trey Hendrickson (finger) will also sit out. Minter said the team has “a ton of confidence in Snoop to play really well.” Whether Jackson can return next week against the Browns is still to be determined. He has completed 70.8 percent of his throws for 967 yards with six touchdowns and one interception this season, and he leads the league in yards per attempt at 10.1.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Jayden Daniels Cleared to Start for Commanders Against Giants
Jayden Daniels will start for the Washington Commanders against the visiting New York Giants on Sunday after missing two games with a dislocated elbow, coach Dan Quinn confirmed Friday. Daniels dislocated his non-throwing elbow in a Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and practiced fully on Wednesday and Thursday. Receiver Stefon Diggs (hamstring) will not be available, while Terry McLaurin (hamstring) looked good in his return to practice Friday. Backup Marcus Mariota was injured in Washington’s Week 4 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London, which dropped the Commanders to 1–3. Seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis will back up Daniels against the first-place Giants, who are 3–1.
Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith Ruled Out for Eagles’ London Game
Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith were among five Philadelphia Eagles players ruled out of Sunday’s Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Both have hamstring injuries; Barkley left last week’s 24–20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and Smith will miss a second game. Wide receiver Hollywood Brown (ankle), safety Marcus Epps (groin) and center Drew Kendall (knee) are also out, and Jake Majors, signed to the active roster from the practice squad Friday, is set to start at center. Will Shipley will be the top running back. Tight end Dallas Goedert and linebacker Zack Baun were full participants Friday and are set to play.
Sources: CBS Philadelphia
Bengals List Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins as Questionable Against Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins both practiced Friday but will be listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins, head coach Zac Taylor said. Chase remains in the concussion protocol but will likely play if he is cleared on Saturday. Higgins is dealing with an adductor injury. Dohnte Meyers, Mitchell Tinsley and Colbie Young are the other wide receivers on the 53-man roster, though Young will also be listed as questionable with a knee injury. Taylor put safety Bryan Cook (ankle) in the questionable category as well; Cook missed last Sunday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars but returned to practice on Thursday.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Chargers Send Rashawn Slater to IR, Rule Out Joe Alt and Derwin James
The Los Angeles Chargers will be without both starting offensive tackles for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. The team confirmed Friday that left tackle Rashawn Slater is headed to injured reserve after ankle surgery, and it ruled out right tackle Joe Alt with a neck injury. Safety Derwin James (hamstring) is also out, along with wide receivers Quentin Johnston (chest) and Brenen Thompson (quad), offensive linemen Kayode Awosika (fibula) and Trevor Penning (concussion), and cornerback Donte Jackson (hamstring). Quarterback Trey Lance (groin) is doubtful, leaving DJ Uiagalelei as the other option to back up Justin Herbert. The Chargers are still seeking their first win this season.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Caleb Williams Questionable as Bears Expect Tyson Bagent to Start Against Packers
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is officially questionable for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, but he is not expected to play. Williams practiced Friday for the first time since his hamstring injury in Week 2. He was limited, which bodes well for his availability for Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons. Tyson Bagent is expected to start this week. The Bears ruled out linebacker Keyshaun Elliott (quad) and running back Kyle Monangai (thumb/toe). Defensive back Kyler Gordon (calf), linebacker Noah Sewell (Achilles) and defensive lineman Shemar Turner (knee) are listed as questionable for the game against Green Bay.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Cowboys Say Injuries to CeeDee Lamb and Tyler Guyton Are Not Serious
X-rays on Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyler Guyton’s back were negative, coach Brian Schottenheimer said Friday, and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb’s quad injury is only a bruise. Guyton sat out the team’s final offensive series and was replaced by Broderick Jones, while Lamb was in and out of the game on the final drive. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is better after missing Thursday’s 24–16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with an illness; he arrived at the game sick and was made inactive. Safety Alijah Clark, whom Schottenheimer called day-to-day, is the only concerning injury from the game. Safeties P.J. Locke and Jalen Thompson are on injured reserve.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Eagles to Release Backup Quarterback Andy Dalton Before London Trip
The Philadelphia Eagles will release quarterback Andy Dalton, Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reported Friday. The move frees a roster spot ahead of Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London after a week of major changes: right tackle Lane Johnson retired, and the Eagles traded guard/center Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens. Tanner McKee supplanted Dalton as the Eagles’ No. 2 quarterback last weekend, and rookie Cole Payton is also on the 53-man roster. Dalton was traded to Philadelphia by the Panthers in March. His only pass attempt as an Eagle came in Week 3, and he threw an interception in the end zone on that throw.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
AFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC East | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| AFC North | |||
| Cleveland Browns | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| AFC South | |||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Houston Texans | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| AFC West | |||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Denver Broncos | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 4 | 0 |
NFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFC East | |||
| New York Giants | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| NFC North | |||
| Minnesota Vikings | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Chicago Bears | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Detroit Lions | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| NFC South | |||
| Carolina Panthers | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| NFC West | |||
| San Francisco 49ers | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 3 | 0 |
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