Samwise NFL Newsletter
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Ravens Rule Out Lamar Jackson; Tyler Huntley Starts Again vs. Browns
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been ruled out for a second straight game, coach Jesse Minter announced Friday, and Tyler Huntley will start Sunday at Cleveland. Jackson injured his ankle during the Ravens’ Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans and did not practice throughout the week. Huntley rallied Baltimore to a 30-23 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night, finishing 24-of-32 passing for 201 yards, two touchdown passes and a touchdown run. Sunday will mark Huntley’s 13th start for Baltimore; he has gone 6-6 over his first dozen. The Ravens (4-1) visit the Browns (3-2) at 1 p.m. ET.
Caleb Williams Questionable vs. Falcons Despite Full Week of Practice
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is officially questionable for Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons despite a full week of practice. Williams missed the prior three weeks with a hamstring injury. In his absence, the Bears won in Week 3 with Case Keenum under center against the Philadelphia Eagles, won again with Tyson Bagent starting against the New York Jets, and faltered in Week 5 against the Green Bay Packers. Head coach Ben Johnson has been elusive about his Sunday plans. In two games this year, Williams has completed 65.5% of his passes for 407 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The Bears are 3-2; the Falcons are 2-3.
NFL Removing Josh Jacobs, Jonathon Cooper From Commissioner’s Exempt List
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper has been removed from the commissioner’s exempt list, and Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs will come off the list Monday, as first reported by The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero. Jacobs will be eligible to return to practice after Green Bay’s Sunday night matchup with Dallas, and his season debut could come as early as Week 7. A league statement confirms the NFL’s investigations into both players are ongoing, and discipline under the personal conduct policy could still follow. Any suspension would count the six games Jacobs will have missed. Green Bay ranks last in the league with 60 rushing yards per game.
Sources: Pro Football Rumors
Eagles Sign QB Joe Milton Off Cowboys’ Practice Squad with Hurts Out
The Eagles are signing quarterback Joe Milton off the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad, according to multiple reports, with Jalen Hurts out indefinitely due to a blood clot. Milton, a sixth-round pick in 2024 known for his big arm, was drafted by the New England Patriots and traded to Dallas last year. The Cowboys did not keep him on their initial 53-man roster this season, waiving him and then signing him to the practice squad. Milton has not started an NFL game. In five appearances, he has completed 37-of-53 passes for 424 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Seahawks Stick with Sam Darnold After Turnovers in Overtime Loss
The Seattle Seahawks are not considering a quarterback change after turnovers proved the primary culprit in Thursday’s overtime loss to the Denver Broncos. Sam Darnold was intercepted twice, late in the fourth quarter and during Seattle’s overtime possession, and the team also lost a fumble. “I think we have a lot of faith in Sam,” head coach Mike Macdonald said Friday, adding that Darnold is “definitely part of the solution rather than the opposite.” Darnold has been picked off seven times despite playing fewer than five full games. The defending Super Bowl champions held advantages in yards and time of possession.
Sources: Pro Football Rumors
Stephen Ross Sells Minority Dolphins Stake at NFL-Record Valuation
Miami Dolphins principal owner Stephen Ross agreed to sell another minority stake in the team and its affiliated businesses, Sports Business Journal reported Friday. Chilean billionaire financier Jean Eric Salata will acquire 2.1% of the Dolphins, plus pieces of Hard Rock Stadium, the F1 Hard Rock Miami Grand Prix and the Miami Open, reportedly at a valuation slightly above $12.5 billion. In March, Ross sold 1% of the club to Xiaomi co-founder Lin Bin for a valuation of $12.5 billion, which established a record high for NFL minority stakes. The NFL’s finance committee approved the transaction last month; owners are expected to formally approve it next week.
Cardinals Rookie Jeremiyah Love to Sit Out Week 6 to Rest Ankle
Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love will not play Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams in order to rest his injured ankle, head coach Mike LaFleur said Friday. Love, the No. 3 pick in April’s draft, suffered a high ankle sprain in the preseason and played through it in Arizona’s first five games, averaging 3.7 yards per attempt and 49.0 yards per game. He ran 12 times for 22 yards last Sunday against the Detroit Lions. LaFleur said the injury has limited Love’s ability to make cuts and run routes. Tyler Allgeier could move into a lead back role.
Sources: Pro Football Rumors
Jets Rookie Omar Cooper Jr. Set to Return From Injured Reserve
New York Jets rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. will play in Week 6, head coach Aaron Glenn said Friday morning, ending a minimum four-game stint on injured reserve. Cooper suffered a sprained ankle during his debut and was limited to one catch in the season opener. The No. 30 pick in the 2026 draft should take on a notable role upon returning to a receiver group that has dealt with a number of injuries early in the campaign. New York sits at 2-3 and ranks 27th in the league in scoring. Running back Breece Hall has yet to play since Week 3.
Sources: Pro Football Rumors
Colts Release Veteran WR Darius Slayton Without a Single Snap
The Indianapolis Colts released veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton on Friday, ending a stint in which he never played a snap for the club. Slayton, 29, signed with Indianapolis in Week 3 after Alec Pierce landed on injured reserve with a heel injury. He was brought in as a downfield threat who could re-establish his connection with Daniel Jones, his former quarterback in New York. Slayton was a healthy scratch in Weeks 3 and 4, and a knee injury suffered in practice then sidelined him for another game. Pierce will not be eligible to come off injured reserve until Week 7.
Sources: Pro Football Rumors
AFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC East | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| AFC North | |||
| Baltimore Ravens | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Cleveland Browns | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| AFC South | |||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Houston Texans | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| AFC West | |||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Denver Broncos | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 5 | 0 |
NFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFC East | |||
| New York Giants | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| NFC North | |||
| Minnesota Vikings | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Detroit Lions | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Chicago Bears | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| NFC South | |||
| Carolina Panthers | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| NFC West | |||
| San Francisco 49ers | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 4 | 0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency