Samwise NFL Newsletter
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts Likely Out for Rest of 2026 Season with Blood Clots
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season after doctors discovered multiple blood clots in his lungs, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday. A statement from the Eagles and his agent, Nicole Lynn, said Hurts has a deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, and that treatment should only involve blood thinners. He will not be allowed to take part in contact activities in the meantime. The statement said “Jalen’s prognosis is very good” and a full recovery is expected. Recovery is expected to take three months. Backup Tanner McKee started the Week 6 loss to Carolina.
49ers Hold Off Commanders 23-17 to Improve to 6-0
The San Francisco 49ers improved to 6-0 with a 23-17 win over the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football. San Francisco ran 41 plays for 303 yards and 17 first downs in the first half, but Washington outgained the 49ers 224 to 72 after halftime as Jayden Daniels finished 29-of-40 for 300 yards and two touchdowns. On fourth down at the San Francisco 17 with 1:54 left, Malik Mustapha forced the ball out of Treylon Burks’ hands in the end zone. Ogbo Okoronkwo and Romello Height combined to sack Daniels on the final snap. Christian McCaffrey ran for 64 yards and two touchdowns. Washington fell to 1-4-1.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Colts Fire General Manager Chris Ballard After 2-4 Start
The Indianapolis Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard on Monday after a 2-4 start to his 10th season, the team announced. The move followed Sunday’s 26-20 home loss to a winless Tennessee Titans team, in which Indianapolis squandered a 13-0 halftime lead. Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon said she believes “a change in leadership is necessary” to meet the team’s standard of competing for championships. Assistant GM Ed Dodds will oversee the personnel department, while coach Shane Steichen and his staff will report to ownership, ESPN reported. Ballard’s record as general manager fell to 72-82-1, with a 1-2 playoff mark. The Colts face the 5-0 Vikings next.
Commanders WR Terry McLaurin Carted Off with Knee Injury Against 49ers
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin was carted off in the first quarter of Monday night’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers after his left knee buckled hard in Santa Clara. McLaurin got onto the cart on his own with his entire left leg in an air cast, and players from both teams came over to see him off. He was ruled out with a knee injury after making one catch for 27 yards. McLaurin entered the game with 203 receiving yards and one touchdown in four games, having missed Washington’s London game against the Colts with a hamstring injury. The Commanders are 1-4-1 and last in the NFC East.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Rams Lose Davante Adams for Six to 10 Weeks as Injuries Mount
Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said Monday that wide receiver Davante Adams will miss six to 10 weeks with a significant hamstring injury. Adams, 33, was hurt on a noncontact play on the Rams’ second-to-last offensive snap of Sunday’s 18-16 loss to Arizona. The six-time Pro Bowler has 30 catches for 480 yards and four touchdowns this season. “It’s significant when you don’t have a player like Davante, but we have to be able to adjust,” McVay said. Poona Ford is out for the season with a ruptured triceps, and Kobie Turner is headed to injured reserve with a groin injury. The Rams are 2-4.
Sources: Associated Press
Bills’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson Suspended One Game for Spitting Toward Raiders Players
The NFL suspended Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson one game without pay for spitting toward Las Vegas Raiders players during Buffalo’s 33-30 win on Sunday. CBS cameras caught the incident as Brock Bowers turned toward the huddle, and umpire Tra Blake saw it. Because the Bills have a bye, the suspension begins Oct. 26 and will cost Gardner-Johnson the Nov. 1 home game against Baltimore. He can appeal. “It can’t happen. That’s not what we’re about,” Joe Brady said. Gardner-Johnson said, “As a vet, I’ll be better.” Buffalo is his sixth team in eight seasons, and he is playing on a one-year deal.
Sources: Raiders Wire
Falcons Sign Quarterback Andy Dalton, Release Cooper Rush
The Atlanta Falcons signed quarterback Andy Dalton and released Cooper Rush, the team announced Monday. The Philadelphia Eagles released Dalton on Oct. 9; he threw an interception on his only pass attempt this season. Rush, who joined Atlanta in July, started the Falcons’ first two games, completing 22 of 39 passes (56.4%) for 229 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions. Michael Penix Jr. has since started four games, throwing for 944 yards, six touchdowns and one interception. The 2-4 Falcons host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT.
Texans WR Tank Dell Set to Play Sunday Against the Giants
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell will play Sunday against the New York Giants, the Houston Chronicle reported Monday. Dell, 26, tore his ACL, MCL and LCL and dislocated his left kneecap in December 2024. His return to practice two weeks ago opened a 21-day window for the Texans to activate him. “I don’t have any expectations. I’m just happy to see him out there,” DeMeco Ryans said. Dell caught 98 passes for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns over his first two NFL seasons. His return to the lineup comes a week after the Texans traded for wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Sources: Houston Chronicle
Buccaneers Expect Baker Mayfield to Practice Wednesday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is expected to return to practice Wednesday after missing his third straight game. “He’s supposed to practice Wednesday… we’ll kind of evaluate him during the week,” Todd Bowles said Monday. Both quarterbacks will take part in meetings this week, and the starter for the Buccaneers’ game in Carolina will be decided later in the week. Tampa Bay is 1-2 in Jalon Daniels’ starts. In Sunday’s overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Daniels completed 22 of 43 passes for 164 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions while starting in place of Mayfield.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Packers’ Micah Parsons Won’t Practice This Week; Josh Jacobs Set to Return
Green Bay Packers defender Micah Parsons will not practice this week as he works back from an ACL injury, Matt LaFleur said Monday, explaining that “he’s got to clear some hurdles yet to get to that point.” Parsons has not been medically cleared, though LaFleur would not rule out practice during the short week before Green Bay’s Week 8 game against the Carolina Panthers. Parsons will likely need at least two weeks of practice before he plays. Running back Josh Jacobs, meanwhile, will practice Wednesday after missing six games on the exempt list.
Sources: Packers Wire
AFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC East | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| AFC North | |||
| Cleveland Browns | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| AFC South | |||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Houston Texans | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| AFC West | |||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Denver Broncos | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 6 | 0 |
NFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFC East | |||
| New York Giants | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| NFC North | |||
| Minnesota Vikings | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Chicago Bears | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Detroit Lions | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| NFC South | |||
| Carolina Panthers | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| NFC West | |||
| San Francisco 49ers | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 2 | 4 | 0 |
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