Samwise NFL Newsletter
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Eagles Place Jalen Hurts on Injured Reserve with Blood Clot
The Philadelphia Eagles placed starting quarterback Jalen Hurts on injured reserve Saturday because of a blood clot, the team announced, meaning he will miss at least four games. The move came after an earlier ESPN report said the Eagles had not even discussed putting Hurts on injured reserve. Philadelphia’s next four games are against the Panthers, Cowboys, Commanders and Giants before a bye, and Hurts is currently considered out indefinitely. Backup Tanner McKee will start in his place, with rookie Cole Payton serving as McKee’s backup and the recently signed Joe Milton as the No. 3 quarterback. The Eagles are 2-3 and still contenders in the NFC East.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Bears Expected to Start Caleb Williams Against Falcons
The Chicago Bears plan to start quarterback Caleb Williams on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, according to multiple reports. Williams missed three games with a torn hamstring but returned to practice at full capacity this week and took the starter’s reps. He is officially listed as questionable for the Week 6 game. Before the injury, Williams played in two games, posting a 65.6 completion percentage with 407 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. In his absence, Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum combined to win two of three games. Chicago, 3-2, is coming off a 31-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 5.
Sources: CBS Sports
Patriots Activate A.J. Brown Ahead of Jets Matchup
The New England Patriots activated wide receiver A.J. Brown off injured reserve Saturday, less than 24 hours before hosting the rival New York Jets. Brown caught three passes in the season opener before suffering a high-ankle sprain early in the third quarter, and he missed the next four games. The Patriots acquired him from the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Brown carries a questionable designation after being limited in practice all week. New England also elevated safety Elliott Davison from the practice squad and released running back Hassan Haskins. Brown’s activation fills the 53-man roster.
Sources: Sports Illustrated
49ers Rule Out Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel for Monday Night
San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan ruled out defensive lineman Nick Bosa (knee/calf) for Monday Night Football against the Washington Commanders. Receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring), linebacker Garrett Wallow and safety Marques Sigle are also out. Receiver Mike Evans, who did not practice this week because of a lingering ribs injury and Achilles soreness, is listed as questionable. Wideout Christian Kirk completed his first full week of practice after starting the season on injured reserve and could be activated. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk will return after suffering a knee bone bruise and hyperextension in Week 4. A virus also sidelined several players during the week.
Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area via Yahoo Sports
Packers Place Javon Hargrave and Two Others on Injured Reserve
The Green Bay Packers placed defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Ford and receiver Skyy Moore on injured reserve Saturday ahead of Sunday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. Hargrave suffered a torn Achilles in the final moments of last week’s win over Chicago; in five games he had six tackles, two quarterback hits and one pass deflection. Ford’s injury against Chicago proved more serious than the team initially thought, and Moore has a high ankle sprain. Green Bay activated receiver Savion Williams from injured reserve and elevated receiver Coleman Owen and edge rusher Arron Mosby from the practice squad.
Sources: Sports Illustrated
Winless Chargers Activate KeAndre Lambert-Smith Before Chiefs Game
The Los Angeles Chargers activated wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith from the reserve/injured list Saturday. He had been sidelined with a hamstring injury since Week 1. The Chargers, 0-5, visit the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs, 4-0, on Sunday. Lambert-Smith helped Los Angeles rally past the Chiefs on the road last December, catching a 16-yard touchdown pass from Justin Herbert late in the first half. The team also released wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling and signed outside linebacker Caleb Murphy to the active roster, filling the spot created when fullback Alec Ingold went on reserve/injured status.
Jaguars Aim to Play All 2028 Home Games in Jacksonville
Jacksonville’s run of playing an annual home game at Wembley Stadium could be nearing its end. Jaguars president Mark Lamping said Saturday the team hopes to keep all of its 2028 home games in Jacksonville to coincide with the reopening of its stadium following a $1.4 billion renovation. “If there’s a natural year where you probably want to play every home game in Jacksonville, it would be the year you open a new stadium,” Lamping said. The Jaguars began staging an annual Wembley game in 2013 and play their 16th London game Sunday against the Houston Texans. Lamping called the likelihood of three London home games next season “remote.”
Sources: Associated Press via CBS 17
Ravens, Bears and Panthers Make Saturday Roster Moves Before Week 6
Several clubs finalized their rosters Saturday ahead of Week 6. The Baltimore Ravens activated receiver Ja’Kobi Lane (wrist) from injured reserve after a full week of practice. The Chicago Bears activated cornerback Kyler Gordon from the physically unable to perform list, placed defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo on injured reserve and released defensive back Xavier Woods. The Carolina Panthers activated running back Trevor Etienne from injured reserve and tackle Taylor Moton from the non-football injury list; both remain questionable against the Eagles. Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) will not travel and was ruled out against the Packers.
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