Samwise NFL Newsletter
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Deshaun Watson Named Cleveland Browns Starting Quarterback Over Shedeur Sanders
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken ended weeks of speculation Monday, naming Deshaun Watson the Week 1 starting quarterback over rookie Shedeur Sanders. Monken said he took in the whole body of work over the course of offseason to training camp to games and the joint practice in reaching the decision, concluding Watson gave Cleveland the best chance to move the ball and score points. Watson returns from a torn Achilles suffered in October 2024 and its subsequent re-tear, playing his first home preseason action in nearly two years during Week 2 against the Bills. Cleveland’s 2026 regular-season opener is September 13 at Jacksonville.
Patriots Trade Kayshon Boutte to Texans for Safety Jaylen Reed and 2028 Pick
The New England Patriots dealt wide receiver Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans on Monday in exchange for safety Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round draft pick, addressing Houston’s receiver depth after second-year wideout Jayden Higgins tore his ACL in a joint practice. Boutte, 24, totaled 33 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns last season in New England. Despite his productivity as a deep threat for quarterback Drake Maye, Boutte’s role had become uncertain after the Patriots added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs to the receiving corps. The deal ends months of speculation over Boutte’s future in Foxborough.
Sources: Boston.com
Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty Diagnosed With Sprained Ankle After Practice
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty suffered a sprained ankle at practice Sunday and was helped off the field by trainers. Jeanty dove for a pass and landed awkwardly, leaving the field without putting weight on his right leg. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the diagnosis Monday as a sprained ankle, with the severity — high or low — still undetermined. The injury is not considered long-term, though the return timeline remains unknown. Rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. has impressed in two preseason games and would step into the lead role if Jeanty misses any regular-season time.
Sources: NBC Sports
Steelers and Joey Porter Jr. at Contract Impasse With Season Opener Approaching
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged Monday that the team and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. are at a contract impasse, with no deal in sight before the regular season. Porter, 26, is in the final year of his rookie deal after Pittsburgh selected him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He has been on the active/physically unable to perform list with an aggravated back injury throughout training camp. Pittsburgh’s policy against extending contracts during the season means any deal left unsigned before the September 13 opener against Atlanta will be pushed to 2027. Porter Jr. values himself among the league’s top cornerbacks; Pittsburgh disagrees.
Sources: Washington Post
NFL and Nike Unveil 2026 Rivalries Uniforms for AFC South and NFC North Teams
The NFL and Nike unveiled the second wave of the Rivalries uniform program Tuesday, introducing new designs for eight clubs in the AFC South and NFC North. The Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings received community-inspired alternate jerseys that will be worn during home divisional matchups and remain in the team rotation for three seasons. Each design reflects local history and culture. The program made its debut last August with AFC East and NFC West clubs, setting a Fanatics record for the highest-selling product launch in league history. The AFC West and NFC South receive designs in 2027.
Sources: SportsLogos.Net
Allen Robinson II Retires on 33rd Birthday After 11-Season NFL Career
Wide receiver Allen Robinson II announced his retirement Tuesday on his 33rd birthday, ending an 11-season NFL career. Robinson, a second-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014, played for five teams including the Jaguars, Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Detroit Lions. He finished with 565 receptions, 7,058 receiving yards, and 43 touchdowns. Robinson’s most productive season came in 2014, when he totaled 1,400 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns to earn his only Pro Bowl selection. Robinson did not play during the 2025 NFL season. He made the retirement announcement via a video posted to his Instagram account.
Sources: Chicago Sun-Times
Tight End C.J. Uzomah Retires After 10 NFL Seasons, Returns to Cincinnati to Announce
Tight end C.J. Uzomah announced his retirement Monday after 10 seasons in the NFL. The 33-year-old, originally a fifth-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2015, returned to Cincinnati to make the announcement official, retiring with the franchise that drafted him. Uzomah played for the Bengals, New York Jets, and Philadelphia Eagles across his decade-long career, recording 192 receptions and 16 touchdowns. He won a Super Bowl ring as a member of the Eagles, who defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. Uzomah spent seven of his 10 seasons with Cincinnati and was known for his leadership as much as his on-field contributions.
Sources: Fox Sports 990
Lions Place Raheem Blackshear and Cedrick Wilson Jr. on IR Ahead of August 30 Cutdown
The Detroit Lions placed running back Raheem Blackshear and wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. on injured reserve Monday, dealing a blow to two players fighting for spots ahead of the August 30 roster cutdown deadline. Wilson suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of Saturday’s preseason game against Washington at Ford Field, leaving after making two catches. Blackshear’s injury has not been disclosed by the team. Detroit signed defensive back Jason Taylor II and running back Roydell Williams as replacements. Both players now face the prospect of returning as practice squad candidates once Detroit files its 53-man roster on August 30.
Sources: Detroit News
AFC Divisions
(Regular season opens Sept. 9 — all teams 0–0)
AFC East
Buffalo Bills — 0–0–0
Miami Dolphins — 0–0–0
New England Patriots — 0–0–0
New York Jets — 0–0–0
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens — 0–0–0
Cincinnati Bengals — 0–0–0
Cleveland Browns — 0–0–0
Pittsburgh Steelers — 0–0–0
AFC South
Houston Texans — 0–0–0
Indianapolis Colts — 0–0–0
Jacksonville Jaguars — 0–0–0
Tennessee Titans — 0–0–0
AFC West
Denver Broncos — 0–0–0
Kansas City Chiefs — 0–0–0
Las Vegas Raiders — 0–0–0
Los Angeles Chargers — 0–0–0
NFC Divisions
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys — 0–0–0
New York Giants — 0–0–0
Philadelphia Eagles — 0–0–0
Washington Commanders — 0–0–0
NFC North
Chicago Bears — 0–0–0
Detroit Lions — 0–0–0
Green Bay Packers — 0–0–0
Minnesota Vikings — 0–0–0
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons — 0–0–0
Carolina Panthers — 0–0–0
New Orleans Saints — 0–0–0
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 0–0–0
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals — 0–0–0
Los Angeles Rams — 0–0–0
San Francisco 49ers — 0–0–0
Seattle Seahawks — 0–0–0
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency