Samwise NFL Newsletter
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Myles Garrett Placed on Injured Reserve After Knee Surgery, Out at Least Four Weeks
Rams outside linebacker Myles Garrett underwent knee surgery Monday and was placed on injured reserve, head coach Sean McVay confirmed. Garrett, who was traded from Cleveland to Los Angeles in the offseason, will miss a minimum of four weeks, a significant blow to a defense counting on his pass-rush presence. McVay also provided updates on safety Kam Curl, tight end Davis Allen, and linebacker Nate Landman, all dealing with separate injury concerns heading into Week 2 against the Giants. The Rams entered the season with high expectations for Garrett after the blockbuster offseason trade, making the early injury all the more frustrating.
Sources: Los Angeles Rams
Kyler Murray in Concussion Protocol, Vikings Uncertain for Week 2 Start Against Bears
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray entered the NFL’s concussion protocol after sustaining a head injury during the team’s Week 1 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Murray was placed in a fencing posture after absorbing a hit from Packers safety Javon Bullard in the first quarter, with Carson Wentz entering in relief. The Vikings won despite the setback, but Minnesota is uncertain whether Murray will be cleared in time for Week 2 against the Chicago Bears. Coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday that Murray would be evaluated day by day. Wentz is in line to start if Murray cannot clear protocol.
Sources: NBC Sports
Caleb Williams Posts Historic 4-TD Game as Bears Rout Panthers 59-37 in Week 1
Caleb Williams posted four total touchdowns as the Chicago Bears routed the Carolina Panthers 59-37 in Week 1, the franchise’s highest-scoring game since 1980. Williams completed 21 of 29 passes for 269 yards with two passing touchdowns and rushed for two more on 65 yards, becoming the first player in Bears history to post 200-plus passing yards, two passing scores, 50-plus rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns in a single game. Running backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai each exceeded 100 rushing yards as Chicago’s ground attack combined for 291 yards and six scores. The performance marked a powerful debut for coach Ben Johnson’s offense.
Lions Survive Epic Late Collapse, Beat Saints in Overtime on Amon-Ra St. Brown Touchdown
The Detroit Lions survived a dramatic late collapse to defeat the New Orleans Saints in overtime during Week 1, with running back Jahmyr Gibbs leading a key drive before wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught the game-winning touchdown. The Saints rallied to tie the game but fell short on a two-point conversion in regulation, sending the contest to overtime. Detroit had built a commanding lead before the Saints mounted their rally, making the final result a relief for a Lions team eyeing an NFC Championship run. New Orleans opened 0-1 and faces early questions about competing in the NFC South.
Bills Open New $2.1 Billion Highmark Stadium Against Lions on Thursday Night Football
The Buffalo Bills will unveil their new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Thursday night when they host the Detroit Lions in Week 2’s Thursday Night Football opener on Prime Video. The open-air stadium features state-of-the-art concourses and seven sensory rooms with a canopy roof design covering 64 percent of attendees, the most sensory rooms of any venue in the world according to the team. The Bills defeated the Houston Texans in Week 1 with Josh Allen throwing for over 300 yards and combining for four scores. The Lions enter as significant challengers in what promises to be a marquee early-season showcase for the league’s newest venue.
Browns Sticking With Deshaun Watson as Week 2 Starter Despite Dismal Season Opener
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken confirmed Monday that Deshaun Watson will start in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, despite a difficult season-opening performance that saw the Browns fall 34-10 to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Watson threw an interception and lost a fumble as Cleveland’s offense managed just 10 points, but Monken said after reviewing film he found positives worth building on. Monken said their inability to function consistently as an offense was a byproduct of coaching and playing. The decision also means rookie Shedeur Sanders, who has generated significant fan interest, remains on the bench for now.
Eagles Place Starting Guard Landon Dickerson on Injured Reserve With Knee Injury
Philadelphia Eagles starting left guard Landon Dickerson was placed on injured reserve Monday with a knee injury, the team announced, ending his availability for at least four games. The three-time Pro Bowl lineman played through discomfort during Philadelphia’s 24-22 opening win over Washington but called himself a complete liability afterward, saying he should not be out there until healthy. The injury is believed to be a meniscus issue that, if minor, could allow Dickerson a return later in the season; a more severe tear could cost him the year. Fifth-round pick Drew Kendall out of Boston College is expected to take over as the starter at left guard.
CBS Places Tony Romo on Leave After DUI Plea, J.J. Watt Steps In Alongside Jim Nantz
CBS Sports has placed NFL lead analyst Tony Romo on leave until further notice following his no-contest plea to a DUI charge stemming from an incident in Milwaukee on July 23, 2026. Romo said the arrest stemmed from a dependence on pain medication after multiple back surgeries left him with constant, debilitating pain, noting his efforts to stop those medications led to over-reliance on alcohol. CBS tapped former NFL defensive end J.J. Watt to fill in alongside play-by-play voice Jim Nantz for the network’s upcoming telecasts. Most observers believe Romo’s leave will extend through the remainder of the season, with his long-term status at CBS considered uncertain.
Sources: NBC Sports
Giants Upset Cowboys 28-20 in Sunday Night Football Season Opener
The New York Giants handed the Dallas Cowboys a 28-20 loss in Sunday Night Football’s season opener on September 13, upending expectations that Dallas would dominate the NFC East. The Cowboys opened the 2026 season 0-1 after being outplayed through most of the matchup, while New York jumped to 1-0 with the victory. Dallas now faces a quick turnaround heading into Week 2, where the Cowboys will need to win to avoid early playoff-race pressure. The Giants outpaced a Cowboys roster that many analysts had pegged as an NFC East contender entering the year, signaling a potential early-season shake-up in the division.
Cardinals Stun Chargers 26-14 in Week 1 Upset to Open NFC West With Win
The Arizona Cardinals opened the 2026 NFL season with a 26-14 upset victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1, delivering a statement performance against a squad entering with significant expectations. The Cardinals outgained Los Angeles on both sides of the ball and held the Chargers offense in check throughout. The win put Arizona at 1-0 in the NFC West standings, while the Chargers opened 0-1 in the AFC West. The Chargers’ performance drew criticism from analysts who called the Week 1 showing flat and raised early questions about the team’s trajectory heading into a competitive AFC West schedule.
Sources: FOX Sports
AFC Standings — After Week 1
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC East | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| AFC North | |||
| Baltimore Ravens | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Cleveland Browns | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| AFC South | |||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Houston Texans | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| AFC West | |||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Denver Broncos | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 1 | 0 |
NFC Standings — After Week 1
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFC East | |||
| New York Giants | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| NFC North | |||
| Chicago Bears | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Detroit Lions | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| NFC South | |||
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Carolina Panthers | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| NFC West | |||
| San Francisco 49ers | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency