Samwise NFL Newsletter
Friday, September 25, 2026
Falcons Rout Packers 35-14 on TNF; Penix Returns, Robinson Rushes for 194 Yards
Michael Penix Jr. made a commanding return from a torn ACL as the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Green Bay Packers 35-14 at Lambeau Field on Thursday Night Football. Making his 2026 season debut after missing the first two weeks, Penix completed 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards with a touchdown and a 101.4 passer rating. Running back Bijan Robinson delivered 194 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. Wide receiver Drake London added nine catches for 194 receiving yards. The Falcons’ offense totaled 244 rushing yards, while Green Bay was held to just 17 on the ground. Atlanta moves to 1-2; Green Bay falls to 1-2.
Giants QB Jaxson Dart to Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery; Jameis Winston Named Starter
The New York Giants placed quarterback Jaxson Dart on injured reserve Wednesday after head coach John Harbaugh confirmed he will undergo season-ending knee surgery. Dart sustained damage to his left MCL, PCL, and meniscus when two Los Angeles Rams defenders hit him on the opening drive of Week 2. The ACL remained intact, which Harbaugh called good news, but the meniscus repair carries a four-to-six-month recovery timeline. Harbaugh left open the possibility of a postseason return. Jameis Winston has been named the starting quarterback for the remainder of the regular season. The Giants (1-1) host the Tennessee Titans (0-2) in Week 3.
NFL Quarterback Injury Crisis: Dart, Williams, and Daniels All Sidelined in Week 3
The 2026 NFL season is barely two weeks old and already three prominent young starters are sidelined. New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart will miss the rest of the regular season with a knee injury requiring surgery. Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is week-to-week with a hamstring injury and is unlikely to play in Week 3. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow in Week 2 against Dallas and is awaiting a return timeline. CBS Sports reported that as many as six teams could begin Week 3 starting backup quarterbacks, which would be the earliest in a season that has happened since at least 2000.
Sources: CBS Sports
Caleb Williams Unlikely to Play Monday Night; Case Keenum to Start vs. Eagles
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams suffered a right hamstring injury in Week 2’s loss to Minnesota and is unlikely to play in the team’s Week 3 Monday Night Football game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Williams left the game with approximately seven and a half minutes remaining and has been listed week-to-week. Bears head coach Ben Johnson said the initial report was somewhat encouraging and that Williams avoided a major tear. NFL Network reported he is not expected to suit up Monday night. Case Keenum is expected to start against Philadelphia, as backup Tyson Bagent is also out with a concussion. The Bears (1-1) face the undefeated Eagles (2-0).
Jayden Daniels Will Not Need Surgery on Dislocated Elbow, Will Miss at Least One Game
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will not require surgery on the left elbow he dislocated in Week 2’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys, and the team will not place him on injured reserve, the organization announced. X-rays confirmed no bone fractures, though additional imaging was conducted to assess soft tissue damage. Head coach Dan Quinn did not provide a specific return timeline, saying Daniels will miss at least one game. It is the second time Daniels has dislocated the same elbow, as he suffered the initial dislocation during the 2025 season. The Commanders (0-2) will start a backup quarterback in Week 3 against the New York Giants.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Cowboys vs. Ravens: NFL Makes History With First Regular-Season Game in Brazil on Sunday
The Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens will make NFL history Sunday when they meet at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium in the league’s first regular-season game ever played in Brazil. Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m. CT on CBS. The NFL has committed to at least three regular-season games in Rio over five years, citing Brazil’s more than 36 million NFL fans. It is the Ravens’ third international regular-season appearance and the Cowboys’ first overseas contest since 2014. The NFL confirmed it intends to proceed with the game despite reported concerns about the Maracanã’s playing surface, which was built primarily for soccer.
Sam Darnold Returns to Full Practice, Trending to Start Week 3 vs. Rams
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold returned to full practice Thursday and is trending toward making his 2026 regular-season debut in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams after missing the first two games with a glute injury. Head coach Mike Macdonald said Darnold is on a good track following limited participation Wednesday and a full session Thursday. The Seahawks declined to place Darnold on injured reserve after the initial injury, signaling confidence in a short recovery window. Seattle is 2-0 after their backup quarterbacks kept the team undefeated. Darnold’s availability will be confirmed on Friday’s final injury report before Sunday’s home game at Lumen Field.
Sources: CBS Sports
Week 3 NFL Power Rankings: Bills on Top, 49ers Second, Raiders Surprise at No. 20
NFL.com’s Week 3 power rankings place the Buffalo Bills atop the league after they opened their new stadium with a 41-31 win over the Detroit Lions, averaging 7.1 yards per play through two games. The San Francisco 49ers rank second behind Brock Purdy, who became the fifth quarterback in NFL history to record multiple games with a 90 percent completion rate in the same season. The Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals climbed the rankings after both started 2-0. The Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell sharply due to injury and performance concerns. The Las Vegas Raiders reached No. 20 after going 2-0 for the first time since 2021.
NFL Standings — Through Week 2 + TNF
American Football Conference
AFC East
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 0 | 2 | 0 |
AFC North
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Ravens | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Cleveland Browns | 0 | 2 | 0 |
AFC South
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Texans | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 0 | 2 | 0 |
AFC West
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Denver Broncos | 1 | 1 | 0 |
National Football Conference
NFC East
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| New York Giants | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 0 | 2 | 0 |
NFC North
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Detroit Lions | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Chicago Bears | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 1 | 2 | 0 |
NFC South
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Carolina Panthers | 0 | 2 | 0 |
NFC West
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 0 | 2 | 0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency