Samwise NFL Newsletter
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Steelers Trade Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to Cowboys for Second- and Sixth-Round Picks
The Pittsburgh Steelers are trading cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick, NFL Network’s Jane Slater reported Wednesday evening. The Cowboys announced the deal. Porter, 26, entering the final season of his rookie contract, sought an extension, but he and Pittsburgh could not come to terms. He missed each of the Steelers’ first three games and had been ruled out of Thursday night’s game against the Cleveland Browns. Porter made 41 starts in three seasons, with 165 tackles, three interceptions and 31 pass breakups. He joins a 1–2 Dallas defense ranked 30th in total defense.
Packers Receiver Jayden Reed to Undergo Neck Surgery, Will Miss Rest of 2026 Season
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed will undergo neck surgery and miss the remainder of the 2026 season, head coach Matt LaFleur announced Wednesday. Reed was hurt on the second play from scrimmage in Week 2 against the Jets and was carted off. LaFleur said he does not think the injury will end Reed’s career. Reed signed a three-year, $50.25 million extension this offseason after missing 10 games last season. LaFleur said replacing him will be “by committee.” Green Bay will lean on Christian Watson and Matthew Golden, with Skyy Moore, Bo Melton and J. Michael Sturdivant sharing the load.
Sources: NFL.com (The Athletic)
Sean McVay Says NFL Told Him Pass Interference on Josh Wallace Should Not Have Been Called
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that the NFL league office told him pass interference should not have been called on cornerback Josh Wallace late in the Rams’ loss to the Denver Broncos. The penalty negated what would have been Wallace’s interception with 1:09 remaining and the Rams leading 26–23. Instead, the flag gave the Broncos first-and-goal, setting up a touchdown in a 30–26 Denver win. Wallace did make contact with Broncos receiver Pat Bryant, though Pro Football Talk described it as the kind of contact that frequently goes uncalled. Bryant also made contact with Wallace and acknowledged that he flopped to sell the call.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye Both Deny Report of a Rift as Patriots Prepare for Buffalo
New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye on Wednesday rejected a WEEI report that Maye was not Vrabel’s “guy.” “I’m here because Drake was the quarterback,” Vrabel said. “Believe it or not, I had choices to where I wanted to coach.” Maye called Vrabel “one of the best coaches I’ve had in my life.” Maye enters the week with 585 yards, one touchdown and an NFL-leading six interceptions as the Patriots prepare to visit Buffalo. Listed with a right shoulder injury, Maye was a full participant in practice and said the shoulder has not affected his throwing.
John Harbaugh Explains Giants’ Release of Odell Beckham Jr.: “It Just Wasn’t Working for Us”
New York Giants coach John Harbaugh on Wednesday explained Tuesday’s release of receiver Odell Beckham Jr. “We just weren’t getting enough, you know? It just wasn’t working for us,” Harbaugh told reporters. “Put it on us. We weren’t able to get it done.” Harbaugh said the Giants needed more out of that roster spot. Pro Football Talk noted Beckham was too deep on the depth chart not to play special teams, a role Braxton Berrios and Charlie Jones can fill. Beckham’s No. 13 has already been reissued to quarterback Jake Haener, whose former No. 18 went to new backup J.J. McCarthy.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Bears Coach Ben Johnson Still Not Naming a Week 4 Starter Among Three Quarterbacks
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson declined for a second straight day on Wednesday to name a starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets. Johnson said Caleb Williams would not take part in the team’s walkthrough later in the day, but that his hamstring is “getting better every single day” and he has not been ruled out. Case Keenum started the team’s win over the Philadelphia Eagles, and Tyson Bagent is available after clearing the concussion protocol. “It’s not hard for me at all,” Johnson said. “I feel really good about all three quarterbacks in that room.” Johnson will speak to the media again on Friday.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Falcons Sign Defensive Tackle Gervon Dexter to Four-Year, $78 Million Extension
Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter has agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Atlanta Falcons worth $78 million, including $46.5 million in guaranteed money, his agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus told ESPN. The deal comes after his first three games with Atlanta. Dexter joined the Falcons in an August 30 trade with the Chicago Bears, who had selected him in the second round of the 2023 draft. Atlanta sent defensive back Clark Phillips and a fifth-round pick to Chicago in that deal. Through the first three weeks of the season, Dexter has recorded seven tackles, a half-sack and a pass defensed.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Rams Expect Puka Nacua to Return Against Eagles After Limited Wednesday Practice
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said he expects wide receiver Puka Nacua to play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles after Nacua was a limited participant in practice Wednesday. “He had a good workout on Sunday and a good walkthrough just now so excited to be able to have him back,” McVay said. Nacua has missed much of the last two weeks with what the team lists as a hip injury, though he has described it more as a groin issue. Tight end Terrance Ferguson is expected to miss Sunday’s game with a medial ankle sprain, and tight end Colby Parkinson did not practice Wednesday with an AC sprain.
Sources: Sports Illustrated
Titans Quarterback Cam Ward Responds to Threats Against His Family After 0–3 Start
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward brushed off criticism and threats he and his family have received after an 0–3 start. Ward threw an interception at the goal line with 24 seconds left in Sunday’s 12–7 loss to the New York Giants,, and his sister later spoke out on social media against attacks on players’ families. “They can say whatever they want at the end of the day, but I think football will take care of a lot of it,” Ward said. “It’s really just about making plays on the football field.” Ward has thrown for 504 yards and two touchdowns this season. The Titans visit the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Packers Sign Veteran Kevin Zeitler to Help Beleaguered Offensive Line
Veteran Kevin Zeitler is signing with the Green Bay Packers, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, adding more help for the team’s beleaguered offensive line. Zeitler, 36, visited the Packers on Tuesday after spending last season with the Tennessee Titans, where he started 16 games. The No. 27 overall pick in the 2012 draft, Zeitler has started 213 games for the Bengals, Browns, Giants, Ravens, Lions and Titans. The signing is the latest move Green Bay has made following last week’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons, after the team also added veterans Laken Tomlinson and Mekhi Becton. Green Bay plays at Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
AFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC East | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| AFC North | |||
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Cleveland Browns | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| AFC South | |||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Houston Texans | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| AFC West | |||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Denver Broncos | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 3 | 0 |
NFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFC East | |||
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| New York Giants | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| NFC North | |||
| Minnesota Vikings | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Detroit Lions | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Chicago Bears | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| NFC South | |||
| Carolina Panthers | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| NFC West | |||
| San Francisco 49ers | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 2 | 0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency