Samwise NFL Newsletter
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Falcons Rout Saints 45-24 on Monday Night Football
The Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints 45-24 on Monday Night Football, improving to 2-2 while the Saints fell to 1-3. Bijan Robinson rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, including a 59-yard touchdown run on the opening drive. Brian Robinson Jr. added three rushing touchdowns, the first of his career. Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. completed 15 of 20 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. For New Orleans, Tyler Shough went 30 of 48 with a touchdown and no interceptions while being pressured on 35 percent of his snaps, ESPN reported.
Chiefs WR Tyquan Thornton Out 12 to 16 Weeks with Dislocated Ankle
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton is expected to miss 12 to 16 weeks after dislocating his left ankle in Sunday’s 30-27 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, ESPN reported. He will undergo surgery this week, and the Chiefs hope he can return by the end of the season or during the playoffs. Thornton was injured after a 55-yard fourth-quarter catch and finished with five catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Rashee Rice also left Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. Kansas City remains in contact with free agent Tyreek Hill, whose representatives began fielding offers from multiple teams Monday.
Marcus Davenport Retires After Seeking Release From Bears Practice Squad
Defensive end Marcus Davenport is retiring from the NFL, Pro Football Talk reported, after he asked the Chicago Bears to release him from their practice squad. The 30-year-old was the 14th overall pick of the New Orleans Saints in the 2018 NFL Draft and spent five seasons there, followed by one year in Minnesota and two in Detroit before joining Chicago. Davenport finished with 25.0 career sacks, with a high of 9.0 in 2021, and made four playoff appearances, including one start, all with the Saints. According to NFL Network, he chose to retire rather than pursue another practice squad opportunity elsewhere.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Seahawks Plan to Sign Running Back Joe Mixon to Practice Squad
The Seattle Seahawks plan to sign veteran running back Joe Mixon to their practice squad, pending a physical, ESPN reported. Coach Mike Macdonald said, “Joe worked out this morning and he’s going through the process right now.” The 30-year-old was released by Houston in March after missing all of 2025 with a foot injury. Seattle’s running back depth is thin, with first-round pick Jadarian Price on injured reserve, and Macdonald said, “We’re down runners.” Mixon ran for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns with the Texans in 2024 and earned Pro Bowl recognition. Emanuel Wilson currently leads the Seahawks’ backfield.
Bears Name Tyson Bagent Starting Quarterback for Packers Game
Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson announced Monday that Tyson Bagent will start at quarterback against the Green Bay Packers. “Tyson will be the guy, and we’ll go forward from there,” Johnson said. Caleb Williams will miss a third consecutive game with a hamstring injury suffered late in the Sept. 20 game against Minnesota, and Johnson said the team considers him week-to-week. Bagent completed 25 of 34 passes for 268 yards and an interception in Chicago’s 23-12 win over the New York Jets. Johnson called the performance a “mixed bag” and said red-zone execution has been “below our standard” over the last three games. The Bears are 3-1.
Packers Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper Out for Season with Torn Achilles
Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper has a season-ending torn Achilles, an MRI confirmed, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Cooper, a third-year pro and 2024 second-round pick, was hurt in the third quarter of Sunday’s 17-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ESPN reported he went down without contact while attempting to blitz. Coach Matt LaFleur said, “He’s a tough one to lose,” and indicated Isaiah McDuffie and Ty’Ron Hopper will see increased opportunities at linebacker. Green Bay is 2-2 and next faces the Chicago Bears.
Ravens Coach Says Lamar Jackson Ankle Injury Not Expected to Be Long-Term
Baltimore Ravens coach Jesse Minter said Monday he does not think quarterback Lamar Jackson’s ankle injury will be “crazy long-term,” though imaging results were still pending. Jackson was hurt during Sunday’s win over the Tennessee Titans and was spotted wearing a walking boot after the game. Baltimore led 24-7 at the time, which made it easier to rest him. Minter had not determined whether Jackson could play in Week 5 against the Atlanta Falcons, and further updates were expected later in the week. Backup Tyler Huntley could start if Jackson cannot play. The Ravens are 3-1.
Sources: NBC Sports, NFL.com
Eagles Injury Updates: Barkley Week-to-Week, Bigsby to Injured Reserve
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is week-to-week with a hamstring injury, which NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported is not considered long-term. Rapoport reported that running back Tank Bigsby needs surgery for a core muscle injury and is being placed on injured reserve, with the hope that he returns in six weeks or fewer. Garafolo reported that offensive lineman Cam Jurgens is in concussion protocol after reporting symptoms Monday morning. Linebacker Jonathan Greenard is day-to-day with an ankle injury after leaving Sunday’s game, Rapoport reported. The Eagles are 2-2 through four games.
Chargers’ Rashawn Slater and Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. Both Hurt
Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Rashawn Slater, a two-time Pro Bowler, has a high ankle sprain, and tests confirmed the diagnosis Monday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported. According to the NFL.com news roundup, the injury typically sidelines players four to six weeks. The Chargers are 0-4. In Arizona, offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr., a 2023 first-round pick, has a torn biceps and will miss the remainder of the season, and head coach Mike LaFleur confirmed the news. The Cardinals are 1-3 through four games. Both injuries were detailed in the NFL.com roundup of Monday’s league news.
AFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC East | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| AFC North | |||
| Cleveland Browns | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| AFC South | |||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Houston Texans | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| AFC West | |||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Denver Broncos | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 4 | 0 |
NFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFC East | |||
| New York Giants | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| NFC North | |||
| Minnesota Vikings | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Chicago Bears | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Detroit Lions | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| NFC South | |||
| Carolina Panthers | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| NFC West | |||
| San Francisco 49ers | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 3 | 0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency