Samwise NFL Newsletter
Friday, October 9, 2026
Undrafted Rookie Jalon Daniels Leads Buccaneers Past Cowboys for First Win
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Dallas Cowboys 24–16 on Thursday night for their first win of the 2026 season, improving to 1–4 and dropping Dallas to 2–3. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels, making his second career start in place of an injured Baker Mayfield, completed 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown. Bucky Irving ran for a career-high 165 yards, including a 72-yard run, and scored twice. Tampa Bay totaled a season-high 419 yards and rushed for 241. Dallas committed three turnovers, and Alex Anzalone’s interception on a tipped ball sealed the victory. Daniels became only the second undrafted quarterback to start and defeat the Cowboys.
Sean Payton Takes Over Broncos Play-Calling From Davis Webb
Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton confirmed Thursday that he will take over offensive play-calling duties from first-year coordinator Davis Webb. “We’ll make a change offensively,” Payton told reporters. “I’ll call the plays.” Payton said he made the decision on Monday and added that Webb will still be involved in game-planning and be with him on the sideline during games. The switch comes ahead of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Quarterback Bo Nix has completed 60 percent of his passes for 819 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions through four games, a passer rating of 80.4. “We’re 2–2,” Payton said, “but we feel like there’s more there.”
CeeDee Lamb Suffers Quad Injury in Cowboys’ Loss to Buccaneers
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb suffered a quad injury during Thursday night’s 24–16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to ESPN NFL Nation’s Todd Archer. Four days after posting 17 receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans, Lamb recorded two catches for nine yards. He re-entered the game for an unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt, but he was limping around the sideline and was unavailable for Dallas’ final drive. The home loss to a backup quarterback dropped the Cowboys to 2–3. ClutchPoints noted that Dallas cannot afford to lose a core member of its offense while its defense remains a serious concern.
Sources: ClutchPoints
Todd Bowles OK After Taking Celebration Helmet to the Gut
Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles is OK after he was seen crouched in pain on the sideline near the end of Thursday’s 24–16 win over the Dallas Cowboys. “Bowles was fine in postgame. Took some friendly fire in celebration on the sideline, was in some pain but OK moments later,” FOX Sports’ Greg Auman reported. ESPN’s Jenna Laine reported that Bowles said he caught a celebration helmet to the gut. Earlier, leading 24–10 in the fourth quarter, Bowles went for it on fourth-and-goal from the Dallas 1-yard line, and running back Sean Tucker was stopped short. Dallas answered with a 99-yard touchdown drive before Tampa Bay held on.
Sources: Pro Football Network
Lamar Jackson Misses Second Straight Practice with Ankle Injury
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was not on the field during the open portion of practice on Thursday as he continues to manage an ankle injury, after also missing Wednesday’s practice. The injury has cast doubt on his availability for Sunday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. Coach Jesse Minter said Wednesday the team would wait to see how Jackson responded to treatment. “When he’s ready to play, he’ll be ready to play,” Minter said. Linebacker Trey Hendrickson, cornerback Marlon Humphrey and center Cam Jurgens were also absent from Thursday’s open practice. The Ravens are 3–1 and tied with the Cleveland Browns for first place in the AFC North.
Sources: The Comeback
Steelers WR Michael Pittman Jr. Out Multiple Weeks After Re-Injuring Foot
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. will miss time after re-injuring his foot, head coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday. Pittman will not play Sunday when his former team, the Indianapolis Colts, visits, and it is too soon to say whether he will have to go on injured reserve. “It’s the same foot, so it’s going to be a multiple-week injury,” McCarthy said. “We’re still going through the evaluation of his roster position.” The Steelers traded for Pittman in March and signed him to a three-year, $59 million contract extension. He has seven catches for 89 yards this season. Pittman was a 2020 second-round pick of the Colts.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Commanders Waive Sixth-Round Rookie RB Kaytron Allen
The Washington Commanders waived running back Kaytron Allen, a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft, on Thursday. The move opened a roster spot after Washington designated three players for return to active duty this week: running back Jeremy McNichols, cornerback Trey Amos and defensive end Deatrich Wise. Allen has played in every game this season and has 41 yards on 12 carries. The Commanders could bring him back to the practice squad if he clears waivers. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Chris Rodriguez and Austin Ekeler are the team’s remaining running backs, and McNichols could join that group soon. The roster spot could be used for one of the three designated players.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Cam Heyward Says He Won’t Apologize for Sideline Emotion
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward said he will not apologize for his animated sideline behavior during last Thursday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns. Heyward was seen having a lively conversation with teammates on the sideline after a Browns touchdown, while linebacker T.J. Watt was filmed in a lively headset exchange with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. “I’ve always been someone who tends to get a little feisty on the sideline,” Heyward said, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I’m not going to apologize for that. That’s part of the game.” A profanity-laced exchange between quarterback Aaron Rodgers and head coach Mike McCarthy drew most of the attention from the game.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
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 | 3 | 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 | 1 | 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 |
Every newsletter preserved and searchable
Curated by JD · samwise.agency