September 17, 2025
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday that the Washington Commanders have signed veteran edge rusher Preston Smith, sources tell The Insiders. Smith was a second-round pick in 2015 and spent four seasons in Washington before landing a big free agent deal in Green Bay. Now he's back and looking to add to his 70.5 career sacks. Smith is known for his durability and ability to help stop the run, which is a substantial addition to the Commanders' defense that currently ranks middle of the pack against the run. With the offense dealing with significant injuries to
Austin Ekeler (Achilles) for the season and
Jayden Daniels (knee), who is currently day-to-day, the Commanders went out and improved their defense. This signing for the Commanders provides an uptick in value for this defense.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Tom Pelissero
September 16, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey (pectoral) will miss the rest of the season after suffering a pectoral injury in Monday night's one-point win over the Houston Texans, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Losing the former first-rounder will be a big blow to a stingy Bucs run defense the rest of the way in 2025. The 24-year-old is most likely dealing with a torn pec muscle that will require surgery. Tampa's interior defensive line is still formidable with Vita Vea filling up gaps, but Kancey's loss cannot be overstated. With Kancey out the rest of the way, both Elijah Roberts and Greg Gaines will be asked to do more next to Vea and Logan Hall. Since entering the league in 2023, Kancey has 11.5 sacks and 55 tackles (42 solo) for the Bucs in 28 starts.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
September 16, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (knee), defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee), and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring) are "improving," but head coach Mike Tomlin said they are "questionable, at best" for Week 3 against the New England Patriots. All three defensive players were ruled out for the Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and could be in danger of missing more time. Porter injured his hamstring in the Week 1 win over the New York Jets. If the 25-year-old is out again, Brandin Echols will be elevated once again as depth behind Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey. Harmon is recovering from an MCL sprain that he suffered at the end of training camp and has yet to play in 2025. Elliott suffered an MCL sprain in his left knee in Week 1, so he's most likely looking at a multi-week absence. Pittsburgh's defense is banged up and hasn't played at a high level through two weeks.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
September 15, 2025
Updating a previous report, the Los Angeles Chargers announced that Pro Bowl pass-rusher Khalil Mack (elbow) will not return on Monday Night Football in the divisional matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders after he suffered an elbow injury in the second quarter. Mack was in significant pain when his elbow was caught between a teammate and a Raiders player and ran off the field quickly to be examined by trainers before eventually being carted to the locker room for testing. It's unclear what the severity of the 34-year-old's injury is, but it didn't look good, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he's not available for another divisional contest in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos after he was seen in a sling. Losing Mack for any amount of time would be bad news for a strong Chargers defense. Former first-rounder Bud Dupree entered immediately after Mack's injury and will see more snaps if Mack misses additional time.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Chargers
September 15, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers pass-rusher Khalil Mack (elbow) injured his elbow in Monday night's divisional clash against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter and is questionable to return, according to the team. It was an ugly-looking injury that occurred when Mack's elbow was caught between a fellow defender and the Raiders player he was attempting to tackle. It did not look good, and Mack appeared to be in considerable pain while running to the sideline to be examined by trainers. The 34-year-old veteran was taken for imaging, so we should know shortly whether he's facing a multi-week injury. It would be a surprise if he returned to this game. The good news for fantasy managers in IDP leagues that started Mack is that he had a sack and a solo tackle before departing. If Mack is forced to miss extended time, former first-rounder Bud Dupree would step into a more regular role for the Bolts on the edge.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Chargers
September 15, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals rookie first-round defensive end Shemar Stewart (ankle) is considered doubtful to play in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings after suffering a right-ankle injury in the Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, according to head coach Zac Taylor. There is no timetable for Stewart's return, so he shouldn't be considered a lock to return in Week 4 on Monday night against the Denver Broncos, either. According to Kelsey Conway, Stewart is dealing with a low-ankle sprain, and he left the locker room on Sunday with a walking boot and crutches. The 21-year-old could be out for up to two to three weeks. For now, he's considered week-to-week. Stewart has gotten off to a slow start in his first two NFL games, recording no sacks and two tackles (one solo).
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Dave Clark
September 15, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle), who suffered what head coach Mike Tomlin called a high-ankle sprain in the Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, is not likely to be put on Injured Reserve, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. While high-ankle sprains can sometimes sideline players for up to four to six weeks, it sounds like Highsmith's ankle sprain is more on the mild side. Still, the Steelers defense is unlikely to have the 28-year-old available for their Week 3 tilt this weekend against the New England Patriots, which will put both Jack Sawyer and Nick Herbig in line for more playing time in the middle of the Steelers defense. So far in 2025, Pittsburgh's defense has not performed up to expectations, allowing a combined 63 points in the first two weeks to the New York Jets and Seahawks.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
September 15, 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers placed linebacker Denzel Perryman (ankle) on Injured Reserve on Monday after he suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 1 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Perryman is considered week-to-week and will have to miss at least four games after being put on IR. He will be eligible to return for a Week 6 game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Oct. 12, but with high-ankle sprains keeping players out sometimes for up to six weeks, there's no guarantee the 32-year-old veteran will be ready to play against the Dolphins. The middle of L.A.'s defense will be a man down moving forward, with Troy Dye expected to fill in and start alongside Daiyan Henley, starting on Monday night in Week 2 versus the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
September 15, 2025
Updating a previous report on Monday, Chicago Bears All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson (groin) is likely to miss the rest of the season with a groin injury that will require surgery, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. There is an outside chance that Johnson will be able to return late in the year if Chicago is in contention, but for now, it's a huge loss for Chicago's defense after they just allowed 52 points to the division-rival Detroit Lions in Week 2. The 26-year-old defensive back aggravated a groin issue that caused him to miss all of training camp and the Week 1 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and now he's likely to miss the rest of 2025. On top of the Bears' disappointing 0-2 start under new head coach Ben Johnson, they'll be without perhaps their best defensive player all year. Nahshon Wright and Jaylon Jones will be asked to do more in Chicago's secondary.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
September 15, 2025
The Los Angeles Rams placed cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (shoulder) on Injured Reserve on Monday after he suffered a broken clavicle in the Week 3 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. In two games to begin the year, the 30-year-old defensive back had three tackles and a pass breakup for the Rams while playing 62 defensive snaps. Witherspoon will be required to miss at least four games while on IR, but head coach Sean McVay said he is facing a 12-week absence. Moving forward, Josh Wallace should be forced into a much more significant role for the back end of the Rams' defense.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
September 15, 2025
The Tennessee Titans and three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons agreed on a revised contract on Monday that includes a $632,529 raise for this year, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Simmons didn't receive a game check from the 17th game in 2023 under his previous contract, so the amount of the raise comes from that. The Titans' defense kept them in the game in the Week 1 loss to the Denver Broncos and in the first half of Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams before falling apart in the second half. The 28-year-old Simmons has been a key piece of the defense early on, recording six tackles (four solo) with a sack and a forced fumble. Simmons and Tennessee's defense will have their work cut out for them in Week 3 against an Indianapolis Colts offense that quarterback
Daniel Jones has rejuvenated.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
September 15, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals rookie first-round defensive end Shemar Stewart (ankle, knee) likely avoided suffering a major injury during Sunday's Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Stewart was seen on crutches postgame and is expected to be evaluated on a week-to-week basis. While the first-round pick's status for next Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings is up in the air, it sounds like he won't be placed on injured reserve and ultimately shouldn't miss too much time. As Stewart recovers, Myles Murphy will earn more defensive snaps as a rotational piece behind Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jordan Schultz
September 14, 2025
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (illness) is inactive for Sunday's Week 2 contest against the Atlanta Falcons. He had been limited in practice this week but ultimately will not play. This is the second game in a row for which Smith has been sidelined, which means his season debut will have to wait at least one more week. Theo Jackson is expected to start at safety in his absence.
--Andersen PickardSource: Minnesota Vikings
September 14, 2025
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II (ankle) exited during the first quarter of Sunday's Week 2 contest against the Indianapolis Colts. He is officially listed as questionable to return. At the time of his departure, he had five tackles, one pass defended, and one defensive pass interference penalty. Widely regarded as one of the top defenders in the NFL, Surtain's absence will be felt as the Broncos continue to battle the Colts in a high-scoring affair. Jahdae Barron should earn more snaps at cornerback until Surtain can return.
--Andersen PickardSource: Parker Gabriel
September 14, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) has been diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain after exiting Sunday's Week 2 contest against the Seattle Seahawks, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. The 28-year-old finished the game with just one tackle. He will likely be placed on injured reserve as he misses roughly four to six weeks. Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer should handle more defensive snaps opposite T.J. Watt going forward.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
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