NFL Football 24 Hours

Last updated: September 16, 2026, 10:03 PM ET

Saints' Backfield Picture Brightens

New Orleans coach Kellen Moore struck an optimistic tone Wednesday about Alvin Kamara's availability for Week, saying he "feels good" about the running back's chances after Kamara practiced in full and described himself as being in "a great place" physically. The Saints' offense leans heavily on Kamara in both the run and pass games, so his presence would be a significant boost as New Orleans looks to build on its opening-week performance.

Seattle's QB Room in Flux

The Seahawks ruled out Sam Darnold for Sunday's matchup against the Cardinals, though the team avoided placing him on injured reserve, keeping the door open for a return Darnold's absence leaves Seattle scrambling for answers under center against a division opponent, and the timing is hardly ideal given the early-season stakes in the NFC West.

Atlanta's Penix Nearing Return

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. didn't rule out playing against the Panthers on Sunday, telling reporters he is "close" even as his Week 2 status remains officially unclear. Coach Kevin Stefanski added that he is not ruling anybody out when it comes to the quarterback position, a comment that suggests Atlanta is weighing multiple options with Cooper Rush also banged up and Tua Tagovailoa's name surfacing in the conversation.

49ers Hit Hard by Injuries

San Francisco received difficult news on two fronts, as rookie receiver De'Zhaun Stribling is expected to miss about 10 weeks following ankle surgery, while tight end Tonges has been lost for the entire season. The injuries thin out a 49ers pass-catching corps that was already counting on young contributors to step up behind its established stars.

Burrow Battling Back Tightness

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said Wednesday he is dealing with back tightness but expects to play against the Texans, calling it "ridiculous" to consider sitting out. Burrow's availability is critical for a Cincinnati team that needs every win it can get in a crowded AFC North, and his practice participation through the week will be worth monitoring.

Power Rankings Take Shape

With one week of games in the books, the latest power rankings show the Bills, Seahawks and Ravens all climbing, while a standout newcomer from the rookie class earned special mention. The rankings offer an early snapshot of which contenders look legitimate and which pretenders may have benefited from soft opening matchups.

Vikings Lose Mason to IR

Minnesota placed running back Jordan Mason on injured reserve Wednesday after he underwent thumb surgery, sidelining him for at least four weeks. The Vikings' ground game will need to adjust quickly, with the team's depth at running back now under real pressure heading into a demanding stretch of the schedule.

Emmitt Smith Weighs In on Henry

Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith acknowledged this week that Ravens running back Derrick Henry has the stamina to break his all-time NFL rushing record, a remarkable endorsement from the man who currently holds the mark. Henry's durability and productivity at his size have long defied conventional wisdom, and Smith's comments add fresh intrigue to the chase.

Chiefs Rookie on Track

Kansas City rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane, who aggravated a shoulder injury after recording his first career interception, is on track to play against the Colts. Delane's emergence has been a bright spot for a Chiefs secondary that will need him healthy as Kansas City navigates a competitive AFC landscape.

Prescott Closes In on Romo

Dak Prescott needs four touchdown passes to pass Tony Romo in the Cowboys' record book, and ESPN gathered nine stories from teammates and coaches who caught scoring passes from the quarterback over the years. The milestone looms large as Dallas prepares to face the Commanders in a divisional clash.

Week 2 Insider Buzz

The latest insider notebook digs into quarterback uncertainty in Seattle, Minnesota and Atlanta, while also examining the rough starts for the Rams and Chargers. Across the league, front offices are weighing whether early-season struggles reflect fixable issues or deeper structural problems.

to 2027

ESPN's Football Power Index has projected the 2027 draft order for Round, offering an early glimpse at which teams could be picking near the top. While the 2027 draft is still two seasons away, the projection underscores how quickly franchises can find themselves in rebuilding mode.

Playoff Picture Emerging

The updated playoff projections map out how the 14-team postseason field could line up, along with updated Super Bowl LXI odds. Early-season results already are reshaping the odds, with several surprise Week 1 winners seeing their championship chances improve.

Ravens Shake Up Kicking Room

Baltimore released Jake Moody from the practice squad after Tyler Loop's strong opening performance, a clear signal that the rookie has seized the kicking job. The move ends Moody's brief stint with the Ravens and gives Loop a firm grip on the role Chargers Add Receiver Depth

The receiver-depleted Chargers are signing Marquez Valdes-Scantling to their practice squad after a loss to the Cardinals left the position group thin. Valdes-Scantling's veteran presence and downfield speed could earn him a quick promotion to the active roster if Los Angeles' injury issues persist.

Colts' Allen Charged With OWI

Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen was formally charged with two misdemeanor drunk driving offenses, with authorities alleging he blew a .224 on a breath test — nearly three times the legal limit. The charges represent a serious legal matter for Allen and the Colts organization as it weighs potential discipline.

Jacobs Case Moves Forward

Attorneys for the former girlfriend of Josh Jacobs have filed a motion seeking to have evidence in the case permanently sealed. The filing adds another procedural chapter to a case that has drawn attention around the Packers running back.

Giants Ownership Transfer Complete

Tisch Blodgett said the transfer of shares from Giants co-owners Steve, Laurie and Jonathan Tisch is complete, finalizing a significant reshuffling of the franchise's ownership structure. The move settles questions about the Giants' long-term governance and clears the way for the next generation of the family to take on larger roles.

Panthers Roster Moves

Carolina waived receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. on Tuesday and signed linebacker Tyrel Dodson from the practice squad, a pair of moves that reflect the team's shifting priorities on both sides of the ball. Horn's departure opens opportunities for other receivers, while Dodson adds needed depth to the linebacker corps.

Jets Bolster Banged-Up Roster

With rookie receiver Omar Cooper Jr. and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick both expected to miss time — Cooper is considered week to week with an ankle sprain — the Jets added depth including veteran receiver Sterling Shepard. New York's injury situation is testing its roster resilience early in the season.

Solak's Seven Things to Watch

Among the key storylines for Week 2, analysts wonder whether the Titans can score any points against the Eagles and whether Ben Johnson can solve the Bears' offensive puzzle. The piece also suggests Houston's offense could be better than many expected, a potentially important development in the AFC South race.

Offensive Explosions in Week 1

Chicago, Baltimore, Buffalo and Jacksonville were among 10 teams that scored 30 or more points in Week, part of a league-wide scoring surge that had fantasy managers and bettors alike celebrating. The question now is whether those outbursts were aberrations or signs of sustainable offensive firepower.

Fantasy Matchup Rankings

The Week 2 matchup rankings identify the most and least favorable situations for fantasy starters, with Prescott and Terry McLaurin positioned as prime rebound candidates. Matchup analysis remains one of the most reliable tools for setting lineups in the early weeks of the season.

Facts vs. Feelings

A deep dive into eight notable Week 1 performances separates statistical noise from genuine signal, helping fantasy managers decide who to trust heading into Week. The analysis cautions against overreacting to single-game samples while still flagging trends worth monitoring.

Broncos' Slow Starts Continue

Denver is now 4-8 in September under coach Sean Payton following Monday's loss to the Chiefs, and the early-season schedule doesn't get any easier. The pattern of slow starts has become a troubling hallmark of the Payton era in Denver, raising questions about preparation and September readiness.

Bears Buy Into Johnson's Mantra

Ben Johnson's pithy "No block, no rock" philosophy has taken hold in Chicago, with even the "little guys" getting a hat on a hat in the run game. The mantra reflects a cultural shift toward toughness and accountability that has energized the Bears' locker room.

Week 1 Betting Bonanza

A touchdown-filled opening Sunday produced what one analysis called a "bettor-friendly trifecta", as a wide variety of players found the end zone and rewarded spread bettors across the board. High-scoring Week 1 slates historically tend to regress, making the coming weeks worth watching for bettors adjusting their models.

Swift, Cruise Take in Broncos-Chiefs

Taylor Swift shared a suite with Tom Cruise while supporting Travis Kelce at the Broncos-Chiefs game, putting two of Hollywood's biggest names side by side in prime time. The celebrity pairing quickly became one of the most-discussed moments of the NFL's opening week.

Texans Add Linebacker Depth

Houston signed former first-round pick Kenneth Murray to the practice squad to bolster linebacker depth after To'oTo'o's injury. Murray's experience and athleticism give the Texans a ready-made option should the injury situation worsen Browns Lose Sampson to IR

Cleveland placed running back Dylan Sampson on injured reserve with a knee injury, further depleting a backfield that has dealt with attrition in recent seasons. The Browns will lean on their remaining running backs to carry the load while Sampson recovers.