NFL Football 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 28, 2026, 10:40 PM ET
Injuries and Roster Moves
The NFL's health picture is pressing on several rosters this week. The Panthers ruled out four players espn.com, including starting outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips, ahead of Thursday night's clash with the Packers. The Texans placed wide receiver Jaylin Noel espn.com on injured reserve with a turf toe injury that will likely end his season, while the Bengals sent tight end Erick All Jr. espn.com to IR with an injury believed to be a torn ACL. The Giants placed running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. espn.com on IR with a hamstring injury, and Rams pass rusher Myles Garrett espn.com will not practice this week.
On the positive side, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson espn.com was a full participant in practice for the first time since his ankle injury. Packers coach Matt LaFleur hinted espn.com that edge rusher Micah Parsons could return to practice soon. Bears defensive end Montez Sweat is back espn.com with the team after a two-game suspension. A deeper look at Jackson's health record, detailed in a timeline espn.com, shows why his status remains closely watched.
Trade Market and Rebuilds
The trade deadline is shaping the league's biggest storylines. The Colts sent DeForest Buckner back to the 49ers espn.com, and the moves signal a broader rebuild espn.com in Indianapolis. Wide receiver Josh Downs has requested a trade espn.com, while running back Jonathan Taylor has not, according to coach Shane Steichen. ESPN's ranking of the league's top 25 trade candidates puts Taylor at No. 1 espn.com. San Francisco is weighing espn.com whether to keep pursuing additions after the Buckner acquisition. Jets receiver Garrett Wilson says he does not want espn.com to be traded, though he voiced frustration over his target share and the team's losing.
Coaching and Team Direction
The Chargers, still winless at 0-6, will keep Mike McDaniel espn.com as offensive playcaller despite mounting criticism, coach Jim Harbaugh said. Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. said he is not concerned espn.com about trade chatter after a rough outing in London.
Stars and Performances
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott threw three touchdown passes to end Dallas's two-game slide, and he said the NFC East is "right in front of us." espn.com Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson has a career-low 23 catches through seven weeks, but Minnesota is 6-0, and Jefferson says the approach espn.com "is working." Eagles running back Saquon Barkley says he was forced espn.com to divest his equity stake in Polymarket under league gambling rules. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will keep wearing espn.com his Caddix "smart cleats" despite a fine, and Flacco has offered to cover the cost.
Health and Long-Term Concerns
A study found that an estimated 75% of former NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a finding that adds weight espn.com to ongoing debates about player safety. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts's mother, Pamela, a schoolteacher, shared the get-well cards espn.com her students sent to her son during his recovery.
Rankings and Fantasy
ESPN's updated power rankings place every team on a 1-32 list espn.com heading into Week, along with each roster's best offseason addition. For fantasy managers, Liz Loza breaks down the facts espn.com behind start-sit calls on Jared Goff and others. Full odds, spreads and totals espn.com for every Week 8 game are also available.
Coming Up
The Panthers and Packers meet Thursday night espn.com, with Carolina missing four players. Jay-Z headlines the Super Bowl LXI halftime show espn.com at SoFi Stadium.