NFL Football 24 Hours

Last updated: September 12, 2026, 7:44 AM ET

Bears Lock Up Swift With $33.75M Extension

The Chicago Bears have moved quickly to secure their backfield, agreeing to a three-year, $33.75 million extension with running back D'Andre Swift that includes $27.5M guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Swift extension keeps the veteran in Chicago through the prime of his career and signals the organization's confidence in an offense it believes can contend immediately. Swift's dual-threat ability as a runner and receiver made him a priority for general manager Ryan Poles, who has spent the past two offseasons reshaping the roster around quarterback Caleb Williams.

Odunze Expects to Play Despite Questionable Tag

Chicago's passing game got encouraging news when wide receiver Rome Odunze said he expects to suit up Sunday at Carolina despite being listed as questionable with a calf injury. The Bears wideout told reporters he feels "ready" for the season opener, though the team will monitor him through pregame warmups before making a final call. Odunze's availability matters enormously for a Bears offense that leans on his contested-catch ability in the red zone.

Panthers' Brooks Cleared, No Limitations

On the opposite sideline, Carolina running back Jonathon Brooks will play against the Bears with no limitations as he completes his comeback from multiple knee injuries. The Panthers running back gives Carolina a fresh burst out of the backfield and a legitimate complement to its passing attack. His return is one of the more remarkable injury recoveries of the young season, and the team intends to use him fully rather than ease him in.

Cowboys Lose Davis to Hip Surgery and IR

Dallas absorbed a blow when running back Malik Davis was scheduled for surgery Saturday and placed on injured reserve after suffering a hip injury in Friday's practice, a source told ESPN. The Cowboys running back will miss the opener and beyond, thinning a backfield that already faced questions about depth and durability. Dallas must now lean harder on its remaining backs while Davis begins rehabilitation.

Patriots Place A.J. Brown on IR

New England confirmed the severity of its worst offensive injury, placing wide receiver A.J. Brown on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain that will sideline him a minimum of four games, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. An MRI on the Brown ankle confirmed the sprain, and the team wasted no time making the roster move. The Patriots receiver leaves a significant void atop the depth chart, forcing New England to redistribute targets across a young receiving corps.

Patriots Add Defensive Tackle Depth

New England addressed the defensive front by agreeing to sign free agent defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, formerly of the Bills, to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million, sources told NFL Network. The DaQuan Jones signing adds a proven interior run defender who can absorb double-teams and free up linebackers. It is a low-risk, high-floor move for a team patching holes on both sides of the ball.

Eagles Rule Out Greenard for Week 1

Philadelphia will open the season without edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, ruled out for Week 1 with a pec injury. Greenard missed all of training camp but was a limited participant in practice this week, and the Eagles pass rusher simply ran out of time to prove he could withstand game contact. His absence delays a debut the Eagles had anticipated since signing him.

Bucs' Egbuka Full Go, McMillan Doubtful

Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles said rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka will be "full go" for Sunday's opener against Cincinnati, while fellow receiver Jalen McMillan is doubtful. The Bucs receiver gives quarterback Baker Mayfield a dynamic young target in the slot and on the perimeter. McMillan's likely absence puts additional pressure on the rest of the room to produce against a Bengals secondary that will test Tampa Bay's depth.

Falcons Turn to Rush After Tagovailoa Ruled Out

Atlanta will start backup Cooper Rush at quarterback in Sunday's opener against Pittsburgh after ruling starter Tua Tagovailoa out with an oblique injury. The Falcons quarterback change hands the offense to a veteran who has filled in capably before, but it removes the timing and anticipation Tagovailoa brings to the position. Rush's command of the huddle will be tested immediately against a Steelers defense known for disguising pressure.

Steelers' Porter Questionable Amid Extension Talks

Pittsburgh cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is listed as questionable for Sunday's opener as he and the team continue negotiating a contract extension. The Steelers cornerback has been a foundational piece of the secondary, and his status adds another layer of uncertainty to a defense preparing for an unfamiliar Falcons quarterback. Both sides have expressed a desire to reach a deal, but nothing has been finalized.

Ravens Without Madubuike Against Colts

Baltimore ruled out defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike for Sunday's opener against Indianapolis, though coach Jesse Minter said his return is "really close." The Ravens defensive tackle is a disruptive interior presence whose absence changes how Baltimore can attack protections. Minter's optimism suggests the team expects him back within weeks rather than months.

Titans' Gray Out After UTV Accident

Tennessee will be without starting weakside linebacker Cedric Gray for its opener against the Jets after he was placed in the league's concussion protocol Monday following a UTV accident. The Titans linebacker had been positioned for a significant role, and his absence forces the staff to reshuffle its linebacker rotation on short notice.

Cardinals' Love Expected to Play

Arizona rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, who has battled a high ankle sprain since mid-August, is expected to play Sunday against the Chargers, a source told ESPN. The Cardinals rookie brings explosive change-of-direction ability and gives the offense a home-run threat out of the backfield. His presence should ease pressure on the passing game.

Jags' Hunter to Play Both Ways

Jacksonville plans to use Travis Hunter on both offense and defense, though how much remains fluid, the team said. The Jaguars two-way star is one of the most unusual talents in football, and the coaching staff intends to manage his snap count carefully to keep him fresh on both sides of the ball.

49ers Extend Shanahan After Melbourne Win

San Francisco rewarded coach Kyle Shanahan with a multiyear extension, sources confirmed to ESPN, following a 27-7 demolition of the Rams in Melbourne. Shanahan owns an 83-67 record across 10 seasons, and the new deal reflects the organization's belief that he remains the right steward for a perennial contender. The 49ers' Australia win showcased the run-game precision that has defined his tenure.

Warner Trolls Rams After Victory

Linebacker Fred Warner did not hold back on social media after the win, posting a pointed message at the Rams. The 49ers linebacker has never been shy about needle-threading, and his latest jab adds spice to a rivalry that already carries plenty of history.

Travel Plans Dismissed as Factor

Though many 49ers players applauded the decision to travel to Melbourne a week early, Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay both said differing arrival times were not a factor in the outcome. The coaches' comments pushed back on the narrative that jet lag or preparation logistics decided the game, insisting execution and physicality mattered far more.

Stribling's Debut Ends With Ankle Injury

San Francisco rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling's debut ended with an ankle injury, and Shanahan said initial testing did not provide full results. The 49ers rookie will undergo further evaluation after the team's 16-hour flight back to the Bay Area, leaving his status for the coming weeks uncertain.

Garrett Struggles in Rams Debut

Rams edge rusher Myles Garrett went without a tackle in his first game with Los Angeles and called it "the worst version of myself that I've put out there." The Rams pass rusher acknowledged he is not 100% while managing a knee issue, a candid admission from a player expected to transform the defense.

Nacua Opens Up About Alcohol Struggles

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua told Netflix that "alcohol was definitely a thing" for him as he navigated off-the-field stresses, including a rapid rise to stardom and the birth of his son. The Rams receiver described going through the "darkest times" of his life and entering rehab, a remarkably candid disclosure from one of the league's brightest young stars.

Seahawks Lean on Lock With Darnold Ailing

Drew Lock led Seattle to a Week 1 win after Sam Darnold injured his hip and left the game, and now the question is whether Lock can sustain it against Arizona in Week 2 and potentially beyond. The Seahawks quarterback situation remains unresolved, with Darnold's availability uncertain and Lock auditioning for a longer look.

Barkley Adjusting to New Eagles Scheme

Philadelphia's heavy under-center, wide-zone scheme is largely new to Saquon Barkley, who said he is "going back to a little kid again" to recapture his 2024 dominance. The Eagles running back must relearn footwork and timing that differ from what he ran previously, a transition that could define Philadelphia's offensive ceiling.

Shough Embraces Captaincy in Year 2

Named a captain this season, Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, said the elevated expectations "don't faze me" as he tries to lead New Orleans to the postseason. The Saints quarterback enters Year 2 with a firmer grasp of the offense and the locker room's trust.

Skattebo Eyes Jonas Brothers Blessing

First it was Cody Bellinger, then Patrick Mahomes and Lewis Hamilton. Now Giants running back Cam Skattebo may be next in line for the Jonas Brothers' blessing, a quirky tradition that has followed star athletes. The Giants running back has become a fan favorite for his bruising style, and the attention only adds to his rising profile.

Week 1 Previews, Picks and Betting Intel

Fourteen games remain in Week, featuring Josh Allen against C.J. Stroud and Jayden Daniels against Jalen Hurts. Our Week 1 previews include picks, predictions, key stats and watchability ratings, while the betting odds lay out spreads, totals and FPI projections for all 16 games. Experts also offered best bets for Sunday afternoon, and Mike Clay revealed his top TD scorers featuring Jahmyr Gibbs and Omarion Hampton.

Fantasy Football Start/Sit Decisions

Fantasy managers face more than a dozen borderline calls, including whether to start Buccaneers and sit Mahomes. Our Week 1 decisions break down the reasoning, while the inactives tracker monitors status for Jeanty, Love, Odunze and others. A separate facts vs. feelings piece examines Jaxson Dart, Swift, Quinshon Judkins, Kenneth Gainwell, Tetairoa McMillan, Rashee Rice and Juwan Johnson.

Stadium Foods and 2026 Record Watch

The new season brings no shortage of unique concession items, from tush push taters to Who Dey sausage, debuting across stadiums. Meanwhile, our 2026 record watch identifies six marks that could fall, including rushing and field-goal distance records. And 25 years after 9/11, Hall of Famers including Michael Strahan and Vinny Testaverde relived their memories of the aftermath, offering a sobering reminder of football's place in a grieving nation.