NFL Football 24 Hours

Last updated: September 20, 2026, 10:02 PM ET

Steelers Fallout

Mike McCarthy shouldered the blame for Pittsburgh's offensive struggles following Sunday's loss, telling reporters he "felt it on Wednesday and Thursday" as the unit sputtered. The Patriots' defensive front compounded those woes when starting right guard Mike Onwenu was carted off with an ankle injury, thinning New England's interior line in the same matchup. Pittsburgh's day still produced highlight-reel moments, with Jalen Hurts, Drake Maye, Aaron Rodgers and Caleb Williams all featuring among the best plays of the Week 2 early slate.

Quarterback Carousel

Minnesota expects to have Kyler Murray back under center in Week 3 after the Vikings quarterback sat out with an injury, giving the offense its starter for a critical stretch. Atlanta is likewise eyeing a Week 3 return for Michael Penix Jr., with sources indicating the Falcons signal-caller is nearing game action while the team plans to keep Tua Tagovailoa in the fold. Washington, by contrast, faces uncertainty after Jayden Daniels was carted off with an elbow injury against Dallas, a scare that overshadowed the Commanders' afternoon. The live blog tracked Washington fighting from behind once Daniels went down, leaving the offense to regroup without its rookie centerpiece.

Injury Wave

Chicago endured a brutal moment when Caleb Williams left on a cart after falling awkwardly on a scramble, exiting the Bears' matchup against Minnesota with a hamstring injury. Green Bay lost two starters on consecutive snaps, as wide receiver Jayden Reed and right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele were both carted off in a staggering sequence. New Orleans took another hit when left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. was ruled out against Baltimore with an ankle injury, further testing the Saints' offensive line depth.

Saints Stunner

Tyler Shough turned the tables on Baltimore after Ravens defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver labeled him a "poor man's Josh Allen," as the Saints quarterback delivered a statement performance in response to the backhanded compliment. The result added another layer to a Week 2 slate in which defenses largely dictated terms.

Offensive Woes

Around the league, the biggest question was simple: what happened to all that offense? NFL Nation reporters reacted to the action, noting that scoring dipped sharply as defensive fronts took over. Fantasy managers scrambled to adjust, with inactives reporting Brock Bowers out, Ladd McConkey active and Puka Nacua listed questionable based on the latest official announcements.

Discipline & Ownership

The NFL's disciplinary machinery kept churning, as Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen faces a three-game suspension over a DUI charge, though sources cautioned the league could levy longer than the initial ban. In San Francisco, owner Jed York is not expected to attend the Niners' home opener as NFL discipline looms, a notable absence given his usual presence around the franchise.

Receiving Room

Falcons wide receiver Drake London expressed regret over a verbal confrontation with a fan following Atlanta's loss, though he maintained that he doesn't take disrespect lightly when provoked. In New York, Garrett Wilson said he feels more free to be himself after shifting to an outside alignment, a move he believes will help him deliver explosive plays while avoiding punishing hits over the middle.

Around the League

Week 2's social-media scene was dominated by the Eagles, whose postgame posts poked fun at the Titans and set the tone for the league's pettiest wins. Pregame tunnels offered their own spectacle, with George Pickens and Jayden Daniels among the fashionable arrivals that headlined the style roundup.

Legacy & Rankings

The NFL community mourned Ernie Accorsi, the longtime executive and architect of the Giants' historic Super Bowl team, who died at 84. In a new series, our Super Bowl Top 10s debut with a ranking of the best players who never won a ring. And with depth always at a premium, we stacked all 32 backup quarterbacks, evaluating which teams can truly rely on their QB2s if called upon.