HEADLINES

WR Odell Beckham Jr. Reinstated From Suspension

November 18th, 2025 at 5:24pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The NFL reinstated wide receiver Odell Beckham on Tuesday after he completed a six-game suspension for violating the league’s performance, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Beckham, 33, was suspended in October for a failed drug test from his time with the Dolphins last season. He said that he never knowingly took a performance enhancing substance, but accepted the league’s discipline without an appeal.

If Beckham was trying to illicitly boost his performance, it did not show up on the field. 2024 was a year of career-lows, starting with 120 snaps played and continuing through virtually every receiving category. In nine appearances with the Dolphins, he put up lower numbers than he did in four games in 2017 and seven games in 2020 before suffering season-ending injuries in both years.

Beckham did not have many opportunities in Miami, as four other Dolphins received at least 80 targets last season. But in 2023 with the Ravens, he drew the second-most targets on the team and put up 565 receiving yards, his most since 2019, to go along with a career-high 8.8 yards per target. Beckham may not be the high-volume, high-production wideout he once was, but he could still be an efficient part of an NFL receiving room with plenty of experience and veteran savvvy.

Beckham said in August that he intends to play in 2025, but no reports of interest in the 10-year veteran have surfaced in recent months. He did mention a conversation with Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and Pittsburgh did not land a wide receiver at the trade deadline despite an apparent desire to do so.

Cardinals Release Punter Pat O’Donnell

November 18th, 2025 at 4:55pm CST by Connor Byrne

The Cardinals will need to find a new punter before they face the Jaguars on Sunday. The team released Pat O’Donnell on Tuesday, per Zach Gershman of the team’s website.

O’Donnell was the second punter of the year for Arizona, which placed starter Blake Gillikin on IR with a back injury on Oct. 11. The Cardinals brought in O’Donnell as a result. Gillikin is is still on the shelf a little over a month later, leaving the Cardinals to look outside the organization for their next punter.

In five games with the Cardinals, O’Donnell punted 12 times and averaged 42.2 yards per try with a net of 36.2. He checked in well below the 2025 league averages of 47.7 and 41.2, respectively. Also a former Bear, Packer, and 49er, the 34-year-old has posted a 45.0-yard average and a 39.2 net since he made his NFL debut in 2014.

Along with the O’Donnell move, the Cardinals cut linebacker Jared Bartlett from their active roster on Tuesday. The team also released defensive lineman Anthony Goodlow from its practice squad.

Bartlett worked exclusively on special teams in his two games with the Cardinals this year. Goodlow has made three appearances in 2025 and totaled three tackles on 36 defensive snaps.

Lions Activate LB Malcolm Rodriguez From PUP List

November 18th, 2025 at 4:23pm CST by Connor Byrne

The Lions have activated linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez from the reserve/physically unable to perform list, per a team announcement. Rodriguez is now eligible to make his season debut on Sunday against the Giants.

Rodriguez is returning a little less than a year after he tore his ACL in a Week 13 win over the Bears last Thanksgiving. The Lions opened Rodriguez’s 21-day practice window on Oct. 27. The belief then was that the 26-year-old would need the full three weeks before the Lions activated him, and that proved to be the case.

A sixth-round pick from Oklahoma State in 2022, Rodriguez started in 15 of 16 appearances as a rookie. He recorded 87 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble that year, though it wasn’t enough to hold a full-time starting job.

Rodriguez came off the bench in 18 of 27 appearances from 2023-24. He picked up a career-high two sacks in 10 games last season.

Rejoining a 6-4 Detroit team that’s pushing for a playoff spot, Rodriguez will once again work as a defensive reserve and a special teamer. The Lions are in enviable shape at linebacker with Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, and Derrick Barnes as their top three. Campbell, Anzalone, and Barnes have each played over 90% of defensive snaps this year. Rodriguez’s return will give the Lions some quality depth behind them.

Raiders’ Pete Carroll Backs QB Geno Smith

November 18th, 2025 at 3:34pm CST by Connor Byrne

After they finished 4-13 in 2024, the Raiders entered this season hoping the new head coach-quarterback tandem of Pete Carroll and Geno Smith would produce far better results. While the two previously had success in Seattle, it hasn’t transferred to Las Vegas. The Raiders are now 2-8 after dropping their fourth straight game – a 33-16 beating at the hands of the Cowboys – on Monday.

Smith posted his latest subpar stat line in Week 11, going 27 of 42 for 238 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. The 35-year-old has completed 66.3% of passes for 2,082 yards and more interceptions (13) than TDs (12) through 10 games. Smith owns an 80.9 passer rating, a far cry from his 95.9 mark in 54 games and 52 starts as a Seahawk, while his 32.6 QBR ranks 31st in the NFL.

Although Smith has performed more like the early career Jets version than the solid Seahawks starter, Carroll is standing behind the 12th-year man (via Ryan McFadden of ESPN).

“I continue to really believe in him,” Carroll said. “I have no hesitation in telling you that. He’s an incredible player, and he’s busting his tail [off]. …He’ll come through for us. We gotta help him out more.”

The Raiders took away some of Smith’s help when they shipped wide receiver Jakobi Meyers to the Jaguars before the Nov. 4 trade deadline. With Meyers gone, Smith’s only real weapons are the tight end duo of Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, receiver Tre Tucker, and running back Ashton Jeanty.

The Cowboys erased Jeanty as a rushing threat on Monday, which made it all the more difficult for Smith. Jeanty, the sixth overall pick in last spring’s draft, managed a microscopic seven yards on six carries. Smith doubled Jeanty’s output with a team-high 14 yards.

While the Raiders’ Smith-led offense ranks 30th in the league in both yards per game and scoring, a poor line has been a key contributor. The Raiders lost cornerstone left tackle Kolton Miller to a high ankle sprain in late September. Right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson suffered an ankle injury of his own in Week 10 and might not return this season. Miller and Powers-Johnson are missed on a line that surrendered four sacks on Monday. Having allowed 31 sacks this season, the Raiders rank 25th in the league.

The Raiders could have more difficulty blocking for Smith this Sunday against the Browns, who have piled up the NFL’s fourth-most sacks. Superstar Myles Garrett, coming off a four-sack showing in a loss to the Ravens last week, has amassed a league-high 15.

Smith could spend a good portion of Week 12 trying to evade Garrett, but he’ll attempt to bounce back and justify Carroll’s public vote of confidence. In the event Carroll eventually makes a change, Kenny Pickett, Aidan O’Connell, and Cam Miller represent the team’s other in-house signal-callers.

Pickett has disappointed and spent time with a total of four teams since the Steelers selected him 20th overall in the 2022 draft. The Raiders traded a 2025 third-rounder for Smith last offseason because O’Connell failed to establish himself as a capable starter from 2023-24. O’Connell has been on IR all season with a fractured wrist. The Raiders opened his 21-day practice window on Oct. 29, meaning they’re running out of time to activate him. Miller, a sixth-round rookie from North Dakota State, is on the practice squad.

Regardless of whether Smith finishes 2025 as the Raiders’ starter, they’ll have a decision to make on him in the offseason. The Raiders signed Smith to a two-year, $75MM extension when they acquired him, but they’ve already paid most of that. Moving on after the season would leave the Raiders with his fully guaranteed 2026 salary of $18.5MM as dead money. Smith’s remaining $8MM in guarantees will vest early in the league year next March. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Raiders cut the cord before that happens.

C.J. Stroud Returns To Practice; Texans QB Ruled Out For Week 12

November 18th, 2025 at 2:23pm CST by Adam La Rose

2:23pm: The Texans have officially ruled out Stroud and Pitre for Week 12, according to Wilson.

1:15pm: Davis Mills has started each of the Texans’ past two games. He is in line to handle QB1 duties for a third straight week, but C.J. Stroud is making progress in his recovery from a concussion.

Stroud has returned to practice on Tuesday, something ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime first reported was expected to take place. That is an encouraging step on Stroud’s path to returning to the lineup, although he is not expected to play in Week 12. The former No. 2 pick remains in concussion protocol, and the Texans are on a short week as they prepare to play the Bills on Thursday.

Stroud was concussed midway through Houston’s Week 9 loss to Denver. The team has managed to win each of its two contests since then with Mills at the helm. The Texans are 5-5 as a result, meaning a playoff berth is certainly attainable. Of course, having Stroud back to full health relatively soon will be key in determining their chances of making the postseason.

In an encouraging update, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports Stroud’s symptoms of headaches and sensitivity to light have subsided. That suggests the 24-year-old will be able to clear the remaining stages of the protocol relatively soon. If that proves to be the case, a return in time for a Week 13 matchup with the Colts could very well be in store.

Stroud played in all of Houston’s 19 combined regular and postseason contests last year, and he missed only two games as a rookie (although that absence was also caused by a concussion). The Ohio State product has not managed to replicate the production seen during his sensational debut campaign, but he profiles as Houston’s franchise passer for the foreseeable future. This coming offseason will be the first in which Stroud will be eligible for an extension.

Mills has thrown for 292 and 274 yards during his two starts so far, posting three touchdowns and one interception along the way. On Thursday, he will take on a Bills defense which has struggled mightily against the run in 2025 but ranks second in the NFL in terms of passing yards allowed per game. It will be interesting to see how Mills fares in what will be his final start provided Stroud continues to progress through his recovery.

Jalen Pitre returned to practice yesterday, and Wilson notes he is taking part in Tuesday’s work as well. Pitre, like Stroud, remains in concussion protocol at this time. Both players are working their way back, though, and a return by Week 13 would come as no surprise.

CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens Benched For First Series Of Week 11; Latest On Pickens’ Future

November 18th, 2025 at 2:00pm CST by Connor Byrne

Dallas rolled to a 33-16 win in Las Vegas on Monday, but the game got off to an odd start for the Cowboys. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer left the Cowboys’ top two wide receivers, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, on the bench for the team’s first offensive series. Both players ended up making major contributions in the Cowboys’ victory, but it was initially unclear why they didn’t start.

Owner Jerry Jones addressed the situation afterward (links via Jon Machota of The Athletic), saying Schottenheimer’s decision “had to do with meeting type discipline.” Jones added that Lamb and Pickens “had a late problem there.”

Lamb declined to discuss the matter on Monday, while Pickens said the brief benching had to do with “certain personnel” (via Machota).

Regardless of what exactly happened, it quickly became water under the bridge for Schottenheimer. The first-year HC was effusive when speaking about the receiving tandem after the game (via Todd Archer of ESPN).

Schottenheimer said that “[Lamb and Pickens] literally jump-started the offense when they got back in. They didn’t hang their heads, didn’t do any of that stuff. That’s why I love those guys, man.”

Lamb had a strong night, catching five passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. Pickens produced all-world numbers with nine grabs, 144 yards, and a score. They accounted for more than half of quarterback Dak Prescott‘s 25 completions and 210 of his 268 passing yards.

The Cowboys already have Lamb under wraps for the next few seasons, having signed the star WR1 to a four-year, $136MM extension in August 2024. Pickens’ future remains up in the air, though, as he remains on track to reach free agency in the offseason.

Pickens had some behind-the-scenes issues, including with punctuality, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers then decided to move on from Pickens in the offseason, trading him and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Cowboys for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 fifth-rounder.

Aside from Schottenheimer’s minor disciplinary measure on Monday, there hasn’t been any reported drama involving Pickens since he got to Dallas. On the field, the 24-year-old is easily on pace for the best season of his career. He ranks second in the NFL in receiving yards (908), tied for third in TDs (seven), and 11th in catches (58).

Pickens is playing his way into a sizable multiyear contract, especially if he hits the open market. However, the Cowboys could place the franchise tag on Pickens if they don’t reach an agreement before March. That would cost around $29MM, and it’s reportedly an avenue the Cowboys will strongly consider. Jones seems prepared to keep Pickens one way or other.

Asked if the Cowboys could build a balanced roster with Lamb, Pickens, and a $60MM defensive tackle trio (Quinnen Williams, Osa Odighizuwa, and Kenny Clark) eating up an enormous amount of cap space, Jones told 105.3 The Fan, “Yes. Yes.”

The Cowboys will enter the offseason needing to clear out roughly $47MM just to get back to even, per Over the Cap. While Jones seems unfazed, he’ll have work to do to open up spending room to retain Pickens and address other needs on the roster.

Aaron Rodgers Will Not Require Surgery; Steelers QB Hopes To Play In Week 12

November 18th, 2025 at 12:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

Monday saw Aaron Rodgers undergo further testing on his injured left wrist. Positive updates have emerged on that front.

Surgery will not be required, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. That marks an expected but significant development given Rodgers’ importance to the Steelers. Head coach Mike Tomlin has since confirmed during his Tuesday press conference that Rodgers is dealing with a fracture which he will need to play through down the stretch.

“Really it’s just about bracing it and securing it for his comfort and safety,” Tomlin said of the situation with Rodgers’ wrist (via Mike DeFabo of The Athletic). “And then it’s about how functional he is.”

Rodgers will not practice tomorrow, Tomlin added to little surprise (h/t ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). His status for Week 12 will be a question mark over the coming days as a result, though Rodgers hopes to be able to suit up. Sunday may very well represent the longtime Packers star’s final opportunity to play against the Bears, even if he elects to continue playing in 2026.

Mason Rudolph filled in for Rodgers to close out Pittsburgh’s Week 11 win over Cincinnati. The Steelers sit atop the AFC North at 6-4, but they only hold a one-game lead over the Ravens at this point. Being at full strength on offense will be critical, although Tomlin said (via Pryor) conversations about Rodgers receiving medical clearance for this week have not yet taken place.

Updates to this situation will be worth watching closely over the coming days. In the meantime, the Steelers will have Mason Rudolph in place as a potential starter. The veteran returned to Pittsburgh this past offseason by signing a two-year free agent deal. Rudolph did so despite knowing Pittsburgh was interested in adding Rodgers to the mix as a short-term upgrade under center. Things have largely gone according to plan at the QB spot so far, but a change atop the depth chart for at least one week may prove to be necessary.

Rams To Sign LB Jesse Luketa

November 18th, 2025 at 11:16am CST by Adam La Rose

Jesse Luketa has yet to play in 2025. That situation is set to change shortly, however, as the fourth-year linebacker has a deal in place.

Luketa is set to sign with the Rams today, veteran insider Jordan Schultz reports. A thigh injury ended his 2024 campaign and with it his tenure with the Cardinals. The former seventh-rounder is now healthy, though, and he will look to establish a role for himself in Los Angeles down the stretch.

The 26-year-old Canadian made 31 appearances and three starts across his time with Arizona. Luketa primarily operated on special teams during that time, but he saw an increase in defensive workload with each passing season. In 2024, the Penn State product set a new career high in a number of categories, totaling 21 tackles and three sacks while adding one forced fumble.

At 8-2, the Rams lead the NFC West and currently occupy the conference’s No. 2 seed. Los Angeles can be considered a serious contender at this point, and adding further on defense represents a logical post-trade deadline priority. The Rams had already made a midseason move on that side of the ball by way of the Roger McCreary trade.

Los Angeles entered Tuesday with over $13MM in cap space. As a result, signing Luketa – who visited the Ravens last month – will not be a challenge, nor will it alter any other moves which may be planned over the closing stages of the regular season. It will be interesting to see how Luketa is used with his new team as he looks to boost his 2026 free agent stock.

Jets CB Kris Boyd Remains Hospitalized

November 18th, 2025 at 10:36am CST by Adam La Rose

Jets cornerback Kris Boyd remains in hospital at this time as he continues to recover from the gunshot wound he suffered over the weekend. More details on his situation have emerged.

The bullet which struck Boyd in his abdomen wound up being lodged in his lung, per a report from Bill Hutchinson and Aaron Katersky of ABC News. The report adds that Boyd has undergone “multiple medical procedures” since arriving at Bellevue Hospital in New York. The 29-year-old remains in critical but stable condition at this time.

NYPD detectives were able to speak with Boyd shortly after he was hospitalized, per the report. He informed police he spent Saturday night at Sei Less restaurant with a group of friends. While departing the restaurant after it closed around 2:00am Sunday morning, Boyd and his party engaged in a confrontation with another group. The situation resulted in Boyd being shot by the suspect who has yet to be apprehended.

Detectives hope to be able to speak further with Boyd when he is in position to do so. It remains to be seen when that will be the case, although an update provided on Sunday by one of his friends was encouraging with respect to a full recovery being possible. Keeping in line with their original statement on the matter, the Jets have not commented since the incident.

A seventh-round pick in 2019, Boyd entered the NFL as a member of the Vikings. He spent his first four seasons in Minnesota before splitting the 2023 campaign with the Cardinals and Texans. The Texas product spent all of last year with Houston before joining the Jets in free agency. Boyd was moved to season-ending IR in August, setting him up for a lengthy recovery process on the injury front. The earliest point at which he can suit up is the start of the 2026 season, although attention is of course currently focused on his current situation.

Eagles RT Lane Johnson To Miss 4-6 Weeks With Lisfranc Sprain

November 18th, 2025 at 9:46am CST by Connor Byrne

NOVEMBER 18: X-rays will not be possible until the inflammation in Johnson’s ankle subsides, McLane notes. As a result, it could be one week or more until a determination regarding surgery is ultimately made.

NOVEMBER 17: The Eagles pulled off a 16-9 win over the Lions on Sunday, but they lost one of their best players in the process. Right tackle Lane Johnson suffered a Lisfranc sprain in his foot and will miss four to six weeks, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com report.

There’s optimism that this isn’t a season-ending injury. However, it won’t be confirmed until the results of Johnson’s X-rays come back, per Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. At the very least, an IR placement looks like a strong possibility.

If Johnson goes on IR before the Eagles-Cowboys game this Sunday, he’ll be eligible to return in Week 16. Fred Johnson will presumably step in as the Eagles’ right tackle over the next several weeks.

Lane Johnson, 35, has evolved into a potential Hall of Famer since the Eagles chose him fourth overall in 2013. The former Oklahoma Sooner has started in all 168 career regular-season games. Johnson has picked up six Pro Bowl invitations, earned All-Pro honors five times, and won two Super Bowls along the way.

Johnson was a key part of a dominant offensive line that helped lead the Eagles to a championship last season. The 6-foot-6, 325-pounder has continued his standout play this year, as Pro Football Focus ranks his performance 16th among 62 qualifying OTs.

Fortunately for the Eagles, who improved to 8-2 in Week 11, they should coast to an NFC East title even without Johnson. The 3-5-1 Cowboys are well behind them, while the Commanders and Giants are a combined 5-17. However, losing Johnson could have a negative effect on Philadelphia’s chances to lock up the conference’s No. 1 seed. The 8-2 Rams are among the teams nipping at the Eagles’ heels.

Load More Posts