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Good morning! Let’s jump right into all the latest NFL news with the season
🧐 Player statuses
The Bengals are now listening to trade offers for star DE Trey Hendrickson.
The Bills signed RB James Cook to a four-year $48 million contract with $30 million guaranteed—locking up another of their homegrown players following Cook’s brief hold-in then return to the field.
Commanders latest: Washington activated WR Terry McLaurin from the PUP list, as his holdout and hold-in continue to end—though without a new contract to this point. Also, the Commanders appear poised to trade RB Brian Robinson Jr., who did not play in last night’s preseason game with a deal expected.
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice’s disciplinary hearing with the NFL is scheduled for September 30 in New York—meaning he might be available for the start of the season.
Browns rookie RB Quinshon Judkins will not face any charges for his alleged domestic violence, but he and Cleveland might not agree to a deal until the NFL concludes its investigation.
Cleveland signed rookie WR Isaiah Bond, who is signing a three-year fully guaranteed deal for $3 million after his legal situation which caused him to go undrafted was resolved.
More moves include a couple of veteran signings, trades, and a name to watch:
The Colts signed former All-Pro CB Xavien Howard.
Veteran EDGE Matthew Judon is signing with Miami.
The Eagles acquired WR John Metchie III and a draft pick from the Texans for TE Harrison Bryant and a pick.
The Jags acquired DT Khalen Saunders from the Saints for OL Luke Fortner.
Also, WR Odell Beckham Jr. plans to resume his career and has reportedly drawn interest from teams.
🐶 Browns name Joe Flacco starting QB
Browns QB Joe Flacco is officially the Week 1 starter, ending a four-way competition between Flacco, Kenny Pickett, third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel, and fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders.
Joe Cool leading the way 🫡
We've named Joe Flacco our starting quarterback.
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns)
5:00 PM • Aug 18, 2025
Sanders played well in the first preseason game before he missed last week due to an oblique issue.
Gabriel made his preseason debut last week and played solid despite a pick-six by Eagles S Andrew Mukuba, and he clarified his comment about “entertainers” and “competitors” which many thought was a shot at Sanders.
Pickett might have had a better shot at the starting job, but a hamstring injury early in camp made Flacco appear to be a lock.
What now? Attention turns to whether the Browns trade (or cut) one of their QBs before 53-man rosters are set—but it sounds like the team plans to keep all three of Pickett, Gabriel, and Sanders behind Flacco.
🏈 Thriller in LA headlines second week of preseason action
Bengals WR Mitchell Tinsley went off with two spectacular touchdowns last night, leading to QB Joe Burrow saying he hopes he’s earned a roster spot.
In a battle between the Los Angeles teams with notable quarterbacks Trey Lance (LAC) and Stetson Bennett (LAR) handling most of the playing time, the Rams pulled off the win, 23-22, on a game-winning touchdown throw by Bennett with five seconds to go.
The clutch throw came after Bennett threw an interception to (and was promptly trucked by) Chargers DT TeRah Edwards, so credit to the former Goergia standout for bouncing back.
Another big hit came on the opposite coast with the Jets and Giants squaring off on Saturday—with No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter being knocked down by a physical chip from Jets TE Stone Smartt. The Giants got the win, though, and Carter took to X to defend himself while taking a shot at the other New York franchise.
⬇️ The latest injury news
Rams QB Matthew Stafford (back) practiced for the first time this training camp.
Giants WR Malik Nabers (back) has missed nearly two straight weeks of practice, but it’s been described as “normal camp tightness.” Nabers has been banged up quite a bit dating back to his rookie campaign, so New York fans (and fantasy owners) can only hope the team is being cautious after he led the league in targets per game last year.
Dolphins RB De’Von Achane is dealing with a calf injury and is not practicing this week. Head coach Mike McDaniel says the absence is “preventative in nature” and Achane is expected to be ready for the opener.
Packers QB Jordan Love (thumb) returned to practice on a limited basis and should be fine for Week 1.
Jets QB Tyrod Taylor will miss the rest of the preseason after arthroscopic knee surgery.
Saints G Trevor Penning is out for a few weeks with turf toe.
Cowboys WR Jonathan Mingo (knee) out about a month.
Panthers OLB Nic Scourton returned to the practice field yesterday after suffering a collapsed lung last week.
Bad injury luck for Packers RB MarShawn Lloyd continues with the second-year runner set to miss time with a hamstring injury.
Players out for the season include: Vikings WR Rondale Moore (knee), Chiefs DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah (hamstring), Texans TE Brevin Jordan (knee), OT Andre Dillard (knee), Saints WR Bub Means (ankle).
📰 More NFL news and notes
Franchise values: Dallas Cowboys valued at a jaw-dropping $12.8 billion, according to Sportico. Full list.
BREAKING: 2025 @NFL Valuations
Here are our Top 5 Most Valuable NFL Franchises, including three worth more than $10 billion, anyone surprise you?
Read the full list here: sportico.com/feature/nfl-te…
— Sportico (@Sportico)
1:30 PM • Aug 13, 2025
A federal appeals court ruled that the NFL can be put on trial for discrimination like Vikings DC Brian Flores alleged.
Ravens All-Pro LB Roquan Smith learned how to swim this year.
“Nicest dude ever.” Lions RB David Montgomery hand delivered a signed jersey to a fan after his dad requested it.
NFL Top 100 latest as the list winds down toward its top 30.
A lot is set from a fantasy football perspective before drafts, but the likely trade of Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. throws at least somewhat of a wrench into things. You can read the full potential landing spots here, but the top two are most intriguing.
2. Chicago Bears
The final two teams make the most sense for Robinson, and he’d be a great hammer for Ben Johnson’s offense—with a boost similar to when David Montgomery joined the Lions being very possible. Right now, Chicago has Kyle Monangai and Roschon Johnson as the early-down complements for D’Andre Swift, and last night’s preseason game was started by Deion Hankins with those three all out of action.
1. Dallas Cowboys
Washington doesn’t mind making trades in the division and the Cowboys aren’t afraid to make a trade in general, so Dallas might be the most likely destination for Robinson—and the best for him with the clearest path to playing time. For both this season and beyond, the combination of Robinson and Jaydon Blue would provide a nice blend of power and speed, and the Cowboys would be a much more complete offense if they make a move for the 26-year-old back.
Other Sports Updates
🏈 Week 0: College football gets underway this week! No. 22 Iowa State vs. No. 17 Kansas State (12:00 PM ET, ESPN) highlights Saturday.
😳 The NCAA announced punishments for Michigan and former HC Jim Harbaugh, calling it overwhelming evidence of an “impermissible scouting scheme.”
🤦♂️ Shohei Ohtani and his agent are being sued by a developer and accused of sabotaging a $240 million real estate project in Hawaii.
⛳️ Scottie Scheffler won the BMW Championship and hit an incredible chip during the tourney.
😂 “Pikachu is not going to tear his ACL. Charizard is not going to get a DUI.” Phillies P Matt Strahm thinks Pokémon cards are a better investment than sports cards.