Yahoo Sports NFL

Running back on Giants practice squad roster.

Wide receiver on Giants practice squad roster.

Wide receiver on Giants practice squad roster.

Quarterback on Giants practice squad roster.

Wide receiver on Giants practice squad roster.

Wide receiver on Giants practice squad roster.

Metcalf, the Seahawks' elite receiver, was locked down by Christian Gonzalez in Week 2 as part of the Patriots' dominant defensive performance that allowed the fewest points in the NFL through two weeks. Despite his elite status, Metcalf was unable to produce at his typical level against the Patriots' aggressive scheme.

Smith-Njigba, the Seahawks' top receiver, was locked down by Christian Gonzalez in Week 1 as part of the Patriots' dominant defensive performance that allowed the fewest points in the NFL through two weeks. The elite receiver was unable to produce at his typical level against the Patriots' scheme.

Darnold was replaced by Drew Lock early in the Patriots' Week 1 opener in Seattle, suggesting performance issues against the Patriots' elite defense. The source notes that despite the Seahawks possessing elite receivers, they performed better when they didn't face the Patriots' defense.

Rodgers, at 42 years old, looked every day of his age on Sunday for the Steelers against the Patriots' dominant defense in Week 2. Despite his Hall of Fame status, he was unable to overcome the Patriots' aggressive scheme, which generated sacks, fumbles, and even defensive touchdowns in the Steelers' loss.

Byard expressed confidence in Maye as an MVP-level quarterback despite a slow start to the 2026 season. The defense trusts Maye and believes the offense will improve, but Byard emphasized that the defense feels capable of winning games on its own merit and is taking responsibility to lead the team to wins while the offense finds its footing.

Caleb Williams was carted off with a hamstring injury late in the Bears' Week 2 loss to the Vikings. One panelist criticized the optics of the injury exit, comparing it to Paul Pierce's 2008 playoff wheelchair incident, though acknowledged difficulty in criticizing injured players.

Aaron Jones served as the bell cow back the Vikings needed in Week 2 despite being older for the role. He accumulated over 100 yards, 4.6 yards per attempt, and no turnovers—critical production when passing yards were scarce. One panelist named him Vikings MVP for the game.

McConkey was identified as Herbert's No. 1 receiver and received a checkdown pass late in the Chargers' Week 2 loss to the Raiders with the team facing first-and-15 and down two possessions with three minutes remaining. Dean made an open-field tackle on the play to prevent yards after the catch and keep Los Angeles behind the sticks.

Herbert faced significant pressure from the Raiders' defense in Week 2, particularly from Dean's pass-rush stunts and blitzes. On one play, Dean's hands in coverage forced Herbert off his third option in the progression, forcing a scramble for minimal gain on second-and-long. On another, a Dean-Laulu stunt with poor offensive line communication resulted in a quarterback hit. The source also notes Herbert dumped off to Ladd McConkey on a checkdown that Dean tackled for a stop, keeping the Chargers behind the sticks late in the game.

With Jaxson Dart's season-ending injury status uncertain and Jameis Winston as the backup quarterback, Braxton Berrios, a wide receiver and return specialist, is listed as the emergency third quarterback on the Giants roster. Co-host Kyle Long noted the concerning depth chart situation, saying 'There is no third quarterback on that roster. [Braxton Berrios] was the last listed emergency quarterback,' suggesting the team would need to make roster moves if Dart's injury ends his season.

Russell Wilson spent the 2025 season with the Giants and made three starts before being replaced by Jaxson Dart. Wilson fell down the depth chart and became the third option behind Dart and Jameis Winston after suffering multiple injuries. Wilson is now a free agent and has paused his football career to join CBS Sports for its Sunday pregame show and co-host the show 'Set, Hut!' with Kyle Long, despite having received an offer to be a team's backup in 2026 according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Wilson had received an offer from the Jets to back up his friend and former teammate Geno Smith, who played behind him for three seasons in Seattle.

With Jaxson Dart's season-ending injury status uncertain, Jameis Winston entered the game as relief quarterback in the Giants' 28-6 loss to the Rams. Winston completed only 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards with one interception in his appearance, demonstrating limited efficiency in the backup role. Winston had been backing up Dart after Dart suffered multiple injuries during the 2025 season.

Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart sustained a knee injury in Monday's loss to the Rams that was initially thought to be a sprained MCL but an ESPN report indicated the injury could be worse than expected and might require season-ending surgery. Russell Wilson, who spent the 2025 season with the Giants, reacted with alarm upon hearing the news, saying 'Live watching it, I said, Oh no, he may be out for the year' and expressed concern about Dart's potential absence from the team. Head coach John Harbaugh stated that evaluations are ongoing and no final decisions have been made yet, but the injury occurred when Dart was hit by Rams defender Byron Young in the first quarter and he limped off the field in pain.

Burrow is working through back tightness but is expected to play Sunday in Pittsburgh, where he has won three straight starts. The Steelers have won four of six in the series, but three of those wins came with Burrow out of the lineup, suggesting his presence is a significant factor in the Bengals' matchup performance.

Starting running back Josh Jacobs is on the commissioner's exempt list, contributing to the Packers ranking last in the NFL in rushing with 64.5 yards per game through two weeks.

Reed sustained a neck injury on Sunday against the Jets after direct contact to the crown of his helmet; he required an overnight stay in New Jersey for medical observation and did not travel back with the team Sunday night. As of Tuesday, he is back in Green Bay undergoing testing and consulting with doctors. Head coach Matt LaFleur said Reed is 'doing OK' but emphasized 'it's way too early' to determine if he'll return this season, leaving his status for the remainder of the year unclear.

The Bengals elevated veteran quarterback Josh Johnson from the practice squad for Sunday's game against the Texans as a precaution due to Burrow's back injury and rib issue.

Higgins was on the sideline with Burrow during the Texans game and was told by Burrow that a hit had popped his rib back into place; Higgins's role and availability depend on Burrow's health status going forward into the Steelers matchup.

Chase was on the sideline with Burrow during the Texans game and was told by Burrow that a hit had popped his rib back into place; Chase's role and availability depend on Burrow's health status going forward into the Steelers matchup.

Burrow took five sacks and 10 total hits against the Texans on Sunday; he had been listed on the injury report all week with a back injury and a rib was knocked out of place during the game. The Bengals elevated veteran backup Josh Johnson from the practice squad for the game. Burrow told Jay Glazer the situation was being 'blown out of proportion,' but confirmed to receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on the sideline that a hit from the Texans popped his rib back into place, after which it felt better.

Davante Adams acknowledged that the 49ers were more rested and locked in than the Rams during Week 1, attributing the Rams' 27-7 loss to San Francisco's superior preparation and readiness rather than individual performance issues.

Puka Nacua was absent for the Rams' Week 2 Monday night victory over the New York Giants, a 28-6 win in which Los Angeles performed significantly better than their Week 1 loss to San Francisco.

Wide receiver Zay Flowers missed the entire Week 2 matchup against the Saints with a hamstring injury; the source notes there were certainly times in the second half he would have made a difference.

Lamar Jackson has been one of the league's most-blitzed and -pressured quarterbacks through two weeks; the Ravens' new-look offensive line has yet to find their footing in front of him, and Baltimore owns the NFL's worst team pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus.

Johnson was targeted on the play where Dart suffered his knee injury. Dart drifted backward on third down and jumped while delivering a deep pass to Johnson, who dropped the ball. While airborne, Dart was sandwiched between Rams defenders Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart.

Winston's performance in relief of Dart on Monday was poor. He completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and an interception, finishing with a 37.7 passer rating and averaging just 4.1 yards per attempt. None of his nine drives gained 50 yards. Winston attributed some of the passing game's struggles to the Rams knowing the Giants had to throw.

Winston takes over as the Giants' starting quarterback following Dart's injury. The source notes Winston signed a two-year, $13 million extension earlier this month. Since the start of the 2022 season, Winston is 3-9 as a starter. Across all appearances during that span, he has thrown 21 touchdown passes against 23 interceptions. He lost both of his starts for the Giants last season, completing 56.1 percent of his passes for 567 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions across three appearances.

Dart's injury creates uncertainty about his long-term role with the Giants. As a rookie, he threw for 2,272 yards and 15 touchdowns against five interceptions, adding 487 yards and nine rushing touchdowns (a single-season franchise record for a quarterback). However, he missed two games as a rookie and could now miss the final 15 regular-season games of his second season after playing only seven offensive snaps Monday. The source notes the Giants face questions about whether they can count on Dart to stay healthy and whether his development remains incomplete, potentially forcing a decision in the 2027 draft about whether to stick with him or start over.

Dart's injury derails the Giants' postseason hopes after a strong season-opening performance. In Week 1 against the Cowboys, Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns with a career-high 134.2 passer rating, adding 54 yards rushing. The source notes the Giants had the line, playmakers, improved defense, and coach to make a postseason run with Dart at the helm, but the injury threatens to unravel that trajectory.

Dart suffered a left knee injury on the Giants' seventh offensive play in Monday's 28-6 loss to the Rams. Initially diagnosed as a sprained medial collateral ligament, further MRI testing revealed a much more serious knee injury; Dart will miss an extended period, potentially the rest of the 2026 season. The injury occurred when Dart was sandwiched between Rams defenders Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart while airborne delivering a deep pass on third down. Any form of surgery, if deemed necessary, results in a season-ending injury.

The 28-year-old tight end was signed to the practice squad after being among a group of tight ends in for workouts to begin the week. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Idaho State alum entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022, made Miami's initial active roster as a rookie, and appeared in 33 games during his first stint in the AFC East before finishing 2025 on the New York Giants' practice squad.

Quarterback Bailey Zappe was released from the Jets' practice squad in a corresponding move.

Tight end Cody Hardy was signed to the Jets' practice squad in a corresponding move.

Quarterback Will Levis was signed to the Jets' practice squad in a corresponding move.