NFL Player News

Barner caught one of three targets for 12 yards during Sunday's 30-23 win over the Chargers.

Barner wasn't particularly busy in Week 4, garnering three or fewer targets for the third time this season. The tight end remains an unappealing fantasy option as the Seahawks' passing attack funnels through Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and the rest of Seattle's pass-catchers are just reaching for crumbs.

Helm hauled in his lone pass for five yards and caught a two-point conversion during the Titans' 24-18 loss to the Ravens on Sunday.

Helm didn't see a target from Cam Ward until the Titans' final offensive drive of the fourth quarter, with the duo connecting on a 5-yard pass before hooking up on a successful two-point conversion. Helm opened the 2026 regular season with four catches (on five targets) for 28 yards against the Jets in Week 1, but in the three games since, he has logged five receptions (on seven targets) for 32 yards. It's hard to hold much stock in Titans position players outside of rookie wideout Carnell Tate and veteran running back Tony Pollard. Helm and the Titans head back home for a Week 5 AFC South showdown against the Texans.

McGregor (pectoral) suffered a season-ending injury during Sunday's loss to the Bears, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

McGregor will soon be moved to IR, where he will remain for the remainder of the 2026 season. The defensive end played in all four games to start the season, logging seven tackles (two solo) over 42 defensive snaps and 46 special-teams snaps.

Jackson suffered a torn meniscus during Sunday's game versus the Dolphins, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that Jackson will miss at least the remainder of the regular season. There still seems to be a possibility he could return for the postseason in the event that the Vikings get there, but for now, Joe Huber projects to step in at left guard.

Head coach Todd Bowles said Melifonwu is likely to start at safety Thursday night against Dallas, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

With Antoine Winfield (ribs) set to miss 2-to-4 weeks, it appears Melifonwu is next in line to start in Tampa Bay's secondary. Across four appearances this season, Melifonwu has recorded just one tackle (one solo) on just four defensive snaps and another 67 on special teams.

Spears turned two carries into seven yards and hauled in his lone target for minus-one yard during the Titans' 24-18 loss to the Ravens on Sunday.

Spears played a total of 23 offensive snaps Sunday, which was behind starter Tony Pollard (34) and rookie Nicholas Singleton (eight). Still, Spears' three touches were far behind Pollard's 20 (16 carries, four catches), while Singleton ended up with one more carry than Spears. It looks like Spears will have a tough time seeing a sizable and consistent workload in the Titans' offensive gameplan unless Pollard were to miss time, though the veteran running back is a name to watch ahead of the trade deadline due to him being in the final year of his contract, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Tennessee will face Houston in Week 5, with both teams looking to earn their first win of the 2026 season.

The Steelers signed Murphy-Bunting off the Buccaneers' practice squad Monday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

The Cardinals cut Murphy-Bunting during cutdown day in late August. The cornerback then found his way to the Buccaneers' practice squad after being neglected by NFL active rosters. With Jamel Dean (ankle) hurt and Joey Porter recently traded to the Cowboys, the Steelers needed depth at defensive back. Murphy-Bunting played in 15 regular-season games for the Cardinals during the 2025 season, logging 52 tackles (30 solo), five passes defensed, including three interceptions, and two forced fumbles over 698 defensive snaps and 56 special-teams snaps.

Shakir turned seven catches (on eight targets) into 82 yards during the Bills' 29-26 loss to the Patriots on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.

Shakir's final stat line Sunday nearly matched the 8-94-0 receiving line (on 15 targets) across the first three games of the regular season. Most of the veteran slot receiver's yards came on a 51-yard connection with Josh Allen late in the second quarter, with the latter finishing the drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown. Unfortunately for Shakir, he also had the ball ripped out of his hands by Robert Spillane within the final seconds of the first half, though the Bills avoided any damage after the defense intercepted Patriots quarterback Drake Maye on the very next play. DJ Moore aggravated a previous shoulder injury during Sunday's loss, and while the shoulder is not considered a long-term issue, Bills pass catchers like Shakir, Keon Coleman and tight end Dalton Kincaid would all see more targets from Allen if Moore cannot play in Week 5 against the Rams on Monday, Oct. 12.

Bain (groin) was listed as a full participant on the Buccaneers' estimated injury report Monday, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.

Bain was unavailable for Sunday's 17-14 loss to the Packers, sitting out a second straight game while nursing a groin injury. His ability to be considered a full participant at Monday's walkthrough practice is a positive sign, and he seems likely to play Thursday night versus the Cowboys.

The Bears released Davenport from the practice squad Monday, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Davenport played 12 defensive snaps and one special-teams snap in Sunday's win over the Jets, logging one tackle in the effort. The defensive end was released from the practice squad Monday at his own request. It is unclear why the 30-year-old requested his release and what his current NFL plans may be.