The third week of the NFL season is officially in the books, and five undefeated teams remain. The Buffalo Bills, who cruised to a dominant win over the Jaguars on Monday night, and all the 3-0 teams that played before them looked the part in different ways this week.
As for the teams that didn’t have a great week? Let’s dive into the news and stories coming out of Week 3.
Do the Cowboys need to start panicking?
Sure, they’re perhaps the most scrutinized team in the NFL, but when you allow 274 yards on the ground at home, the problems aren’t just because the team owner is a media magnet. Dallas’ 28-25 loss — that was not as close as the final score indicated — showcased problems on defense that were first brought to light in a 44-19 Week 2 loss to the Saints. When asked about the roster after the game, Jerry Jones said, “I like our personnel,” but something will need to change for a team allowing a league-worst 185.7 rushing yards per game.
Justin Herbert aggravates high ankle sprain
He was first injured in Week 2, but the ankle was dinged again in the Chargers’ 20-10 loss to the Steelers. He left the stadium in Pittsburgh wearing a walking boot. On Monday, NFL Network reported that X-rays were negative after the game, and Herbert will continue to be monitored. Taylor Heinicke finished Sunday’s game for L.A., who will host the Chiefs in Week 4.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year has missed some recent practice time after aggravating a foot injury, and he’s day-to-day after being briefly knocked out of the Browns’ 21-15 loss to the Giants. Garrett has two sacks in Cleveland’s three games this season.
Steelers still rolling with Justin Fields?
Pittsburgh is 3-0 and allowing an NFL-best 229.7 yards per game and 8.6 points per game. The defense has been a brick wall, as most recently evidenced by five sacks in a win over the Chargers. The Steelers’ quarterbacks are getting headlines though, after both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields came to Pittsburgh for fresh starts. Fields has been steady through the three wins, with just one interception and completing more than 73% of his passes, but is that enough to keep the job with Wilson recovering from a calf injury that knocked him out of the starting spot before Week 1?
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Bills, Commanders win on MNF
Week 3 of the NFL season ended with a doubleheader on Monday night. Here’s everything you need to catch up on the action from Buffalo and Cincinnati.
MNF Required Reading
Panthers WR Adam Thielen likely headed to injured reserve
#Panthers WR Adam Thielen has a ‘fairly significant’ hamstring injury that will likely land him on Injured Reserve, per source.
Steelers’ starting QB picture won’t be clear until Russell Wilson is 100%
Asked why he hasn’t named Justin Fields the permanent tarter, Mike Tomlin reiterated today that he’s not making announcements about the long-term starting QB until Russell Wilson is healthy.
#Saints Pro Bowl C Erik McCoy’s groin injury is expected to require surgery that would sideline him about 6-8 weeks, sources say. A significant blow to Klint Kubiak’s offense, though it’s at least not a season-ending situation. pic.twitter.com/9bGyBxti8j
#Lions HC Dan Campbell confirms that C Frank Ragnow has a torn pec on 97.1’s @costaandjansen. He said Frank wants to go, but they’re not entirely sure what to do with him yet. “We’ll do what’s best for him and what’s best for us in the moment,” he said.
Christian McCaffrey is now on the other side of the world. The 49ers running back is in Germany seeing a specialist to get help for his Achilles tendinitis and calf injury.
And to top it off, 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey is seeing a specialist in Germany regarding his Achilles tendinitis.
McCaffrey is still on IR and has yet to play this season.
Brock Purdy dealing with back soreness
San Francisco QB Brock Purdy underwent an MRI today while dealing with a sore back, though it was OK. The 49ers are hopeful that he can practice on Wednesday, but he’s being considered day-to-day.
Purdy threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns in their loss to the Rams on Sunday.
Brock Purdy, meanwhile, is dealing with back soreness. The MRI came back OK, Shanahan said, and the hope is that he’ll be able to practice on Wednesday.
Purdy is one of several 49ers players now dealing with an injury — outside of stars Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrabe will miss the rest of the season with a torn tricep.
Browns star Myles Garrett underwent an MRI today on his foot and ankle, and it came back clean. While it’s unclear if he will be able to play next Sunday against the Raiders, that’s a good first sign.
#Browns star DE Myles Garrett (foot/ankle) underwent an MRI today that came back clean, per sources.
Kevin Stefanski said today Garrett is day to day: “Myles is battling every day. We feel he will continue to do that.” pic.twitter.com/VZ1sHVUIic
Detroit pass rusher Marcus Davenport will miss the rest of the season with an elbow injury, coach Dan Campbell confirmed.
Marcus Epps out for season
Las Vegas Raiders safety Marcus Epps sustained a torn ACL in their loss to the Panthers on Sunday. His season is now over.
#Raiders safety Marcus Epps suffered a torn ACL in Sunday’s loss to Carolina, per sources.
Brutal news for Las Vegas and Epps, a team leader who had started every game since signing last year. No other damage, so he’ll be ready for 2025. He’s set to be a free agent in March. pic.twitter.com/Hf3MnBMmWr
Joe Alt sustained an MCL sprain in the Chargers’ loss to the Steelers on Sunday, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He’s the second offensive tackle to go down with an injury, following Rashawn Slater’s strained pec.
That will make things difficult for Justin Herbert or whoever the Chargers’ quarterback is this week.
Falcons coach Raheem Morris explains not calling for QB sneak on 3rd or 4th down at end of loss to Chiefs
After moving 49 yards to the Chiefs’ 13-yard line, the Falcons faced a fourth-and-1 to keep the drive alive with 0:58 remaining. However, instead of calling for a quarterback sneak that presumably would have gotten a first down with less than a yard to gain, Atlanta called for an outside run for Bijan Robinson to the left that was smothered by the Chiefs defense.
Robinson lost three yards on the play and the Falcons turned the ball — and the game — over on downs.
Atlanta coach Raheem Morris was asked on Monday about the play call on that fourth down (and the third-down call on which Tyler Allgeier was tackled for no gain). Why not call a QB sneak that would be a short push rather than an outside run that needed to develop?
“Definitely was part of the discussion last night, sneaks and things of that nature,” Morris said, via reporter Terrin Waack. “I feel really good with our two backs.”
Sam Darnold MRI negative, reportedly won’t miss any time
Vikings fans can all relax now. Their savior, QB Sam Darnold, isn’t expected to miss any time after sustaining a knee injury during the team’s victory over the Texans on Sunday. According to Tom Pelissero, Darnold’s knee MRI showed no structural damage.
Browns G Wyatt Teller could land on IR with MCL sprain
#Browns All-Pro G Wyatt Teller suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain on Sunday against the #Giants and is expected to miss around four weeks, source says. Kevin Stefanski said today Teller could land on IR, which would sideline him for the rough expected timeline for his return. pic.twitter.com/HfXRRkHol5
Injury updates on DE Myles Garrett, RG Wyatt Teller, CB Chidobe Awuzie
Injury updates: — #Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Myles Garrett’s foot injury is day-to-day, while Wyatt Teller could be placed on IR with a knee injury. — #Titans CB Chidobe Awuzie suffered a groin injury that could land him on IR.
Justin Herbert’s postgame ankle X-Rays were negative, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The Chargers QB left Sunday’s loss to the Steelers after aggravating his high ankle sprain.
#Chargers QB Justin Herbert, who aggravated his high-ankle sprain against the #Steelers and exited the game, had X-Rays that were negative after the game, source said. He’ll continue to be monitored this week.
Fans are getting a double shot of Monday Night Football in Week 3. The Jaguars face the Bills starting at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, and the Commanders take on the Bengals at 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC.
Raheem Morris stays quiet on officiating to avoid getting fined
The officials missed a key defensive pass interference call during the Falcons’ loss to the Chiefs on Sunday night. Following the game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris was asked about the missed call. Wisely, Morris declined to comment, because with nothing good to say, he would 100% get fined for whatever comment he made.
