Week 8 proved mixed for former Minnesota Gophers in the NFL. The biggest headline is Dallas tight end Brevyn Spann‑Ford emerging as the Cowboys’ TE1, hauling in four catches for 31 yards in an overtime loss to the Cardinals. Antoine Winfield Jr. returns to the Packers’ secondary after a stint on the IR, while rookie Terell Smith makes his Steelers debut on special teams. The stretch was marred by a season‑ending elbow injury to safety Eric Murray (Ravens) and a bye for the Texans. Other notable performances include Jack Gibbons’ 11 tackles for Arizona and Madrid Boye Mafe’s sack and forced fumble for Cincinnati. The recap covers each Gopher‑linked player’s snap counts, stats, and injury updates.
The Seahawks head into Sunday’s NFC West showdown with the Cardinals battling a slew of injuries. Defensive tackle Leonard Williams misses practice with a stinger, while nose tackle Brandon Pili is out with a back injury, weakening the run defense against Arizona’s Tyler Allgeier. Backup quarterback Drew Lock, limited by a right elbow, is slated to start after Sam Darnold’s injury, but a further setback could push rookie Jalen Milroe into his NFL debut. The offensive line is also shorthanded, with guard Quenton Nelson and tackle Josh Jones limited. Arizona limits wideout Michael Wilson (rib injury) and DT Walter Nolen (ankle), while backup RB Bam Knight sits with a concussion.
Phoenix Suns enter their second meeting with Portland still haunted by a 41‑point loss in the season opener. Guard Jordan Ott says the defeat serves as a benchmark for improvement, stressing better defense, aggression and execution as the team claws its way back into contention. With Portland missing Ja Morant due to a hamstring strain, the Suns hope to capitalize on a weakened Blazer offense that still features Damian Lillard, Scoot Henderson and freshman big Donovan Clingan. Ott stresses staying focused on full‑game effort rather than dwelling on the early blowout.
The Baltimore Ravens are finalizing a trade for veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who was demoted to third‑string by the Arizona Cardinals just days after starting a game. The move comes as Baltimore deals with injuries to star QB Lamar Jackson (thumb) and backup Tyler Huntley (toe), leaving the team scrambling for a starter ahead of Thursday’s matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Brissett, who struggled against the Dallas Cowboys before being replaced by Gardner Minshew, could soon lead the Ravens’ offense, though he won’t be eligible for the upcoming game.
Two Diamondbacks prospects will represent the team during the Arizona Fall League version of the All-Star Game.
The Arizona Cardinals install Gardner Minshew as starter after a recent win, trade Jacoby Brissett to Baltimore and promote rookie Carson Beck to backup, with head coach Mike LaFleur confident Beck is ready if called upon. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams praise rookie tight end Max Klare for solid blocking and route work, according to Sean McVay. In Seattle, new head coach Mike Macdonald stresses the need to revert to the Super Bowl‑winning style that defined the Seahawks last season, urging a return to their core identity.
The SnakePit Awards shortlist for 2026 Play of the Year shines on six Arizona Diamondbacks moments. Highlights include Ryan Waldschmidt’s pinch‑hit, walk‑off two‑run homer that lifted D‑backs past the Cubs 5‑4 on Aug. 25, and Gabriel Moreno’s laser throw that nabbed Shohei Ohtani at second base. Outfield marvels feature Corbin Carroll’s Statcast‑rated five‑star catch and Alek Thomas’s diving grab. Nolan Arenado earns a nod for a crafty double play, while a chaotic 6‑2 double play involving Gerald Perdomo rounds out the list. Each play showcases clutch defense or offense that defined the D‑backs’ season.
Wednesday's game marks the first of the Suns' back-to-back matchups against the Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic.
The Portland Trail Blazers (5-1) face the Phoenix Suns (1-4) on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. PT in a matchup that follows an opening‑night loss to Phoenix. Key injuries for Portland include Ja Morant, Shaedon Sharpe, Jayson Kent and John Tonje (all out), while the Suns list Jordan Goodwin as questionable and Mark Williams out. Fans can watch on Rip City Television, stream via BlazerVision (OR/WA) or League Pass, and listen on Rip City Radio 620 AM. The post also outlines game‑day thread rules for respectful discussion.
With seven straight games at home, the Suns have an opportunity to get their season back on track.
James Conner has not been ruled out to return this season, but the Cardinals are not planning on him being back this week.
The Cleveland Browns are eyeing tight end upgrades before the NFL trade deadline, with Dallas Goedert (Eagles) and Tip Reiman (Cardinals) listed as top candidates. While edge‑rusher depth has improved thanks to free‑agent additions like Sam Williams and Derek Barnett, the team sees a more urgent need for reliable blocking and depth at tight end to protect the run game and free up existing options. Front office officials stress any deal must preserve long‑term assets, favoring players with multi‑year control. The analysis, sourced from CBS Sports' Josh Edwards, outlines the cost and fit considerations as the deadline approaches.
Trade talks around second baseman Ketel Marte heat up as the Arizona Diamondbacks grow eager to move him. MLB insider reports, echoed by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale on the Foul Territory podcast, suggest the Tampa Bay Rays could re‑enter the mix, while Boston also shows interest. Marte, on a $15 million‑a‑year contract with $85 million remaining, posted a .249 line with 22 homers, 76 RBIs and a .748 OPS in 2026, but off‑field issues—including a summer no‑show incident and a recent IL stint—have soured his standing in Phoenix. With a five‑and‑10 no‑trade clause, his destination remains uncertain, though the Rays appear the likeliest suitor.
The Seattle Seahawks add former UFL MVP quarterback Adrian Martinez to their practice squad after Sam Darnold’s quad injury sidelines him for Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals. With Drew Lock nursing a right elbow issue, Martinez—who led the Birmingham Stallions to a 6-1 record, 15 TDs, 3 INTs and earned UFL MVP honors—could be elevated for Sunday’s game. Seattle also re‑signed wideout Jamie Sheriff, releasing Malick Meiga and linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo to make room. Martinez’s standout performance in the 2024 UFL Championship, a 25-0 win over the San Antonio Brahmas, underscores his potential as insurance for a battered Seahawks quarterback room.
With the NFL trade deadline looming on Nov. 10, the New York Giants could revisit a familiar face: former interior defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, who spent 2017‑2020 in New York before signing a one‑year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers and starting all 17 games for Arizona in 2025. Analysts note Tomlinson would offer a veteran rotational run defender without a long‑term commitment, but the Giants should target a late‑round pick and evaluate his remaining salary and health—he recovered from a hamstring issue earlier this season. The trade’s cost and his availability remain uncertain, making a low‑risk inquiry the prudent move.
Former linebacker Emmanuel Acho lambasts the Dallas Cowboys' defense after a 33-30 overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8. Despite a 17-3 halftime lead and early takeaways, the unit unraveled as Arizona scored 30 second‑half points, with Tyler Allgeier rushing for 147 yards and Gardner Minshew throwing three TDs. Acho called the defense “incomprehensible… utterly impossible.” The Cowboys allowed 467 total yards, gave up 202 on the ground, and recorded only five sacks, even as Quinnen Williams posted two sacks. The defeat drops Dallas to 3-5 and fuels doubts about the defense’s consistency.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer announces that linebacker Dee Winters returns for individual drills after missing time with an Achilles strain, while tight end Luke Schoonmaker eases back into practice. Rookie OLB Malachi Lawrence faces a few‑week layoff after re‑injuring his ankle in the 33‑30 OT loss to Arizona. Other updates: cornerback Joey Porter Jr. plays through an ankle issue, safeties Caleb Downs (30 tackles) and P.J. Locke remain in concussion protocol, and safety Jalen Thompson stays on IR with a hamstring. The Cowboys, who sacked the Cardinals five times, host the 2‑6 Indianapolis Colts Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride trash‑talked rookie Dallas Cowboys first‑round pick Caleb Downs during a Week 8 showdown at AT&T Stadium, mocking the Ohio State All‑American’s draft status. McBride’s taunt was captured on broadcast audio as he caught a 3rd‑and‑6 pass. The Cardinals later rallied, thanks to quarterback Gardner Minshew and a 14‑yard TD catch by McBride that cut the lead to three, ultimately winning 33‑30 in overtime after Dallas squandered a 14‑point fourth‑quarter lead. Downs, a Jim Thorpe Award winner, left the game with an injury.
The Ravens are trading for veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Cardinals, a move Dan Orlovsky says gives Baltimore a chance to stay competitive after Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley went down in the Week 8 loss to Buffalo. Brissett could start as soon as Week 10, but Orlovsky cautions the addition won’t magically turn the Ravens into a contender, especially in a division with Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Cleveland. In 2026, Brissett posted 1,719 yards, 10 TDs, seven picks and a 63.3% completion rate.
Wednesday’s NFL roster moves see several teams activating players from IR and bolstering practice squads. The 49ers bring back DB Nate Hobbs and WR Demarcus Robinson, while the Rams activate TE Terrance Ferguson, LB Myles Garrett and RB Ronnie Rivers. The Patriots and Cardinals each designate two players to return from injured reserve. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers claim G Trevor Keegan and waive Luke Haggard, and the Vikings add RB DeeJay Dallas and T Corey Robinson. Multiple clubs—Bears, Browns, Lions, and others—sign a dozen players to practice squads, including RB Hassan Haskins (Browns) and LB Joe Bachie (Lions). These moves shape depth charts ahead of the weekend’s games.
The Arizona Cardinals activate guard Isaiah Adams off injured reserve on Wednesday, marking his return after three games and three starts this season. The team also adds running back Jermar Jefferson and wide receiver James Proche to the practice squad. Adams, a 26‑year‑old third‑round pick (71st overall, 2024), is in the third year of a four‑year, $5.93 million contract and will become an unrestricted free agent in 2028.
The Detroit Lions sign former Cardinals linebacker Owen Pappoe to their practice squad as Brad Holmes addresses injuries to Jack Campbell and Jimmy Rolder.
Stay ready, my friends: Gardner Minshew is bringing Minshew Mania to the desert, Dan Bickley writes.
The Phoenix Suns stumble to a 1‑4 start as analysts blame a flawed starting five built around Devin Booker. Coach Jordan Ott and pundits Gerald Bourguet and Eliav Gabay argue Booker is forced into a facilitator role, the team lacks spacing, and defensive fundamentals like boxing out and three‑point coverage are among the league’s worst. They suggest swapping Jalen Green for Collin Gillespie, while the bench—highlighted by Gillespie and rookie big Oso Ighodaro—offers a brighter spark. The podcast and video clips dive into the Suns’ growing‑pain adjustments and potential lineup fixes.
Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is already reshaping the franchise, averaging 21.5 points, 7 rebounds and 3.9 assists while posting a 37‑point outburst against the Clippers, prompting owner Joe Lacob to hail the pick as a draft success. Meanwhile, the Suns sit 1‑4 and could revamp their lineup, with suggestions to insert Oso Ighodaro at center. Luka Doncic’s technical foul against Miami is overturned, leaving him with just one tech this season. Clippers guard Kobe Sanders, now on a standard contract, posts 11 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists, emphasizing adaptability. Max Strus returns from a plantar fascia injury, adds 11 points and six assists in a loss to Toronto, staying calm amid the Clippers’ sixth straight defeat.