As Week 9 approaches, the Green Bay Packers sit atop the NFC North and a full game ahead of the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams for the final wild‑card berth. NFL simulations give the Packers a 50 % chance to make the playoffs, while Seattle and LA sit at 47 % and 46 % respectively. Injuries are tilting the odds: Seahawks QB Sam Darnold is out with a quad and backup Drew Lock is hurt, dropping Seattle’s chances to 29 % if they lose. Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson faces season‑ending shoulder surgery, cutting LA’s odds to 31 % after a loss. With the North and West likely to claim all three NFC wild‑cards, the Packers are watching their rivals closely.
The Minnesota Vikings promote running back DeeJay Dallas from the practice squad to the 53-man roster and add offensive tackle Corey Robinson II to the practice squad. Dallas, a 2020 fourth‑round pick out of the Seahawks, has bounced between teams this year, appearing in seven games for Minnesota with four rushes for 14 yards and four receptions for 34 yards. Robinson joins the squad as depth on the line. The moves were announced on November 4, 2026 via the Vikings' official Twitter feed.
Even after trading Shane Wright, the Kraken are still trying to add a major player to their roster.
The Washington Commanders snatched Seattle Seahawks rookie RB Robert Henry Jr. off waivers on Nov. 3, 2026, thwarting the New York Giants’ search for backfield depth. The Giants, who have eyed Indianapolis star Jonathan Taylor and even pursued a trade for Ravens workhorse Derrick Henry, were left empty‑handed as Washington, reeling from injuries to Jeremy McNichols and Jacory Croskey‑Merritt, adds Henry—who averaged 6.9 yards per carry at UTSA and already knows Kliff Kingsbury’s system—for the rest of the season.
Four days after warming up for the Dallas Cowboys, Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett is traded to the Baltimore Ravens, who lost starters Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley to injury. The move, announced by Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort, makes Brissett a likely rental for Baltimore’s 4-4 season as they hunt a playoff spot. Arizona promoted veteran Gardner Minshew to starter for the upcoming Seattle game, bumping rookie Carson Beck to backup, while Brissett drops to QB3. The trade details remain pending, but the veteran’s low salary and AFC North experience could boost the Ravens.
Out of the blue, the Seahawks will have to prepare on a short week for a must-win NFC West rematch with the Cardinals minus their starting quarterback, who suffered multiple injuries in Monday’s loss to the Bears.
Seattle announces the hiring of Cubs director of player development Jason Kanzler as its new manager, making him the league’s second‑youngest skipper. Kanzler leaves Chicago after three seasons, where the Cubs posted a league‑leading 850 runs and reached the playoffs despite a Wild Card sweep, while the team eyes pitching upgrades. He inherits a Mariners club that missed the 2026 postseason (76‑86) but was a Championship Series contender a year earlier. The move leaves the Cubs to fill a key leadership void as they plot their 2027 roster.
After Jeffery Simmons helped the Bears roll to a 34-17 victory over Seattle, Chicago remains active at the trade deadline, targeting a cornerback to fix its weakest spot. Pro Football Focus ranks starter Jaylon Johnson 97th of 102, rookie Malik Muhammad is injured, and Tyrique Stevenson has struggled with health issues. ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler say the Bears, like division rival Lions, are scouting available corners—names such as Washington’s Mike Sainristil and Philadelphia’s Riq Woolen (potentially for a Day‑3 pick) are mentioned—despite limited draft capital post‑Simmons deal. The team’s quest for secondary help could shape its Super Bowl push.
The Chicago Bears upset defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football, and the win hinges on three key contributors beyond stars Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams. Defensive end Jeffery Simmons dominated the line, cutting Seattle’s blitz rate from 40% to 15% and freeing teammates like Devin Bush, Montez Sweat and Austin Booker to make big plays. Rookie wideout Rome Odunze finally delivered, posting his best game with multiple chunk‑gain receptions and serving as a reliable target for Williams. Meanwhile, D’Andre Swift logged a modest 69 yards on 27 carries but scored three touchdowns, extending his league‑leading 10 rushing TDs and keeping the Bears’ offense moving. The article highlights how these performances shifted momentum and secured the victory.
The Arizona Cardinals trade veteran QB Jacoby Brissett to the Baltimore Ravens, ensuring he won't start when the Los Angeles Rams meet the Cardinals next week. After Brissett's 18-16 upset win over L.A. on Oct. 18, Arizona pivots to Gardner Minshew as starter, with Carson Beck as backup. The Ravens, reeling from injuries to Lamar Jackson and Tyler "Snoop" Huntley, plan to start undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano while Brissett competes for the job. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks bench Sam Darnold for Drew Lock against Arizona, signaling rapid shifts in the NFC West.
Who Should I Start? Who Should I Sit? Some of the most common Week 9 fantasy football lineup decisions involve […]
Sam Darnold is ruled out with a quad injury for the Seahawks’ Week 9 showdown against the Arizona Cardinals, leaving backup Drew Lock, who is nursing an elbow issue, to start. Lock previously slammed Arizona 31-7, completing 19 of 26 passes for 235 yards and three TDs. The Cardinals must tighten their defense—boosting pressure and limiting big plays—to avoid another costly loss, despite Seattle’s quarterback uncertainty. Coach Mike Macdonald’s decision reshapes the matchup, but Arizona can’t assume an easy win.
Seattle Seahawks will start former Missouri star quarterback Drew Lock on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals after Sam Darnold is sidelined with an injury, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Lock, who threw for 235 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-7 Week 2 victory over Arizona when Darnold was out, makes his second start of the season. The 2019 second‑round pick, a former Denver backup, hopes to replicate his dominant performance as Seattle fights to stay alive in the NFC West.
With Sam Darnold sidelined, Drew Lock is in line to start for the Seattle Seahawks against the Cardinals.
The Seattle Seahawks, defending Super Bowl champions, rule starting quarterback Sam Darnold out with a quadriceps injury suffered during Monday night’s 34-17 loss to the Chicago Bears. Coach Mike Macdonald says Darnold is week‑to‑week and won’t play in Sunday’s NFC West clash with the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 8, prompting backup Drew Lock to start. Lock, who helped Seattle win a comeback against New England and threw three TDs in a previous win over the Cardinals, will be supported by rookie Jalen Milroe. The Seahawks sit 4‑4 and hope the change sparks a turnaround.
The Seattle Seahawks enter Week 9 at 4‑4 and a road favorite against the Arizona Cardinals, but starting quarterback Sam Darnold is out with a quad injury suffered late against Chicago. He has thrown for 1,478 yards, 10 TDs and nine interceptions this season. Backup Drew Lock, who is also nursing a wrist issue, will start, with Jalen Milroe seeing reps in practice. Coach Mike Macdonald stresses the win is crucial for NFC West tiebreaker hopes, making the quarterback shuffle a key storyline.
The Seattle Seahawks will enter Week 9 without starting quarterback Sam Darnold, who is sidelined with a quad injury and a cracked rib sustained in Monday night’s loss to the Chicago Bears. Coach Mike Macdonald labels Darnold "week-to-week," prompting the return of Drew Lock to the starting lineup. Lock, who filled in for Darnold in Week 1 and has thrown 4 touchdowns—all to Jaxon Smith‑Njigba—in two full outings without a turnover, missed his last two games with an elbow injury but is now healthy. He will face Gardner Minshew II, who steps in for benched Jacoby Brissett, in the Seahawks’ home rematch against the Arizona Cardinals.
Defensive end Maxx Crosby steps up for teammate DK Metcalf, calling him “still a really good player” despite mounting criticism over the former Seattle star's underwhelming output for the Steelers. Pittsburgh sacrificed a second‑round pick in the 2025 trade to make Metcalf their top receiving threat, but his production has lagged both last season and the current 2026 campaign. Crosby’s endorsement highlights the locker‑room support while fans and analysts question the value of the trade.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold will be sidelined with a quad injury for Sunday's matchup against the visiting Arizona Cardinals, head coach Mike Macdonald announced Wednesday.
Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold suffers a quad injury on Monday Night Football against the Bears and will miss Sunday’s home game versus the Arizona Cardinals. Veteran backup Drew Lock, who previously helped Seattle beat the Cardinals on the road, gets the start. The Cardinals will be led by Gardner Minshew, who recently replaced Jacoby Brissett after a comeback win over Dallas. Kickoff is set for Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET in Seattle, and the Seahawks hope Lock can replicate his early‑season success without Darnold.
Brian Thomas Jr., the 2024 first‑round pick who burst onto the scene with 87 catches, 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie, has slipped to just 824 yards and four scores in 21 games this season. Now 24 and under contract through 2027, the Jaguars are willing to move him before the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 10. Sportsnaut lists six likely destinations: the Las Vegas Raiders, who need a reliable target for Kirk Cousins; the Washington Commanders, who could reunite Thomas with former LSU teammate QB Jayden Daniels; the Seattle Seahawks, seeking a spark beyond Jaxon Smith‑Njigba; the Pittsburgh Steelers, open to a high‑upside gamble; the Kansas City Chiefs, needing depth behind Patrick Mahomes; and the Los Angeles Rams. Each team’s specific receiver woes are detailed, making the trade saga a must‑read for NFL fans.
Sam Darnold has already been ruled out for Week 8.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald confirms that starting quarterback Sam Darnold, who suffered a quad injury in Monday’s game, will miss Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals. The 29‑year‑old will be listed as week‑to‑week but not placed on IR, with veteran Drew Lock slated to start Sunday. Darnold, a former 2018 first‑round pick, has thrown for 1,478 yards, 10 TDs and nine interceptions this season across seven games. The move follows his three‑year, $100 million deal with Seattle after stints with the Jets, Panthers, 49ers and Vikings.
Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has racked up $35,823 in NFL fines for wearing Caddix cleats, a brand not approved by the league’s official partners Nike, Adidas and Under Armour. Despite the penalties, Williams insists the shoes’ “SmartStuds” technology helps prevent lower‑body injuries and he will keep wearing them. Caddix’s PR chief Michelle Kafka defended his choice, calling the situation a rare case of a top draft pick lacking a shoe contract and sparking debate over athlete branding and league‑mandated logos. The Bears recently beat Seattle with Williams in plain black cleats.
Midseason award outlooks for the 2026 NFL season spotlight Josh Allen, Jaxon Smith‑Njigba, Will Anderson Jr. and rookie Carnell Tate. Allen leads the Bills to a 6‑1 record, posting 1,793 passing yards, 11 TDs and 270 rushing yards in seven games, keeping him atop the MVP race. Seahawks' Smith‑Njigba tops the league with 985 receiving yards and nine TDs, making a strong case for a repeat Offensive Player of the Year. Texans' edge rusher Anderson Jr. ties for the league lead with 7.5 sacks despite Houston’s 2‑5 start, positioning him as Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner. The article also previews rookie offensive contender Carnell Tate.