Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson officially reinstated
- Watson served an 11-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy and underwent a mandatory treatment program.
- Despite the off-field problems, Cleveland traded three first-round draft picks and more to the Houston Texans for Watson this past offseason. Cleveland also signed Watson to a five-year deal worth $230 million, with every dollar fully guaranteed.
- Watson is expected to start on Sunday against his former team. It will be his first regular season game in 700 days. The Browns are coming off a thrilling win over the Tampa Buccaneers on Sunday and are 4-7 on the season.
- Cleveland released quarterback Joshua Dobbs to make room for Watson on its 53-man active roster.
Los Angeles Rams WR Allen Robinson will miss the rest of the season
- Robinson did not play this past week after tests during the week revealed a stress fracture in his foot. He will undergo season-ending surgery.
- The Rams signed Robinson to a three-year, $46.5 million contract in the offseason with the hopes of creating a dynamic receiving duo across Cooper Kupp. That did not come to fruition in Year 1, as Robinson totaled just 33 catches for 339 yards and three touchdowns on the season. His 65.8 PFF grade is the lowest of his career.
- The Rams have been pummeled by injuries this entire season all over their offense. With Cooper Kupp also sidelined due to an ankle injury, their current top receiving options are Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, Ben Skowronek and Lance McCutcheon.
Chicago Bears WR Darnell Mooney suffers season-ending ankle injury
- Mooney had to be helped to the locker room during Sunday’s loss to the New York Jets. Head coach Matt Eberflus said the ankle injury will likely require surgery.
- Mooney leads Chicago with 40 catches and 493 receiving yards this season. He also led the team in those two categories last year. He finishes the year with a 69.2 PFF grade. He’ll be eligible for an extension this offseason.
- The Bears have one of the worst receiver rooms in the league, which takes another hit with Mooney out. Chase Claypool, Dante Pettis, Byron Pringle, Velus Jones Jr., and Equanimeous St. Brown are the healthy receivers currently on the active roster.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RT Tristan Wirfs will miss a few weeks due to a high-ankle sprain
- Wirfs was carted off the field in overtime on Sunday. The injury looked much worse on replay, so Tampa is coming out a bit lucky here.
- Wirfs has been one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL since entering the league three years ago, earning 80.0-plus PFF grades each season. His 86.8 PFF grade this season is the best among all right tackles.
- Tampa Bay is now down four of their offensive linemen from the last two years after losing Ryan Jensen in training camp, Ali Marpet to retirement and right guard Alex Cappa to free agency.
Kansas City Chiefs add RB Melvin Gordon to the practice squad
- Gordon was waived by the Denver Broncos last week after he fumbled a fifth time on the season. Kansas City will be the third AFC team he’s played with.
- The Chiefs placed RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire on injured reserve (IR) last week due to an ankle injury. Rookie Isiah Pacheco has taken over as the starting running back with veterans Jerick McKinnon and Ronald Jones behind him.
Arizona Cardinals LT DJ Humphries will not return this season
- Arizona placed Humphries on IR over the weekend with a back injury, and head coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters on Monday that the injury is season-ending.
- A first-round pick in 2015, Humphries has started 83 games for Arizona and was voted to his first Pro Bowl last season.
- The Cardinals signed him to a three-year, $45 million extension before the start of the regular season. His 80.5 pass-blocking grade this season ranked 15th among all tackles.
- 2020 third-round pick Josh Jones has filled in for Humphries and will take over the job for the rest of the season. He’s earned a 71.7 PFF grade on the year, playing 285 snaps at left tackle.