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Buffalo Bills receive devastating news on injured rookie CB
Not the news Buffalo Bills fans wanted to hear. Head Coach Sean McDermott delivered a troubling update on Dorian Strong during a Tuesday afternoon press conference, pointing toward a long-term absence for the Bills’ rookie cornerback. The sixth-round pick has been dealing with a neck injury which led to his placement on Injured Reserve on Oct. 4, and entering Week 10, McDermott says that Strong has not received an encouraging update regarding his ailment. “I do have some more clarity, it’s not good in terms of the reports and everything,” said McDermott. “I don’t want to get into where it may go. It’s not moving in the direction we would like it to at this point. I’ll stop there just out of respect for Dorian.” Strong was selected by the Bills with the 177th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft and went on to earn the start in the first game of his NFL career in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens in place of injured veteran Tre’Davious White. Strong played in each of the Bills’ first four games of the season, but was injured before Buffalo’s Week 5 matchup against the New England Patriots and it now appears he has been lost for the year. The next question is, will this injury impact his career? Neck injuries are tricky and often dealt with conservatively. “He and I have had some conversations over the last few days and I wish the reports were better at this point,” added McDermott. Strong recorded 10 tackles during four games in his first professional season. — Sign up for OnSI’s Free Buffalo Bills Newsletter —
Green Bay Packers Get Good News On Slew Of Injured Players From Week 9
The Green Bay Packers’ recent loss to the Carolina Panthers was made tougher by a series of injuries, most notably a season-ending torn ACL for tight end Tucker Kraft. However, amid the painful news, the team received a dose of optimism regarding several other key players who left the game. According to head coach Matt LaFleur, the injuries to wide receiver Matthew Golden, defensive tackle Colby Wooden, and left guard Aaron Banks are not considered long-term. Green Bay Packers WR Matthew Golden’s Shoulder Injury First-round rookie receiver Matthew Golden exited the game in the third quarter after injuring his shoulder on a catch. His absence was felt on an offense that was already trying to find its rhythm. LaFleur confirmed that Golden’s injury “shouldn’t be long term,” which is welcome news for a receiving corps that needs all its playmakers. Before the injury, Golden had been a reliable target, ranking second among all rookies in catch rate. While his production has been quieter in recent weeks with the return of Christian Watson, his presence is valuable. Getting him back on the field soon will be important for maintaining depth and providing another weapon for the offense as it moves forward without Kraft. Colby Wooden’s Shoulder Injury The defensive front also took a hit when defensive tackle Colby Wooden went down with a shoulder injury after just 15 snaps. Following his departure, the Panthers’ run game found significant success, gashing the Packers for 163 rushing yards. The defense, which had been stout against the run, clearly missed his presence in the middle. LaFleur stated that Wooden’s injury is “nothing long term,” providing a sigh of relief for the defensive unit. With a formidable rushing attack from the Philadelphia Eagles on the horizon, getting Wooden back quickly will be crucial for a defensive line that relies on his ability to disrupt plays and plug running lanes. Aaron Banks Avoids Major Setback The offensive line also had a scare when left guard Aaron Banks, a key free-agent signing, left the game in the opening series with a stinger. Banks has battled injuries throughout his first season in Green Bay, and another extended absence would have been a major blow. Fortunately, LaFleur indicated that Banks should be fine for the upcoming week. After playing every snap in the previous three games, Banks seemed to be hitting his stride and playing his best football. His return to the lineup will be vital for protecting the quarterback and establishing the physical tone the Packers want to set at the line of scrimmage. While the loss of Kraft stings, the positive outlook for Golden, Wooden, and Banks offers some much-needed good news as the team prepares for the second half of the season.
Broncos' Updated Playoff Outlook Revealed After Sixth Straight Win
With a sixth straight win under their belt, the Denver Broncos' playoff chances are sitting pretty. On Sunday, the Broncos orchestrated another fourth-quarter comeback to beat the Houston Texans on the road 18-15. With the Kansas City Chiefs dropping their fourth game in Week 9, and the Los Angeles Chargers losing left tackle Joe Alt for the season, the Broncos are in a position to get a stranglehold on the AFC West. According to NFL.com's updated playoff picture, the Broncos sit with 90% playoff chances at 7-2. Denver currently holds the No. 3 seed in the AFC behind the 7-2 Indianapolis Colts and 7-2 New England Patriots, respectively. Sports Illustrated's John Pluym gives the Broncos an 85% chance of making the playoffs. No matter which way you cut it, though, the Broncos are in great position. The 5-3 Pittsburgh Steelers hold the No. 4 seed, the 6-2 Buffalo Bills have the No. 5, the 6-3 Chargers hold the No. 6 seed, and the 5-3 Jacksonville Jaguars have the No. 7 seed. A Look Ahead The next few weeks will be crucial, as the Broncos' next two games are against AFC West rivals, starting with the 2-6 Las Vegas Raiders in Denver on a short week. The Broncos will host the Raiders on Thursday Night Football, which will be followed by a mini-bye of sorts. Denver then gets 10 days between the Raiders and hosting the Chiefs. Obviously, the Broncos have to take care of business against the wounded animal that is Pete Carroll's Raiders squad, and ensure that like the past two seasons, they at least win their home game vs. the Chiefs. After the Chiefs, the Broncos officially hit their Week 12 bye. Coming out, Denver will go on the road to face Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. The Broncos stay on the road in Week 14 for their second bout with the Raiders. Then it's home to host the Green Bay Packers in Week 15, followed by a big Conference game in Denver vs. the Jaguars in Week 16. Week 17's Christmas tilt vs. the Chiefs or the season finale at home vs. the Chargers could be for all the AFC West marbles. The Broncos' outlook is good, thanks to the team taking care of its own business and the likes of the Chiefs uncharacteristically having lost four games already. It will interesting to see how the Chargers respond to the loss of Alt and whether Jim Harbaugh will be able to successfully devise a plan to keep Justin Herbert upright. The Chargers have dealt with some bad injury luck, losing Rashawn Slater before the season and now Alt. That's not Denver's concern, fortunately. Right now, the focus is on handling the Raiders on a short-week turnaround. The Broncos must beware of looking past the Raiders, as they've struggled traditionally vs. Geno Smith-led teams. That 10-day break afterward will be nice, but the Broncos have to keep their focus on Thursday night. Credit to Sean Payton, though; the Broncos enter Week 10 with a near-certain playoff outlook. "It's impossible to have the halfway point because we're on odd number of games," Payton said with a smile on Sunday after beating the Texans. "We passed the halfway point. I'm kidding you. It is what it is. What's our record? I lost track.” More Must-Read Denver Broncos Coverage
Five reasons why the Dodgers will three-peat as World Series champions
Game 7 of the World Series isn't even 24 hours old, and already the business of baseball has shifted to the 2026 season. Scores of players officially became free agents Sunday, while others are choosing whether to exercise or decline options for next season. But one thing is for sure: The Los Angeles Dodgers are the overwhelming favorite to win a third straight World Series. This might be obvious because the Dodgers will likely run MLB's highest payroll onto the field on Opening Day. But there is substance to go with the big bucks. Here are five reasons why the Dodgers will become the first team since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees to win three titles in a row: 1. The full Shohei Ohtani Shohei Ohtani didn't make his season debut as a pitcher until June 16, 73 games into the Dodgers' season, following his second major elbow surgery. Since it was impossible to send him out on a rehab assignment without removing him from the MLB roster, he rehabbed his way back by slowly building up. Well, that won't be necessary in 2026. Ohtani will be a full go right from Opening Day. He pitched just 47 innings over 14 regular-season starts, but was under no limits in the postseason, as we saw with the right-hander starting Game 7 on three days' rest. During the regular season, Ohtani posted a 2.87 ERA with 1.7 walks and 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings. 2. Starting rotation is stacked Ohtani probably won't even be the Dodgers' Opening Day starter, however. That honor should go to Yoshinobu Yamamoto following his World Series MVP performance. From there, the starting five will be Tyler Glasnow, two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki. As always, health will be the key for the rotation, especially with Glasnow, but there is plenty in reserve in Tony Gonsolin, Emmet Sheehan, Bobby Miller and Gavin Stone. 3. Mookie Betts is completely healthy One reason the Dodgers finished with the third-best record in the NL this season was because of the health of shortstop Mookie Betts to begin the season. Betts had an undisclosed illness that took nearly 20 pounds off his already-slight 180-pound frame. He didn't hit above .258 in any month, with a low of .208 in July, before finally getting back on track in August and September. Betts finished with a slash line of .258/.326/.406 while playing Gold Glove-caliber defense at short, but still short of his career slash line of .278/.363/.505. There is nothing more dangerous than a driven Betts, so he could put up big numbers in 2026. 4. Room for more players While some pending free agents — think Enrique Hernandez and Miguel Rojas — will return, the Dodgers may be making free-agent additions and even a trade or two as they shed some contracts this offseason. A big outfield bat would be the biggest priority, likely a left fielder. A wild card in the outfield scenario would be whether the Dodgers opt to play Ohtani in the outfield on occasion. Ohtani had played in just seven games in the outfield, all coming in 2021, when he was in right field for six games and left for one. This could allow Ohtani to DH on the day before and after he pitches and give the other veterans a chance to just hit when he plays the outfield. 5. Dave Roberts at the helm Managing a superstar-studded roster like the Dodgers takes a unique skillset, one that Dave Roberts has navigated pretty well in recent years. He now has three World Series rings in six years. Roberts has shown the ability to adjust to circumstances, like last year with a bullpen-centric pitching staff, to this year with the bullpen a liability and the rotation a strength. Also, his feel for the game was on display with the insertion of Rojas into the lineup for Games 6 and 7 and putting Andy Pages in for defense in the ninth inning of Game 7 before his amazing catch.
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