NFL news, injury updates: Aaron Rodgers exits Steelers win; Michael Penix Jr., Lane Johnson set to miss extended time
byDonna Devi—0
Week 11 was a particularly rough one for quarterbacks, with a number of injury scares on Sunday. Some teams were able to turn their QB losses into wins — the Steelers, for example, smacked the Bengals despitelosing Aaron Rodgers to a hand injury early on, while Bryce Young came out of the locker room after an ankle injury tolead the Panthers to a comeback overtime winover the Falcons, and Jordan Lovereturned to lead the Packersover the Giants.
But for others, it wasn't so easy to bounce back. The Falcons, for instance,lost Michael Penix Jr. earlier in the gameafter an awkward hit in the backfield. Dillon Gabriel's concussion led Shedeur Sandersto get his first pro snaps. That didn't go well, though, as the Ravens rallied to beat the Browns in Gabriel's absence.
TheEagles beat the Lionson Sunday night, but franchise tackleLane Johnson reportedly suffered a lisfranc injuryand could be set for a spell on injured reserve.
In addition to the quarterbacks, Titans receiver Calvin Ridley'sseason is over due to a broken fibula, with Ridley getting carted off during Sunday's loss to the Texans. Packers running back Josh Jacobs is also outdue to a knee injury; the injury is not believed to be season-ending, though Jacobs will undergo more tests once they return to Green Bay.
And in some non-injury news, another spitting incident is unfolding in the NFL: Jalen Ramseywas ejected for throwing a punchat Ja'Marr Chase, with Ramsey saying that Chase had spat on him. Chase denied it, but video evidence seemed to indicate the opposite.
The NFL says that it is looking into the incident, which means that Chase might receive some level of punishment or suspension. Sincethe Jalen Carter spitting incidentat the start of the season, the league has indicated that it will crack down on that kind of behavior in a year where the NFL has already come down hard on unsportsmanlike conduct.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for all of the latest NFL news and updates coming out of Week 10.
Criss Partee
Falcons place QB Michael Penix Jr. on IR
The Atlanta Falcons will place quarterback Michael Penix Jr. on injured reserve after the second-year player suffered a knee injury during Sunday's loss to Carolina, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Penix could potentially miss the remainder of the season due to the injury.
Atlanta fell to 3-7 in the loss and will have veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins taking over under center.
Through nine games this season, Penix passed for 1,982 yards, with 9 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.
Falcons WR Drake London suffers knee injury, will reportedly miss at least Week 12 with sprained PCL
Star wide receiver Drake London suffered a sprained PCL in Week 11's loss to the Carolina Panthers, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday. He is expected to miss at least Week 12 with the knee injury, though he could miss more time.
London has 60 catches for 810 yards and six touchdowns this season. In his absence, expect an increased workload for running back Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Darnell Mooney.
The Falcons' next game is against the New Orleans Saints. The Falcons are 16th in passing offense and 3-7 this season.
Source: #Falcons WR Drake London suffered a PCL sprain and is out this week and potentially more.
With Michael Penix Jr out this week with an aggravation of his bone bruise and London out with a sprain, Atlanta is significantly short-handed. pic.twitter.com/i6SMQ3jG9V
Report: Packers RB Josh Jacobs doesn't need knee surgery
Jacobs left the Packers' win over the Giants early on Sunday with a knee injury, but his knee is "structurally sound" per NFL Network, and no surgery is needed.
He still has a chance to play Sunday against the Vikings.
Packers star RB Josh Jacobs' knee is structurally sound, tests showed today, and no surgery is needed, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
The team will re-evaluate him towards the end of the week. At this point, Jacobs hasn't been ruled out for Sunday's game vs. the Vikings. https://t.co/wpovvSGL7F
Justin Fields benched: Jets QB replaced by Tyrod Taylor after miserable start to 2025 season
Justin Fields' starting gig with the New York Jets ended after just nine games. Following a miserable start to the season, Fields was benched in favor of Tyrod Taylor ahead of Week 12, according to Diana Russini of The Athletic.
While Fields could still work his way into some starts down the stretch, the move signals a clear change of direction for the Jets moving forward. When the team signed Fields to a two-year $40 million deal in the offseason, it intended on the former first-round pick being a useful stopgap — with the potential for more — over the next couple of seasons.
Jets owner Woody Johnson acknowledged Fields' poor play this season at the annual Fall League Meeting. Though he maintained that the decision on the team's quarterback remains with head coach Aaron Glenn, Johnson conceded in October that things haven't quite come together for Fields thus far.
Sean Leahy
Eagles OT Lane Johnson reportedly suffered Lisfranc injury in win over Lions
The Philadelphia Eagles will reportedly be without offensive tackle Lane Johnson for some time after he suffered a Lisfranc injury on Sunday night, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The five-time NFL All-Pro was injured during the Eagles' 16-9 win over the Detroit Lions. While the injury is not expected to end Johnson's season, he could be a candidate for injured reserve, which would rule him out for at least four games.
Eagles tackle Lane Johnson could be set for a spell on the sidelines. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Tarohn Finley
Dolphins CB JuJu Brents will have season ending foot surgery
Miami Dolphins CB JuJu Brents will be sidelined for the rest of the season due to foot surgery, ending his third season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. Brents suffered the injury in Sunday's game against Washington. Brents has 10 tackles and one pass breakup this season. This is Brents' first season with the Dolphins. He spent his first two seasons with the Colts.
#Dolphins CB JuJu Brents, a former second-rounder with the #Colts finding his foot in Miami, is slated for season-ending foot surgery, per me and @MikeGarafolo. A frustrating end for Brents, who will be 100% in 2026. pic.twitter.com/mlgbgILWiL
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. could be out for the year after suffering knee injury vs. Panthers
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. left Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers after suffering a knee injury that could potentially end his season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
ESPN sources: Falcons QB Michael Penix suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury during Sunday's loss to the Panthers. Penix will be seeking a second opinion, but it is not encouraging. pic.twitter.com/GiWa64ofSN
Jaguars sign S Juan Thornhill to the practice squad
The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed veteran safety Juan Thornhill to the practice squad. Thornhill is a seven-year veteran and Super Bowl winner with Kansas City. He played in nine games with Pittsburgh this season before being waived last week.
Jacksonville Jaguars have signed veteran S Juan Thornhill to their practice squad.
Green Packers running back Josh Jacobs left Sunday's game against the New York Giants with a knee injury but seems to have avoided a serious one. It does not appear to be a season-ending injury, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.
Josh Jacobs appears to have avoided a major knee injury.
Giants QB Jaxson Dart remains in concussion protocol
After leaving the Giants' Week 10 loss to the Bears, Dart was ruled out for Sunday's defeat to the Packers.
The rookie quarterback attended Friday's practice and was on the sidelines for the Green Bay game, but is not ready to return just yet, according to interim head coach Mike Kafka.
Jameis Winston filled in for Dart on Sunday and went 19-for-29 with 201 passing yards and one interception.
#NYGiants interim coach Mike Kafka says rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is still in concussion protocol. The team is waiting for the green light to clear Dart.
Patrick Mahomes on Chiefs' struggles: 'It starts with me'
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes knows there's work to be done. Following the team's Week 11 loss to the Denver Broncos, the Chiefs now sit at 5-5 and are in third place in the AFC West.
With the playoffs officially a question, Mahomes put the blame on himself, telling reporters, "It starts with me," according to CBSSports.com.
"I think we're really talented and we've got a lot of great players, but it's about being more consistent. I think it starts with me," Mahomes said in his postgame press conference. "There's times where I'm firing and we're moving the ball down the field at ease. But there's times where we go in spurts where I miss a throw or a [pass] protection call. We haven't been consistent enough to win games. It starts with me."
The Chiefs have plenty of time to get things sorted out. While the 5-5 start is discouraging, the team will play division games in three of the last four weeks of the regular season, so their postseason hopes could come down to the wire.
Chris Cwik
Abdul Carter benched for opening series due to disciplinary reason
New York Giants first-round rookie Abdul Carter was suspiciously absent during his team's first defensive drive Sunday. Turns out, the rookie was benched for that drive after a midweek incident, per ESPN.
Carter, new Giants head coach Mike Kafka and Giants defensive star Brian Burns did not go into detail on what led to the benching, though it doesn't sound like a serious issue.
After the contest, Carter admitted to making a "mistake" during the week, per ESPN.
"I made a mistake during the week that was detrimental to the team," Carter said. "That was the consequence of it. Got to live with it."
Kafka spoke highly of Carter after the game, saying he is a "great player."
Burns said the issue is in the past.
Carter finished the contest with one tackle and one quarterback hit.
Chris Cwik
Aaron Rodgers pushing to play Sunday despite wrist fracture
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers really wants to beat the Chicago Bears one more time. Despite a wrist fracture, Rodgers is reportedly pushing to play Sunday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Rodgers has "a slight break" in his left wrist and will undergo additional testing today. If it's determined Rodgers cannot do further damage to his wrist and can still grip a football, it sounds like the veteran will try and play.
For Aaron Rodgers, who has tests today, whether he's able to play Sunday will be determined by if he can injure himself further and if he can grip a football. He was described as 50-50 for Sunday.
Rodgers and the Steelers are set to play his long-time rivals, the Chicago Bears, in Week 12. Rodgers has experienced tremendous success against the team over his career, going 24-5 in 29 games.
Chris Cwik
NFL to make decision on Ja'Marr Chase, Jalen Ramsey on Monday
The NFL is expected to make a decision Monday on possible punishment for both Ja'Marr Chase and Jalen Ramsey after the two got into a heated confrontation on the field Sunday.
Ramsey was ejected from the contest after punching Chase in the helmet. Upon review, however, it looked as though Chase spit on Ramsey prior to the punch. The NFL is looking into the situation, and is hoping make a decision soon, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The NFL already had one spitting incident this season. Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher Jalen Carter was fined over $57,000 for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in Week 1. Carter's incident was spotted by officials and he was ejected from the contest.
It's unclear how the NFL will handle Chase's situation if the league determines he spit on Ramsey. Chase, like Carter, could receive a hefty fine. The fact that Chase was not ejected from the game is different, however, so the league could take another approach in this instance.
Sean Leahy
Potential 'slight break' in left wrist for Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers left Sunday's game with an injury to his left hand. He was seen grimacing while holding his wrist before halftime. He left the game in the third quarter, and backup Mason Rudolph took over at quarterback as Pittsburgh held a 10-9 lead.
The Steelers listed Rodgers as questionable to return, but he remained in the locker room for the remainder of the second half. Initial X-rays at the stadium showed a small fracture in his left wrist, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, though Rodgers has indicated to people close to him that he'll be back soon. He is set to undergo further testing on Monday.
The initial concern is that Aaron Rodgers has, in the words of one source, "a slight break" his left wrist, but the Steelers quarterback will underdgo further testing Monday to determine the full extent of the injury and how long he'll be sidelined, per league sources. pic.twitter.com/Or2YHzFMBk
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