Chairshot NFL News Report (9/27/2026): Caleb Sits, Packers Add Help & IR List Grows

Caleb Williams is out for Monday night, Green Bay adds Laken Tomlinson and several teams make significant IR moves before Week 3.

The final hours before Sunday’s Week 3 slate brought another round of changes to NFL depth charts, but Chicago produced the most important quarterback news of the day.

Caleb Williams has officially been ruled out against Philadelphia, leaving Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum as the Bears’ remaining options for Monday night. Green Bay responded to its offensive-line problems by adding veteran Laken Tomlinson, while the Chargers, Cowboys, Colts, Broncos and Lions were among the teams moving players to injured reserve Saturday.

It’s the Chairshot NFL News Report for September 27, 2026!

Caleb Williams Officially Out Against Philadelphia

The Bears ruled Caleb Williams out of Monday night’s game against the Eagles because of the hamstring injury he suffered during last week’s loss to Minnesota. Williams had already been considered week-to-week, but Saturday’s decision removes any remaining possibility of Chicago trying to get its starting quarterback back under the lights at Soldier Field.

The better news came with Tyson Bagent. He returned to practice Saturday without limitations after progressing through the concussion protocol, although Chicago still lists him as questionable and has not officially named him the starter. If Bagent is not cleared to play, 14-year veteran Case Keenum will get the assignment against Philadelphia.

That is a meaningful improvement from where Chicago stood earlier in the week, when Williams was injured and Bagent was unable to practice. Bagent getting through Saturday’s work gives the Bears a realistic opportunity to avoid turning immediately to their third quarterback, but the final decision may not come until Monday.

The Eagles also have injury questions entering the game. Philadelphia’s final preparations continue Sunday, meaning several of its earlier injury designations remain unresolved heading into the final day before kickoff.

Packers Add Laken Tomlinson After Ugly Thursday Night

Green Bay wasted little time addressing an offensive line that struggled badly in Thursday’s 35-14 loss to Atlanta. The Packers are signing veteran guard Laken Tomlinson off the Cowboys’ practice squad, adding a 12th-year player with 162 career starts and a 2021 Pro Bowl selection.

The move makes considerably more sense after what happened against the Falcons. Green Bay entered Thursday already dealing with injuries across the line, then allowed Atlanta to generate 23 pressures and 12 quarterback hits while the Packers managed only 17 net rushing yards.

Tomlinson is not a long-term solution by himself, but Green Bay does not need theoretical depth right now. The Packers need experienced linemen who can actually take snaps while the existing group gets healthier, and pulling Tomlinson directly from another team’s practice squad gives them somebody who has spent more than a decade starting NFL games.

The timing also reflects how quickly Green Bay’s season has changed. The Packers are 1-2 after Thursday’s loss and have already lost right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele for the season, making offensive-line stability one of the most immediate problems on the roster.

Chargers Put Trey Pipkins on Injured Reserve

The Chargers placed offensive lineman Trey Pipkins on injured reserve Saturday because of his knee injury, guaranteeing that he will miss at least four games. Los Angeles also promoted quarterback DJ Uiagalelei from the practice squad and elevated tight end Patrick Herbert and linebacker Caleb Murphy for Sunday’s game in Buffalo.

Patrick Herbert’s elevation creates the unusual possibility of playing alongside his brother Justin while also addressing a thin tight-end room. The Chargers have already been navigating injuries at the position, and Saturday’s move gives them another option against Buffalo.

The larger concern remains the offensive line. Los Angeles is 0-2 and now heads into Buffalo without Pipkins while trying to stabilize an offense that cannot afford another slow start.

Buffalo enters from the opposite position at 2-0, making this one of Sunday’s more interesting early games for reasons that go beyond the quarterbacks. The Chargers are already approaching the point where injuries and losses can stop being separate problems and begin feeding into each other.

Cowboys Move P.J. Locke to IR Before Baltimore Game

Dallas officially placed safety P.J. Locke on injured reserve Saturday because of the foot injury he suffered against Washington. The Cowboys promoted linebacker Justin Barron from the practice squad and elevated cornerback Reddy Steward for Sunday’s game against Baltimore in Rio de Janeiro.

Locke was already among the four Cowboys defenders ruled out before the team traveled, but the IR move establishes that his absence will extend well beyond Brazil. Dallas is also without safety Malik Hooker, cornerback Cobie Durant and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown for Sunday’s game.

That leaves a depleted defense trying to deal with Baltimore away from home. Dallas responded well after its Week 1 loss by beating Washington 37-20, but Sunday presents a much different depth test against an offense capable of forcing weakened secondaries to defend the entire field.

The Cowboys are not simply missing one star whose snaps can be redistributed. Multiple levels of the defense have been affected at the same time, which makes communication and replacement depth every bit as important as individual talent against the Ravens.

Colts Lose Alec Pierce to Injured Reserve

Indianapolis placed wide receiver Alec Pierce on injured reserve Saturday because of a heel injury, removing one of its primary downfield threats for at least four games. The Colts promoted receiver Anthony Gould from the practice squad and elevated Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for Sunday’s game against Houston.

Pierce’s absence arrives at a difficult time for an Indianapolis team still searching for its first victory. The Colts pushed Kansas City into overtime last week before losing 33-30, showing considerably more offensive life than they did in their opener.

Now that offense has to adjust again. Westbrook-Ikhine gives Indianapolis an experienced option, but replacing Pierce’s ability to stretch coverage is different from simply filling his roster spot.

Houston is also 0-2, which turns Sunday’s AFC South matchup into an early opportunity for one team to stop September from getting considerably more uncomfortable. Starting 1-2 leaves plenty of season remaining; starting 0-3 creates a much steeper climb.

Broncos Put Jonah Coleman on IR

Denver placed rookie running back Jonah Coleman on injured reserve Saturday after he suffered a high ankle sprain. Coleman is expected to be sidelined until approximately Week 7, leaving RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins to handle the backfield against the Rams on Sunday night.

The Broncos also promoted long snapper Mitchell Fraboni to the active roster and elevated fullback Adam Prentice and receiver Kolbe Katsis. Denver enters Sunday night at 1-1 after beating Jacksonville last week.

Los Angeles is expected to be without Puka Nacua for a second consecutive game. Nacua remains doubtful after missing practice all week with the hip designation Sean McVay has described as groin soreness, although the Rams expect him back for Week 4 barring a setback.

That makes Sunday night another test of the receiving depth that worked so well against the Giants. Davante Adams erupted for 195 yards and two touchdowns without Nacua on Monday, but Denver presents a considerably different defensive challenge.

Lions’ Safety Problems Keep Getting Worse

Detroit placed safety Thomas Harper on injured reserve Saturday because of an ankle injury, further depleting a position group that has already lost Avonte Maddox for the season while Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph remain on the physically unable to perform list. Harper will now miss at least four games.

The Lions elevated veteran safety Jalen Mills and linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Jets. Christian Izien is expected to take on a larger role at safety opposite Chuck Clark as Detroit works around the mounting absences.

Detroit is 1-1 after surrendering 41 points to Buffalo last week, so losing additional secondary depth is particularly unwelcome. The Lions now have four of their top safety options unavailable, turning what initially looked like individual injuries into a legitimate position-group problem.

The Jets arrive at 1-1 but made their own late injury adjustment Saturday, downgrading running back Kene Nwangwu to out because of a back injury.

Brock Bowers Remains the Big Sunday Morning Question

Las Vegas did not provide a definitive answer on Brock Bowers Saturday, leaving the star tight end questionable for Sunday’s game in New Orleans. Bowers practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and Thursday before sitting out Friday as part of the recovery plan for the knee procedure that has kept him out of the Raiders’ first two games.

The Raiders did elevate receiver Cody White, who caught two touchdowns against the Chargers last week after being temporarily promoted from the practice squad. Las Vegas is 2-0 despite playing without Bowers, giving the organization room to remain cautious if there is any concern about his knee Sunday morning.

That decision is one of several worth watching when the inactive lists begin arriving. Bowers can immediately change the shape of the Las Vegas passing game, but the Raiders have already demonstrated that they do not need to gamble with his health simply to keep their season afloat.

Sunday’s Full Week 3 Schedule

Week 3 gets its full Sunday slate today, with nine games in the early window, four more in the late afternoon and Rams-Broncos closing the night in Denver. Baltimore and Dallas also meet in Rio de Janeiro in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Brazil.

• Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins — 1:00 PM ET
• Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns — 1:00 PM ET
• Tennessee Titans at New York Giants — 1:00 PM ET
• New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars — 1:00 PM ET
• Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills — 1:00 PM ET
• New York Jets at Detroit Lions — 1:00 PM ET
• Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts — 1:00 PM ET
• Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders — 1:00 PM ET
• Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers — 1:00 PM ET
• Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers — 4:05 PM ET
• Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 4:05 PM ET
• Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints — 4:25 PM ET
• Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys — 4:25 PM ET — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos — 8:20 PM ET

Monday Night Football follows with Philadelphia visiting Chicago at 8:15 PM ET.

Sunday brings the first full test of Week 3, and injuries have changed several matchups before the games have even started. Chicago already knows Williams will not be available Monday, while the Chargers, Cowboys, Colts, Broncos and Lions all made Saturday moves acknowledging that important injuries will last longer than a single week.

The teams that handle those absences best will have an advantage that has little to do with September expectations. Three weeks into the season, roster depth is already becoming something teams have to prove rather than something they can simply claim to have.

This report includes information from: NFL.com, Reuters.com, ChicagoBears.com, PhiladelphiaEagles.com, DallasCowboys.com, Colts.com, Chargers.com, Broncos.com, DetroitLions.com, Rams.com, Raiders.com and official team injury and transaction reports.