Steelers lose Derrick Harmon to foot injury
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PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers placed second-year defensive tackle Derrick Harmon on injured reserve Monday.
The club made the move four days after Harmon injured his foot in the first half of a 27-24 loss to Cleveland. Harmon will miss a minimum of four weeks, a significant blow to a defense that's given up several big plays in the run game through the season's opening month.
Harmon, a first-round pick in 2025, had been coming into his own early this season. His strip-sack in the final minutes against Cincinnati on Sept. 27 helped Pittsburgh hold on to beat the Bengals.
"It's hard to replace somebody of that magnitude in terms Harmon, in terms where he was going in terms of his ascension as a player in the second year," Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said. "But we got guys that are ready to go."
Harmon's absence likely means more snaps for veteran Sebastian Joseph-Day and perhaps even rookie Gabe Rubio, a sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame, when Jonathan Taylor and Indianapolis (2-2) visit next Sunday.
Less than a week after trading cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas because of a contract impasse, Pittsburgh signed veteran Sean Murphy-Bunting off Tampa Bay's practice squad. Murphy-Bunting last played a regular-season game in 2024 while with Arizona.
How bad is Jackson injury?
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens are back where they spent much of last season -- uncertain about Lamar Jackson's status. The good news for the Ravens is that in 2026 they're off to a better start.
A win over Tennessee on Sunday pushed their record to 3-1. But Baltimore went scoreless in the second half after Tyler Huntley started playing quarterback because of Jackson's ankle injury.
Coach Jesse Minter said Monday he doesn't think the injury will be "crazy long term" -- but it's hard to know what, if anything, to read into that because some media outlets have reported it to be a high ankle sprain.
Thornton out 12-16 weeks
Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton is expected to miss 12 to 16 weeks after dislocating his left ankle and tearing ligaments in it.
That's according to a person with knowledge of the injury who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced the details, said Thornton will have surgery this week.
Thornton was having the best game of his career when he got hurt at the end of a 55-yard catch during Kansas City's 30-27 victory over Las Vegas. His ankle got caught beneath him and twisted at a gruesome angle.
NFL suspends two officials
NEW YORK -- The NFL suspended a line judge two games for swearing at Arizona tight end Trey McBride.
Jeff Seeman was caught on camera cursing at McBride during the Cardinals' loss at the New York Giants on Sunday. The incident drew the ire of union leader JC Tretter, a retired offensive lineman who played eight seasons.
Referee Adrian Hill was also suspended one game for inappropriate behavior in the Miami-Minnesota game. Hill yelled at Eric Wilson and pointed for him to get away after the Vikings linebacker tried to help him to his feet after a collision knocked him over.
Out for the season
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona Cardinals starting left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. is out for the season after tearing his left biceps in a 36-24 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday.
First-year coach Mike LaFleur said Monday that Johnson would have surgery soon so he can begin his recovery. Johnson was hurt on the final drive of the game, holding his left arm as he walked off the field.
Packers need LBs
Green Bay got back to the .500 mark with a 17-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday but lost starting linebacker Edgerrin Cooper to an Achilles tendon injury in the process.
Cooper is expected to miss the rest of the season. That's the latest setback for a defense that is still awaiting the return of All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons as he works his way back after tearing his ACL last December. Packers coach Matt LaFleur says Parsons won't be returning to practice this week.
Cincy thin at WR
Joe Burrow doesn't want to panic after the Cincinnati Bengals lost their second straight game, falling to 2-2.
The veteran quarterback might reconsider if star wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins miss this week's game at Miami. Chase is in concussion protocol, and Higgins is questionable with a groin strain.
Coach Zac Taylor says the Bengals have a plan to manage without them. Cincinnati is already missing receivers because of other injuries.
49ers make history
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Any questions about the San Francisco 49ers' offensive line after getting overwhelmed in two late-season losses to Seattle last season have been quieted with an impressive start this season.
The Niners once again protected Brock Purdy well on Sunday even against Denver's fierce defensive line, becoming the first team in 21 years to open the season with four straight games without allowing a sack after beating the Broncos 24-14.
The 49ers (4-0) are playing like that early this season with returning starters Williams, Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni and Colton McKivitz and newcomer Connor Colby doing their best to keep Purdy clean.
San Francisco is the first team since Indianapolis in 2005 to open the season without allowing a sack in the first four games and just the fifth team to do it since team sacks began being tracked in 1963.
A Buffalo apology
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills cornerback Max Hairston wasn't going to let one bad day spoil the next.
Rather than stew in his emotions, Hairston made an unusual appearance in the Bills' media room on Monday to apologize for leaving the locker room and refusing to take questions a day earlier following a 29-26 loss to New England.
"First, I wanted to apologize for that. That's kind of immature, and I'm better than that. So I wanted to get that out of the way," said Hairston, who requested to address reporters even though players are off until Thursday. "I let my emotions get the best of me, and I didn't want to say something I might have regretted. You live and you learn."
Buffalo's first-round pick out of Kentucky a year ago, Hairston had a forgettable outing in his fourth start of the season. And he was taking on the added responsibility of guarding the Patriots top receiving threat in place of Christian Benford, who was sidelined by a toe injury.
The 23-year-old Hairston was beaten on both of Romeo Doubs' touchdown catches, while also looking hesitant in other situations.