The Jaguars just paid Jakobi Meyers like he's a number one receiver
ESPN reports that Jacksonville signed Jakobi Meyers to a three-year, $60 million extension with $40 million guaranteed. That's $20 million per year for a receiver who came over from the Raiders mid-season and has exactly six games as a Jaguar. Meyers has been productive—27 catches for 355 yards and three touchdowns alongside Trevor Lawrence—but committing this much money based on a six-game sample is wild.
The Jaguars are 5-1 since Meyers arrived, and their scoring average jumped from 20.4 to 31.8 points per game. That's impressive. But correlation isn't causation. Trevor Lawrence getting healthy matters more than any single receiver. The offensive line improved. The playcalling got better. Meyers is a solid possession receiver who moves the chains, but he's not a game-breaker who stretches the field or takes over games. Paying him like one is Jacksonville overpaying for production that might not sustain over three years, especially as he ages past 30.
Anthony Richardson returns to practice but Philip Rivers is still the story
Anthony Richardson resumed practice Thursday after suffering a fractured orbital floor in a warmup accident. The 23-year-old quarterback is still limited, but Colts coach Shane Steichen told the press Richardson will start throwing again. He won't be active for Indianapolis's next game, and the team has 21 days to decide whether to activate him from injured reserve.
This would be bigger news if Philip Rivers hadn't just signed with the Colts for four games to reset his health insurance. Richardson is the future, but right now he's sidelined while a 44-year-old grandfather takes roster spots for insurance purposes. If the Colts are eliminated from playoff contention, maybe Richardson gets some end-of-season reps. Otherwise, he's watching from the sideline while his development stalls.
Caleb Williams loses two receivers for the Packers showdown
The Chicago Bears will be without Rome Odunze and Luther Burden against Green Bay in a crucial NFC North matchup. Both receivers are officially out—Odunze with a foot injury, Burden with an ankle issue. Odunze has now missed three consecutive games, and both players skipped the last two practices.
This kills Chicago's receiving depth. Caleb Williams will rely on D.J. Moore, Devin Duvernay, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Jahdae Walker. That's functional but not threatening. Against a Packers defense that can focus entirely on Moore, Williams will need to be perfect with his progressions and decision-making. Losing two receivers in a game this important is a disaster for a rookie quarterback still figuring out NFL defenses.
Josh Jacobs might not play, but Christian Watson should
Green Bay's injury report is mixed heading into the Bears game. Josh Jacobs is officially questionable with knee pain and didn't practice all week. Head coach Matt LaFleur said it'll be a game-time decision, which usually means the player isn't playing. Jacobs is Green Bay's best runner, and losing him against Chicago's run defense would force Jordan Love to carry the offense through the air.
The good news is Christian Watson practiced Wednesday and Thursday and told ESPN he expects to play. Watson gives the Packers a deep threat who stretches defenses vertically, opening up underneath routes for other receivers. If Jacobs sits and Watson plays, Green Bay becomes more pass-heavy, which benefits Love but puts more pressure on the offensive line to protect.
DaRon Bland's season is probably over
Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland didn't practice this week and is seriously injured with a foot issue that may require surgery, according to ESPN. Even if he avoids the operating room with a second opinion, he'll likely land on injured reserve, ending his season either way. Last year, a foot injury cost Bland 10 games and required surgery. Now it's happening again.
This is brutal for a Cowboys secondary that's already struggling. Bland was one of the few bright spots in Dallas's defense last season before injuries derailed him. Losing him for the rest of 2025 means the Cowboys finish the year with compromised coverage, which is a death sentence against playoff-caliber offenses. Dallas is already out of contention, but this confirms they're playing out the string with a skeleton crew.
Shemar Stewart returns after nine weeks
Cincinnati Bengals rookie pass rusher Shemar Stewart is returning Sunday against Miami after tearing his posterior cruciate ligament in Week 9, per ESPN. Stewart's had a brutal first season—an ankle injury early, then the knee issue—limiting him to just five games with zero sacks. His return gives Cincinnati another body in the pass rush rotation, but expecting immediate production from a rookie coming off major knee surgery is unrealistic.
Stewart needs this time to get healthy and develop for next season. The Bengals are still fighting for playoff positioning, so any contribution he provides is a bonus. But the real goal is getting him reps and experience so he's ready to contribute fully in 2026.