Amazingly, we are already entering Week 5, meaning that we are passing the quarter mark of the NFL regular season. As division favorites start to take shape, teams around the league know that every game is essential.
While most of the focus is on Week 5’s slate of games, there is plenty of news around the league off the field as well. Let’s take a look at the biggest stories in the NFL from last week.
Montgomery To Miss Time For Bears
The Chicago Bears head into Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders 2-2; however, their offense suffered a massive blow this week as David Montgomery left last Sunday’s victory over the Lions with a knee injury.
On Tuesday, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero indicated that the star running back will be out for at least the next several weeks. In fact, there is speculation he could be out until after Week 10, which is the week the Bears have their bye.
For Montgomery, he has rushed 69 times for 309 yards and three touchdowns. He also has six receptions for 49 yards.
Prior to his injury, Montgomery was enjoying his best game of the season against Detroit. He rushed 23 times for 106 yards and two scores in the game.
The next-man-up mentality puts Damien Williams into the primary back role with Khalil Herbert as the backup.
Herbert had been working in the special teams as a returner, but the Bears addressed that on Tuesday. The Bears traded a 2023 sixth-round pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Jakeem Grant, who will likely take over as the primary kickoff and punt returner.
Chicago has the third-best odds of winning the NFC North at +950, and they are +10000 to win the Super Bowl.
Injuries Hit Week 5 Hard
In addition to Montgomery, there were a few other significant injuries in Week 4. For the 3-1 Cincinnati Bengals, they will be without running back Joe Mixon for the immediate future.
Mixon is considered week to week, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Mixon suffered an ankle sprain in their Week 4 win over Jacksonville and will likely be out against the Green Bay Packers in Week 5.
This season, Mixon has rushed 83 times for 353 yards and two touchdowns. He also has seven receptions for 29 yards.
Mixon wasn’t the only player injured in the Bengals versus Jaguars game. Jacksonville’s wide receiver D.J. Chark was put on the injured reserve as he suffered an ankle fracture in that same game.
In four games this season, Chark had just seven receptions for 154 yards, but he did have two touchdowns.
The Miami Dolphins also lost a wide receiver as Will Fuller suffered a broken finger in Miami’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Fuller is no stranger to injuries, but this is a tough break for a Miami team that is also without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Prior to the injury, Fuller had four receptions for 26 yards this season in two games played.
Josh Gordon Promoted To 53-Man Roster
It appears that wide receiver Josh Gordon could be making his Kansas City debut as early as this upcoming week. After signing with the Chiefs following his reinstatement, Kansas City has added him to the 53-man roster.
Gordon has always had the talent, but it is the off-the-field issues that have derailed his career.
In 2013, his second year in the league, Gordon had 87 receptions for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns. While he is no longer the same receiver, head coach Andy Reid is hoping that he can still be a weapon for Patrick Mahomes this season.
Currently, the Chiefs are the favorites to win Super Bowl LVI at +550.
Dallas Parts With Former Pro Bowler
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Dallas Cowboys have released former Pro Bowl linebacker Jaylon Smith.
Despite the release, the Cowboys still owe Smith just over $7 million this season, and they will have a cap hit next year as well.
This season, Smith has 18 tackles in four games. Last season, Smith had 154 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two fumbles recovered, and an interception. Still, the 26-year-old Smith has been used primarily as a backup this season.
