Lions Get Bad News on Next Opponent’s Star Player
The Detroit Lions are locked in a tight race for supremacy in the NFC North, and could be facing a big challenge in their coming game against a division rival.
The Lions are in their bye week this weekend, a time they will use to rest and hopefully recover from some of the injuries that have been mounting, especially on the defensive side of the ball. But this week will also give the rival
Lions Expected to Face J.J. McCarthy in Next Week’s Game
As The Athletic’s Alec Lewis
“He got some work today and he will hopefully get some work throughout the early part of the week, which will lead him into a full week of preparation,” O’Connell said.
O’Connell added that McCarthy would spend the bye week getting back into rhythm and rebuilding a rapport with his wide receivers.
“For J.J., it’s going to be about the commitment that he’s made throughout his rehab of getting back to those concrete fundamentals and techniques that allow his feet and eyes to work together and find completions to any one of our five eligibles, whether it’s a receiver or T.J. (Hockenson) or even Aaron Jones or Jordan (Mason) or Zay (Zavier Scott) out of the backfield,” O’Connell said.
The Vikings struggled with veteran Carson Wentz under center. The ailing veteran completed 15-of-27 passes for 144 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 37-10 loss to the
The Vikings put a lot of faith in McCarthy, allowing veteran Sam Darnold to leave in free agency after he led the team to a 14-3 record last year following a season-ending injury for McCarthy. The second-year quarterback showed some promise in his start to 2025, but the high-ankle injury has raised new concerns about whether he might be too injury-prone.
Lions Could Get Some Help on the Injury Front
While the Lions will have to face McCarthy next week, they will also have some help on the way as their own players recover from injuries.
They will have more returns in the weeks that follow, including cornerback DJ Reed, defensive lineman Marcus Davenport, and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez.
While the returns will help bolster a Lions defense that has now faced two years of mounting injuries, the team could also look to bring in outside help. Some insiders predict the Lions will seek defensive help at the trade deadline, boosting depth in their secondary or defensive line.
Broncos Add Young ‘Standout’ Playmaker to Roster Before Facing Cowboys
The Denver Broncos have tweaked their roster before they take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8, adding linebacker Jordan Turner
Turner is a rookie undrafted free agent. He began his college career at Wisconsin before finishing closer to home at Michigan State in 2024. Turner signed with the Broncos after the 2025 draft and has been a
He will get his first taste of the regular season in Week 8.
Broncos Elevate Jordan Turner to Active Roster
The Broncos announced that “We’ve elevated ILB Jordan Turner for #DALvsDEN,” with a post on X on October 25, drawing attention to a player
“Denver has added a young defender to its active roster for Week 8,” DenverBroncos.com’s Aric DiLalla wrote on October 25. “The Broncos elevated rookie inside linebacker Jordan Turner from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys, the team announced.
“Turner has yet to appear in a regular-season game, but he recorded 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a tackle for loss and four quarterback hits in preseason action.”
Turner certainly drew attention before the season.
In May, the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson reported, “Among the two rookie tryout players signed, I’m told LB Jordan Turner impressed the #Broncos immediately with the leadership he displayed and his ability to quickly pick up the playbook.”
Broncos Forced to Shuffle Deck at LB
Turner is not the first reserve linebacker the Broncos have turned to amid injuries and disciplinary actions. Specifically, Dre Greenlaw missed the first six games of the season with a quad injury, then received a one-game suspension for “verbally abusing” an official.
“Third ILB to get an elevation so far, joining Levelle Bailey and Garret Wallow (promoted but now on IR),” The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel.
“Makes sense to bring an LB up with Dre Greenlaw suspended.”
Turner joins starter Alex Singleton, Greenlaw’s fill-in Justin Strnad, and fellow rookie UDFA Karene Reid on the Broncos’ active roster for their tilt against the Cowboys. Whether or not he makes it into a game is another story.
Former UDFA Passed Over Again
GettyLevelle Bailey #56 of the Denver Broncos looks on before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Turner’s elevation is telling, both for him and Bailey, a 2024 UDFA who is on the Broncos’ practice squad. This marks the sixth consecutive week that the Broncos have opted against elevating Bailey. He was
Like Reid (sixth among LBs in 2025), Bailey ranked among NFL.com draft analyst Chad Rueter’s list of the top UDFAs in his class.
Bailey ranked 13th in his group of free agent rookies.
He also appeared in 10 games for the Broncos as a rookie. He logged 5 total tackles and played 147 of his 152 snaps on special teams. However, Bailey has not received a call-up by the Broncos since the regular-season opener. That was a 20-12 win over the
The Broncos have passed over Bailey multiple times. Moreover, they did so for even less experienced, unproven options in Reid and Turner. That seemingly speaks volumes.
