Reports of the Detroit Tigers’ death were greatly exaggerated.

The Tigers might have coughed up their 14-game lead in American League Central over the final 2½ months of the season, but they’re alive and well in the postseason and one win from a second consecutive appearance in the AL Division Series.

Detroit’s lefty ace Tarik Skubal dominated the Cleveland Guardians during a 2-1 win in Game 1 of their AL Wild Card Series, striking out 14 and allowing just one run on three hits in 7⅔ innings pitched. A victory Wednesday would send them to Seattle to take on the AL West-winning Mariners.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt shrugged off Game 2 being a pressure situation for his club, which was eight games under .500 and well outside the playoff picture on July 6.

‘Our backs have been against the wall for three months. What’s one more day?’ Vogt told reporters after Tuesday’s game.

Here’s what you need to know in order to watch Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series between the Tigers and Guardians on Wednesday, Oct. 1:

What time is Tigers vs Guardians Game 2?

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025
Start time: 1:08 p.m. ET

Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series between the Tigers and Guardians will start at 1:08 p.m. ET from Progressive Field in Cleveland.

What channel is Tigers vs Guardians Game 2?

TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app, Fubo

MLB postseason bracket

American League

No. 1 Toronto Blue Jays: Homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Will host winner of No. 4 vs. No. 5 wild-card series in the AL Division Series.
No. 2 Seattle Mariners: Will host winner of No. 3 vs. No. 6 wild-card series in AL Division Series.
No. 6 Detroit Tigers at No. 3 Cleveland Guardians
No. 5 Boston Red Sox at No. 4 New York Yankees

National League

No. 1 Milwaukee Brewers: Homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, including World Series. Will host winner of No. 4 vs. No. 5 wild-card series in the NL Division Series.
No. 2 Philadelphia Phillies: Will host winner of No. 3 vs. No. 6 wild-card series in NL Division Series.
No. 6 Cincinnati Reds at No. 3 Los Angeles Dodgers
No. 5 San Diego Padres at No. 4 Chicago Cubs

Tigers vs Guardians predictions

Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports MLB writers and editors see the Tigers-Guardians wild-card series shaking out:

Bob Nightengale: Guardians in 3
Gabe Lacques: Tigers in 2
Jesse Yomtov: Guardians in 2

Tigers pitcher today

Right-hander Casey Mize will get the Game 2 start for Detroit after posting the best season of his five-year career. Mize, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft, went 14-6 with a 3.87 ERA in 28 starts in 2025. In three starts against the Guardians this season, Mize was 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 17.1 innings.

Guardians pitcher today

Tanner Bibee will be tasked with keeping Cleveland’s season alive. Bibee took a step back in 2025, going 12-11 with a 4.24 ERA. However, the right-hander was lights out during his final four starts to the regular season, going 3-0 with a 1.30 ERA. That stretch included two outings against the Tigers, against whom Bibee allowed two earned runs in 12 innings with 13 strikeouts.

Tigers lineup for Game 2

Parker Meadows, CF
Gleyber Torres, 2B
Kerry Carpenter, DH
Spencer Torkelson, 1B
Riley Greene, LF
Wenceel Perez, RF
Dillon Dingler, C
Zach McKinstry, 3B
Javier Baez, SS

Guardians lineup for Game 2

Steven Kwan, LF
George Valera, RF
Jose Ramirez, 3B
Kyle Manzardo, DH
Bo Naylor, C
Gabriel Arias, SS
Chase DeLauter, CF
C.J. Kayfus, 1B
Brayan Rocchio, 2B

MLB playoff picture

Wild Card Series

Tuesday, Sept. 30

Tigers 2, Guardians 1 (Detroit leads 1-0)
Cubs 3, Padres 1 (Chicago leads 1-0)
Red Sox 3, Yankees 1 (Boston leads 1-0)
Dodgers 10, Reds 5 (Los Angeles leads 1-0)

Wednesday, Oct. 1

Tigers at Guardians, Game 2: 1:08 p.m. ET, ESPN
Padres at Cubs, Game 2: 3:08 p.m. ET, ABC
Red Sox at Yankees, Game 2: 6:08 p.m. ET, ESPN
Reds at Dodgers, Game 2: 9:08 p.m. ET, ESPN

Thursday, Oct. 2

(Game 3 schedule subject to change)

Tigers at Guardians, Game 3: 1:08 p.m. ET, ESPN * if necessary
Padres at Cubs, Game 3: 3:08 p.m. ET, ABC * if necessary
Red Sox at Yankees, Game 3: 6:08 p.m. ET, ESPN * if necessary
Reds at Dodgers, Game 4: 9:08 p.m. ET, ESPN * if necessary

Tigers record in 2025

Detroit finished 87-75 to each the No. 6 wild card in the American League. The Tigers held a 14-game lead in the division on July 8 but went 28-41 after that and lost the AL Central lead during the final week of the season.

Guardians record in 2025

Cleveland was 88-74, rallying from a 15.5-game deficit in early July to win its second consecutive division title. The Guardians went 48-26 after losing to the Tigers on July 6, that included winning 18 of their final 22 games and taking five of six from the Tigers in the final two weeks.

Who is Chase DeLauter?

The Guardians made the surprising decision to put outfielder Chase DeLauter on their 26-man roster for the wild-card round. DeLauter will start in center field for Cleveland during Game 2 and bat seventh. It’s surprising because DeLauter, Cleveland’s first-round pick in the 2022 MLB draft, has yet to make his major-league debut. DeLauter, who has slashed .302/.384/.504 in three minor league seasons, will give the Guardians another left-handed bat off the bench and a strong defensive outfielder that can play all three spots.

Week 4 of the NFL season was an interesting one for the league’s quarterbacks.

Over the course of the week, there were a few more outings from backups – both good and bad – a couple of bounce-back performances and even a regular-season starting debut for one rookie: New York Giants youngster Jaxson Dart.

There wasn’t much change in the bigger picture for the league’s team standings and power rankings. But quarterback power rankings were a different story. After a wide range of quality in Week 4 performances, there were some shake-ups all across the board in quarterback power rankings.

Here’s how all 32 current starting quarterbacks rank ahead of Week 5:

NFL quarterback power rankings: Week 5 edition

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Last week: 1

The Bills are one of the last two undefeated teams in the NFL. Allen threw his first interception of the season against the Saints on a ball that had just a bit too much air under it. Otherwise, he got things done with his arm (209 yards, two touchdowns) and legs (45 rushing yards, one touchdown).

2. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Last week: 5

Mahomes and the Chiefs are 2-0 in their last two games after an 0-2 start. Against the Ravens, he threw for 270 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. His second touchdown pass Sunday was the 250th of his career, making him the youngest quarterback to reach that mark.

3. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

Last week: 4

An underthrown ball led to Goff’s second interception of the year, but his efforts complementing Jahmyr Gibbs and the Lions’ run game against the Browns kept him and his team a perfect 2-0 at home.

4. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Last week: 3

Herbert’s performance suffered as the offensive line struggled to protect him. Left tackle Joe Alt suffered a high ankle sprain, and Giants pass-rushers got through the Chargers’ front five for 20 pressures. Herbert threw two interceptions, but he still almost did enough to keep his team undefeated with some excellent throws.

5. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Last week: 10

Stafford’s 375-yard, three-touchdown day doesn’t crack the top 15 of the most productive starts of his career. His 88-yard beauty of a touchdown pass to Tutu Atwell as he got hit was just another sign his back is holding up just fine. And Stafford now leads the league with 311 deep passing yards (throws with 20+ air yards), per Next Gen Stats.

6. Drake Maye, New England Patriots

Last week: 12

Maye took full advantage of a mediocre Panthers defense on Sunday. His 94.6 QBR, per ESPN, led the league in Week 4, as did his 0.862 EPA per play and 20.4 completion percentage over expected.

7. Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks

Last week: 13

Through four weeks, Darnold has the third-best PFF grade (91.1) of any quarterback, the fifth-highest EPA (0.285) of any quarterback and the best completion percentage over expected (10.4) of any quarterback. He has also made just one turnover-worthy throw, per PFF. Darnold’s game-winning drive to end the Week 4 divisional game in Arizona was his second of the year.

8. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Last week: 8

Hurts has recorded fewer than 160 yards in three of his four starts this year. He also has zero interceptions, five passing touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns. Most importantly, the Eagles are 4-0.

9. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last week: 6

Mayfield had two chances to secure his fourth straight fourth-quarter comeback. His valiant efforts to will the Buccaneers to an 18-point comeback with both his arm and legs fell apart with a tipped ball interception in the end zone.

10. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

Last week: 9

Love’s 337 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions represented one of the best games of his career statistically. Love ranks second among all NFL quarterbacks in EPA per play (0.348) and third in completion percentage over expected (9.5). Yet he nearly earned his team a second straight loss with how long it took him to line up for the Packers’ last play in overtime.

11. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Last week: 16

No CeeDee Lamb, no problem. Prescott targeted nine different pass-catchers en route to a 319-yard, three-passing touchdown day with an additional rushing score. Had former teammate Micah Parsons not chased him down from behind in overtime, he might have added a second rushing touchdown that could have won the game.

12. Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts

Last week: 7

After three games without a turnover to start the year, Jones fumbled once – though his teammate recovered – and threw two interceptions against the Rams. The second doomed the Colts to their first loss of the year.

13. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

Last week: 11

Williams’ fourth game of the season wasn’t his prettiest – his 62.2 PFF grade and 59.5% completion rate were both season lows – but it ended with a fourth-quarter comeback and his first game-winning drive of the year.

14. Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons

Last week: 21

Penix bounced back in a big way after struggling mightily against the Panthers. His 313 passing yards against Washington were a new career high and pair nicely with his season-best 84.4 PFF grade, 0.695 EPA per play that ranked second of all quarterbacks this week and 90.5 QBR that ranked third.

15. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Last week: 15

Most of Murray’s performance in Week 4 was ugly, with a couple of interceptions contributing to a 28.0 QBR that ranked 27th in the NFL. Yet his fourth-quarter performance brought the Cardinals back from a 20-6 deficit. A miscue by Arizona kicker Chad Ryland on the last kickoff of the game ended up costing Murray a chance at a huge divisional comeback win.

16. Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers

Last week: 17

Rodgers’ outing against the Brian Flores-led Vikings defense – 18-of-22, 200 yards, one touchdown – was just enough to complement a big, 99-yard, two-touchdown day from running back Kenneth Gainwell.

17. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

Last week: 22

Lawrence got help from his defense’s four takeaways and running back Travis Etienne’s 124 yards, but he deserves credit spreading the ball around to different receivers on all part of the field without throwing an interception. His 0.307 EPA per play ranked 10th in the NFL this week.

18. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Last week: N/A

Purdy’s Week 4 return after missing two games was a mixed bag. He was 16th in the NFL with a 0.108 EPA per play but 29th with a -8.3 completion percentage over expected. He threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns but also had two interceptions and a game-losing fumble late in the fourth quarter.

19. Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints

Last week: 18

The Saints may be 0-4, but Rattler has been perfectly solid for New Orleans. His efforts on Sunday as both a passer and rusher kept his team in the game against the Bills until late, when Buffalo pulled away halfway through the fourth quarter. It helped that he cut his turnover-worthy plays from five in Week 3 to just one in Week 4.

20. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

Last week: 24

Stroud and the Texans got on the board with their first win in Week 4. The Texans’ third-year quarterback has had to struggle against a re-tooled offensive line that ranks 28th in pass block win rate. The offense finally broke through late on Sunday with three touchdown drives in the fourth quarter that helped bring Stroud’s EPA/play up to 0.347 (seventh-best in Week 4).

21. Jaxson Dart, New York Giants

Last week: N/A

Dart’s starting debut was a success in that it ended in the Giants’ first win of the season and without any turnovers by the rookie. But he took five sacks on 10 pressures and only threw the ball away once. His dual-threat ability as a passer and runner is apparent, but he will need to iron out some of those rookie mistakes.

22. Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders

Last week: 28

Through four weeks, Mariota is the highest-graded quarterback by PFF – with the obvious caveat he has only started two games. His second touchdown on Sunday was the 100th of his career.

23. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

Last week: 31

Nix threw for a career-high 326 yards on Monday night. Of that total, 225 yards came after the catch. His average depth of target so far this season is 6.9 yards. According to PFF, that’s 40th in the league. Nix was 4-of-11 on pass attempts further than 10 yards downfield with a touchdown and an underthrown miss to Troy Franklin.

24. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

Last week: 27

Tagovailoa led the Dolphins to their first win on Monday night, and he made a couple of nice touchdown throws to tight end Darren Waller. His average depth of target was also just 5.5 yards, the shortest this year.

25. Justin Fields, New York Jets

Last week: N/A

Fields’ abilities as a runner are among the best of any player in the NFL in 2025. His 43-yard touchdown scramble was a play only a couple of quarterbacks could make. However, his night as a passer included two turnover-worthy plays, per PFF, and his 3.5 seconds of average time to throw, ranking first in the NFL this season, suggests that he takes too long to progress through reads. The Jets’ decision to run the ball with their third-string running back on a 3rd-and-6 play late in the third quarter suggested a seeming lack of confidence in their quarterback’s ability to convert the first down with his arm.

26. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

Last week: 23

The Patriots’ offense and special teams tore up the Panthers’ defense, so Young didn’t have much of a chance to secure a second straight win. Still, it’s not ideal that Young finished the week as the NFL’s 27th-ranked quarterback with his -0.225 EPA/play. But it’s impressive he managed to take just one sack as the Panthers’ O-line allowed 11 pressures, including one on a three-man rush from New England.

27. Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders

Last week: 19

Even-week Geno Smith struck again in Week 4. Through four weeks, Smith has two touchdowns to six interceptions with 297 yards in even-numbered weeks (Weeks 2 and 4). In odd-numbered weeks (Weeks 1 and 3), Smith has 651 passing yards and four touchdowns to one interception. His -0.394 EPA/play was 30th in the NFL this week. His 25.9 QBR was also 30th.

28. Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans

Last week: 25

Ward leads the league with 17 sacks taken, but he only took two on Sunday against a strong Texans front seven. But he completed just 10 of his 26 pass attempts (38.5% completion percentage) for a career-low 108 yards against a strong Texans secondary.

29. Cooper Rush, Baltimore Ravens

Last week: N/A

In 13 plays in relief of an injured Lamar Jackson last week, Rush averaged -0.450 EPA/play, which ranked 31st of 33 quarterbacks to take 10 or more snaps on Sunday. He is due to make his first start with the Ravens in Week 5 with Jackson dealing with a hamstring injury.

30. Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings

Last week: 29

Behind a very injured Vikings offensive line, Wentz faced 21 pressures and took six sacks against the Steelers in Dublin. He also threw two interceptions, with a third overturned after review.

31. Dillon Gabriel, Cleveland Browns

Last week: N/a

Gabriel is set to make his first NFL start in place of Joe Flacco, who ranked as the worst or second-worst quarterback in just about every category on Sunday against the Lions. Flacco’s -0.502 EPA/play was the worst, as was his 12.6 QBR. The Browns veteran’s -15.2 completion percentage over expected was second-worst behind Ward. His completion rate was below 50%, and he threw no touchdowns, two interceptions and lost a fumble. Gabriel will seek to be an upgrade over the 40-year-old’s performance.

32. Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals

Last week: 32

The Bengals’ offensive line has struggled, and the offensive play-calling from head coach Zac Taylor has been questionable. However, it’s disappointing that Browning failed to lead the Bengals into Broncos territory once after a game-opening field goal drive – Cincinnati punted to end eight straight drives after that first possession.

Jacksonville Jaguars coach Liam Coen and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh got into a shouting match after the Jaguars’ 26-21 Week 4 win over the 49ers.

Saleh concurred with the duo during a Tuesday media availability. The 46-year-old also acknowledged the tension between the two stemmed from comments the 49ers made praising the Jaguars for legally operating ‘a really advanced signal-stealing type system’

‘It is all good,’ Saleh said Tuesday. ‘Whatever happened on Sunday doesn’t change how I feel. In my heart, I genuinely was trying to give a compliment. I own the fact that I probably used the wrong choice of words, but however you want to word it. I mean, they’re really, really good at putting their players in position to be successful.’

‘As coaches, we’re always chasing leverage,’ he added. ‘They’re trying to have winning leverage. We’re trying to take leverage away and everyone in the league is trying to find every avenue they can. As a coach watching their tape, I recognize the amount of hours that must be spent to be able to build formations and to find every little indicator they can to give their players a chance to be in a successful position. That’s exhausting and every team does it. Some do it better than others and it was my way of acknowledging that these guys are really, really, really good at it.’

The 49ers defensive coordinator knows what it’s like being in Coen’s shoes as a first-time head coach. Saleh headed back to San Francisco, reclaiming his role as a coordinator after a stint as the New York Jets head coach.

Saleh continued to be complimentary, saying that already sees plenty of Coen’s personality in the Jaguars.

‘I think Liam’s doing a hell of a job,’ Saleh said. ‘I really do. You can tell that that team’s really taking on his personality and I hope they came out of the game healthy, and I wish him the best of luck throughout the rest of the season. You know, I wish I could have found a better choice of words, but my intent was always to compliment that football staff.’

While Coen secured a win on that day, barring a matchup in the Super Bowl, it’ll be some time before Saleh gets another crack at it.

It’s no secret that plenty of eyes will be focused on the sideline matchup the next time these two meet. Perhaps one sideline exchange created the unlikeliest of NFL rivalries.

The first month of the college football season has concluded with no clear national championship favorite.
Oregon is ranked as the best team, while quarterback Dante Moore is the current Heisman Trophy frontrunner.
Vanderbilt has emerged as a surprise team with a 5-0 start, and Clemson has been a major disappointment.

Arch Manning isn’t going to win the Heisman Trophy. Clemson isn’t going to win the national championship. Penn State still can’t figure out how to beat a top-five opponent.

North Carolina and new coach Bill Belichick might not win a game against Power Four competition. No. 8 Indiana isn’t going anywhere. No. 10 Georgia’s defense has dropped off the map.

Those are just a few of the biggest takeaways from the first month of college football’s regular season, which ends with the Big Ten and SEC dominating the US LBM Coaches Poll but no clear favorite for the national championship.

The stage is set for an unpredictable stretch before the College Football Playoff bracket is unveiled in early December. USA TODAY Sports looks back at the opening month of the regular season by crowning the best team, biggest surprise, Heisman favorite and more:

Best team: No. 2 Oregon

No. 4 Mississippi has three SEC wins and a non-conference victory against Tulane. After beating No. 7 Texas in the season opener, No. 1 Ohio State added a strong road win against Washington last weekend. No. 3 Miami has stormed out of the gate by beating No. 21 Notre Dame, South Florida and Florida. But Oregon had maybe the best single win of the first month with Saturday’s double-overtime victory at No. 6 Penn State, along with additional Power Four wins against Oklahoma State and Northwestern and a rivalry win against Oregon State. The Ducks look like a powerhouse.

Most improved team: No. 8 Oklahoma

After fumbling through a rocky SEC debut, the Sooners have quickly rebounded thanks to a drastic offensive reboot that included the addition of transfer quarterback John Mateer. While Mateer’s hand injury could sideline him for a month, Oklahoma remains a major playoff contender with conference play about to kick into high gear. A difficult schedule gives them some wiggle room if the Sooners can bag some quality wins.

Surprise team: No. 18 Vanderbilt

After reaching and winning the Birmingham Bowl last season, Vanderbilt has taken another step forward with just the program’s second 5-0 start in the modern era. The face of this surge has been quarterback Diego Pavia, one of several New Mexico State transfers who have changed the complexion of the program and the Commodores’ strongest Heisman Trophy contender in almost a century.

Disappointing team: Clemson

The offense stinks. Again. The defense has just two takeaways in three games against the Power Four. The Tigers have dropped three of four to open the year for the first time since 2004. Seen as one of the top teams in the Bowl Subdivision back in August, Clemson isn’t even the best Power Four team in South Carolina.

Best conference: Big Ten

With the top two teams in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll and four of the top nine, the Big Ten has delivered on preseason expectations while the best teams in the SEC have struggled to stay afloat during the early part of the league’s meat-grinder regular season. The final two months should provide more clarity of the picture, but it’s a nice start for the Big Ten.

Heisman Trophy leader: QB Dante Moore, Oregon

The Heisman odds have changed almost weekly, cycling through a series of favorites — Cade Klubnik, Arch Manning, Mateer, Fernando Mendoza — before Moore took over to end the month after his brilliant performance against the Nittany Lions. The redshirt sophomore completed 29 of 39 throws for 248 yards and three touchdowns in the win, giving him 14 scores against just one interception through five games.

Breakout star: QB Trinidad Chambliss, Mississippi

The former Ferris State transfer was expected to hold a clipboard for Austin Simmons but was thrust into the lineup after Simmons was injured late in the win against Kentucky. Chambliss has at least 385 yards of total offense in each of his three starts with six combined touchdowns as the Rebels have ascended into the top five.

Best non-quarterback: DL Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

After battling injuries in 2024, Bain has been the most dominant defender in the country since posting six tackles, a half-sack and an interception in Miami’s win against the Fighting Irish. Against Florida, the junior had seven tackles, one for loss, and 10 quarterback pressures. So far, he’s putting together a year that ranks favorably among the best by a defensive lineman in recent FBS history.

Best coach: Lane Kiffin, Mississippi

He’s pushed all the right buttons for the unbeaten Rebels, who may be one of the safest bets for the playoff with just two more games against team in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll. Whether they remain on track could depend on where Kiffin lands on the unexpected quarterback controversy between Simmons and Chambliss.

Best first-year coach: Dan Mullen, UNLV

Mullen is the only first-year coach still unbeaten after leading UNLV to wins against Idaho State, Sam Houston State, UCLA and Miami (Ohio). While three of these wins were decided by a possession — and it’s not like this is a murderer’s row of competition — the former Mississippi State and Florida coach has successfully carried over the foundation set in place by his predecessor, Barry Odom.

Biggest upset: South Florida 18, Florida 16

Eighteen-point underdogs heading into Gainesville, South Florida’s win was the biggest upset of September by point spread and one of the most impactful results overall. In addition to spoiling the Gators’ season and ushering in the end of Florida coach Billy Napier’s tenure, the win is another feather in the cap for the American in the fight with the Mountain West and Sun Belt for Group of Five supremacy.

Best game: Oregon 30, Penn State 24 (Sept. 27)

In terms of talent level, drama and overall meaning, it’s hard to top the Ducks’ double-overtime win in Happy Valley. Oregon led 17-3 early in the fourth quarter before Drew Allar sparked a pair of touchdown drives to force overtime. After exchanging touchdowns in the first extra frame, Oregon scored to open the second overtime but missed the two-point try. Penn State’s ensuing possession ended with an Allar interception, marking the second time in as many games against top-five competition the Nittany Lions have been ruined by a late turnover.

Coach on the hot seat: Billy Napier, Florida

Four major-conference coaches have already been fired in Virginia Tech’s Brent Pry, UCLA’s Deshaun Foster, Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy and Arkansas’ Sam Pittman. Barring an epic recovery against a brutal schedule, Florida will eventually part ways with Napier and end the most unsuccessful coaching tenure in modern program history.

Best transfer: QB Carson Beck, Miami

One year after coach Mario Cristobal hit paydirt with Washington State transfer Cam Ward, Beck has been the nation’s most influential transfer and the main reason for the Hurricanes’ unbeaten start. While he struggled amid rough weather conditions in the win against Florida, Beck is completing 73.2% of his attempts with seven touchdowns.

Best freshman: DL Sidney Stewart, Maryland

Stewart is one of several freshmen occupying major roles for the surprisingly unbeaten Terrapins. After missing his senior season in high school due to ineligibility issues, he’s posted a sack and at least one tackle for loss in all four games. That gives Stewart an edge over Ohio State running back Bo Jackson, who’s run for 297 yards on 8.5 yards per carry, and California quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, a big reason for the Golden Bears’ 4-1 start.

Injuries are already piling up just a month into the 2025 NFL season. These maladies are creating conundrums for NFL teams and fantasy football managers alike.

Week 4 alone saw two top wide receivers – Malik Nabers and Tyreek Hill – suffer significant knee injuries that will knock them out for the remainder of the season.

Additionally, players like Bucky Irving, Lamar Jackson and Brock Purdy came out of their action banged up. That has left many fantasy managers wondering just how healthy their teams will be in Week 5.

With bye weeks kicking in this week, it will be especially important for fantasy managers to keep an eye on their injured players and be vigilant about adding potential replacements.

Here’s what to know about the injuries to major fantasy producers across the NFL.

Fantasy football injury updates: Week 5

RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bucs coach Todd Bowles acknowledged Monday that Irving has an injury that concerns him following the team’s 31-25 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Tampa Bay has not yet provided a concrete update on Irving’s status, but NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports Irving is ‘still gathering medical opinions’ on an ankle or foot injury. The running back’s status for Week 5 is ‘up in the air’ as a result.

QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Jackson exited the Ravens’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after suffering a hamstring injury. He was spotted on the sideline wearing a wrap on his leg, and did not return to action.

Coach John Harbaugh hasn’t yet provided a timeline for Jackson, but Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun reports the star quarterback is expected to miss 2-3 weeks because of the injury.

The Ravens have a bye in Week 7, so they could consider holding Jackson out until after that to give him extra time to recover from the soft-tissue injury.

QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

Dan Quinn provided an update about Daniels’ status at a media availability Monday.

‘He had a strong workout here Saturday, and we’ll take today and tomorrow and work out his practice plan,’ Quinn said of Daniels. ‘We’ll go through the whole process with him this week, medically, how he feels, how he practices, and give you the updates Wednesday, as I know them.’

Daniels has missed the last two weeks because of a knee injury. The Commanders have gone 1-1 with backup quarterback Marcus Mariota starting in his place.

QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Purdy missed Weeks 2 and 3 before returning to the action against the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, he aggravated his toe injury during the game, throwing his status for San Francisco’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ game against the Los Angeles Rams into doubt.

49ers general manager John Lynch said in his weekly spot on KNBR on Tuesday he wasn’t sure Purdy would be able to play.

‘I think he’s listed as questionable, and I think that’s a true reflection of where he’s at right now,’ Lynch said.

Purdy said during a Tuesday media availability his toe felt a lot better than it did after the Week 1 game. However, he also said he would not be able to play if the game was played Tuesday, giving him just two days to recover.

Purdy was listed as a non-participant on the 49ers practice reports both Monday and Tuesday.

WR Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers

Like Purdy, Pearsall is expected to be questionable for Thursday’s game after failing to practice Monday and Tuesday. The second-year receiver is dealing with a knee injury he aggravated after banging his leg into the ground trying to make a catch on the sideline in the second half of the team’s loss to the Jaguars.

Kyle Shanahan said after Sunday’s game Pearsall was dealing with a minor PCL injury.

WR Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

McLaurin missed the Commanders’ Week 4 game because of a quad injury. Quinn was asked about his status, along with those of fellow pass-catching weapons Noah Brown and John Bates, and provided the following update Monday:

‘I would say we’re all trending in the right space on there,’ Quinn said of the trio. ‘We will have a better update on Wednesday in terms of practice planning and that, but arrows are heading up for a number of the guys.’

WR Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins

Hill’s surgery went well, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus, and the goal is for the veteran receiver to return to the field in 2026.

WR Malik Nabers, New York Giants

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have recently opened a high-end steakhouse in Kansas City, Missouri. Among the guests enjoying dinner at the restaurant are familiar faces such as Donna Kelce, Travis’s mother; Andrea Swift, Taylor’s mother; and Randi Mahomes, Patrick’s mother. All three were spotted dining at the new establishment owned by the Kansas City Chiefs stars.

In a photo shared on Randi Mahomes’ social media account, the three well-known mothers are all smiles as they visited the new restaurant, 1587 Prime, earlier this month. In the caption of the first post on Sept. 20, Randi wrote, ‘Proud moms at 1587 Prime! We’re starting our collection of keepsakes now… so blessed!’ The restaurant is named after the jersey numbers worn by their children on the Chiefs.

The outing comes on the heels of news of pop superstar Taylor Swift and the three-time Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce getting engaged on Aug. 10 at Kelce’s Missouri home. The engagement was later announced on Swift’s Instagram on Aug. 26 in a series of photos that Swift captioned ‘Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.’

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