
Gridiron Update
Hosted by Big Dill
About This Episode
Generated sports podcast with host Big Dill based on prompt: NFL News - scores, highlights and news
Transcript
Welcome to Big Dill Sports, the podcast that wraps up everything you need to know about the NFL. I'm your host, Dillon, and today we're diving into all the latest updates as teams gear up for Week 3 of the season. No games on the docket for September 17, but there’s plenty to discuss with injuries, roster moves, and practice updates taking center stage.
Let’s kick things off with some key practice and injury news. Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was in the spotlight after an impressive performance against Houston. Despite some foot and toe soreness, he was a full participant in practice, which is great news for Bucs fans as they prepare to take on Buffalo this Thursday.
Over in New York, the Jets have confirmed that Justin Fields will miss Sunday's game against Tampa Bay due to a concussion. This leaves the stage open for backup QB Zach Wilson to step up and make his mark. Meanwhile, Washington's rookie QB Jayden Daniels sat out practice for knee evaluations, but an update is expected soon.
Now, on to some major transactions shaking up the league. The Commanders have welcomed back veteran DE Preston Smith to replace the injured Deatrich Wise. Smith’s return is sure to bolster their defensive line. Across the league, the Texans have brought TE Brenden Bates onto the active roster and made several strategic moves to enhance their depth.
In injury news that can’t be ignored, Khalil Mack of the Chargers has been placed on injured reserve with a dislocated elbow. This is a significant blow for Los Angeles as he’s expected to miss several weeks. There’s still no clarity on Joe Burrow’s return for the Bengals as he deals with a persistent turf toe issue. Elsewhere, Buffalo’s DT Ed Oliver will be absent for Thursday's clash, and Minnesota's Aaron Jones hits IR with a hamstring issue.
Focusing in on team spotlights, the Washington Commanders made headlines with Preston Smith's signing. They'll rely heavily on his presence as their defense looks to stabilize. Despite Jayden Daniels’ knee issue, the Commanders remain optimistic as they prepare for the Raiders.
For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, all eyes are on Baker Mayfield. His health is crucial as they look to maintain their 2-0 record. With limited practice from some key players like Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin, Thursday's game against Buffalo will be a true test.
Shifting gears now to some notable updates: the Jets are shuffling their line-up due to Fields’ absence, and they’ll need all hands on deck this weekend. Over in Pittsburgh, OL Max Scharping’s knee injury in practice has the Steelers holding their breath for MRI results. The Chargers are also dealing with depth challenges as they navigate early-season injuries.
Before we wrap up, let’s take a look ahead at Week 3’s kickoff. Thursday night’s clash between the Dolphins and Bills promises to be a defensive showdown. Buffalo faces a tough test without Ed Oliver, and Miami has their own concerns with WR Jaylen Waddle's status still unclear.
And finally, it's time for our player spotlight. This week’s Big Dill is none other than Baker Mayfield. His resilience and tenacity, coming off a strong game and participating fully in practice, make him a standout going into a critical matchup.
That's all for this episode of Big Dill Sports. Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to join me next time as we dive into more of the gridiron action. Stay sharp, stay informed, and keep enjoying the game we all love. Catch you soon!
### Wednesday, September 17 – No Games, Only News and Practice Reports
As NFL teams prepared for Week 3, Wednesday, September 17, featured no official games, leaving fans with practice updates, injury news and roster moves instead of scores or highlights. According to the NFL’s official injury report, matchups resumed on Thursday and Sunday, with no contests listed for Wednesday, reinforcing that there were no scores to report for Sep 17, 2025 ([nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/injuries/league/2025/reg3?utm_source=openai)). With all 18 teams off on Wednesday, the league’s news cycle shifted to health statuses and transactions across the AFC and NFC ([nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-sept-17/)).
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### Key Practice and Injury Updates
• **Baker Mayfield (TB):** Following his 20-of-28, 230-yard effort with a rushing touchdown in Monday’s win over Houston, Mayfield was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice despite foot and toe soreness. Team insiders reported no need for additional imaging, suggesting he’ll be ready for Thursday’s game against Buffalo ([nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-sept-17/)).
• **Justin Fields (NYJ):** The Jets announced on Wednesday that Fields has been ruled out of Sunday’s Week 3 game against Tampa Bay due to a concussion suffered in Monday’s loss. Head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed Fields will miss his first start of the season ([nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-sept-17/)).
• **Jayden Daniels (WAS):** Commanders’ rookie QB Daniels did not practice Wednesday as Washington holds him out for cautious evaluation after he tweaked his knee in Week 2. Head coach Dan Quinn expects an update following Friday’s workout ([nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-sept-17/)).
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### Major Transactions and Signings
• **Commanders Sign Preston Smith:** Washington bolstered its pass rush by signing veteran DE Preston Smith to replace the injured Deatrich Wise. Smith, who recorded 4.5 sacks last season between Green Bay and Pittsburgh, reunites with Washington after a 2015–18 stint with the franchise ([nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-sept-17/)).
• **Texans Add to Roster:** Houston signed TE Brenden Bates to its active roster and brought CB Ajani Carter and S Jalen Mills up from the practice squad, aiming to shore up depth on both sides of the ball ([nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-sept-17/)).
• **Cardinals Practice-Squad Moves:** Arizona elevated DL Zach Carter and CB Ekow Boye-Doe, while Darren Hall earned a promotion from the practice squad to the active roster, highlighting the depth shuffling around NFL–Europe prospects ([nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-sept-17/)).
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### Significant Injury News
• **Khalil Mack (LAC):** The Chargers placed veteran LB Mack on injured reserve after he suffered a dislocated elbow in Monday’s win. He’s expected to miss “a few weeks” as Los Angeles adjusts its defensive rotation ([nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-sept-17/)).
• **Joe Burrow (CIN):** Head coach Zac Taylor confirmed there’s still no surgery date or definitive return timeline for Burrow’s Grade 3 turf toe, leaving the QB’s status in limbo beyond Week 3 ([nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-sept-17/)).
• **Ed Oliver (BUF):** Buffalo ruled out DT Oliver (ankle) for Thursday’s primetime matchup against Miami, forcing the Bills to reconfigure their interior pass rush ([nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-sept-17/)).
• **Aaron Jones (MIN):** Minnesota placed RB Jones on injured reserve due to a hamstring issue, removing the veteran back from its Week 3 game plan and adding urgency to the Vikings’ committee backfield ([nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-sept-17/)).
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### Team Spotlights: Commanders and Buccaneers
• **Washington Commanders:** The Smith signing reunites a proven pass rusher with defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, pairing him with Von Miller to shore up an inconsistent front seven. Despite Jayden Daniels’ knee absence on Wednesday, Washington remains 1–1 and optimistic heading into a matchup against the Raiders on Sunday ([nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-sept-17/)).
• **Tampa Bay Buccaneers:** Baker Mayfield’s full practice marks a positive development after he aggravated foot and toe injuries in Week 2. The Bucs, currently 2–0, rely on Mayfield’s arm against the Bills on Thursday, despite Emeka Egbuka (hip/groin) and Chris Godwin (ankle) both logging limited or no practice reps on Wednesday ([nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-sept-17/)).
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### Other Notable Updates
• **New York Jets:** With Justin Fields sidelined, backup Zach Wilson is expected to see increased reps in practice, heightening pressure on an offensive line already coping with Kelechi Osemele’s midweek foot maintenance ([nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-sept-17/)).
• **Pittsburgh Steelers:** OL Max Scharping suffered what is feared to be a significant knee injury in practice, per league sources. Team doctors have slated an MRI, leaving Scharping’s availability for Sunday’s game against the Lions uncertain ([nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-sept-17/)).
• **Los Angeles Chargers:** Beyond Khalil Mack’s IR, the Chargers saw WR Ladd McConkey miss practice with biceps tendinitis, raising early-season depth concerns at receiver ([nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-sept-17/)).
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### Looking Ahead to Week 3’s Kickoff
Thursday night’s Dolphins-Bills game will test Buffalo without DT Ed Oliver and Miami’s WR Jaylen Waddle (shoulder), who was listed as questionable after missing Wednesday’s practice. The matchup in Orchard Park promises to be a defensive chess match, especially with Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel still adjusting to early-season injuries in his secondary ([nfl.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-sept-17/)). As teams settle into their roles for the 2025 campaign, Wednesday’s shake-ups set the stage for pivotal Week 3 showdowns.
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