Week 3 brought several close games and exciting finishes across the NFL. It also brought another wave of injuries, and former Hoosiers were not spared. San Francisco has been hit especially hard along the defensive line, while 49ers defensive tackle C.J. West and Jets linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball were among the newest Hoosiers placed on injured reserve.
There was still plenty of good news. D’Angelo Ponds is healthy and made his NFL debut, while Myles Price piled up 238 combined return yards and scored his first NFL touchdown. Ke’Shawn Williams was also productive as a returner before a costly fourth-quarter mistake. Kahlil Benson continued to shine in his third start at left tackle. Now let’s hop into this week’s Hoosiers across the NFL.
Jump to a Matchup
49ers vs. Cardinals | Raiders vs. Saints
Vikings vs Buccaneers | Chiefs vs. Dolphins
Jets vs. Lions | Ravens vs. Cowboys
Steelers vs. Bengals | Texans vs. Colts
Giants vs. Titans | Free Agents
San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals [36-30]
49ers
[#26] RB Kaelon Black (2024-25) [RB2]
Kaelon Black was not listed on the injury report, which was fortunate after he dealt with a groin injury the previous week. He practiced without limitations and carried the ball four times for 17 yards (4.3 avg.) against Arizona. Black’s workload has dropped each week, from 14 carries in Week 1 to seven in Week 2 and four in Week 3, and he played only eight offensive snaps Sunday.
That looks more like Christian McCaffrey returning to his usual workload than the 49ers losing trust in Black. He remains the clear RB2 behind one of the league’s best running backs, and his patience and hard work should continue to pay off.
[#99] DT C.J. West (2024) [IR]
On Sept. 23, the 49ers placed C.J. West on injured reserve. Head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that West has a bone chip in his knee that will require surgery. The knee reportedly had bothered West since training camp and became significantly worse following the Week 2 win against Miami.
There is no firm timeline for his return, but Shanahan does not expect the injury to end his season. West must miss at least four games before he is eligible to return.
For the third straight season, injuries are becoming a major storyline in San Francisco. The defensive line has taken the biggest hit, with several linemen already on injured reserve, and the receiving corps is also thin after multiple injuries. The 49ers are 3-0, but their depth is being tested much earlier than they would like.
[#14] QB Kurtis Rourke (2024) [QB3]
Kurtis Rourke did not appear on San Francisco’s injury report, but the quarterback was inactive against the Cardinals. Rourke remains behind Brock Purdy and Mac Jones and will most likely continue to be the QB3 on game days unless one of them is injured.
[IR] Edge Mikail Kamara (2024-25)
There are no major updates on Mikail Kamara after he tore his ACL during training camp in August. He continues to rehab but is expected to miss the season.
Las Vegas Raiders vs New Orleans Saints [35-27]
Raiders
[#15] QB Fernando Mendoza (2025) [QB2]
Mendoza had a solid week of practice and likely received a few extra reps with QB3 Aidan O’Connell missing all three practices for personal reasons. Mendoza dressed as the backup but did not play. The Raiders are building a good situation for their young quarterback, and while Mendoza is not starting, he has the chance to learn from Kirk Cousins as Las Vegas develops him for the future.
With their win over the Saints, the Raiders started 3-0 for the first time since 2021. A win next week would give them their first 4-0 start in 24 years, but they will face a tough challenge against the undefeated Chiefs.
[#80] TE Ian Thomas (2016-17) [TE2]
Unlike Mendoza, Ian Thomas did play against the Saints. However, Thomas moved back to the TE3 role with Brock Bowers returning from his knee injury. Bowers caught 10 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown, while TE2 Michael Mayer added three receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown. Thomas was not targeted.
[#37] RB Roman Hemby (2025) [Practice Squad]
Hemby remains on Las Vegas’s practice squad and was not elevated for the Saints game. The only player the Raiders elevated was wide receiver Cody White. The Raiders have Ashton Jeanty, Mike Washington Jr. and Dylan Laube on the active roster, so it is hard to see Hemby being elevated unless they need extra depth. Laube’s kick-return ability likely helped him earn the roster spot over Hemby, although he did lose a fumble Sunday.
Minnesota Vikings vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers [23-16]
Vikings
[#4] WR Myles Price (2024) [WR4/KR1/PR1]
Myles Price had an amazing day for the Vikings. While Price did not receive a target on offense, he dominated on special teams. The second-year receiver out of Indiana returned five kickoffs for 132 yards (26.4 avg.), with his longest return going for 31 yards. His explosiveness is impressive, but that was not even the highlight of his performance.
With the Vikings leading 3-0 in the first quarter, Price fielded a punt at his own 14-yard line and took it 86 yards to the house, giving Minnesota a 10-0 lead. It was the first touchdown of Price’s NFL career after a spectacular kickoff return last season was called back by a penalty. He returned four punts for 106 yards (26.5 avg.) and finished with 238 combined return yards.
That performance strengthened Price’s hold on both return jobs and helped Minnesota earn its third straight win. Surprisingly, the Vikings lead the NFC North at 3-0 after being projected to finish last in the division. It will be fun to see what Price has in store next.
Kansas City Chiefs vs Miami Dolphins [24-10]
Chiefs
[#70] RT Kahlil Benson (2020-23, 2025) [LT1]
With Josh Simmons still unavailable because of a back injury, Benson started at left tackle for the third consecutive week. The rookie continues to receive praise after persevering to earn a place on the starting offensive line.
Offensive line coach Andy Heck said Benson has been ‘competing’ hard and ‘fighting his tail off.’ Through 201 offensive snaps, Benson has not been charged with allowing a sack. Head coach Andy Reid said Benson was ‘winning over a lot of people’ after his first two starts, and his play has backed up that praise.
The undrafted rookie is making the most of his opportunity as the Chiefs improve to 3-0. Kansas City’s depth chart still lists Simmons as the starting left tackle, so Benson has not taken that job. However, he spent most of training camp competing at right tackle and remains in the mix to start there over Jaylon Moore once Simmons returns. For now, Benson has shown that he belongs in the lineup.
[#45] LB Cam Jones (2018-22) [Practice Squad]
Cam Jones remains on Kansas City’s practice squad and did not play against Miami. The Chiefs elevated linebacker Cole Christiansen for Week 3, which suggests Christiansen is currently ahead of Jones for an immediate special-teams role.
New York Jets vs Detroit Lions [24-31]
Jets
[#11] WR Omar Cooper Jr. (2022-25) [IR]
There has been no official update on Omar Cooper Jr.’s sprained ankle. He suffered the injury in the season opener and was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 19. The first-round pick’s earliest possible return is the Jets’ Week 6 matchup against the Patriots, but without a more specific recovery timeline, he could be out longer.
[#23] CB D’Angelo Ponds (2024-25) [NB2]
With grim news for other Hoosiers around the NFL, Ponds is finally back to full health. He was a full participant Friday, but head coach Aaron Glenn was initially noncommittal about whether Ponds would dress. Ponds was active and made his NFL debut, although he did not record a statistic. After missing most of the preseason, he may have to work his way past Jarvis Brownlee Jr. for the starting nickelback role.
[#41] LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball (2016-21) [IR]
The injuries keep stacking up. McCrary-Ball suffered an ankle injury in last week’s matchup against the Packers and was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 22. He must miss at least four games, making Week 7 his earliest possible return. The Jets have not provided a more specific timeline, but his presence on defense and special teams will be missed.
Baltimore Ravens vs Dallas Cowboys [34-31]
Ravens
[#13] WR Elijah Sarratt (2024-25) [WR6/PR2]
Elijah Sarratt made his NFL debut in Week 2 while Zay Flowers was unavailable. With Flowers back against Dallas, the Ravens moved Sarratt to the inactive list. Sarratt was not included on Baltimore’s injury report, making him a healthy scratch for the matchup in Brazil.
It is a small step backward for the former All-American receiver. Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Chris Moore, LaJohntay Wester and Devontez Walker were the five receivers who dressed against the Cowboys, and all five remain ahead of Sarratt when healthy.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals [30-27]
Steelers
[#37] FB Riley Nowakowski (2025) [FB1]
Nowakowski had no limitations in practice and remains the Steelers’ primary fullback. He appeared in Pittsburgh’s win against Cincinnati but did not record a carry or target. Nowakowski has played in all three games, but he is still used mainly as a blocker and special-teams contributor. Fullback is not a flashy position, and with Pittsburgh’s other options at tight end, the Steelers do not appear ready to use the rookie as an offensive weapon just yet.
Bengals
[#12] WR Ke’Shawn Williams (2024) [WR6/KR1/PR2]
Ke’Shawn Williams was a healthy scratch for the first two weeks but was active for the first time this season against the division-rival Steelers. The opportunity came after wide receiver Andrei Iosivas was placed on injured reserve. Williams did not receive a target on offense, but he handled kick and punt returns.
Williams had a solid day returning kickoffs, bringing back five for 131 yards (26.2 avg.) with a long of 34 yards. However, a fourth-quarter mistake stained an otherwise encouraging performance. While fielding a punt, the ball hit his face mask and Pittsburgh recovered at Cincinnati’s 14-yard line. The Steelers turned the mistake into a field goal that tied the game at 27. Williams showed legitimate explosiveness in his season debut, but the muffed punt was a costly mistake in the Bengals’ loss.
Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts [17-19]
Texans
[#59] LB Aiden Fisher (2024-25) [Backup LB/Special Teams]
Injuries have decimated the Texans’ linebacker room through only three weeks. Jake Hummel, Henry To’oTo’o and K.C. Ossai are on injured reserve, while E.J. Speed remains unavailable. Houston usually plays two linebackers, with Azeez Al-Shaair and Jake Hansen as the starters and Wade Woodaz and Fisher as the next reserves.
ESPN’s injury-adjusted depth chart listed Fisher at WLB1, but that did not mean he had formally become a starter. He has still moved from MLB3 into Houston’s top four available linebackers, which is a meaningful jump.
Fisher dressed in Sunday’s loss to the Colts but did not record a tackle or any other statistic. An empty box score is not unusual for a backup linebacker whose biggest role is on special teams. Al-Shaair was shaken up twice during the game, making Fisher’s status worth watching as Houston evaluates its depleted position group. If the injuries continue, Fisher should receive more practice reps and could see a larger defensive role on Sundays.
Colts
[#12] WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (2015-19) [Game Day Elevation]
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine made some progress this week. After the Colts placed star wide receiver Alec Pierce on injured reserve, they elevated Westbrook-Ikhine from the practice squad. He played but was not targeted, suggesting he served mainly as an emergency receiver. Because it was a standard game-day elevation, he automatically reverted to the practice squad after the game. With Pierce on injured reserve, Westbrook-Ikhine could be elevated again this season.
New York Giants vs Tennessee Titans [12-7]
Giants
[#41] MLB Micah McFadden (2018-21) [MLB2]
In Week 2, the Giants played the Rams on Monday night, but McFadden was limited throughout the week with a neck injury and later declared inactive. His situation improved significantly for Week 3. McFadden was a full participant in practice and entered the game without an injury designation.
On Tennessee’s opening kickoff return, McFadden was credited with the solo tackle, while Zaire Barnes forced the fumble and Malik Harrison recovered it for New York in great field position. His defensive role remains reduced behind Tremaine Edmunds and Arvell Reese, and the Giants have a deep linebacker group. We will see how McFadden fares against the Arizona Cardinals next week.
[#43] S Raheem Layne (2017-21) [Practice Squad]
Layne remains on New York’s practice squad. His roster status is unchanged, and he is unlikely to be elevated unless injuries create a need in the secondary.
Titans
[#79] C Pat Coogan (2025) [C2]
Coogan was pictured participating in Tuesday’s practice and did not appear on the injury report. He was active against the Giants but did not record a traditional box-score statistic. He remains a reserve interior offensive lineman and has contributed primarily on the field-goal and PAT units.
Free Agents
- S Devan Boykin (2025): Waived by Pittsburgh during final roster cuts.
- Received a workout with Seattle on Sept 15 but was not signed.
- WR E.J. Williams Jr. (2023-25): Waived by Las Vegas during final roster cuts. `
- Signed to Carolina practice squad on Sept 17 and waived on Sept 22.
- WR Jonathan Brady (2025): Waived by Las Vegas on July 27
- OT Trey Wedig (2024): Waived by Indianapolis during final roster cuts.
- S Louis Moore (2022-23, 2025): Waived by Miami during final roster cuts.
- TE Zach Horton (2024): Waived by Detroit during final roster cuts.
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