Browns
- Dan Graziano of ESPN thinks Browns OLB ZaโDarius Smith is a likely player to get traded over the next week given heโs unlikely to be in Clevelandโs long-term plans.
- ESPNโs Jeremy Fowler adds a Day 3 draft pick will likely be enough to get a deal done for Smith.
- Smith was absent from Wednesdayโs practice amidst trade rumors around him. However, Daniel Oyefusi notes Smith not participating was injury-related.
- Fowler also thinks the Browns trading CB Greg Newsome II to the Buccaneers in exchange for a fifth-round pick is a deal that makes sense for both parties.
- Fowler, citing sources around the league, writes Cleveland appears โopen for business with several playersโ and they should draw interest for Newsome.
- Browns HC Kevin Stefanski announced LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has been released from the hospital after his neck injury. (Chris Easterling)
- Stefanski said Wednesday theyโve ruled out Owusu-Koramoah from Week 9, via Tony Grossi.
- Stefanski also mentioned CB Denzel Ward remains in concussion protocol. (Easterling)
- He spoke on Wardโs concussion history: โI really lean on the medical team. I support Denzel and I know heโs getting great care.โ (Zac Jackson)
- On QB Jameis Winstonโs first start of the year: โJameis Winston is the starter. Thought he did nice job with progressions, saw it clearly.โ (Scott Petrak)
- Although Stefanski said they plan for Winston to start the rest of the season, he noted todayโs NFL carries a โday-to-dayโ approach at quarterback, per Scott Petrak.
Ravens
- Ravens HC John Harbaugh on why S Marcus Williams didnโt play: โThereโs a lot of things going on all the time and a lot of it is our business. Thereโs some things we choose to keep to ourselves. Thatโs going to be one of them.โ (Jeff Zrebiec)
- Harbaugh also said first-round CB Nate Wiggins is fighting an illness: โI donโt think Iโm allowed to disclose it, but heโs doing OK. Hopefully, heโll be at practice this week.โ (Zrebiec)
- The Ravens are sending a 2025 fifth-round pick to Carolina for WR Diontae Johnson and a 2026 sixth-round pick, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.
- Zrebiec adds Baltimore owes him about $625k for the rest of the year after the Panthers paid some of his salary.
- Harbaugh said Johnson will be considered for return duties in Week 9 and worked on punt returns in Wednesdayโs practice. (Jeff Zrebiec)
- Harbaugh said QB Lamar Jackson was given a rest day on Wednesday: โHeโs been playing great. We have a lot of football in front of us.โ (Ravens official site)
- As for DT Michael Pierceโs calf injury, Harbaugh confirmed itโs not considered to be season-ending. (Zrebiec)
Steelers
The Steelers won their second-straight game with QB Russell Wilson starting with Wilsonโs signature moon ball on full display. Pittsburgh OC Arthur Smith explained the art of Wilsonโs deep ball and their desire to utilize it going forward.
โThatโs been Russโ strong suit,โ Smith said, via ESPNโs Brooke Pryor. โHeโll be the first to tell you, weโre greedy, we want more. Historically, thatโs whatโs made him the player he is. Heโs got a unique spatial awareness and touch.
โA lot of those things, you can drill those things, but some guys have a great feel for it. Putting it out in front, knowing who youโre throwing to, how much you need to lead โem, dropping things in there. I would credit that to really his whole athletic background.โ
- According to Aaron Wilson, DL Anthony Goodlow is working out with the Steelers on Monday.
- The Steelers worked out WR Diontae Spencer this week, per Aaron Wilson.
- Pittsburgh QB Justin Fields didnโt suffer a serious hamstring injury but the team could be cautious with the bye week looming, per NFL Networkโs Ian Rapoport.
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