AFC West

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams suffered a high ankle sprain in Sunday's 37-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The timeline for Williams' recovery is unclear, but Schefter said the 6'4" pass-catcher "will miss some time."

Williams had seven receptions for 86 yards and one touchdown in the loss to Seattle. Before the ankle injury, he was on pace to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards this season (37 catches, 495 yards and three touchdowns).

Mike Will score #BoltUp@darealmike_dub | @chargers

📺: #SEAvsLAC on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/HyjkGpXIek pic.twitter.com/b0KmehP0B1

— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2022

The 28-year-old has helped keep the Chargers offense afloat despite fellow wideout Keenan Allen being limited to two games.

Allen made his return from a hamstring injury against Seattle but played only 23 snaps. The five-time Pro Bowler has been the Chargers' most consistent receiver in recent years, but his hamstring problem raises questions about how much he can shoulder the increased load created by Williams' absence.

Los Angeles' 19-16 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 6 might have offered a glimpse into the near future. With Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II blanketing Williams, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw for only 238 yards on 57 attempts. Josh Palmer was the team's leading receiver with 57 yards.

The Chargers entered 2022 with understandably high hopes, only to get hammered by injuries. Allen has missed significant time. Star pass-rusher Joey Bosa is still recuperating the his groin tear he suffered earlier this year. Left tackle Rashawn Slater might return later this year, but he remains out due to a ruptured biceps. Cornerback J.C. Jackson reportedly dislocated his kneecap Sunday.

With injuries mounting, it could be difficult for head coach Brandon Staley to keep the Chargers on track for a wild-card berth.

Denver Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb knows he's been the subject of trade rumors ahead of the Nov. 1 deadline.

"Yeah I heard about them but I'm just focused on trying to help my guys fight through this," he said Sunday, per Mike Klis of 9News. "I know it's a business and anything can happen but all I care about right now is my guys and trying to get this thing turned around."

The Broncos fell to 2-5 on the season after a 16-9 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, the team's fourth defeat in a row.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Broncos have "received multiple trade inquiries" on Chubb as well as receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler.

The Broncos defense has remained a strength of the team despite the overall struggles, ranking third in the NFL in points allowed per game and second in yards allowed. Chubb has been a big part of that success, tallying 24 tackles and 5.5 sacks in seven games.

The 2018 first-round pick has struggled with injuries during his career—he's missed 24 games over the last three years—but he remains an impactful player when on the field.

Chubb tallied 12 sacks as a rookie and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2020 when he had 7.5 sacks in 14 games.

Now seemingly back to full strength, Chubb can be a difference-maker for a contender in the second half of the season if he is traded.

The 26-year-old is also set to become a free agent this offseason, currently playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. The Broncos could either franchise tag him or agree to a new deal, but the talented player could be costly in 2023 and beyond.

It puts Chubb squarely on the trading block, but he will continue to focus on the task at hand until he is moved.

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs made an emphatic statement in Week 7 following last week's defeat to the Buffalo Bills.

Kansas City pulled away in the second half in a 44-23 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Mahomes finished 25-of-34 for 423 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, with the offense as a whole putting up 529 yards and nearly averaging a first down (9.1 yards) on every play.

The final score is even more eye-popping when considering San Francisco quickly built a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. Once the Chiefs offense started firing, the Niners had no answer.

It really is a joy to watch Patrick Mahomes play football.

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 23, 2022

Few things as fun as watching how Mahomes and Reid/Bieniemy come out of the half having seen what they need to see, alter what they need to alter and just unleash.

— Laurie Horesh (@LaurieHoresh) October 23, 2022

The way the Patrick Mahomes & the Chiefs spot teams two-score leads only to come back and bury them is truly a remarkable thing #ChiefsKingdom

— Mark Spillane (@MarkSpillane_) October 23, 2022

To say Kansas City's passing game is better without Tyreek Hill is a stretch. His absence has at least led to a more egalitarian approach that's basically just as difficult to stop. JuJu Smith-Schuster (124 yards) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (111 yards) both hit the century mark Sunday.

JuJu and MVS have 100 yards, making this the first time in 22 years the Chiefs have had two WRs go over that mark.

— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) October 23, 2022

Chiefs' attack has been as versatile as can remember this season: Hardman 3 TDs, MVS w 111 yards, Kelce 98, Smith-Schuster 65, McKinnon 34-yard catch and run on third and 20, Justin Watson a TD catch/CEH a TD run. Mahomes 23-31/364

— Vahe Gregorian (@vgregorian) October 23, 2022

Looked like Quarters coverage on the Mahomes deep ball throw to MVS. Inside receiver occupied the safety. There’s your 1-on-1 outside. CB has to win.

— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) October 23, 2022

Juju bout to get a quiet 1000 yards this season

— Will Blackmon (@WillBlackmon) October 23, 2022

The Chiefs averaged 9.1 yards per play today, their most in 81 games with Patrick Mahomes, including playoffs

They did it against the 49ers No. 1 total defense.

What a statement.

— Doug Clawson (@doug_clawson) October 23, 2022

The Bills put themselves in the driver's seat for the top seed in the AFC by going on the road and beating Kansas City.

By shredding a 49ers defense that was allowing an NFL-low 255.8 yards per game, the Chiefs reminded everybody they aren't going anywhere in the Super Bowl discussion.

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback JC Jackson suffered a dislocated kneecap in Sunday's 37-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The team confirmed he was out for the remainder of the contest with a knee injury, and ESPN's Lindsey Thiry reported the team's trainers had placed an air cast on his right leg.

Following the game, head coach Brandon Staley described Jackson's injury as "significant." Rapoport reported Jackson is due to get an MRI on Monday.

In the second quarter, the 2021 Pro Bowler leapt to make a play on a 23-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Goodwin. His right knee appeared to give out as he was attempting to jump.

The Chargers took full advantage of Justin Herbert's rookie deal to fortify their defense in the offseason. They signed Jackson to a five-year, $82.5 million contract and also added Khalil Mack, Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson.

Those moves haven't had their intended impact so far. Entering Sunday, Los Angeles was 17th in yards allowed (349.8 per game) and 14th in defensive efficiency, per Football Outsiders.

Now, the team will have to proceed without Jackson in the secondary. Based on how serious his injury looked, his availability for the remainder of the year could be in doubt.

Michael Davis started 40 games for the Chargers between 2019-21, so he has plenty of experience as he takes over for Jackson. That won't provide much reassurance, though, considering his performance warranted making a splashy signing at the cornerback position in the spring.

The struggling Denver Broncos have received "multiple trade inquiries" on linebacker Bradley Chubb and wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Numerous NFL teams told Schefter that they do not believe Denver will sell low in any trade and will instead be "value traders."

That's if they make any deals at all before the Nov. 1 trade deadline, per Schefter.

The Broncos entered this season with greater expectations after acquiring nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks.

However, Denver's offense ranks last in points per game, and the team has struggled to a 2-4 start despite a dominant defense.

Chubb is set to become a free agent this offseason unless the Broncos use the franchise tag on him.

The former North Carolina State star's fifth-year option on his rookie deal was picked up, but that contract is set to expire after this year.

He's been phenomenal to start 2022 thanks to five-and-a-half sacks and 20 tackles in six games. Denver in turn has allowed the fourth-fewest points per game largely because of Chubb's efforts.

It's easy to see why there would be interest in one of the game's most productive pass-rushers. Schefter reported that the Broncos want to retain him, Jeudy and Hamler but noted that "prices for defensive ends will continue to skyrocket."

Ultimately, the Broncos aren't considered a "seller" right now at the deadline, per Schefter, but that hasn't stopped teams from calling in.

Schefter added that Denver is open to hearing offers on tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, who has gotten lost in the positional shuffle this year and hasn't seen the field much of late.

For now, the Broncos are looking to get back in the win column. They'll have a tough task ahead on Sunday at home against the hot 4-2 New York Jets. Brett Rypien will start at quarterback in place of Wilson (partial hamstring tear).

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson wanted to play through a partially torn hamstring this week against the New York Jets, per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

The reporting duo noted that Wilson has a partial tear (Grade 2 strain) of his hamstring and that the ailment is "generally a multiple-week injury because of the risk of additional damage."

"Wilson lobbied emphatically to play, sources say, believing he's played through worse while in Seattle," the NFL Network reporters wrote.

"He moved around and threw during the week, and he felt he could protect himself well enough to play. The original plan was for Wilson to work out a bit or throw on Saturday morning, but by that time the decision had been made."

The Broncos will now roll with Brett Rypien as the starter Sunday. Josh Johnson will back him up.

While Russell Wilson wanted to play despite a hamstring injury and did everything he could to play, the Broncos HC Nathaniel Hackett will hold back the 9-time Pro Bowl QB vs. the Jets to allow him to heal and prevent a lingering injury, per sources.

Brett Rypien gets the start. pic.twitter.com/UR11TisM8S

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 22, 2022

The Broncos will re-evaluate the hamstring this week to see if Wilson can play next Sunday in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. If not, Wilson's next chance to take the field would be Nov. 13 versus the Tennessee Titans following a bye week.

Wilson's first season in Denver has gotten off to a tumultuous start. He had just one game with two passing touchdowns and completed fewer than 60 percent of his attempts three times in the first six weeks.

The nine-time Pro Bowler has dealt with multiple injuries already in 2022. He had a platelet-rich plasma injection to relieve discomfort in his shoulder after the Broncos' 12-9 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 6.

In the wake of the Broncos' 19-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 17, Wilson began dealing with a hamstring injury.

This marks the second consecutive season Wilson has missed at least one game because of an injury. He made 149 straight starts dating back to his rookie season in 2012 until Week 6 of the 2021 campaign.

When Wilson has played, he's been largely ineffective. He's only completing 58.6 percent of his passes for 1,442 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions.

The Broncos rank last in the NFL in scoring offense (15.2 points per game), and they are currently in third place in the AFC West with a 2-4 record.

Rypien will now be Denver's starter. The third-year quarterback started one game as a rookie in 2020, throwing for 242 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions in a 37-28 win over the Jets.

The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to roll with rookie Isiah Pacheco as their starting running back for the team's road game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Pacheco, a former Rutgers star selected with a seventh-round draft pick, took first-team practice reps this week, per Rapoport. He would replace third-year pro Clyde Edwards-Helaire as RB1.

However, both running backs "are expected to see significant snaps," and Edwards-Helaire is still in line for "a key role on offense," according to Rapoport.

The 23-year-old Edwards-Helaire enjoyed a productive start to his career when healthy, tallying 1,746 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns in 23 appearances between 2020 and 2021.

Unfortunately, he missed a total of 10 regular-season games across his first two NFL seasons. His absences in 2021 included five games with a knee injury and two contests with a shoulder injury.

The dual-threat back has added 393 total yards and five scores in six games so far this season. He has notably rushed for 4.3 yards per carry (59 rushes, 256 yards).

Pacheco has amassed 149 rushing yards and one touchdown on 31 carries (4.8 YPC) thus far. He didn't get any pass game work until last Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, when he caught two passes for nine yards.

However, he's been an impressive and tough interior runner when given more opportunities. He posted a 12-carry, 62-yard performance against the Arizona Cardinals and a 11-carry, 63-yard outing versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this year.

The Chiefs have also rolled with Jerrick McKinnon at times in the backfield. He has 187 yards and one touchdown on 38 touches thus far.

The 4-2 Chiefs are first in the AFC West as the first half of the season nears its end. They'll take on a 3-3 49ers team Sunday that just added ex-Carolina Panthers star running back Christian McCaffrey to the roster via trade. Kickoff is 4:25 p.m. ET in Levi's Stadium.

Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, Los Angeles Lakers legend and entrepreneur Magic Johnson is in talks to buy a stake in the Las Vegas Raiders, per Semafor's Liz Reed:

"Johnson has been assembling a team of investors in recent weeks for a minority slice of the Raiders, which is majority owned by the family of the late Al Davis, the people said.

"One of them said the group was conducting due diligence with the team. A deal hasn’t been finalized and could still fall apart."

Forbes' Mike Ozanian reported in August that the Raiders were valued at $6.5 billion in an offer for a minority stake in the team.

Johnson has been a part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2012. He also reportedly looked to buy a stake in the Denver Broncos and joined a group led by Philadelphia 76ers managing partner Josh Harris, but the team was eventually sold to the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group.

Johnson bought a 4.5 percent share in the Lakers in 1994 but sold it 16 years later.

The Raiders have been under the ownership of the Davis family since 1966. Al Davis was a part owner from 1966-1971 before becoming the principal owner in 1972 until his death in 2011. Davis' son, Mark, has led the team for the past decade.

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson will miss Sunday's game against the New York Jets as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Brett Rypien will start in his place.

While Russell Wilson wanted to play despite a hamstring injury and did everything he could to play, the Broncos HC Nathaniel Hackett will hold back the 9-time Pro Bowl QB vs. the Jets to allow him to heal and prevent a lingering injury, per sources.

Brett Rypien gets the start. pic.twitter.com/UR11TisM8S

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 22, 2022

Denver will re-evaluate Russell Wilson’s hamstring injury this week and determine whether he can play next Sunday in London against the Jaguars.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 22, 2022

Wilson has dealt with a number of injuries this season. He underwent a procedure on his throwing shoulder on Oct. 7 to relieve the discomfort he was experiencing in the area. He also suffered a hamstring injury in an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers 10 days later.

Aside from injuries, the 33-year-old has struggled in his first season with the Broncos. He has completed just 58.6 percent of his passes for 1,442 yards and five touchdowns against three interceptions in six games.

The Broncos are 2-4 on the season and will be in danger of falling even further out of the playoff picture with a loss to the streaking Jets on Sunday.

Denver Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said running back Melvin Gordon III will start in his team's Week 7 game against the New York Jets, via James Palmer of NFL Network.

Gordon also got the start in Week 6, but he only saw nine snaps during the 19-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He finished with three carries for eight yards, while Latavius Murray and Mike Boone saw more playing time.

After the game, the veteran liked multiple tweets discussing trade scenarios:

Melvin Gordon’s ‘liked’ tweets are… not ideal. pic.twitter.com/XgiwdA4bOC

— Graham Tiedtke (@GrahamTiedtke) October 18, 2022

"I'm not going to lie, it hurt a little today watching," Gordon said after Monday's game.

Murray took advantage of the opportunity, totaling 66 rushing yards on 15 carries for Denver. The 32-year-old joined the team this month after rushing for 57 yards and a touchdown for the New Orleans Saints in Week 4.

With Javonte Williams out for the year with a knee injury, the Broncos have needed someone to step up in the backfield.

Gordon was expected to take on a bigger role and saw a season-high 15 carries in Week 6, although he only averaged 3.6 yards per carry in a 12-9 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. In six games this season, the 29-year-old has 201 rushing yards and one touchdown, while his 3.7 yards per carry would be his worst since his rookie year in 2015.

Hackett seemingly wants to give Gordon another chance, but he could have a tough time against a Jets defense that ranks fourth in the NFL in yards allowed per carry.

With the Broncos just 2-4 on the season, Gordon likely won't get too long of a leash before Murray and Boone get more chances.