Welcome to our Latest NFL News & Rumors! Entering Week 12 and we are just about two-thirds of the way through the 2025 NFL season. Time flies when you're having fun (no, for real, my team is 7-3 for the first time in a long time, and it is SO fun). That being said, plenty else has happened this past week, so let's dive into our Latest NFL News & Rumors This Week!

 

 

 

Latest NFL News & Rumors This Week

With so many more injuries, headlines, and drama this past week, there is plenty to cover. In today's Latest NFL News & Rumors This Week, we discuss Shedeur Sanders' first start, Ja'Marr Chase's suspension, and much more!

Shedeur Sanders to Start for Cleveland Browns

The quarterback carousel continues to spin round and round for the Cleveland Browns. They will be trotting out their third starting quarterback of the season: rookie Shedeur Sanders. Sanders was the spotlight of countless headlines throughout the NFL offseason and draft cycle, as his bloodlines, time with Colorado, and draft slide are all well-documented. Now, he gets his first opportunity to start for the Browns, as fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel is in concussion protocol. When Gabriel went down last week against the Ravens, Sanders entered the game in relief and finished with a stat line of 4/16 passing for 47 yards and an interception, along with 16 yards on the ground off three carries. Sanders will look to have a better outing with a full week of preparation before facing off against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. 

Ja'Marr Chase Suspended

Last week, during the Cincinnati Bengals' game against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, Ja'Marr Chase was seen getting into an altercation with defensive back Jalen Ramsey that led to Ramsey's ejection from the game. It was later reported that Ramsey only engaged in the altercation because Chase had spit on him, which Chase denied. Now, after video evidence surfaced, Ja'Marr Chase has been suspended for one game. He attempted to appeal the ruling, but the punishment was upheld, meaning the Bengals will be without their superstar wide receiver when they take on the Patriots this Sunday. With Joe Burrow's return on the horizon, this is terrible news for the 3-7 Bengals, who are desperate for every win that they can get.

 

 

 

NFL Injury Update: Michael Penix Out for the Season

Nothing has gone right for the Atlanta Falcons this season. They are sitting at 3-7, they just lost back-to-back games in overtime, they don't have their 2026 first-round draft pick, and now, they just lost their young quarterback, Michael Penix, for the rest of the season. While the silver lining might have been, “at least this is happening while the Falcons aren't contending,” the bigger concern is that this is Penix's third ACL tear since 2018. Hopefully, Penix will be okay by next year, but his injury history makes things a bit more difficult.

Now, the Falcons will trot out veteran Kirk Cousins to lead the Falcons for the remainder of the season. His matchup this week against the New Orleans Saints will be Cousins' second start of the season, as he was under center in the Falcons' Week Eight loss to the Miami Dolphins. For his second straight start, Cousins will be without Atlanta's top receiver, Drake London, who is also dealing with an injury. 

NFL Transaction Update: Brandin Cooks Released

After trading away Rashid Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks at the NFL Trade Deadline, the New Orleans Saints have made a move to part ways with yet another receiver. Veteran Brandin Cooks has officially restructured his contract with the Saints to facilitate a release from the team. The 32-year-old wide receiver rejoined the Saints this offseason after he was drafted by the organization back in 2014, but after a 2-8 start, Cooks is likely looking to land with a contending team. 

Without Cooks, the Saints' wide receiver room includes Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, and Mason Tipton, along with Kevin Austin, Ronnie Bell, and Dante Pettis on the practice squad and Ja'Lynn Polk and Trey Palmer on IR.