Monday brought a mix of bad news and returns around the league ahead of Week 7. The New England Patriots put receiver Romeo Doubs on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, while Baker Mayfield is set to practice for the first time since dislocating his right thumb and Tank Dell will play for the Houston Texans for the first time since December 2024.
- Patriots: WR Romeo Doubs (shoulder) placed on injured reserve, out at least four games
- Buccaneers: QB Baker Mayfield (right thumb) scheduled to practice Wednesday
- Texans: WR Tank Dell (knee) will play Sunday against the Giants
- Vikings: RB Jordan Mason designated to return from injured reserve, practice window opened
- Bears: G Jonah Jackson (hip flexor) week-to-week, Thursday status in doubt
- Commanders: RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) and OLB Javontae Jean-Baptiste (pectoral) placed on injured reserve
- Bengals: TE Tanner Hudson placed on injured reserve
Romeo Doubs goes on injured reserve
Doubs landed hard on his right shoulder as he finished a diving 42-yard touchdown catch from Drake Maye in the first quarter of Sunday’s 26-19 win over the New York Jets, and he did not return. New England made the move official on Monday, a day after A.J. Brown returned from his own stay on injured reserve. To fill the roster spot, the Patriots promoted defensive back Elliott Davison from the practice squad, Ian Rapoport reported.
Jeremy Fowler reported that the injury is not expected to keep Doubs out long term and that he hopes to return after the Week 11 bye. Before then, the 4-2 Patriots play at Chicago on Thursday night, at Miami, at home against Green Bay and against Detroit in Munich. Doubs has 14 catches for 261 yards and three touchdowns in his first season in New England after signing as a free agent. Brown, Pop Douglas, Efton Chism III and Kyle Williams are the receivers left on the 53-man roster, and the team added Ryan Miller to the practice squad.
Baker Mayfield returns to practice, but Jalon Daniels preps to start
Mayfield has not played since he dislocated his right thumb in Week 3. “He’s supposed to practice Wednesday, and we’re going to take a good look at him there, and we’ll kind of evaluate him during the week and see how he does,” Todd Bowles said on Monday. The thumb needed stitches but no surgery, and an MRI showed no fracture or tendon or ligament damage, Jenna Laine reported. She added that the key will be how well Mayfield can grip and secure the ball over a full game, and that pain is not currently the issue.
Until then, Tampa Bay will get ready as if rookie Jalon Daniels makes his fourth straight start on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. “I think you have to,” Bowles said. “Both will be in the meetings, and we’ll see how the week goes before we decide who it is.” The Buccaneers are 1-5 after Sunday’s 26-19 overtime loss to Pittsburgh, and the Panthers game is their first division matchup of the season.
Tank Dell is back after 22 months
DeMeco Ryans announced that Dell will play on Sunday against the New York Giants. It will be his first game since he tore multiple knee ligaments and dislocated his kneecap in the Texans’ Week 16 loss to Kansas City in December 2024, an injury that cost him all of 2025. Dell opened this season on injured reserve, his practice window opened two weeks ago, and he has practiced since then without a setback.
“No huge expectations from what he needs to do,” Ryans said. “I’m just going to be excited to see him just out there for the first time in over two years, just getting some game action.” Dell joins a receiver room with Nico Collins, Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kayshon Boutte for the 2-4 Texans, who beat Jacksonville in London on Sunday.
Jordan Mason’s window opens; Jonah Jackson week-to-week
The Minnesota Vikings designated running back Jordan Mason to return from injured reserve. That opens his practice window, though he remains on the reserve list until he is activated. Minnesota hosts the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7.
In Chicago, guard Jonah Jackson has a hip flexor injury and is considered week-to-week, Fowler reported. His status for Thursday night’s game against the Patriots is in doubt, but the injury is not expected to be long term.
What comes next
The Bears and Patriots are on a short week before Thursday night’s game, and most of the league releases its first injury reports of the week on Wednesday. The questions to follow are whether Mayfield takes first-team snaps with a full grip, how much Dell plays in his return, and whether Mason is activated in time to face the Colts.
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