Could quarterback changes be coming to the NFC South?
We dive into that and more in this edition of NFL news and notes.
Three things that matter
Matt Ryan could miss Week 8 with sprained ankle
The veteran quarterback won't practice at the start of the week, and his status for later in the week will be determined once the Falcons have a better understanding of the severity of the injury he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Rams.
"He does have a sprained ankle. We'll be preparing for both [him playing or not] … If he can't, that's the reason Matt Schaub is here," Falcons coach Dan Quinn told reporters.
If Ryan is unable to play, the 16-year veteran Schaub will be ready to line up at QB once again.
Raiders trade Gareon Conley to Texans
The cornerback has reportedly been dealt from Oakland to Houston for a third-round pick the Texans received from the Seahawks in the Jadeveon Clowney trade earlier this year.
Conley, Oakland's first-round pick in 2017, has one interception in six games this year and four interceptions, 18 passes defensed and 67 tackles in 23 career games.
Panthers sticking with Kyle Allen at QB
Fresh off the team's bye week, Panthers coach Ron Rivera confirmed the undrafted quarterback-turned-starter will be under center again Sunday to face his toughest challenge yet against the undefeated 49ers. Meanwhile, Cam Newton remains out of practice as he continues to rehab his foot.
"Cam is going to continue his rehab," Rivera told reporters. "As I told you guys last week, we're not putting any pressure on Cam. He's done a great job doing the things that we've asked of him. He's gone above and beyond in terms of working with our quarterbacks and helping them along the way. He's just going to continue to do his program."
Allen has won all four of his starts in Newton's absence, completing 80-of-122 passes for 901 yards with seven touchdowns and zero interceptions through four games.
Two things that don't matter
Patrick Mahomes 'progressing nicely' in knee rehab
Chiefs head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder confirmed that the quarterback's MRI on Friday "turned out as good as possible" while also noting Mahomes has begun his rehab.
Mahomes suffered a dislocated kneecap in Thursday's win over the Broncos but reportedly could return in as soon as three weeks. The Chiefs are hopeful he could return in Week 11 against the Chargers, though they could choose to wait until after the team's Week 12 bye.
Kareem Hunt cleared to return to practice
The Browns running back was suspended for an off-field incident in which he was seen kicking a woman on video at a Cleveland hotel, but has been permitted to start practicing with the team this week with two games left on his eight-game ban for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
Hunt is also coming off sports hernia surgery this offseason, but is expected to be fully healthy when he makes his Cleveland debut in Week 10 action against the Bills.
One video you have to see
The Bills Mafia is having a great season after Buffalo's 5-1 start.
The average life expectancy of a Bills fan has been lowered another 2 years pic.twitter.com/az6aGQ5MDA
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) October 21, 2019
Wednesday's tweet of the day
Browns coach Freddie Kitchens, on the man who sucker-punched Myles Garrett last week:
#Browns Kitchens on the guy who punched Myles Garrett: "I was glad the guy ran.''
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 21, 2019