Ian Rapoport· Sep 18, 2026
Rapoport gave status calls on several injured stars heading into Week 2: he expects Joe Burrow to play Sunday though maybe not at full health, thinks Kyler Murray is likely to start if he gets full practice participation, would be surprised if Joey Porter Jr. plays this weekend, and expects Aaron Donald to debut on Monday night against the Giants.
“He's gonna play, but how close to a 100% is he gonna be?”
said on air, transcribed by us · The Pat McAfee Show (podcast) · read the original →
4 checkable claims — 4 availability calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 8 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
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Who this take is about
4 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
“You see the trainer leave with Porter. You know, we'll see what his status is this weekend. I'd be a little surprised if he plays.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Availability CallsJoe BurrowCincinnati BengalsSep 18, 2026
“He's gonna play, but how close to a 100% is he gonna be? ... he didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday ... going into Sunday (Week 2)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Availability CallsKyler MurrayArizona CardinalsSep 18, 2026
“And then Kyler, you know, if he can get to a full participation today, then I would say it's likely he starts Sunday.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Availability CallsAaron DonaldLos Angeles RamsSep 18, 2026
“my understanding has been the target has been Monday night football at home against the Giants ... but the hope is that he plays on Monday night.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Cincinnati BengalsClose · 40Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver.
- Chris LongGame Outcome Picks · Cincinnati BengalsMiss · 0Long liked the Rams over the Broncos on Sunday night even without Puka Nacua, and expected the Bills to beat the winless Chargers in Buffalo. He also backed the Bengals over the Steelers, expected an angry Detroit team to handle the Jets, and still thought both the Lions and Vikings could win the NFC North.
- Matt HarmonGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles RamsHit · 100Harmon picked the Bengals to beat the Texans in Week 2, expecting Nico Collins to miss the game with a hamstring injury, and also predicted the Titans would be shut out by the Eagles. He took the Rams over the Giants, the Bears over the Vikings, and the Jaguars at Denver.
- Nate TiceScore Predictions · Cincinnati BengalsClose · 74Tice picked the Bengals over the Texans in a low-scoring game, the Jaguars at Denver, the Bears over the Vikings, the Patriots over the Steelers and the Rams to edge the Giants, and his Hail Mary was the Cowboys scoring 40 on Washington. He also floated Abdul Carter as a possible All-Pro.
- John MiddlekauffGame Outcome Picks · Cincinnati BengalsMiss · 0Middlekauff expects blowout wins for Seattle over Washington and Kansas City over Miami in Week 3, picks Cincinnati to beat Pittsburgh in the AFC North matchup, and takes Tennessee over the Giants if Jameis Winston is taking snaps.
- Bryan DeArdoScore Predictions · Cincinnati BengalsClose · 50He picks the Bengals to beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh in a low-scoring, defensive game, arguing Pittsburgh's struggling offense can't break through against Cincinnati's strong defense.
More availability calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Ralph VentreAvailability Calls · Christian BenfordPendingVentre expects Christian Benford's toe injury to sideline him for at least the Week 4 game against New England, and believes the Bills will have to add a cornerback to the 53-man roster this week — likely by moving Benford to injured reserve — with practice squad rookie Kani Walker the most likely player elevated.
- Fox SportsAvailability Calls · Jayden DanielsPendingWith surgery ruled out, Washington's outlet speculates Jayden Daniels avoids injured reserve and, if he isn't back for the Week 4 game in London, returns either in Week 5 against the Giants or Week 6 against the 49ers.
- Jordan DajaniAvailability Calls · Baker MayfieldPendingDajani writes that, based on the injury timeline, Baker Mayfield should be available to return for Tampa Bay's Oct. 25 game against the Carolina Panthers.
- Evan TarraccianoAvailability Calls · Garrett WilsonPendingIn his Week 3 studs and duds recap, Tarracciano says Drake London becomes a mid-tier WR1 now that Michael Penix Jr. is back, maintains Chase Brown should still be ranked as an RB1 despite a slow start, and expects Garrett Wilson to be fine after a concussion evaluation and play in Week 4.
- Kelly KirbyAvailability Calls · Breece HallPendingKirby suggested Breece Hall's leg injury casts doubt on whether he will be available for the Jets in Week 4, making Braelon Allen a priority pickup.
- Greg AumanAvailability Calls · Justin JeffersonPendingAuman expects Baker Mayfield's thumb injury to push undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels into the Buccaneers' starting quarterback job, and says Justin Jefferson may avoid missing time and play the following week against Miami.