NFL News Today: Case Keenum Shocks Philadelphia as Week 4 Arrives With Major Injury Questions
September 29, 2026 | NFL News
The NFL is heading into Week 4 with an unexpected quarterback story in Chicago, mounting injury concerns in Baltimore and Dallas, an early AFC North showdown on Thursday night and the league's international schedule shifting from Brazil to London.
Three weeks into the regular season, the standings are beginning to take shape, but Monday night's result was another reminder that very little in the NFL stays predictable for long.
Case Keenum Delivers One of the Season's Biggest Surprises
The Chicago Bears entered Monday night without starting quarterback Caleb Williams, who is dealing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain and is expected to miss approximately three to four weeks.
That pushed 38-year-old veteran Case Keenum into the spotlight.
He responded with a performance few saw coming.
Keenum completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns, adding a rushing touchdown as Chicago defeated the previously unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles 27-7 at Soldier Field. It was Keenum's first NFL game action since 2023.
Chicago's defense was just as important, forcing three turnovers and frustrating an Eagles offense that entered the game at 2-0. Philadelphia managed only seven points as Chicago improved to 2-1.
For Keenum, the night also produced a piece of Bears history. At 38 years and 223 days old, he became the oldest Chicago player to score a rushing touchdown, according to NFL.com.
The performance creates an interesting situation for the Bears while Williams recovers. Williams is expected to remain sidelined for several weeks, while backup Tyson Bagent recently dealt with a concussion. Keenum has now demonstrated that Chicago can operate its offense effectively with the veteran behind center.
Caleb Williams' Recovery Remains One of Chicago's Biggest Stories
Williams' hamstring injury will remain closely watched.
The Bears' starting quarterback suffered the injury during Chicago's Week 2 loss to Minnesota. Reports indicate a projected absence of three to four weeks, although head coach Ben Johnson has noted that Williams has recovered quickly from injuries in the past.
Chicago travels to face the New York Jets in Week 4 before meeting Green Bay in Week 5.
The NFL also announced Tuesday that the Bears-Packers matchup on October 11 has been moved to a 1 p.m. ET kickoff on FOX, rather than its originally scheduled 4:25 p.m. start.
For Chicago, Keenum's Monday performance provides valuable breathing room. It does not change Williams' place as the franchise quarterback, but it gives the Bears an experienced option while they avoid rushing their starter back onto the field.
Baltimore Faces an Offensive-Line Emergency After Brazil
Baltimore escaped Rio de Janeiro with a dramatic 34-31 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, but the Ravens also returned home with a serious problem at center.
Head coach Jesse Minter said centers Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic suffered injuries expected to keep them out for an extended period. Gwyn was carted off with an ankle injury, while Pocic injured his knee after entering the game as a replacement.
That leaves Baltimore looking for outside help at a position that has already been hit hard only three weeks into the season.
The timing is significant. Baltimore hosts Tennessee on Sunday before facing a demanding stretch deeper into October.
Offensive-line continuity is especially important for an offense built around Lamar Jackson's ability to create both inside and outside the structure of a play. Losing multiple centers forces changes not only in pass protection but also in quarterback-center exchanges, blocking calls and communication across the offensive front.
Cowboys Leave Brazil Battered
Dallas did not leave Sunday's historic game at Maracanã Stadium healthy either.
Safety Jalen Thompson, cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. and defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard all suffered injuries against Baltimore and did not return.
Dallas had already entered the game without several defensive contributors, including linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, safety Malik Hooker, safety P.J. Locke and cornerback Cobie Durant.
Thompson's hamstring injury could potentially lead to an injured-reserve stint, according to the Cowboys.
There was one significant individual milestone for Dallas in the loss.
Quarterback Dak Prescott reached 250 career passing touchdowns, becoming the fifth quarterback in NFL history to record at least 250 passing touchdowns and 30 rushing touchdowns, according to the Cowboys.
Dallas now faces a short recovery window before meeting the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Panthers Lose Damien Lewis for Multiple Weeks
The Carolina Panthers also received difficult injury news Tuesday.
Guard Damien Lewis is expected to miss multiple weeks after suffering a UCL injury in his elbow during Carolina's loss to Cleveland, NFL.com reported.
Carolina has a bye following its Week 4 matchup against Detroit, creating the possibility that Lewis could return for Week 6 against Philadelphia.
The Panthers will face the Lions Sunday night as they try to rebound from a 1-2 start.
Bengals Make a Receiver Move
Cincinnati is adjusting its receiving corps entering Week 4.
The Bengals are signing wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley to their active roster from Houston's practice squad, according to NFL.com's Tuesday transaction roundup.
Cincinnati also released receiver and kick returner Ke'Shawn Williams following his muffed punt during Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh.
Those moves come as the AFC North has quickly become one of the league's most compressed divisions early in the season.
Steelers-Browns Launch Week 4 Thursday Night
Week 4 begins with an AFC North matchup.
The Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Cleveland Browns Thursday, October 1, at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
Both teams enter the game at 2-1.
Cleveland has won two consecutive games after defeating Carolina 21-18 in Week 3. Browns coach Todd Monken said the offense is continuing to work on operational mistakes while praising quarterback Deshaun Watson's progress in the offense. Watson has produced consecutive games with multiple touchdowns and no turnovers.
Pittsburgh enters the matchup after beating Cincinnati and is also 2-1.
A divisional game this early will not decide the AFC North, but with Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Baltimore and Cincinnati all clustered together after three weeks, every head-to-head result carries additional weight.
NFL Heads to London After Historic Brazil Game
The league's expanding international schedule continues Sunday.
After Baltimore and Dallas played the first NFL regular-season game at Rio de Janeiro's Maracanã Stadium, the international series moves to England.
The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders will play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Sunday, October 4, at 9:30 a.m. ET.
It begins a three-week stretch of NFL games in the United Kingdom.
Philadelphia will face Jacksonville in London on October 11, followed by Houston against Jacksonville at Wembley Stadium on October 18. The league also has international games scheduled later this season in Paris, Madrid and Munich.
The continued expansion illustrates how aggressively the NFL is building its regular-season presence outside the United States.
The Bigger Picture Heading Into Week 4
September has already produced plenty of NFL turbulence.
A third-string quarterback just helped Chicago knock off an unbeaten Philadelphia team. Baltimore won an international thriller but lost important offensive linemen. Dallas' defense is becoming increasingly thin. Cleveland and Pittsburgh are preparing for an important divisional matchup on a short week, while another international game awaits Sunday morning.
And across the league, injuries are beginning to change depth charts earlier than many teams would prefer.
That is often when an NFL season truly starts revealing itself.
September introduces the teams.
October begins testing how deep they really are.
Sources
NFL.com — Case Keenum leads Bears past Eagles
https://www.nfl.com/news/38-year-old-case-keenum-shines-as-bears-demolish-eagles-as-a-kid-you-dream-about-it
Reuters — Case Keenum guides Chicago to 27-7 victory
https://www.reuters.com/sports/nfl/third-string-qb-case-keenum-guides-bears-blowout-eagles--flm-2026-09-29/
Reuters — Caleb Williams expected to miss three to four weeks
https://www.reuters.com/sports/reports-bears-qb-caleb-williams-likely-out-3-4-weeks--flm-2026-09-27/
NFL.com — September 29 league news, injuries and roster moves
https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-tuesday-sept-29
NFL.com — Ravens face center injuries after Dallas game
https://www.nfl.com/news/as-fervor-of-pulsating-win-over-cowboys-fades-ravens-face-crisis-at-center
Dallas Cowboys — Injury updates following game in Rio
https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/updates-september-2026
Dallas Cowboys — Jalen Thompson injury update
https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-reveal-unfortunate-timeline-for-jalen-thompson-injury
Cleveland Browns — Week 4 preparation against Pittsburgh
https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/todd-monken-believes-deshaun-watson-can-build-off-second-straight-win-news-notes
NFL.com — Official Week 4 schedule
https://www.nfl.com/schedules/2026/by-week/week-4
NFL.com — 2026 international games and important dates
https://www.nfl.com/news/2026-27-national-football-league-important-dates