JUSTIN REID

With the departure of Mathieu and Dan Sorensen in free agency, Thornhill is the only safety on the roster with much experience in coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's defense. “I love it, being the oldest guy in the room with a bunch of rookies,” the 26-year-old Thornhill said after a sweltering practice during Kansas City's three-day mandatory minicamp. “I need to lead the way, take on that role.”He had a great role model himself in Mathieu, who arrived in Kansas City around the same time Thornhill was drafted. Sometimes playing this game, it can feel like there’s a lot of pressure on you, but we don’t want that pressure. That’s when you make a lot of plays, when you’re comfortable and bonding on the field.”Make no mistake: This is a big year for Thornhill.

The popular narrative was that the Kansas City Chiefs signed Justin Reid in free agency to replace Tyrann Mathieu.

The New Orleans Saints and Tyrann Mathieu have agreed to a three-year, $33 million contract, reuniting the All-Pro safety with his hometown team, a person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The Kansas City Chiefs were supposed to be quiet during free agency, given the perennial AFC West champions had most of their big names tied up in long-term contracts and they already were bumping up against the salary cap. Brett Veach had other ideas. The uber-aggressive Chiefs general manager instead made a splash by signing former Texans safety Justin Reid and former Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, then turned the NFL on its head by swinging a blockbuster trade that sent three-time All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins for a package of draft picks.

Cole Beasley and Julio Jones are looking for new teams.

The Philadelphia Eagles have placed defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and tight end Dallas Goedert along with 10 others on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday ahead of Saturday’s regular- season finale against Dallas.

Saints Panthers Football Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Haason Reddick celebrates after sacking New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) (Jacob Kupferman)The Latest on Week 2 in the NFL (all times EDT):___2:35 p.m. The Panthers lead the Saints 17-0 at halftime behind two Sam Darnold TD passes, but the big story has once again been their defense. ___1:10 p.m.Two-time Pro Bowler Eric Fisher made his Colts debut Sunday, starting at left tackle less than nine months after rupturing his left Achilles tendon. ___12:05 p.m.Browns starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. is playing against Houston after being listed as questionable and not practicing all week. If Wills couldn’t play – or if he has to come up – Blake Hance will likely move into the left tackle spot.

Wide receiver Jarvis Landry has left the Cleveland Browns game against Houston with a knee injury. ___1:10 p.m.Two-time Pro Bowler Eric Fisher made his Colts debut Sunday, starting at left tackle less than nine months after rupturing his left Achilles tendon. ___12:05 p.m.Browns starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. is playing against Houston after being listed as questionable and not practicing all week. Complicating matters for the Browns is that Wills’ backup, Chris Hubbard, is out with a triceps injury. If Wills couldn’t play – or if he has to come up – Blake Hance will likely move into the left tackle spot.

Tyrod Taylor threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns filling in for Deshaun Watson to lead the Houston Texans to a 37-21 win over Trevor Lawrence and the mistake-prone Jacksonville Jaguars.

Buccaneers Texans Football Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady throws a pass against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Houston. Brady threw for 154 yards and a touchdown in just more than a quarter in the 23-16 win. Brady got off to a slow start, throwing two incompletions on his first drive before a punt by Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay extended the lead to 13-0 on a 13-yard run by Ronald Jones II and Brady was replaced by Blaine Gabbert after that. Second-round pick Kyle Trask finished the game for Tampa Bay and threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Corey McElroy between the two TD passes by Mills.

Tom Brady threw for 154 yards and a touchdown in just more than a quarter and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a 23-16 win over the Houston Texans.

That means that going into tonight’s Saints-Buccaneers showdown, home teams are 65-65-1 so far this season. That homefield advantage has largely been erased with sparse crowds or no fans at games because of the coronavirus pandemic. Las Vegas though has taken control on its first two drives of the second half. Neither had started an NFL game, but both have been in the league much longer than DiNucci. The Tennessee Titans already lost left tackle Taylor Lewan for the season, and now they are without left guard Rodger Saffold.

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) is mobbed by teammates after Henry scored the winning touchdown against the Houston Texans in overtime of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Watson's final TD pass put Houston (1-5) up 36-29 with 1:50 left, but a 2-point conversion attempt failed. Ryan Tannehill, who had three of his 19 career game-winning drives to start this season, drove the Titans 76 yards before finding A.J. He capped the six-play, 82-yard drive with a wildcat snap for his second TD of the game, finishing with 212 yards rushing and 52 yards receiving. Watson answered two plays later with a 53-yard TD pass to Will Fuller for a 30-29 lead with 8:37 left.

Brady threw for 166 yards and two touchdowns, including one to Gronkowski, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rolled to a 38-10 win over the previously undefeated Green Bay Packers. Brady hit Rob Gronkowski for a 12-yard touchdown with 1:02 left in the second quarter to cap the rally. It's been a tough afternoon so far for Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Dolphins had a 21-0 halftime lead after Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 147 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Board has movement in his limbs after suffering a concussion and neck injury in the team's win over Washington.