The New England Patriots will be without starting right guard Mike Onwenu for at least the next four weeks after he was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury on Tuesday.
New England signed punter Mitch Wishnowsky to fill Onwenu's spot on the 53-man roster.
Onwenu left late in the first quarter of the Patriots' 20-3 win over Pittsburgh after having his right ankle rolled up on by T.J. Watt as he assisted on a sack of Drake Maye. The TV replay showed a gruesome twisting of the ankle. Onwenu got up on his own power, but had to hop to a waiting cart.
Onwenu was replaced by veteran Greg Van Roten, who was signed in August. Van Roten started 17 games each of the past three seasons during stints with the Raiders and Giants.
Wishnowsky was promoted from the practice squad last week and handled punting duties in the win over the Steelers. It was his second straight game being promoted. He is serving as the team’s primary punter with Bryce Baringer on IR.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel watches as trainers check on New England Patriots guard Mike Onwenu (71) after he was injured during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Foxboro, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks are trading guards Buddy Hield and Ryan Nembhard and cash to the Charlotte Hornets for forward Dorian Finney-Smith, according to a person familiar with the situation.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the trade still needs to be approved by the league.
The Hornets had acquired Finney-Smith and three second-round draft picks from the Houston Rocket s earlier this offseason. Finney-Smith spent last season with Houston but played sparingly and the Rockets were simply looking to unload his contract.
Hield played 51 games last season for the Warriors and Hawks and averaged 7.6 points per game. Nembhard played in 60 games last season for the Mavericks, averaging 6.6 points and 5.3 assists per game.
See AP’s full NBA coverage here
FILE - Dallas Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard (9) dribbles up court during an NBA basketball game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 1, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
FILE - Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) moves the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Jan. 13, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File)
FILE - Houston Rockets forward Dorian Finney-Smith shoots against the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond, File)
