NFL Player News

Hill was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a chest injury, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Hill's participation at the start of the week, even in a limited capacity, suggests he's more likely than not to play this Sunday against the Colts. His role, however, may be significantly different from the past few weeks with tight end Juwan Johnson (calf) returning to practice Wednesday and potentially suiting up this Sunday after missing four straight games. Hill saw seven and five targets over the past two contests, the first games in his career with more than three.

Hurts (knee) wasn't listed on the Eagles' first Week 8 injury report Wednesday.

Hurts played through a left knee injury this past Sunday against the Dolphins, completing 23 of 31 passes for 279 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, rushing 11 times for 21 yards and one more score and losing his only fumble. While he hasn't missed an offensive snap through seven games, he's already committed more turnovers (10) than he did all of last season (eight). With his health intact ahead of Sunday's contest, Hurts now will set his sights on a Commanders defense that allowed him to pass for 319 yards and two scores back in Week 4.

Darnold may be in line to start Sunday's game against the Bengals after teammate Brock Purdy entered the concussion protocol earlier this week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

While not officially ruled out, Purdy faces a challenge to clear the five-step protocol on a short week after sustaining the head injury during Monday's loss at Minnesota. Darnold has taken 18 snaps and attempted one pass so far this season, strictly subbing in for Purdy in the late stages of blowout wins. The 26-year-old last served as a starter for Carolina over the final six weeks of last season, a stretch in which he won four games and completed 58.6 percent of his passes for 8.2 yards per attempt while accounting for nine touchdowns (seven passing, two rushing) and five turnovers (three interceptions, two lost fumbles).

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Purdy entered the concussion protocol after Monday's 22-17 loss at Minnesota, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Purdy was his typical efficient self in Week 7, completing 21 of 30 passes for 272 yards and one touchdown, but he also threw a pair of interceptions, the last of which sealed the game. He then began to experience concussion symptoms on the flight back to San Francisco, clouding his status on a short week to prepare for Sunday's matchup with the Bengals. Shanahan told Matt Barrows of The Athletic that backup quarterback Sam Darnold will handle the first-team reps Wednesday, but Purdy will take part in some of the walk-through session.

Watson, who won't start Sunday's contest against the Seahawks, is slated focus on rehabbing his shoulder injury throughout the week and then rest on game day, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

With Watson dealing with some residual swelling in his shoulder after exiting early in this past Sunday's win over the Colts, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Wednesday that PJ Walker is slated to start Sunday's contest. Meanwhile, Dorian Thompson-Robinson will serve as Walker's backup, so expect the Browns to make Watson inactive for the contest. Per the report, the Browns' plan is to have Watson travel with the team to Seattle, but the signal-caller will likely be formally ruled out Friday following the release of the Browns' final Week 8 injury report.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said Wednesday that Hurts (knee) should be fine to play without restrictions this Sunday against the Commanders, Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Hurts played through the injury in Sunday's 31-17 win over Miami, albeit while sporting a brace on his left knee in the second half. While Hurts isn't expected to miss any games, it's possible that his rushing production suffers a bit in the short term.

Taylor is taking first-team reps at Wednesday's practice, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Daniel Jones (neck) has been throwing in practice since last week but still hasn't been cleared for contact. He'll return to the starting job once he's cleared, despite Taylor's solid performance as a fill-in starter the past two weeks. Taylor seems to be trending toward a third consecutive start Sunday against the Jets, though Jones still has a few more days to gain clearance and upgrade to full practice participation.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Walker will start Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

Walker -- who was signed to the Browns' 53-man roster earlier Wednesday -- will make his second start of the season and should be in store for his third extended outing in a row while Deshaun Watson focuses on rehabbing his injured throwing shoulder. After Watson missed the final three quarters of the Week 7 game against the Colts upon experiencing a setback with the shoulder injury that had kept him out for the previous two games, Walker came on in relief and completed 15 of 32 pass attempts for 178 yards and one interception in the Browns' 39-38 win. The Browns have won both of the games that Walker has appeared in this season, but it's largely been on the strength of the defense and kicking game rather than the quarterback, who has completed just half of his passes for 5.6 yards per attempt while throwing three picks.

Watson is expected to focus on rehabbing his injured throwing shoulder this week after head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Wednesday that PJ Walker will serve as the Browns' starting quarterback Sunday against the Seahawks.

The Browns haven't officially ruled Watson out for the contest, but expect the team to confirm as much by the end of the week. Along with Walker and Watson, the Browns have rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson on hand as another option at quarterback, so he'll presumably serve as Walker's understudy if Watson is in fact ruled out. Assuming Watson responds well to rehab for the right rotator cuff strain that kept him from playing Weeks 4 and 5 and resulted in his early removal in the Browns' Week 7 win over the Colts, he could have a chance to return to the starting lineup Week 9 versus Arizona.

Carolina signed Luton to its practice squad Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

A little over a week after being cut loose by New Orleans, Luton has now found another opportunity with the Saints' division rival. As long as Bryce Young and Andy Dalton remain healthy though, Luton doesn't have a realistic path to playing time.