NFL Player News

Stevenson missed Wednesday's practice because of a toe injury.

There's been no comment yet from Stevenson or his coaches on the severity of the injury. He played into the fourth quarter during a 32-13 win over the Browns this past Sunday, taking around 85 percent of offensive snaps prior to the final 7-to-8 minutes of the game. His lack of work late in the contest made sense within the context of a blowout, but it now appears a toe injury may have been a factor as well.

Pollard (neck) was limited at practice Wednesday.

While logging a 46 percent snap share in in this past Sunday's 38-14 loss to the Colts, Pollard carried 11 times for 44 yards while adding one catch on two targets. Meanwhile, fellow RB Tyjae Spears parlayed a 52 percent snap share into a 9-59-1 rushing line to go along with three catches for 23 yards. Pollard now has two more chances to upgrade his practice participation before the Titans assign Week 9 injury designations, but so far there's been nothing to suggest that he won't be available this weekend against the Chargers.

Jacobs (calf) was limited in practice Wednesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

For a second week in a row, Jacobs is kicking it off with a cap on his reps due to a lingering calf injury. However, he was able to suit up this past Sunday at Pittsburgh and log a 54 percent snap share on his way to 16 touches for 45 yards from scrimmage and one rushing TD. Jacobs will have two more chances to get back to all activity this week before the Packers potentially clear him again ahead of Sunday's contest against the Panthers.

Hunt is expected to get most of the carries Sunday at Buffalo in the absence of teammate Isiah Pacheco (knee), ESPN's Nate Taylor reports.

Brashard Smith will have a role, and Elijah Mitchell may even get some work, but Hunt figures to take many/most of the carries that had been going to Pacheco. Adding those on top of the work he already gets -- which includes short-yardage situations -- should put Hunt in a valuable role, projecting for double-digit touches and solid odds to score a touchdown. A huge yardage total is unlikely, but potential TDs offer a path to upside that makes Hunt a sold lineup option for Week 9.

Swift (groin) didn't practice Wednesday.

Swift was among a number of Bears skill-position players that weren't able to practice to kick off Week 9 prep, the others being WRs Rome Odunze (heel), DJ Moore (hip/groin), Olamide Zaccheaus (knee) and Luther Burden (concussion). Swift has been dealing with a groin injury for three weeks running and followed a DNP/LP/LP practice regimen last week before suiting up this past Sunday at Baltimore, a contest in which he handled a 49 percent snap share and turned 13 touches into 71 yards from scrimmage and one rushing TD. Wednesday's absence may merely be for maintenance purposes, but his status still will be watched as the week continues to get a sense of his odds to continue leading the Bears backfield Sunday at Cincinnati.

Stevenson isn't participating in the media-access portion of Wednesday's practice, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Stevenson played into the fourth quarter of a 32-13 win over the Browns on Sunday, finishing with 15 touches for 49 yards on 72 percent snap share. He didn't get any work over the final seven minutes of the game, but that may have been due to the score rather than an injury. It remains to be seen if his Wednesday absence is injury-related.

Johnson signed with the Patriots' practice squad Wednesday, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

The South Florida product was cut from the Cardinals' practice squad Tuesday, but he's already found a new home in New England. He made on appearance for Arizona this season, rushing once for no yards across 14 offensive snaps. With Antonio Gibson (knee), Lan Larison (foot) and Deneric Prince (Tulsa) all currently on injured reserve, Johnson could be elevated to the Patriots' active roster and play a depth role in the backfield.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday that Lloyd (hamstring), who remains on IR, is not nearing a return to practice, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Lloyd has spent the entire regular season on IR due to a hamstring injury. LaFleur offered optimism about the second-year pro's progression toward the practice field in mid-October, but it seems things have since changed. It's possible that Lloyd, who has dealt with consistent injury issues since being selected by Green Bay in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, has suffered a setback in his recovery. In any case, Emanuel Wilson has entrenched himself as the No. 2 option behind Josh Jacobs in the Packers' backfield, so if Lloyd does return to action this season, he'll likely compete with Chris Brooks for the No. 3 role.

Pacheco (knee) won't practice Wednesday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Pacheco's absence from the Chiefs' first practice this week isn't surprising, with Tom Pelissero of NFL Network having reported Tuesday that the running back is considered week-to-week with an MCL sprain. Per Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com, coach Andy Reid indicated that he doesn't think Pacheco's injury is a long-term concern, but it remains to be seen if suiting up Sunday against the Bills is a possibility for the Chiefs' leading rusher. In the event that he's sidelined this weekend, Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith would be next up for carries, with Elijah Mitchell available to mix in.

The Seahawks signed Jones to their practice squad Wednesday, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

The 2022 third-round pick from Tennessee was dropped from the Saints' active roster on Oct. 24, but he's already found a new home in Seattle. Jones appeared in five games for the Saints this season, recording 183 kick-return yards across 76 total snaps (74 on special teams, two on offense). Now with the Seahawks, he could be elevated to the active roster at some point this season as a return man.