NFL Player News

Metcalf (knee) won't practice Wednesday, but head coach Mike Macdonald said he's optimistic the wideout will return to practice Thursday and then play in Sunday's game against the Rams, Curtis Crabtree of Fox 13 Seattle reports.

Metcalf didn't practice last week and ended up missing a 31-10 loss to the Bills after suffering an MCL sprain the week before. His sprain isn't thought to be especially, but Macdonald's optimism should probably be taken with a grain of salt, especially with a bye week coming up after Sunday's game and then two more divisional games scheduled on the other side of the bye (Week 11 at San Francisco, Week 12 vs. Arizona).

Thielen (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Thielen remains on injured reserve, but if he can maintain limited practice activity or upgrade to full activity at some point this week, he could be activated ahead of Sunday's game against the Saints. Whenever Thielen makes his return to the 53-man roster, he could be in line to handle an increased role on offense, after the Panthers traded top wideout Diontae Johnson (rib) to the Ravens on Tuesday. Of course, the Panthers are playing for the future, so the team could opt to maximize opportunities for rookies Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker and second-year wideout Jonathan Mingo once Thielen has been cleared to play.

Higgins (quadricep) didn't practice Wednesday, instead working on a side field with trainers, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

The injury doesn't seem too serious, considering Higgins is working on a side field five days after injuring his quad during practice. He has a lengthy history of hamstring injuries, however, which may prompt the Bengals to proceed cautiously with him. Higgins missed Sunday's 37-17 loss to the Eagles and now appears uncertain to play this coming Sunday against the Raiders.

Cracraft (upper body) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Cracraft has been on IR since Week 1 prep began, due to the injury he suffered during training camp. He'll now have a 21-day window to practice with the team before he needs to be placed on the 53-man roster. Once healthy and active, he should compete with Odell Beckham for snaps at wide receiver, behind Tyreek Hill (foot) and Jaylen Waddle.

Hill (foot) isn't practicing Wednesday, Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post reports.

The Dolphins added Hill to their injury report last Thursday and listed him as questionable for Sunday's eventual loss to the Cardinals. He ended up suiting up and played 88 percent of snaps in the contest while leading the team in targets (nine) and receiving yards (72). A return to practice Thursday and/or Friday would put Hill on track to play again this Sunday at Buffalo.

Polk (concussion) was present for practice Wednesday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Polk didn't practice at all during Week 8, so his presence at Wednesday's session bodes well for his chances of being cleared to play Sunday against the Titans. If Polk is available this weekend, however, his role would be somewhat muddled. The 2024 second-round pick has struggled with drops this season and has been limited to 10 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown on 26 targets through seven appearances.

Johnson reverted to the Steelers' practice squad Tuesday.

Johnson was elevated for Pittsburgh's win over the Giants on Monday but didn't see the field. Since he has now been elevated three times, he'll have to sign with the 53-man roster if he's going to suit up again for the Steelers.

Milne signed with the Panthers' practice squad Wednesday.

Milne spent training camp with the Raiders after missing the 2023 campaign due to a groin injury, but he failed to secure a spot on their 53-man roster. The BYU product did suit up 15 times in 2022 for the Commanders, working as a return man and making six catches on seven targets for 37 yards and a touchdown.

Head coach Sean McDermott said that Samuel (pectoral) will be a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Chris Brown of the Bills Radio Network reports.

Samuel missed Buffalo's win over Seattle in Week 8 due to a pectoral injury, one which could reasonably force him out for another game this Sunday versus Miami. He was unable to practice in any fashion last week, so Samuel's ability to begin Week 9 prep as a partial participant is a step in the right direction.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Cooper won't practice Wednesday due to a wrist injury, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

McDermott said the Bills will take it one day at a time with regard to Cooper's recovery from the wrist injury, temporarily clouding the wideout's status for Sunday's game against the Bills. If Cooper isn't able to play this weekend, more targets would potentially open up for receivers Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman and tight end Dalton Kincaid.