NFL Player News

The NFL officially suspended Williams two games for violating the league's policy regarding performance-enhancing substances Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Initial word of the suspension leaked Monday via Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com, and shortly after Williams announced through his agency Alliance Sports Management on Thursday that he won't appeal the ban, it became official. Williams thus will be out Week 8 against the Titans and Week 9 in Green Bay, after which he'll be eligible for reinstatement Nov. 4. In the meantime, Tim Patrick, Kalif Raymond and Allen Robinson will be the candidates for reps behind top wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Williams announced via his agency Alliance Sports Management on Thursday that he won't appeal his two-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Williams thus will be absent this Sunday against the Titans and Week 9 at Green Bay, making his next possible game action Sunday, Nov. 10 in Houston. While Williams is sidelined, the Lions will lean on Tim Patrick, Kalif Raymond and Allen Robinson alongside top wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Flowers (ankle) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Jonas Shaffer of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

He'll go down as a non-participant for the second practice in a row, clouding his status for Sunday's game in Cleveland. The Ravens will wait and see what, if anything, Flowers can do during Friday's practice before determining whether he'll be cleared to play against the Browns, carry a designation into the weekend or be ruled out for the contest. A potential Flowers absence Sunday would likely free up more targets for receivers Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor and tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.

Samuel (pectoral) is not participating in Thursday's practice, Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News reports.

Samuel remains sidelined due to a pectoral injury that forced him out of Buffalo's win over Tennessee in Week 7. He's trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's road matchup against the Seahawks, but an absence on Samuel's part may not impact the Bills offense too notably. Through seven games this season, Samuel has yet to rack up a 100 yards from scrimmage.

Lazard (chest) is not participating in Thursday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Lazard has now missed back-to-back practices due to a chest injury, a development that casts genuine uncertainty over his status for Sunday's road matchup against New England. If Lazard isn't able to suit up Week 8, Garrett Wilson and new teammate Davante Adams will possess a clearer path than usual to working as the unquestioned top targets in the wide receiver room for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Polk (concussion) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

After missing Wednesday's session, Polk now has one more chance to practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Jets. If the 2024 second-round pick is unavailable this weekend, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte and Kendrick Bourne would be in line to lead the Patriots' wideout corps.

Downs (groin/toe) participated in practice Thursday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Both Downs and Michael Pittman (back) were deemed non-participants Wednesday, but both were back for Thursday's session, which bodes well for their availability for Sunday's game against the Texans. The Colts' upcoming injury report will reveal Downs' official participation level Thursday.

Pittman (back) participated in practice Thursday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Pittman was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's session, but his presence on the field a day later suggests that the Colts may simply be managing the wideout's practice reps as he works through a back issue. The team's second Week 8 injury report will be released later Thursday and will clarify the extent of Pittman's participation in his return to practice.

Baker (illness) isn't listed on the Patriots' Week 8 injury report.

An illness led to Baker missing practice this past Friday, and the wideout ended up being made inactive for the Patriots' Week 7 loss to the Jaguars. While the 2024 fourth-rounder has moved past his illness, he's not a lock to be in uniform Sunday against the Jets, given that he was a healthy scratch Weeks 5 and 6.

The Chiefs placed Moore on injured reserve Thursday due to a core-muscle injury.

Moore joins fellow wideouts Hollywood Brown (shoulder) and Rashee Rice (knee) on IR, with the move occurring on the same day that DeAndre Hopkins was officially traded to the Chiefs. The soonest Moore can return to game action is Nov. 24 against the Panthers, but it's unclear if he'll be ready to go by then. Head coach Andy Reid said that the receiver's injury will "need to get fixed," implying that Moore will soon get surgery, per Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com. Prior to his placement on IR, the 2022 second-round pick did not record a catch on three targets over six games.