NFL Player News

The 49ers elevated Taylor from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Taylor will be elevated from the practice squad for the first time this season. He'll provide depth at wide receiver and as a kick and punt returner if Jacob Cowing (shoulder) is unable to play Sunday against the Cardinals. Taylor played in all 17 regular-season games for the Bears in 2023 and tallied 188 punt return yards.

The Steelers elevated Johnson from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Johnson signed with the Steelers' practice squad in late August after failing to make the Broncos' 53-man roster at the conclusion of training camp. With Denver last season, Johnson registered 19 catches (on 30 targets) for 284 yards and four touchdowns across 13 regular-season games.

The Bills elevated Shavers from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Chris Brown of the Bills Radio Network reports.

Despite a strong training camp, Shavers was unable to crack the Bills' initial 53-man roster, but he opted to stick around on the practice squad. Shavers will provide depth at wide receiver for Sunday's game against the Texans after top pass catcher Khalil Shakir was ruled out due to an ankle injury.

The Commanders elevated Tremayne from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Tremayne has been with the Commanders since signing as an undrafted free agent in May of 2023. He's spent his entire NFL tenure on Washington's practice squad, but the 25-year-old wide receiver has a chance at seeing his first regular-season action Sunday against the Browns. He'll likely contribute on special teams and provide some insurance at wide receiver after Noah Brown (groin) was ruled out ahead of Sunday's game.

The Raiders elevated Bachman from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Bachman will provide depth at wide receiver due to Davante Adams (hamstring) and Tyreik McAllister (shoulder) being listed as out and questionable, respectively, for Sunday's game against the Raiders. Bachman was elevated for Week 4 against the Browns, during which he played 10 snaps (one on offense, nine on special teams) and did not record a target.

Hardman (knee) was a full participant in Saturday's practice but is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Saints, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Hardman was listed as a DNP on Friday's injury report due to a knee injury, but his ability to practice without restriction Saturday indicates that he's on the probable side of playing Sunday. Hardman hasn't recorded a target through the first four games of the regular season and has been limited to kick and punt return duties.

The Rams elevated Smith from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

This is the third and final time Smith can be elevated from the practice squad, and if the Rams want him to stick around, they would have to sign him to the active roster following Sunday's game against the Packers. Smith has played 19 snaps (two on offense, 17 on special teams) over his two regular-season outings.

The Packers have suspended Doubs for Sunday's game against the Rams due to conduct detrimental to the team, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Doubs did not make the trip to Los Angeles, and his absence in Week 5 will loom larger than normal since the Packers are also expected to be without fellow wideout Christian Watson (ankle), who is listed as doubtful. According to Schneidman, Doubs has reportedly had expressed frustration in his role within the offense, despite being tied for the third-most targets and playing 38 more snaps than any Packers wide receiver. General manager Brian Gutekunst suggested that the team is confident that it will be able "to move forward in a positive manner" with Doubs, so for the moment, the expectation is that the 24-year-old will be back in the fold for a Week 6 matchup with the Cardinals. Expect Dontayvion Wicks and Bo Melton to both take on substantial roles alongside Jayden Reed in the expected absences of Doubs and Watson in Week 5.

Beckham (knee), who was activated off the reserve/PUP list Saturday, is listed as questionable but is slated to make his season debut Sunday against the Patriots, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Beckham is more of a big name than a fantasy factor at this point in his career, and even if he does still have some juice left in him, Miami's moribund passing attack without Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) will make it difficult to rely on him to deliver useful numbers. The 31-year-old Beckham recorded 565 receiving yards in 14 games with the Ravens in 2023 and likely represents an upgrade over Malik Washington and practice squad call-ups as a No. 3 option at receiver behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Because he just resumed practicing this week after spending the entirety of training camp and the preseason on the PUP list, Beckham will likely be on a limited snap count Week 5.

Bourne (knee), who was activated off the reserve/PUP list Saturday, is listed as questionable for Sunday's game but is expected to play, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

Bourne was expected to make his season debut Sunday after practicing in limited fashion all week. He'll join a beleaguered Patriots passing attack that has yet to surpass 170 passing yards in any of the four contests this campaign. The veteran receiver quietly had developed into a featured pass catcher last season in a similarly dire passing offense, recording at least two catches in all eight games before going down with a season-ending ACL tear, but it's hard to imagine Bourne significantly turning around a New England offense that ranks dead last in total passing yards in 2024.