NFL Player News

The Browns signed Bell from the practice squad to the active roster Wednesday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Bell was waived by the Browns this past Thursday before joining the team's practice squad two days later. The 2022 third-round pick is back on the 53-man roster after Cleveland placed four players on injured reserve Wednesday. Bell appeared in 15 regular-season games for the Browns in 2023 and registered 14 catches (on 23 targets) for 167 yards and three touchdowns.

Vele didn't practice Wednesday due to a rib injury, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Vele is banged up after a surprisingly busy NFL debut in this past Sunday's loss to the Seahawks in which the 2024 seventh-round draft pick caught all eight of his targets, albeit for only 39 yards. He'll have two more chances to upgrade his practice participation as he looks to avoid carrying an injury designation into Sunday's home opener against the Steelers.

Reynolds (Achilles) didn't practice Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Reynolds was nursing an Achilles injury heading into Week 1, but he put forth three consecutive full practices before leading the Broncos with 45 receiving yards in a 26-20 loss to Seattle. Fellow wide receiver Devaughn Vele (ribs) was also absent from Wednesday's session, leaving Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin as the only three healthy wide receivers on the roster. Reynolds and Vele both have two opportunities left to resume practicing as the Broncos prepare to host the Steelers on Sunday.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that Nacua (knee) has a "unique" injury that may require him to miss more than the required four games while on injured reserve, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

The Rams conveniently have a Week 6 bye that affords Nacua and other teammates on IR some extra recovery time before a potential return Week 7 against the Raiders, but McVay's comments suggest that the second-year receiver is no lock to be ready for activation when first eligible. The team officially placed Nacua on IR on Wednesday due to a PCL sprain in his right knee that he suffered in Sunday's season-opening loss to Detroit, which was an aggravation of the bursa sac issue that he sustained Aug. 4. As long as Nacua is sidelined, Cooper Kupp will be the Rams' clear top wide receiver, with Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson the next players up at the position.

Wilson (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Wilson wasn't able to suit up Week 1, but he's now logged four consecutive limited practice sessions to kick off the regular season. The ankle injury the rookie third-round pick suffered in training camp also prevented him from playing in any preseason action. The rookie seems to be making progress, but he'll likely need to upgrade to full participation in practice Thursday and/or Friday to have a chance at making his NFL debut this Sunday in Denver.

Hopkins (knee) isn't listed on the Wednesday's injury report, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Hopkins played just 17 snaps in this past Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Bears after being listed as questionable due to a knee injury entering the game. He isn't in danger of missing Sunday's home opener against the Jets, and while it remains to be seen how much Hopkins will be deployed, head coach Brian Callahan is optimistic that the veteran wide receiver will have a larger role, per Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site.

Perry (hand) was a full practice participant Wednesday.

Perry didn't play Week 1 against the Panthers after sitting out practice last Thursday and Friday due to a hand injury. The issue isn't affecting his on-field reps this week, however, indicating he's good to go for Sunday's visit to the Cowboys. Perry thus will be in consideration for wideout reps alongside Cedrick Wilson behind starters Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Wednesday that Legette "played fast" and was "fantastic" in his regular-season debut in last Sunday's loss to the Saints but still has a long way to go, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.

Legette played 58 percent of snaps and ran a route on 66 percent of Carolina's pass plays in the Week 1 loss, leading the Panthers in targets (seven) and catches (four) despite splitting playing time with Jonathan Mingo. The rookie caught each of his first three targets for 31 yards, before reeling in just one of four targets in the fourth quarter (for four yards) while presumed No. 1 receiver Diontae Johnson was resting on the sideline. Johnson and Adam Thielen presumably are locked into their roles, but Legette could take more playing time away from Mingo as soon as Week 2 against the Chargers.

Williams practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday due to an ankle injury.

On the heels of a breakout Week 1 performance against the Rams in which he produced a 5-121-1 receiving line on nine targets, plus a 13-yard carry, Williams is tending to a health concern, which may stem from the first-half play in which he appeared to get banged up. He finished out the contest, but the Lions will take it easy on the third-year wide receiver as the team begins prepping for this Sunday's game versus the Buccaneers.

Downs (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Downs, who continues to make progress in his recovery from a high-ankle sprain that he sustained Aug. 7, told James Boyd of The Athletic that he felt "70 percent" last week and is now feeling in the "80-to-90 percent" range. At this stage, the wideout says that the key to him feeling capable of playing this Sunday against the Packers rests in his ability to run and cut without thinking about his ankle.