NFL Player News

The Rams placed Nacua (knee) on injured reserve Wedensday.

As expected, Nacua will now miss at least the Rams' next four games after landing on IR. In his absence, fellow wideout Cooper Kupp should be locked in as the clear-cut top target for quarterback Matt Stafford, while wideouts Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson and tight end Colby Parkinson are candidates to see expanded roles in the passing offense.

Higgins (hamstring) isn't participating in Wednesday's practice, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Per Ben Baby of ESPN.com, head coach Zac Taylor noted earlier Wednesday that Higgins is making progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury, but it didn't translate to the wideout taking reps in the Bengals' first Week 2 practice. The Bengals are still viewing Higgins as day-to-day, but he'll need to get back on the practice field in some capacity Thursday and/or Friday to have a shot at avoiding a second straight missed game Sunday versus the Chiefs.

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said that Allen will receive Wednesday's practice off to manage a heel injury, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Allen appears to still be dealing with the heel injury he initially picked up mid-August. He briefly went into the injury tent during the Bears' win over the Titans in Week 1, though he was able to finish out the contest. Though Allen will appear on the Bears' initial Week 2 injury report, Eberflus' characterization of the receiver's absence Wednesday as a rest day suggests that Allen's status for Sunday's game against the Texans isn't in much jeopardy. Meanwhile, rookie wideout Rome Odunze (knee) is considered day-to-day due to an MCL sprain and appears far less likely than Allen to play Week 2.

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said that Odunze (knee) will not practice Wednesday and is considered day-to-day, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Monday that Odunze was viewed as week-to-week after suffering an MCL sprain in Chicago's season-opening win over the Titans, but Eberflus offered a more encouraging label with regard to the rookie's recovery timeframe. Meanwhile, veteran wideout Keenan Allen (heel) is receiving a rest day Wednesday and will be evaluated further Thursday. Allen dealt with a heel injury in August and briefly entered the medical tent Week 1, but he was able to return the field. If either or both of Odunze and Allen are sidelined or in any way limited this Sunday versus the Texans, DeAndre Carter, Tyler Scott and Velus Jones could be asked to step into larger roles behind No. 1 receiver DJ Moore.

Head coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday that Higgins is making progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Per Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer, Taylor labeled Higgins as day-to-day as Sunday's game against the Chiefs approaches. A clearer picture of Higgins' availability for the Week 2 contest should arrive based on the extent of his participation in practices Wednesday through Friday.

Brown (shoulder) won't practice Wednesday, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Though Brown won't take the field Wednesday, head coach Andy Reid said that it's still possible the wideout could be available Sunday against the Bengals. Brown has two more chances to log practice reps before the Chiefs' final Week 2 injury report is posted. In his absence in the team's season opener this past Thursday versus the Ravens, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Justin Watson led Kansas City's wideout corps, with JuJu Smith-Schuster and Skyy Moore mixing in.

Head coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that Brown is "definitely trending in the right direction" to be active for Sunday's game against the Giants, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Brown was a healthy inactive for the Commanders in Week 1, but that decision seems to be mostly a result of the veteran wideout needing more time to get fully acclimated to a new offensive scheme, per Ben Standig of The Athletic. Behind No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin, there's room for Brown to carve out a notable role on offense as rookie Luke McCaffrey and veterans Olamide Zaccheaus and Dyami Brown don't represent insurmountable competition for playing time. It may take a bit more time for Brown to work up to a full snap share, though, after he didn't sign with Washington until late August.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said that Slayton (concussion) won't participate in practice Wednesday, Connor Hughes of SNY.tv reports.

Slayton remains in the NFL's concussion protocol and will likely need to get back on the practice field in some capacity in addition to gaining clearance from an independent neurologist to have a chance at playing Sunday against the Commanders. Jalin Hyatt will have a path to increased offensive snaps alongside starting wideout Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson if Slayton misses any time.

Downs (ankle) is slated to be a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Downs is working his way back from a high-ankle sprain that he sustained Aug. 7 and continues to make progress, with his looming practice participation representing a key step toward potentially returning to action this weekend versus the Packers. In the Colts' Week 1 loss to the Texans, Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell saw added snaps behind top option Michael Pittman.

Powell was not targeted during Minnesota's 28-6 win over the Giants in Week 1.

Powell did return one punt for one yard, but that was the extent of his involvement on the stat sheet in a dominant showing by the Vikings. The Jets downed two punts and sent another three out of bounds, so Powell's involvement as Minnesota's primary punt returner could grow Week 2 against the 49ers on Sunday. He'll also figure to step into a larger offensive role behind Justin Jefferson should Jordan Addison (ankle) be limited at all due to injury.