NFL Player News

Brown (hamstring) was spotted at Wednesday's padded practice, Brooks Kubena of The Athletic reports.

Brown tweaked his hamstring in advance of a Week 2 matchup with the Falcons and didn't get back on the practice field until Sept. 27. He then was ruled out one day later for a Week 4 visit to Tampa Bay, marking his third absence in a row. With the benefit of the Eagles' Week 5 bye, Brown and fellow wideout DeVonta Smith (concussion) were participants at Wednesday's session, but their respective activity levels won't become known until the team posts its first Week 6 injury report.

Dell could see additional targets for at least the next four games after the Texans placed Nico Collins (hamstring) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Dell has posted more than 40 receiving yards only once this season and is still searching for his first touchdown of 2024 after scoring seven times in 11 games as a rookie in 2023 prior to suffering a season-ending injury to his lower leg. Through the first five weeks of the season, Dell has struggled to earn meaningful volume in the passing game while ceding the majority of targets to Collins and Stefon Diggs, but Collins' absence will allow Dell to take on a regular role in two-receiver sets. After Collins exited early in last week's win over the Bills, Xavier Hutchinson served as the primary No. 3 wideout behind Diggs and Dell.

Diggs is poised to lead Houston's receiving corps for at least the next four games after the Texans placed Nico Collins (hamstring) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Diggs has been out-targeted 45-41 by Collins through five games, and Collins has been much more effective with his volume, posting a league-leading 567 receiving yards compared to Diggs' 315. While Diggs' focus on shorter routes will make it tough to replicate Collins' exceptional production, the veteran wide receiver's fantasy stock should nonetheless rise from this development. Diggs could be in for even more attention from star quarterback C.J. Stroud for the duration of Collins' absence, with Tank Dell, Xavier Hutchinson and Dalton Schultz also expected to help pick up the slack.

Legette (shoulder) practiced fully Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Legette made an early departure from this past Sunday's loss in Chicago due to a shoulder injury, and he underwent tests on his AC joint earlier this week. Those tests must have turned up nothing too serious, considering he handled all on-field work Wednesday. The same can't be said for fellow wide receiver Diontae Johnson (ankle), who remained limited for a third straight practice going back to last week.

Smith (concussion) is in line to practice Wednesday, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

With the benefit of the Eagles' Week 5 bye, Smith will look to keep his absence to only one game as a result of the concussion that he sustained during a Week 3 win at New Orleans. Wednesday's practice report will reveal how much work he and A.J. Brown (hamstring) were able to handle after both wideouts missed the Week 4 loss to the Buccaneers.

Johnson (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Johnson now has logged three consecutive capped sessions going back to last week, but he was able to suit up for this past Sunday's loss at Chicago and handle a typical 80 percent snap share on his way to three catches (on six targets) for 23 yards. Meanwhile, Xavier Legette (shoulder) practiced in full Wednesday, meaning the Panthers may have most of their wide receivers aside from Adam Thielen (hamstring) available Week 6 against the Falcons.

Watson (ankle) was seen participating in the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Watson is back at practice for the first time since suffering a high-ankle sprain Week 4 against the Vikings. Though the injury is often one that sidelines players for multiple games, Watson's ability to practice in some capacity to begin Week 6 prep could give him a chance to return to action Sunday against the Cardinals after he sat out the Week 5 win over the Rams. Romeo Doubs also returned to practice Wednesday after his one-game suspension.

Dallas signed Williams to its practice squad Wednesday.

Williams didn't make the cut for the Jaguars' 53-man roster ahead of the regular season, but now he's getting a fresh shot with the Cowboys. The team only has five healthy wideouts on its active roster right now, so it's not out of the question that Williams could be elevated sooner rather than later.

Downs injured his toe during Sunday's 37-34 loss to Jacksonville, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Downs either suffered the injury at the end of the game or was able to play through it, finishing with nine catches for 69 yards on 12 targets and taking 11 of 15 snaps in the fourth quarter. He's now absent at the start of Wednesday's practice as the Colts begin preparations for a matchup with the Titans this Sunday.

Legette (shoulder) is on the field for the media-access portion of Wednesday's practice, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Legette was forced out of Carolina's loss to the Bears in Week 5 early due to a shoulder issue, but he's said he doesn't expect to miss time. The rookie first-round pick also underwent imaging Monday to test his AC joint, but Legette looks to have been cleared of anything significant. The Panthers' first official Week 6 practice report will be issued later Wednesday, when it will be known to what extent Legette participated.