NFL Player News

Cooks (knee) is not participating in the portion of Thursday's practice open to the media, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Cooks has been managing knee soreness since mid-August. Coach Mike McCarthy excused the veteran wideout from two practices last week for personal reasons, but it looks like now that he's back at team facilities, Cooks is still currently sticking to rehab work. Superstar teammate CeeDee Lamb is also now back at practice but working on ramping up his activity levels, and McCarthy said both he and Cooks will do a bit more Thursday, per Todd Archer of ESPN.com. It seems like the Cowboys expect both receivers to be available Week 1 versus the Browns, though Cooks' status is less of a certainty.

Bandy signed with the Broncos' practice squad Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Bandy linked up with Denver last season after playing a depth role with the Chargers in 2022. However, the San Diego product only suited up once in 2023, spending most of his time on the Broncos' practice squad. He appears headed for a similar role in 2024.

Aiyuk is not present at Thursday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Aiyuk's absences were a mainstay of training camp for the 49ers, but it's notable for him to still be a non-participant after coach Kyle Shanahan offered hope Wednesday that the wideout would practice soon. Shanahan also stated Wednesday that Aiyuk has been cleared by team doctors, which could be an indication that San Francisco will consider implementing fines if the 2020 first-round pick's participation level doesn't change. With under two weeks remaining until the 49ers' regular-season opener against the Jets, a resolution to Aiyuk's situation should come soon, no matter the outcome.

Pryor signed with the Bengals' practice squad Wednesday.

Pryor spent time with Cincinnati in 2022 and rejoined the team in 2023 as a practice-squad member after failing to make the Jaguars' roster out of camp. The Wisconsin product still hasn't appeared in a regular-season NFL game, but he will have the opportunity to try and change that in 2024.

Jackson signed with the Bengals' practice squad Wednesday.

Jackson will once again join the team's practice squad after being unable to make their 53-man roster, as was the case last season. The Auburn product did end up appearing in three regular-season games in 2023 but did not record any counting stats.

Coach Zac Taylor said "we'll see" when asked Thursday about Chase's practice availability, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Taylor said things will "probably be very similar to yesterday," per Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer, referring to Chase observing Wednesday's practice in street clothes. The head coach also said Wednesday that he "spoke too quickly" when stating that he expected Chase to be available Week 1 versus New England. Counting the fifth-year option for 2025, the 2021 first-round pick has two years remaining on his rookie deal, but the lack of a long-term contract seems to have created a significant rift between Chase and the Bengals. Both sides have roughly a week and a half to mend that gap before taking on the Patriots at home on Sunday, Sept. 8.

Burgess signed with the Bengals' practice squad Wednesday.

Burgess joined Cincinnati as an undrafted free agent out of SUNY Cortland and stuck with the team to cutdown day. Although he wasn't able to make the active roster out of training camp, he will now have the opportunity to stick around on the practice squad.

Cain signed a contract with the Bills' practice squad Wednesday, Alec White of the team's official site reports.

Cain hasn't seen significant NFL regular-season action since 2019, although he's recorded a combined 49 receptions for 68 yards and five touchdowns with the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL and UFL the last two springs. Cain will have the opportunity to stick around in Buffalo for now after joining the team Aug. 13 and recording three catches for 28 yards during the preseason.

Miller signed with the Ravens' practice squad Wednesday, Ryan Mink of the team's official site reports.

Miller will stick around in Baltimore after not making its 53-man roster. The 30-year-old continues to stick around the league despite not seeing regular-season action since 2021.

Kirkwood signed with the Ravens' practice squad Wednesday, Ryan Mink of the team's official site reports.

Kirkwood suited up in 13 regular-season games for the Saints last season, but he signed with Baltimore as a free agent in June after a tryout. Unfortunately for the Temple product, he was unable to secure an active roster spot, but he'll now have the opportunity to stay with the franchise and earn one this season.