NFL Player News

Indianapolis designated Dulin (foot) to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Kevin Hickey of USA Today reports.

Dulin has resided on IR since he suffered a foot injury during the Colts' Week 5 game against the Broncos. The transaction opens up a 21-day window during which the Colts can evaluate Dulin for a return to the 53-man roster, but if he isn't activated within the next three weeks, the receiver will stay on IR for the remainder of the campaign. Dulin turned in a 12-168-0 receiving line on 18 targets through Indianapolis' first five games.

Tennessee designated Burks (foot/toe) for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Burks will begin practicing Wednesday and has a 21-day window in which to be added back to the 53-man roster. Prior to landing on IR on Oct. 8, the rookie first-round pick recorded 10 catches for 129 yards (on 16 targets) in four games. Once the wideout is up to speed and ready for game action, he'll have an opportunity to reclaim a key role in the Tennessee passing attack.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that Washington (foot) won't return to practice Wednesday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Though McCarthy said Washington is "very, very close to being ready," the wide receiver won't be designated to return from injured reserve ahead of the Cowboys' first practice coming out of a bye week. With that in mind, Washington seems unlikely to make his 2022 debut Sunday in Green Bay, but a return in Week 11 or later still seems like a good bet. Washington has been out since Aug. 1 while dealing with a foot fracture and will likely handle a depth role once he's deemed healthy enough to play.

Cooks (personal/wrist) was in attendance for the Texans' practice Wednesday, but he was on the sideline for drills during the open portion of the session and is expected to be listed as a non-participant on the team's first official Week 10 injury report, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Cooks was listed as questionable ahead of the Texans' Week 9 game against the Eagles due to a personal matter and a wrist injury, but he was ultimately inactive for Houston's 29-17 loss. Despite his inclusion on the injury report, Cooks' absence last week might have had more to do with his dissatisfaction about staying put in Houston following the Nov. 1 trade deadline, though head coach Lovie Smith hasn't confirmed as much. Cooks returned to the Texans' team facility Friday, and his presence at practice Wednesday would seem to suggest he's putting any differences with the organization aside and angling toward a return to the lineup Sunday against the Giants. Kubena notes that Wednesdays have typically been rest days for Cooks all season, so as long as the wideout is back on the field Thursday as a full participant, he should be on track to play this weekend.

Smith gathered in three of four targets for 29 yards during Monday's 27-13 defeat to the Ravens.

Smith tied with running back Alvin Kamara for the Saints' third most targets Monday. The 26-year-old also caught every ball thrown his way except for a tipped pass that was intercepted by Baltimore linebacker Justin Houston. While veteran Jarvis Landry (ankle) did not play for the fifth straight week, Smith still attracted fewer passes than fellow wideouts Chris Olave (nine) and Marquez Callaway (five). With Michael Thomas (toe) now set to miss the remainder of the season on IR, the 5-foot-11 Smith should once again amass a relatively moderate target share whether or not Landry returns against Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Darden did not log any snaps on offense but returned eight punts for 82 yards in the Buccaneers' 16-13 win over the Rams on Sunday.

It was an extremely busy day on special teams for Darden, who recorded a career high in return yardage on an afternoon when the Rams were about as inept at sustaining drives as the Buccaneers. Darden continues to be among the league's most efficient return men, now averaging 10.6 yards on his 27 punt runbacks overall.

The Packers cut Baker from their practice squad Tuesday.

Baker was signed to Green Bay's practice squad back in mid-October, but he's since been let go after failing to make an appearance on the team's active roster. The 24-year-old will now await another opportunity to receive snaps elsewhere.

The Broncos signed Davis to their practice squad Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Davis signed with the Broncos as an UDFA this offseason and was waived shortly after, but he now has another chance to make an impression on Denver's coaches. Barring a rash of injuries, though, he's probably still a long way away from his NFL debut.

Shenault (illness) was a full participant in practice Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Shenault was a DNP on the team's estimated practice report Monday but with the team holding an actual practice Tuesday, he was able to participate in full. He should be good to go Thursday against the Falcons.

Shepard (knee) said Tuesday that his left ACL operation was a success, and he was rehabbing the following day, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Shepard tore his ACL in Week 3 and underwent surgery at the end of October. He was placed on IR and ruled out for the 2022 campaign, marking back-to-back seasons ended by devastating injuries. The wideout has already turned his focus toward rehabbing for the 2023 campaign, but given his injury history, he could find it difficult to find employment as a free agent in the offseason.