NFL Player News

Coach Shane Steichen said Friday that Downs has cleared concussion protocol and will play Sunday against the Titans, Amanda Foster of the Colts' official site reports.

The wideout was trending in the right direction after practicing fully Thursday, and with Downs past the concussion that sidelined him Week 7, he'll reclaim his role in a Colts' WR corps that also features Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce. In six games prior to his concussion, Downs compiled a 26-217-1 line on 34 targets, a pace that has given the 2023 third-rounder a degree of fantasy utility in deeper formats and makes him a lineup option for those in need of WR help with six teams on bye this week.

Brown (hamstring) isn't practicing Friday, Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia reports.

A third straight missed practice is bad news for Brown and his fantasy managers, although Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said earlier Friday that the wideout doesn't need to practice this week in order to play in Sunday's game against the Giants. Brown did work out on the side Thursday while his teammates practiced, with Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer suggesting that the wideout was on track to play Sunday. A third missed practice may have changed that expectation, with Brown now highly likely to have a game designation on the final injury report later Friday.

Collins (concussion) isn't practicing Friday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

That also applies to Christian Kirk (hamstring), and with the duo having missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, both players could be ruled out for Sunday's game against the 49ers later Friday. If that's the case, Xavier Hutchinson, Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel and Braxton Berrios would be in line to handle Houston's Week 8 WR duties.

Kirk (hamstring) remains a non-participant in practice Friday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

Kirk and Nico Collins (concussion) haven't practiced all week. Both wide receivers presumably will be ruled out for Sunday's game against the 49ers, though official confirmation won't come until the Texans post their injury report later Friday.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Friday that Brown (hamstring) does not necessarily need to practice this week in order to play in Sunday's game against the Giants, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Sirianni didn't say if Brown will return to practice Friday after missing the previous two days. Reports on Thursday suggested Brown is still expected to play this week, but another absence Friday might change that thinking, despite what Sirianni said about Brown being able to play without practicing.

Head coach Brain Daboll said Friday that he's optimistic about Slayton's (hamstring) availability for Sunday's game against the Eagles after Slayton had "two good days" of practice Wednesday and Thursday, Dan Solomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Slayton was listed as limited Wednesday and Thursday. Barring an upgrade to full participation Friday, Slayton may carry a questionable designation into Sunday's game after sitting out the Giants' past two contests. Daboll's optimism suggests Slayton will likely suit up barring a setback.

Coach Sean McDermott said Friday that Palmer (knee/ankle) won't play Sunday against the Panthers, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

With Palmer unavailable, look for Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir to lead the Bills' Week 8 WR corps, while Curtis Samuel, Tyrell Shavers and Elijah Moore will be available to mix in. Palmer's next chance to see game action will arrive Sunday, Nov. 2 against the Chiefs.

Samuel (ribs) won't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Panthers, coach Sean McDermott said Friday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Samuel will practice without limitations Friday, paving the way for the veteran wide receiver to reprise his role as the primary kickoff returner on special teams and a depth option on offense. He sat out Buffalo's Week 6 loss to Atlanta, but a Week 7 bye provided him enough time to recover.

Coach Aaron Glenn noted Friday that Wilson (knee) will be out for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

With the Jets on bye Week 9, the star wideout's next chance to see game action will occur Sunday, Nov. 9 versus the Browns. In Wilson's continued absence, Josh Reynolds, Arian Smith and Allen Lazard are on track to lead the Jets' receiving corps versus Cincinnati, though the team's Week 8 starting QB has yet to be revealed by Glenn.

Hill (knee) hasn't decided if he will continue playing football or retire from the NFL, ESPN.com reports.

Hill's immediate focus is on his recovery from a significant knee injury suffered Sept. 29 against the Jets. What will come after that for the 31-year-old wide receiver has yet to be determined. Hill's under contract with the Dolphins in 2026 at a cap hit of $52 million, but Miami can void the deal and instead incur just over $28 million of dead cap space. Even in the most optimistic recovery scenario, Hill will be hard-pressed to be ready for the start of the 2026 season.