NFL Player News

Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said Wednesday that the breakdown in carries between Washington and Ashton Jeanty will be determined on a week-to-week basis, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.

Per Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com, Kubiak said that he "absolutely" believes that Jeanty can be a bell cow running back, but at least for the time being, he looks like he'll be part of a timeshare with Washington. Jeanty has seen his carry count drop or hold steady in each successive game since Week 1, culminating in the 2025 first-round pick logging just two carries in this past Sunday's 38-33 win over the Jets, while Washington carried a career-high 25 times for 83 yards. The split in carries may not be quite as dramatic in weeks to come, but Washington appears to have earned himself a sizable piece of the pie while he's averaging 4.3 yards per tote to Jeanty's 3.1 mark through eight games. Jeanty remains the Raiders' clear cut top option on passing downs over Washington, who has recorded just three receptions for 11 yards on six targets so far this season.

Watson (ribs) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

In the midst of making a visit to the hospital during last Thursday's win against the Panthers, he was able to return and finished with eight catches (on 10 targets) for 113 yards. Afterward, he was revealed to have a broken rib, which likely will be an injury he plays through while employing pain tolerance. In any case, Friday's injury report will unveil whether or not he enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's game at New England.

Ferguson (ankle) is returning to practice Wednesday, opening his 21-day window to return, Gary Klein of the LA Times reports.

Ferguson has been out since sustaining an ankle injury against the Broncos in Week 3. He has upward of 21 days to be activated off IR. A return in Week 9 may be optimistic at this stage and will hinge on his practice participation for the remainder of the week. Regardless, Ferguson is trending toward being back on the field in the near future.

Pickens (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Pickens was limited by shoulder and hamstring injuries last week, but he was able to suit up this past Sunday against the Cardinals, logging a 57 percent snap share and gathering in two of four targets for 48 yards. As Week 9 prep kicks off, he's being listed with only the hamstring issue, which continues to impact his on-field work. Pickens will have two more chances to get back to full Thursday and Friday before Dallas potentially tags him with a designation for Sunday's contest at Indianapolis.

Bryant (ankle) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday and returned to practice, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Help is on the way for the Broncos' passing game, as Bryant is making progress toward a return. His 21-day practice window is now open, though his status for Week 9 against the Panthers is still undetermined.

McCaffrey (hamstring) said Wednesday that he has a chance to practice this week and play Sunday against the Raiders, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

McCaffrey toughed out what eventually was revealed to be a mild left hamstring strain during a Week 7 loss in Atlanta, when he finished with 13 touches for 100 yards from scrimmage and one rushing TD. With the benefit of a Week 8 bye, he said Wednesday that he feels "great," but chances for on-field work await for him Thursday and Friday.

Coach Kellen Moore announced Wednesday that Smyth will be the Saints' kicker in Week 9, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Smythe will take over for the recently released Daniel Carlson. A native of Northern Ireland, Smythe went 12-for-16 on field goals over six games for the Saints in 2025.

Rice (hamstring/knee) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Rice got back in the fold in Week 8 to the tune of an 7-53-1 line after missing time with a hamstring injury, and he is limited to start preparation for the Jets. The Chiefs could be exercising caution with their top receiver, who also rehabbed from knee surgery during the offseason. A limited session Wednesday does not mean his Week 9 status is in jeopardy, but his participation over the coming days will be telling.

Kelce (ankle) was listed as limited in Wednesday's practice.

Kelce logged a limited session this past Thursday before practicing fully a day later. He then approached Week 8 action without an injury designation, en route to recording a 78 percent snap share and catching five of his seven targets for 67 yards in the Chiefs' 28-24 loss to the Broncos. Chances are, the tight end's listed limitations Wednesday were maintenance-related, and he will now have two more chances to work fully ahead of Sunday's game against the Jets.

Tyson (hamstring) turned in a limited practice Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

This is a big step in the right direction for Tyson, whose 21-day practice window is now open. The rookie has been sidelined since late in camp with a significant hamstring injury. A limited practice after a long time away from the field does not guarantee he'll be ready to go for Sunday's game against the Browns. However, Tyson's debut is on the horizon, even if it is not this week.