NFL Player News

Colts head coach Shane Steichen reiterated Monday that Pierce didn't undergo surgery on his left heel and is continuing to rehab the injury, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network had previously relayed last week that Pierce would avoid another procedure after aggravating his surgically repaired heel in a Sept. 20 loss to the Chiefs, but that report was called into question after the wideout was spotted Sunday moving around the Colts locker room with the aid of a scooter while he had a cast on his left foot. Apparently, Pierce is using the cast for extra protection and using the scooter to keep weight off the injured foot, which he hopes will accelerate the healing process. Pierce is without a timeline to return to game action, but he'll have to miss at least three more contests after landing on injured reserve over the weekend.

Oliver was diagnosed with a torn biceps following an MRI on Monday and is expected to undergo surgery in the coming days, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

According to Fowler, Oliver is a long shot to make a full recovery from surgery before the end of the regular season, though the tight end may have an outside chance at being available in the playoffs, should the Vikings qualify. A key blocker for the Vikings, Oliver had taken the field for 56.9 percent of the team's offensive snaps through the first three games and recorded three receptions for 46 yards on five targets.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Monday that Parsons (knee) hasn't experienced any setbacks but won't be cleared to practice this week, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Because he was placed on the PUP list July 28, Parsons has been eligible to resume practicing since Week 2, but the Packers aren't yet ready to open his 21-day evaluation window. Parsons had previously told Ryan Wood of USA Today that the Packers' Oct. 18 game against the Cowboys was a "very realistic" target for him to make his 2026 debut, but in order for that to happen, the star edge rusher would likely have to start practicing by next week.

Horn sustained a torn quadriceps during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 21-18 loss to the Browns and is expected to miss 6-to-12 weeks, Mike Kaye and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com report.

Horn plans to seek a second opinion before establishing a treatment plan for the injury, which could include surgery. Regardless, the two-time Pro Bowler will be headed for injured reserve, with his loss further weakening an already depleted Carolina defensive backfield. Along with Horn, Mike Jackson (groin) exited Sunday's game with an injury, so Carolina could need to break in two new starting cornerbacks Week 4 against the Lions.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that he's "hopeful" to have Collins available for the Texans' Week 4 game against the Cowboys, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Collins is working his way back from a Grade 1 hamstring strain, which has kept him from playing in either of the Texans' last two games. He hasn't practiced during the past two weeks either, so Collins would likely need to get back on the field as at least a limited participant at some point between Wednesday and Friday to have a realistic shot at suiting up against the Cowboys on Sunday. The Texans' playoff hopes have already taken a hit following an 0-3 start to the season, but the potential return of their No. 1 receiver could invigorate an offense that has struggled in his absence over the past two weeks.

Head coach Todd Bowles said that Irving won't be included on the Buccaneers' Week 4 injury report, despite missing the final two possessions of Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Vikings, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Bowles didn't specify why Irving was off the field late in Sunday's contest, but any physical issue the running back might have been dealing with doesn't look like it will prevent him from playing Week 4. Despite logging a season-low 51 percent snap share, Irving still earned 17 touches (15 carries, two receptions) and accounted for 58 yards from scrimmage. He remains locked in as the clear No. 1 option out of the backfield over free-agent pickup Kenny Gainwell, who is averaging just 2.1 yards per carry and 3.7 yards per reception through three games.

Brown was spotted Monday in the Patriots' locker room walking without a limp and wearing a small wrap on his injured right ankle, Taylor Kyles of CLNSMedia.com reports.

Kyles noted that Brown was wearing cleats, which could hint that he was able to do some on-field exercises. After being placed on injured reserve Sept. 12, Brown won't be eligible to start practicing with his teammates until Week 6, but the wideout at least seems to be making good progress in his recovery from the high-ankle sprain he sustained in the season-opening loss to the Seahawks.

Head coach Todd Bowles said Monday that Daniels will step in as the Buccaneers' new starting quarterback while Baker Mayfield is out for a "minimum of three weeks" due to a dislocated right thumb, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

The undrafted rookie made his NFL debut in relief of an injured Mayfield late in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Vikings, rushing once for nine yards while failing to complete his first two pass attempts of the day before being intercepted on a Hail Mary as time expired. Since an MRI ruled out any damage to his thumb beyond the dislocation, Mayfield is expected to avoid a stint on injured reserve, but he doesn't appear in line to return to the lineup any sooner than Week 8 at Carolina. As a result, Daniels is now set to get his first extended NFL action beginning this Sunday, when the Buccaneers will host the Packers. During his six-year college career at Kansas, Daniels displayed some decent arm talent and scrambling ability, but concerns about his accuracy and ability to dissect defenses played a large part in him going undrafted.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Monday that Mayfield (thumb) is expected to miss three weeks, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Earlier Monday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported than an MRI on Mayfield's dislocated right thumb ruled out a fracture as well as any tendon or ligament damage. While Mayfield appears set to avoid surgery, he'll still need some time off to regain strength in his thumb so that he can properly grip the football and throw accurately and at full velocity. Per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, Bowles said that Mayfield won't be placed on injured reserve, so the Buccaneers could be targeting a Week 10 game in Carolina for his return to the lineup. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels will step in as the Buccaneers' new starting quarterback beginning with Sunday's game versus Green Bay.

Mayfield underwent an MRI on his dislocated right thumb Monday that revealed no fracture, tendon or ligament damage, but the quarterback is still expected to miss time, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Mayfield is scheduled to get a second opinion on his thumb, so the Buccaneers may not provide a formal timeline for his recovery until he meets with another specialist. That being said, the dislocated thumb on his throwing hand will inhibit Mayfield's ability to grip the football, so the Buccaneers are expected to hold him out for at least their Week 4 game. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels came on in relief of Mayfield late in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Vikings and looks on track to make his first NFL start this weekend at home against the Packers.