NFL Player News

Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Monday that Brooks (core) will "potentially" be designated for return from injured reserve this week, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Canales noted that Brooks still has some checkpoints he needs to hit in his recovery process before getting the green light to practice, but the running back looks to have at least made progress on some level since undergoing core-muscle surgery Sept. 23. The running back has already spent more than four games on IR and will be eligible to be added back to the 53-man roster whenever the Panthers deem him healthy. Once activated, Brooks will likely have to settle for a change-of-pace role behind lead back Chubba Hubbard.

Coach Kevin Stefanski noted Monday that Branch (hamstring) won't play Sunday against the Bengals, William McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

The same applies to LB Samson Ebukam, with Josh Kendall of The Athletic relaying via Stefanski that either or both of the injured players could face multi-game absences. Through eight games thus far, Branch has caught 10 of his 12 targets for 64 yards. In the 2026 third-rounder's looming absence, Drake London, Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus will continue to lead Atlanta's WR corps, with Chris Blair in reserve.

Head coach Kellen Moore said that Etienne (hamstring) will be evaluated Monday before the Saints make a determination whether he practices this week, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Sidelined since he sustained a left hamstring strain in a Sept. 27 loss to the Raiders, Etienne will be eligible to play coming out of the Saints' Week 8 bye now that he's missed the required four games while on injured reserve. If Etienne looks good during his upcoming evaluation, he could have his 21-day practice window opened Wednesday, when the Saints will begin prepping for Sunday's game against the Browns. Given the time that he's missed, Etienne might need to practice fully at some point this week for the Saints to feel comfortable activating him after a minimum-length stint on IR.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore said that the Saints will decide by Wednesday whether to open Tyson's (hamstring) 21-day practice window this week, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Footballreports.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported over the weekend that Tyson could have a chance at making his NFL debut as soon as this coming Sunday against the Browns, but until the Saints formally clear the wideout to practice, a target date for him to play will remain somewhat muddled. The No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Tyson had a checkered medical history during his collegiate career, and the right hamstring strain he sustained in mid-August has only added to the long-term concerns about his durability. However, the 6-foot-2, 203-pound Tyson is undoubtedly talented, and he'll have a fairly clear path to the No. 2 receiver gig if he can get healthy.

Hollins (calf), who is eligible to be activated from IR this week, per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, could return to practice this week, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Hollins last saw game action in Week 4, but it's possible that his absence could be capped at the minimum mandated four contests. Prior to sustaining his calf injury, Hollins had recorded a 15/209/0 receiving line on 20 targets, and if he's able to return to action Sunday against the Packers, a key role in the offense could await, with A.J. Brown's (ankle/knee) Week 9 status cloudy.

When asked whether Brown (ankle/knee) might practice at some point this week, coach Mike Vrabel said Monday "we'll see," Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

Brown was inactive for Sunday's 24-19 win over the Dolphins, and Vrabel's comment Monday implies that the wideout's status for this weekend's game against the Packers is uncertain at this stage. In Brown's absence versus Miami, DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism and Kyle Williams paced the Patriots' Week 8 WR corps.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that he has "no significant update" on the status of Montgomery (groin) heading into a Week 9 matchup with the Chargers, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Prior to the Texans' Week 8 bye, Montgomery missed two straight games due to a groin injury and wasn't able to practice in advance of either of those contests. Ryans didn't offer much of an indication that Montgomery's condition has improved following the bye, with the coach noting that the running back will be evaluated throughout the week before a decision is made on his status for Sunday's contest. If Montgomery ends up being sidelined for a third consecutive contest, Woody Marks would be in store for another turn as Houston's lead back.

Corley went untargeted while playing 13 of 70 snaps on offense Sunday in the Browns' 27-6 loss to the Steelers. He returned one kickoff for 26 yards.

For the fourth time in eight appearances, Corley logged double-digit snaps on offense, but the third-year receiver has yet to draw a target this season. He'll continue to provide most of his value to the Browns as a kickoff returner.

Wallace recorded a three-yard reception on his lone target in Sunday's 27-6 loss to the Steelers.

The reception was Wallace's second of the season, after he previously notched a 12-yard grab in a Week 6 win over the Ravens. A key part of the Browns' special-teams coverage units, Wallace continues to handle a limited role on offense while the the team relies primarily on rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston and veteran Jerry Jeudy to fill out snaps at receiver.

Bond went without a target while taking the field for eight of the Browns' 70 snaps on offense in Sunday's 27-6 loss to the Steelers. He returned one kickoff for 26 yards.

Since posting a 3-74-0 receiving line on seven targets in a Week 5 loss to the Jets, Bond has settled back into a muted role on offense. He's logged single-digit snaps in three straight contests, going without a target in each of those games.