Cardinals QB Kyler Murray (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. HC Kliff Kingsbury said he'd be comfortable playing Murray vs. the 49ers this weekend even if he doesn't practice at all this week. Murray told reporters that the 5 days off since Thursday's night game vs. the Packers was "definitely helpful" and that he feels "good." He added, "I think I'll be good to go on Sunday if I just know the game plan and get the mental reps." We'll get another update on his status tomorrow.
Saints QB Taysom Hill (concussion) put in a limited practice on Wednesday. He's tentatively expected to clear the protocol in time for Sunday's game vs. the Falcons, but we'll continue to keep an eye on his progress. QB Trevor Siemian would draw the start if Hill isn't cleared.
Jaguars RB James Robinson (heel) didn't practice on Wednesday. He reportedly avoided a serious injury but is at least in danger of missing Sunday's game vs. the Bills. That'd leave RB Carlos Hyde in a feature role -- albeit in a brutal matchup.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Giants RB Saquon Barkley tested negative for COVID on Wednesday's re-check. According to Schefter, 13 members of the team who tested positive Tuesday were re-tested, and RBs coach Burton Burns came back as the only positive. That would seem to indicate Barkley is back on track to play. We'll see whether he requires a 2nd negative test to officially be cleared or whether there are any further developments to this situation. Of course, we'll also need to watch to make sure Barkley's sprained ankle is ready for action against the Raiders this Sunday.
49ers TE George Kittle (calf) was designated to return from IR. He'll get back on the practice field this week and has a chance to play vs. the Cardinals on Sunday. We'll monitor his status over the next few days.
49ers WR Deebo Samuel (calf) did not practice on Wednesday. He was sidelined with this same injury last Wednesday before putting in a limited practice on Thursday, a full practice on Friday -- and then posting a 6-171 line in the win over the Bears. He should be fine for this weekend's game vs. the Cardinals.
49ers RB Elijah Mitchell (ribs) did not practice on Wednesday. A report earlier this week had Mitchell expected to be limited, so it's slightly concerning. Check back tomorrow for another update on his status.
The Packers signed QB Blake Bortles to the practice squad. He's expected to be promoted to the active roster and serve as QB Jordan Love's backup vs. the Chiefs on Sunday. Bortles spent about 2-and-a-half months with Green Bay this offseason, so he has some familiarity with the offense.
Giants WR Kenny Golladay (knee) remained sidelined on Wednesday. He was reportedly working off to the side of practice, so there's still a chance he's able to play vs. the Raiders this weekend. We'll get another update on his status tomorrow.
Eagles WR Jalen Reagor (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. We still don't have any details on his injury, but we're not expecting him to play against the Chargers this weekend. Reagor has averaged just 4 targets per game this season, so his absence won't have a big fantasy impact.
Panthers HC Matt Rhule said RB Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) was "pretty limited" in Wednesday's practice. (Better than "extremely limited" Sam Darnold.). "We'll see how he looks tomorrow," Rhule added. At this point, CMC seems no better than 50/50 to return for this weekend's game vs. the Patriots.
Panthers QB Sam Darnold was officially limited in Wednesday's practice with a concussion and shoulder injury. HC Matt Rhule said Darnold was "extremely limited," which doesn't make it sound like he'll be ready for Sunday's game vs. the Patriots. Look for QB P.J. Walker to start that one.
Insider Michael Silver reports that Browns HC Kevin Stefanski told his team today that WR Odell Beckham is "essentially not on the team right now." Stefanski didn't reveal much in his press conference, only confirming that Beckham was excused from Wednesday's practice and that the 2 haven't spoken over the past 24 hours. We'll continue to keep an eye on this situation, but it sure seems like Beckham's time with the Browns might be over. His absence would leave Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins and Donovan Peoples-Jones as Cleveland's top 3 WRs. (Peoples-Jones is expected to return to practice from his groin injury today.)
Giants RB Saquon Barkley has tested positive for COVID, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Barkley has been vaccinated, so he could still play Sunday against the Raiders if he remains symptom-free and tests negative twice before then. If he passes there, Barkley seems to be on track to return from his ankle sprain. If Barkley's out again, Devontae Booker would retain the starting gig.
Dolphins HC Brian Flores labeled WR Will Fuller (finger) "week to week" on Wednesday. Flores added that he does expect Fuller to play again this season, but it doesn't sound like his return is imminent.
Giants WR Sterling Shepard is expected to miss "some time" with a quad strain suffered in Monday night's loss to the Chiefs, ESPN's Jordan Raanan reports. We'll look for a more concrete timetable for Shepard's return, but we should at least expect him to miss Sunday's game vs. the Raiders. The Giants then get a Week 10 bye.
Browns WR Odell Beckham was excused from Wednesday's practice, USA Today's Josina Anderson reports. We have no other details at this point. Beckham was the subject of trade rumors leading up to Tuesday's deadline. And his father made social-media waves by posting a video of plays when QB Baker Mayfield missed or failed to throw to an open Beckham. We'll see where this goes. HC Kevin Stefanski is scheduled to address the media at 1 pm ET today.
Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) has been designated to return from IR. That makes him eligible to practice but doesn't guarantee that he'll be back for Sunday's game vs. the Patriots. ESPN's David Newton reported this past Sunday that McCaffrey is "on target" to return for that one, but we'll monitor his progress over the next few days.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has tested positive for COVID and will miss Sunday's game against the Chiefs, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. That will give Jordan Love the start. We'll see whether any other Packers follow Rodgers to this week's COVID list, as we saw with Allen Lazard behind Davante Adams last week.
Update: Rodgers is unvaccinated, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That means Rodgers is out a minimum of 10 days. He's eligible but not guaranteed to be activated in time to play Week 10.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the new ankle injury for Saints WR Michael Thomas will keep him out for the rest of the season. New Orleans reportedly tried to trade for receiving help before Tuesday's deadline but couldn't get anything done. That leaves Marquez Callaway, Tre'Quan Smith and Deonte Harris as the top WRs for QB Taysom Hill going forward. Expect New Orleans to also lean heavily on Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram -- both in the run game and as pass-catchers (well, Kamara, at least, on that front).
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