NFL Player News

Conner (knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

The Cardinals designated Conner for return from injured reserve earlier Wednesday, and the extent of his first on-field work since hurting his knee Week 5 against the Bengals now is known. Conner's limitations in practice indicate that he still has some steps to take to put the health concern in the rear-view mirror, but he at least has two more chances this week to log a full session. Even if Conner doesn't practice fully Thursday or Friday, Arizona has until Saturday at 4 p.m. ET to activate Conner from IR ahead of Sunday's game against the Falcons. With running back Emari Demercado not yet practicing due to a toe issue and quarterback Kyler Murray (knee) seemingly poised to return to action this weekend, the Cardinals may feel compelled to get their top running back on the active roster to give a jolt to the offense.

Patterson was held out of Wednesday's practice for rest purposes rather than because of an ankle injury, Amna Subhan of the Falcons' official site reports.

Patterson briefly left Sunday's loss against the Vikings due to an ankle issue but was able to return and finish out the game in his usual role as the Falcons' No. 3 running back and kickoff returner. His absence from practice Wednesday apparently isn't indicative of any issue with the ankle and is just a matter of the Falcons resting one of their elder statesmen). As such, Patterson should be fine for his usual small role on offense this Sunday at Arizona.

Montgomery (ribs) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report.

Montgomery hasn't suited up since suffering a rib cartilage injury Week 6 at Tampa Bay, missing two games as a result. With the benefit of a Week 9 bye, however, he appears poised to return Sunday on the road against the Chargers. Having said that, the Lions didn't hold practice Wednesday, so his listing on the Lions' last two reports of Week 10 prep will be telling for his availability and potential upcoming workload. Rookie first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs was a workhorse during Montgomery's absence, racking up 51 touches for 315 yards from scrimmage and two rushing touchdowns, so the breakdown of reps between the two this weekend will be interesting to see, assuming Montgomery is active.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Jones (hamstring) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Unlike last week, Jones wasn't donning a red non-contact jersey during drills Wednesday, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Still, the Packers continue to take it easy on Jones due to the hamstring issue that has lingered since Week 1. He didn't seem worse for wear this past Sunday against the Rams, logging a season-high 57 percent snap share on his way to 24 touches for 99 yards from scrimmage and a rushing score. At the same time, AJ Dillon's workload was scaled back to 40 percent of snaps and 10 touches for 43 total yards. Assuming Jones gets through this week unscathed, Green Bay will be operating with its top two backs this Sunday at Pittsburgh.

Patterson (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports.

Patterson rejoined Sunday's 31-28 loss to Minnesota after leaving with an ankle injury, but he may be dealing with some swelling, given that he sat out Atlanta's first Week 10 practice. He's merely served as the No. 3 running back this season, so a potential absence for Sunday's game at Arizona wouldn't have much impact on head coach Arthur Smith's game plan.

Herbert (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against Carolina.

Herbert seems more likely than not to play, after the Bears listed him as a full practice participant Monday through Wednesday. They'll need to activate him from injured reserve by 4:00 p.m. ET on Thursday if he's going to play, so the news shouldn't come down to a game-time decision. The bigger question is the extent of Herbert's role, as D'Onta Foreman found some success as a rusher over the past month, while Darrynton Evans and Roschon Johnson handled more of the backfield snaps on passing downs.

Jackson is in concussion protocol Wednesday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Jackson played just 10 total snaps in Sunday's loss at Las Vegas, but it seems he might have picked up a concussion somewhere along the way. Most players who have entered the league's concussion protocol in 2023 have missed at least one game, so it's not a great sign as it relates to the possibility he'll play again in Week 10.

Pierce (ankle) isn't in line to practice Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Pierce didn't practice last week before being ruled out for this past Sunday's 39-37 win over the Buccaneers. The running back now has two more chances to return to the field ahead of this weekend's game against the Bengals, but if he remains sidelined, Devin Singletary would once again be in line to handle the bulk of the Texans' backfield touches.

Strong won't practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

In the Browns' 27-0 win over the Cardinals this past Sunday, Strong recorded just five snaps on offense, carrying three times for nine yards and catching his only target for minus-7 yards. Strong wasn't reported to have sustained an injury during the contest, but the hamstring issue suddenly puts his availability for this Sunday's game against Baltimore in question. Even if he's able to overcome the issue by the weekend, Strong will be working behind both Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt. The Browns could elevate either Kenyan Drake or John Kelly from the practice squad if Strong isn't able to play Sunday and the team wants another depth option out of the backfield.

The Vikings placed Akers (Achilles) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Akers is done for the 2023 season due to a torn left Achilles' tendon suffered during Sunday's win over the Falcons. Previously, Akers was forced to miss most of the 2021 season after rupturing his right Achilles' tendon, but he's now dealing with an issue on the left side. Akers impressed in his brief time with Minnesota, rushing 38 times for 138 yards and a touchdown while securing 11 of 12 targets for 70 yards in six appearances following his acquisition from the Rams. Now that he's rehabbing a career-threatening injury for the second time in his career, Akers could have to wait a while before signing with a team during the upcoming offseason, when he's scheduled for free agency.