NFL Player News

Jackson (undisclosed) signed with the Saints' practice squad Tuesday.

Jackson joined the team as a UDFA out of Idaho in the spring but suffered an injury during training camp, which led to him being waived. Now healthy, the Idaho product will get a second opportunity with the franchise.

Dell (chest/ribs) returned to practice Wednesday, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Dell is expected to return for Sunday's game against Buffalo after missing a Week 4 win over the Jaguars. He may be a limited participant in practice to start the week, but so long as he avoids any setbacks in his recovery Thursday and Friday, he should be in line to play Sunday.

Carter (ribs) will not practice Wednesday, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Carter presumably suffered the injury in Sunday's win over the Rams, although that's not clear. The veteran wideout will work to return to the practice field Thursday or Friday, in an effort to suit up Week 5 against the Panthers.

Crowder (calf) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.

Crowder suffered the injury in Sunday's win over the Cardinals and will have to miss the Commanders' next four games. The veteran wideout has had a minimal role in the offense when healthy, but his absence could lead to a couple of extra opportunities for Dyami Brown.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday that Cooks (knee) will not be available for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Cooks underwent an operation on his right knee in New York following Dallas' road win over the Giants last Thursday, and he's now dealing with an infection related to that procedure. The Cowboys have yet to determine whether Cooks' recovery timetable will extend beyond a single game. In the meantime, Jalen Tolbert will operate as the Cowboys' No. 2 wide receiver behind top option CeeDee Lamb. KaVontae Turpin and Jalen Brooks will also step into larger roles on offense, while rookie sixth-rounder Ryan Flournoy could get a chance to make his NFL debut. McCarthy also noted that Dallas could promote further depth off the practice squad.

Bourne (knee) is slated to practice Wednesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Bourne, who remains on the PUP list, will thus have his 21-day practice window opened up as the Patriots kick off Week 5 prep. In terms of the wideout's availability for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, head coach Jerod Mayo said that the possibility of Bourne playing this weekend isn't unrealistic, Mark Daniels of MassLive.com reports. Bourne is nearing the finish line of his recovery from a torn ACL in his right knee, an injury he sustained last October.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said that Nabers (concussion) won't participate in practice Wednesday, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Daboll said Nabers is in the "early stages" of the NFL's concussion protocol and "day-to-day," per Patricia Traina of SI.com. The rookie first-round pick will need to fully pass through the NFL's five-step protocol -- including gaining clearance from an independent neurologist -- before being given the green light to return to the field, making him uncertain for Sunday's road matchup against the Seahawks. The impressive rookie will at least benefit from a few extra days to get healthy, given that he was placed in the concussion protocol last Thursday, during New York's 20-15 loss to Dallas.

Cooks is expected to miss at least Sunday's game against the Steelers due to an infection in his right knee, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Cooks reportedly underwent a procedure on his knee in New York shortly after Dallas' win over the Giants last Thursday. He subsequently developed an infection following the procedure, and while the Cowboys have yet to officially rule Cooks out versus Pittsburgh, the veteran wideout looks like he'll have to miss at least one game, if not longer. Jalen Tolbert is expected to step into the No. 2 receiver role behind CeeDee Lamb as long as Cooks is sidelined, while KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks and rookie sixth-round pick Ryan Flournoy stand to all also benefit from increased opportunities.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that Palmer (concussion) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Falcons, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Palmer entered the NFL's concussion protocol during Sunday's win over the Eagles, so he never seemed to be a likely candidate to gain full clearance on a short week. With Jalen McMillan (hamstring) also ruled out for Thursday, Tampa Bay could have to rely heavily on veteran wideout Sterling Shepard and Kameron Johnson to pick up slack behind starters Mike Evans (knee/calf) and Chris Godwin. Palmer and McMillan will both work to return to full health in time to take on the Saints in Week 6.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that McMillan (hamstring) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Falcons, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Tampa Bay's receiver depth will be tested Week 5, as McMillan will be joined in street clothes Thursday by Trey Palmer (concussion). Kameron Johnson and Sterling Shepard are likely to serve as the main backup options behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.