NFL Player News

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday that Watson (chest) won't need to be held out of practice for any precautionary reasons this week, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

After clearing the concussion protocol in advance of the Packers' Week 9 game against the Lions, Watson checked out of the game at one point during the 15-9 loss to be evaluated for a concussion. Though he remained sidelined the rest of the way, LaFleur noted after the game that the rookie cleared the concussion protocol and was instead dealing with a chest injury after taking a shot from a defender. Watson looks like he'll be a full participant when Green Bay returns to the field Wednesday, and he should have a fair chance at avoiding the Week 10 injury report entirely. With fellow rookie wideout Romeo Doubs (ankle) in danger of missing multiple weeks due to a sprain, Watson's availability on offense will be key for the Packers as the team prepares for Sunday's matchup with the Cowboys.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Hardman won't practice Wednesday due to abdominal soreness, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Hardman is banged up coming out of the Chiefs' Week 9 overtime win over the Titans, during which he recorded six catches for 79 yards and a touchdown on nine targets while logging 54 of Kansas City's 91 snaps on offense. If Hardman ends up out or limited this weekend, added snaps would be available for some combination of Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore and Justin Watson.

Benson was signed by the Lions off of the Broncos' practice squad Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Benson was added by the Lions on Wednesday and will be a part of their active roster Sunday versus the Bears. The wide receiver appeared in eight games with Detroit in 2021, reeling in 10 catches for 103 yards on 22 targets. Benson has yet to play in a game this season and will have little to no impact offensively in Week 10.

Indianapolis designated Dulin (foot) to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Kevin Hickey of USA Today reports.

Dulin has resided on IR since he suffered a foot injury during the Colts' Week 5 game against the Broncos. The transaction opens up a 21-day window during which the Colts can evaluate Dulin for a return to the 53-man roster, but if he isn't activated within the next three weeks, the receiver will stay on IR for the remainder of the campaign. Dulin turned in a 12-168-0 receiving line on 18 targets through Indianapolis' first five games.

Tennessee designated Burks (foot/toe) for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Burks will begin practicing Wednesday and has a 21-day window in which to be added back to the 53-man roster. Prior to landing on IR on Oct. 8, the rookie first-round pick recorded 10 catches for 129 yards (on 16 targets) in four games. Once the wideout is up to speed and ready for game action, he'll have an opportunity to reclaim a key role in the Tennessee passing attack.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that Washington (foot) won't return to practice Wednesday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Though McCarthy said Washington is "very, very close to being ready," the wide receiver won't be designated to return from injured reserve ahead of the Cowboys' first practice coming out of a bye week. With that in mind, Washington seems unlikely to make his 2022 debut Sunday in Green Bay, but a return in Week 11 or later still seems like a good bet. Washington has been out since Aug. 1 while dealing with a foot fracture and will likely handle a depth role once he's deemed healthy enough to play.

Cooks (personal/wrist) was in attendance for the Texans' practice Wednesday, but he was on the sideline for drills during the open portion of the session and is expected to be listed as a non-participant on the team's first official Week 10 injury report, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Cooks was listed as questionable ahead of the Texans' Week 9 game against the Eagles due to a personal matter and a wrist injury, but he was ultimately inactive for Houston's 29-17 loss. Despite his inclusion on the injury report, Cooks' absence last week might have had more to do with his dissatisfaction about staying put in Houston following the Nov. 1 trade deadline, though head coach Lovie Smith hasn't confirmed as much. Cooks returned to the Texans' team facility Friday, and his presence at practice Wednesday would seem to suggest he's putting any differences with the organization aside and angling toward a return to the lineup Sunday against the Giants. Kubena notes that Wednesdays have typically been rest days for Cooks all season, so as long as the wideout is back on the field Thursday as a full participant, he should be on track to play this weekend.

Smith gathered in three of four targets for 29 yards during Monday's 27-13 defeat to the Ravens.

Smith tied with running back Alvin Kamara for the Saints' third most targets Monday. The 26-year-old also caught every ball thrown his way except for a tipped pass that was intercepted by Baltimore linebacker Justin Houston. While veteran Jarvis Landry (ankle) did not play for the fifth straight week, Smith still attracted fewer passes than fellow wideouts Chris Olave (nine) and Marquez Callaway (five). With Michael Thomas (toe) now set to miss the remainder of the season on IR, the 5-foot-11 Smith should once again amass a relatively moderate target share whether or not Landry returns against Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Darden did not log any snaps on offense but returned eight punts for 82 yards in the Buccaneers' 16-13 win over the Rams on Sunday.

It was an extremely busy day on special teams for Darden, who recorded a career high in return yardage on an afternoon when the Rams were about as inept at sustaining drives as the Buccaneers. Darden continues to be among the league's most efficient return men, now averaging 10.6 yards on his 27 punt runbacks overall.

The Packers cut Baker from their practice squad Tuesday.

Baker was signed to Green Bay's practice squad back in mid-October, but he's since been let go after failing to make an appearance on the team's active roster. The 24-year-old will now await another opportunity to receive snaps elsewhere.