NFL Player News

Brown (groin) isn't listed on the Commanders' Week 9 injury report.

Brown thus stands to return Sunday against the Vikings, after missing consecutive games. If Jahan Dotson (hamstring) is out another week, the team will turn to Brown and/or Cam Sims to share duties as their No. 3 receiver.

The Chiefs plan to have Toney play in Sunday's game against the Titans, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports. "We'll try to work him in," head coach Andy Reid said Wednesday regarding the wideout, whom the team acquired last week. "He's a smart kid. He's been with us a couple days, so we've had a chance to talk to him. He picks things up fairly easily."

Meanwhile, Toney who had missed time with injuries to both of his hamstrings prior to being traded, isn't listed on the Chiefs' Week 9 injury report. With his hamstring issue no longer an impediment at this stage, the 2021 first-round selection appears poised to make his Chiefs debut this weekend. However, with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Mecole Hardman also in Kansas City's wideout mix, Toney figures to be eased into the team's offense, especially after having not seen any game action since Week 2.

The Giants claimed Hodgins off waivers from the Bills on Wednesday, Dan Salomone of Giants.com reports.

Hodgins was waived by Buffalo on Tuesday and claimed by New York on Wednesday. The Giants recently traded Kadarius Toney to the Chiefs and are still dealing with injuries to Richie James (concussion), Kenny Golladay (knee), Sterling Shepard (knee) and Collin Johnson (Achilles), so Hodgins figures to provide depth at wideout but isn't expected to garner a major offensive role.

Thielen (knee) practiced fully Wednesday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

After Sunday's 34-26 win against the Cardinals, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell relayed that Thielen picked up a bruised knee, which comes as no surprise in a game in which the wide receiver needed to leave for a spell to get examined in the sideline tent. That said, O'Connell also called Thielen "OK" for Week 9, and the receiver's listing on the first injury report of the week confirms as much. Thielen now can turn his focus to Sunday's game at Washington, whose defense ranks in the bottom 10 in the NFL in terms of touchdowns (eight) and yards per target (8.7) allowed to opposing wide receivers this season.

Watson (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

The rookie returned from a hamstring injury for Sunday's loss to Buffalo, only to enter concussion protocol in the first quarter and miss the rest of the game. Watson could have a sizable role once he gets healthy, especially if Allen Lazard (shoulder) misses more time, though Lazard returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant. Romeo Doubs and Sammy Watkins are the Packers' top healthy receivers ahead of Sunday's matchup with Detroit.

Lazard (shoulder) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Prior to sitting out this past Sunday at Buffalo, Lazard didn't practice at all, so his return to the field Wednesday is an encouraging sign as he works his way back from a left shoulder injury. He may have to get back to full activity Thursday or Friday to avoid a designation for Sunday's contest at Detroit, but he's at least put himself on a path to keep his absence to just one game.

Kupp (ankle) will be a non-participant at Wednesday's practice, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

On his last touch of this past Sunday's loss to the 49ers, Kupp's right ankle bent awkwardly as he was tackled to the ground. He eventually was diagnosed with a sprained ankle, with head coach Sean McVay telling Rodrigue on Monday that the wide receiver avoided structural damage but has some swelling in the affected region. Despite not practicing Wednesday, Kupp is expected to be able to play Sunday at Tampa Bay, so he's a decent bet to get back on the field Thursday and/or Friday.

Morgan (hamstring) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

Morgan has missed back-to-back games due to a hamstring injury, but he's trending in the right direction after returning to practice Wednesday. The fourth-year wideout will have two more opportunities to log a full practice before the team needs to make a decision on his availability for Sunday's matchup against Carolina.

Hollins (heel) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Hollins was listed with the same injury last week and ended up suiting up and catching seven of eight targets for 64 yards in a 24-0 loss to New Orleans. He finished with more than five targets for just the third time this season, but he owns respectable per-game averages (3.7 catches for 54.4 yards) thanks in large part to a shocking 8-158-1 receiving line Week 3 at Tennessee. Hollins likely will be able to suit up this Sunday in Jacksonville, but he probably won't see as many targets unless Davante Adams continues to struggle with his illness through the weekend.

Adams (illness) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

The Raiders' decision to limit Adams' practice reps and place him on the injury report for a second straight week can be taken as a sign that he wasn't at full strength in Sunday's 24-0 loss to the Saints. He caught only one pass for three yards in the contest, snapping a streak of 81 games with multiple receptions. Adams should bounce back this weekend in Jacksonville, though there will still be a degree of concern if he remains limited in practice or misses a session Thursday and/or Friday.