NFL Player News

Ridley (foot) won't practice Wednesday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

On the plus side, interim head coach Raheem Morris relayed that Ridley has received "good news" about the mid-foot sprain he suffered in last week's win over the Panthers. For now, the wideout is viewed as day-to-day in advance of Sunday's game against the Broncos. If Ridley is sidelined for the contest, Morris relayed that Christian Blake would be the most likely candidate to fill in on three-receiver sets, according to Jason Butt of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday that Ford won't be available to play in Monday's game against the Jets while the receiver waits to clear COVID-19 protocols, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Acquired from the Dolphins prior to Tuesday's trade deadline, Ford will reside on the Reserve/Commissioner Exempt List and won't count against the Patriots' 53-man roster for Week 9. Assuming Ford is able to pass his intake testing without incident, he should be ready to participate in the Patriots' first Week 10 practice next Wednesday before making his team debut Nov. 15 against Baltimore. Ford had played less than 40 percent of the offensive snaps in his final three games with the Dolphins, but he should have a clearer path to playing time in New England with top slot man Julian Edelman (knee) out indefinitely.

James (ankle) was limited in practice Tuesday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury reports.

James was listed as a non-participant on the 49ers' estimated practice report yesterday, so his limited involvement Tuesday night is a step in the right direction. If he isn't cleared in time for Thursday's contest, the 49ers will be down to three wideouts, with Deebo Samuel (hamstring) already ruled out.

Erickson fielded one offensive snap and five special-teams snaps during Sunday's 31-20 upset of Tennessee, but he registered no touches in either department.

Erickson remains situated as the Bengals' top punt returner, though he hasn't been afforded a single opportunity to bring one back over the past three weeks. On 10 returns this season, Erickson's 9.3 yards-per-attempt average ranks right up there with the best in the league, as the veteran currently sits sixth in the NFL in that category. Erickson's offensive role has been practically nonexistent, however, as he has just one catch this season after racking up a career-best 43 during a 2-14 campaign for Cincinnati last year.

Reed registered a 26-yard kick return during Sunday's 31-30 loss to the Broncos.

Reed has been involved in the kick-returning realm for every game that he's been active in 2020, registering a 23.2 yards-per-attempt average across nine returns (and five games played). Los Angeles has also deployed Tyron Johnson on kickoff returns this season, though he has not fared quite as well with 17.5 yards per attempt. The Virginia product sits fifth on the WR depth chart but he continues to carve out a role for himself with special-teams acumen. He also may get another opportunity on the offensive side in the near future, after notching a seven-yard rushing TD during the first quarter of a Week 7 win over the Jaguars.

Arcega-Whiteside was not targeted on any of his five offensive snaps during Sunday's 23-9 win against the Cowboys.

Arcega-Whiteside is expected to continually see his role in the passing-game dissipate as the Eagles bring back starters from injury, with rookie Jalen Reagor's return to the lineup Sunday night being one example of the coming transition. The Stanford product has recorded just two total receptions for 45 yards on the season, but if Alshon Jeffery (calf) can make it back in the near future, he may be rendered completely obsolete in the offense.

Davis did not haul in either of his targets during Sunday's 24-21 win against the Patriots.

Davis was a considerable producer within the Bills' offensive attack Weeks 3 through 5, registering a combined 10 catches for 165 yards and one touchdown during that span. As Josh Allen's passing has regressed in recent outings, however, Davis' production has correspondingly dipped. The rookie fourth-round draft choice has managed just two total catches for 18 yards the past three weeks and had what could have been a very costly dropped TD pass in Sunday's close win over the Patriots, though a Week 9 matchup against Seattle's 32nd-ranked pass defense provides opportunity for a bounceback.

Wilson recorded no receptions on two targets during Sunday night's 23-9 loss to Philadelphia.

Wilson was heating up over Dak Prescott's final three appearances of the year between Weeks 3 and 5, but a season-ending ankle injury to the star quarterback fizzled out the receiver's production. The Boise State standout collected 12 receptions for 163 yards and two touchdowns during that three-week span, but he's gone catchless over his past two games with Andy Dalton (concussion) and Ben DiNucci under center.

Coach Matt LaFleur said Lazard (core) is drawing closer to a return to action, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports. "He wants to be out there in the worst way, and he wishes he was out there yesterday," LaFleur noted. "But we're going to take our time and be smart with him."

Lazard has completed one week of his 21-day window for the Packers to evaluate and eventually clear him for a return to the active roster. He's also only a little more than a month removed from core muscle surgery Oct. 1, so he may be hard-pressed to sway the training staff ahead of Thursday's contest at San Francisco and with Green Bay's next game not coming until Sunday, Nov. 15 against the Jaguars. Until he rejoins the Packers receiving corps, Davante Adams will lead a group that also includes Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown (knee), Malik Taylor and Darrius Shepherd.

Sims (toe) may do some "running around" Wednesday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

It's unclear if Sims will take part in practice, or merely work out on the side, but he is eligible to be activated from IR this week, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. If Sims does practice, Washington will open a 21-day window in which to bring him back to the active roster. He hasn't played since Week 3 due to a toe injury, but when he returns he'll be on the receiving end of passes from Kyle Allen and not Dwayne Haskins.