NFL Player News

Pittman (leg) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

Considering coach Frank Reich relayed Friday there was no specific timetable in regard to Pittman's return from lower-leg surgery, the IR designation seemed like the most plausible outcome. The Colts activated tight end Trey Burton (calf) off injured reserve Saturday and presumably could use him to offset a pretty beleaguered Colts receiving corps, but expect the likes of T.Y. Hilton and Zach Pascal to assume the majority of WR snaps with Daurice Fountain, Ashton Dulin and Dezmon Patmon battling for the remaining scraps.

Peoples-Jones is likely to be active for the Week 4 game against Dallas, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Peoples-Jones has been inactive the first three weeks, but JoJo Natson (knee, IR) is not available and the Browns need someone to return kicks and punts. Peoples-Jones has experience as a punt returner in college, and he may get a chance to make his NFL debut this week. As for playing wide receiver, he would be no better than fifth on the depth chart for an offense that heavily favors the running game.

Hodge appears to have a firm grasp of the third receiver spot, Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Hodge worked as third receiver for the first three games and supplanted Rashard Higgins, who was inactive in last week's win over Washington. Coaches insist Higgins is not in the doghouse, but Hodge's work on special teams gives him an edge. With Kareem Hunt (groin, questionable) and JoJo Natson (knee, IR) dealing with injuries heading into Week 4 against Dallas, there could be room for both Higgins and rookie Donovan Peoples-Jones behind Hodge on the active roster.

Johnson is in line for an expanded role in Sunday's Week 4 home tilt against the Chargers with Chris Godwin (hamstring) already ruled out and Scotty Miller (hip/groin) listed as questionable, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Laine reports coach Bruce Arians noted he expects Johnson to step into a bigger role after being active for the first time in Week 3 but not logging a target. The 2020 fifth-round pick has had a slow start to his pro career after missing time at the start of training camp with what was described as a soft-tissue injury, but he's since had over a month to get acquainted with the offense. Johnson wouldn't project to serve as any higher than the No. 4 receiver if Miller is able to suit up, but he could conceivably slot into the No. 3 role behind starters Mike Evans and Justin Watson if his teammate were to sit out.

Watson could be in line for a starting assignment in Sunday's Week 4 tilt against the Chargers with Chris Godwin (hamstring) already ruled out and Scotty Miller (hip/groin) questionable, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

The third-year wideout could find himself in a similar situation to the tail end of last season, when both Mike Evans and Godwin were felled by hamstring injuries. Watson was pressed into a pair of spot starts and brought in seven of 14 targets for 70 yards and a touchdown over those two games. Miller did practice fully Friday and therefore appears to be trending in the right direction, but it seems as if Watson will serve as no less than the No. 3 receiver against Los Angeles on Sunday.

Cooper was banged up earlier this season but says he now feels 100 percent healthy, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

It almost goes without saying given that he's averaging 89 yards per game. Cooper still hasn't found the end zone, but the touchdowns should eventually start flowing, as he's far and away the target leader (35) in an offense that leads the league in yardage and ranks eighth in points scored. Cooper's Week 4 matchup appears favorable, with Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (groin) listed as questionable after unsuccessfully attempting to play through the same injury last week. The other starting corner, Greedy Williams (shoulder), has already been ruled out.

Coach Frank Reich said Friday that there's no specific timeline for Pittman to return after successful surgery to repair compartment syndrome in his calf, Jim Ayello of the Indianapolis Star reports.

When Pittman returns to the lineup will depend on how he responds to rehab, but the Colts hope he'll be back after the team's Week 7 bye. He could be placed on IR to open up a roster spot, and he'd still be eligible to return Week 8 against the Lions. With Parris Campbell (knee) already on IR, T.Y. Hilton and Zach Pascal are locked into starting roles while Daurice Fountain, Ashton Dulin and Dezmon Patmon battle for the remaining reps.

Jones appears to be in line for an increased workload during Sunday's game agianst the Bills, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

The Raiders will be without at least one starting wideout Sunday, with Bryan Edwards (ankle) ruled out, and Henry Ruggs (knee/hamstring) also is listed as doubtful. Jones would stand to start in three-wide sets if Edwards and Ruggs can't go, though both Hunter Renfrow and Nelson Agholor remain ahead of him on the depth chart. Through three games this season, Jones has secured all four of his targets for 47 yards and a touchdown.

Agholor is on track to handle a starting workload during Sunday's game against the Bills, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Agholor only played 19 percent of offensive snaps during the Raiders' first two games, but he handled an 85 percent snap share Week 3 as injuries thrust him into the starting lineup. With Henry Ruggs (hamstring) officially doubtful and Bryan Edwards (ankle) ruled out, Agholor stands to start alongside Hunter Renfrow and Zay Jones in three-receiver sets versus Buffalo.

Humphries has been placed on the Titans' reserve/COVID-19 list.

The same applies to practice squad member Cameron Batson, bringing the team's total number of players on the reserve/COVID-19 list to seven. The Titans' Week 4 game against the Steelers has been postponed by the NFL until Week 7, with Tennessee's next scheduled contest currently slated for Oct. 11 against the Bills. It's unclear at this time when Humphries will be able to rejoin the team.