NFL Player News

Slayton (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Slayton continues to manage his recovery from a hamstring injury that's ailed him since July. Cody Core will slot into the No. 5 receiver job as long as Slayton is unable to go.

Shepard (concussion) was spotted jogging at Wednesday's practice, Ryan Dunleavy of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Shepard entered the concussion protocol in the aftermath of the Giants' Week 1 loss at Dallas. With a number of phases to get through to receive clearance to play, his activity level in practice will be one to watch as the week goes on. In the end, Wednesday's injury report will reveal how much he was able to participate, if he does at all.

Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder said Wednesday that Hill (collarbone) began his rehab program earlier this week and noted that the wideout will undergo further testing later this month, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Though Ian Rapoport of NFL Network relayed earlier Wednesday that Hill is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks with his sternoclavicular joint issue, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star relays that the play-making wideout's injury is "truly a week-to-week" concern. In any case, given that Hill's next round of tests won't occur for a couple of weeks, it's safe to rule him out for the Chiefs' next two games, at a minimum. In Hill's absence, added opportunities alongside Sammy Watkins will be available for Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson and De'Anthony Thomas.

Jones signed with the Giants on Wednesday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

With Sterling Shepherd in concussion protocol, the Giants are bringing back Jones -- he spent the preseason with the team -- to provide depth at wide receiver. He played a similar role with the Lions last year, recording 19 receptions on 26 targets for 190 yards and two scores.

Cracraft signed a contract with the Broncos on Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Cracraft spent the offseason with Denver but was cut before Week 1. His return to the squad will add depth to the receivers, and he'll likely work on special teams, occasionally as a return man.

The Broncos will place Patrick (hand) on injured reserve Wednesday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Denver will re-sign River Cracraft to bolster its depth at receiver while Patrick recovers from a fractured left hand. Patrick, who suffered the injury in Monday's loss to the Raiders, will undergo surgery in the near future, but the Broncos aren't closing the door on him being one of two players who returns from their IR this season. The transaction means that Patrick won't be eligible to rejoin the 53-man roster for at least eight weeks, leaving the Nov. 17 game against the Vikings in Week 11 as his earliest possible return date.

The Chiefs expect Hill (collarbone) to miss 4-to-6 weeks, but his absence could end up lasting longer, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Kansas City doesn't intend to place Hill on injured reserve, preferring to first see how he progresses in the early stages of his rehab from a sternoclavicular joint injury. It sounds like he'll miss the rest of September though, with no assurances of a return in October. The Chiefs will turn to Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson and De'Anthony Thomas behind Sammy Watkins at wide receiver.

Patrick will undergo surgery to address his fractured left hand, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Patrick is expected to play again this season, but the Broncos are weighing whether or not put him on short-term injured reserve, per Mike Klis of 9News Denver. The 25-year-old would be eligible to return after eight games if he is moved to IR. Juwann Winfree is expected to work as the team's No. 4 wide receiver in the meantime.

Winfree will work as the Broncos' No. 4 wide receiver Week 2 after Tim Patrick broke his hand Monday, Zac Stevens of BSNDenver.com reports.

The rookie sixth-round pick was inactive for Monday's game while Patrick was limited to eight offensive snaps due to the injury. Winfree won't be stepping into a high-volume role, but it's a opportunity to prove himself after a solid showing in the preseason, as Patrick is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks, per Mike Klis of 9News Denver.

Patrick suffered a broken hand in Monday's loss to the Raiders and will see a hand specialist in the near future, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Patrick was spotted with a cast after Monday's game. It's unclear how much time the 25-year-old will miss, but he will definitely miss some weeks. While he's sidelined, both Juwann Winfree and Diontae Spencer likely will see increases in work.