NFL Player News

Pierce (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Amanda Foster of the Colts' official site reports.

Though Pierce practiced fully Wednesday and Thursday, coach Shane Steichen noted Friday that the wideout had a setback, per James Boyd of The Athletic. Pierce remains in the concussion protocol and is set to miss his second straight game, so look for Michael Pittman (hamstring) and Josh Downs to lead the Colts' Week 5 WR corps, with Adonai Mitchell, Ashton Dulin and Anthony Gould representing the team's other healthy options at the position.

Coach Dave Canales said Friday that the Panthers will open Coker's (quadriceps) 21-day window to return from injured reserve next week, Joe Person of The Athletic reports. "Coker is doing great," Canales added. "He's hitting some top speeds. Now, it's about capacity."

Coker sustained a quad injury in practice on Aug. 28 that forced the Panthers to place him on IR not long afterward. Initial reports noted he was slated to sit out 4-to-6 games, and as of this Sunday's contest versus the Dolphins, he'll reach have reached five games missed. Carolina will need to designate Coker to return from injured reserve in order for him to practice.

Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Friday that the Cowboys don't expect Lamb (ankle) to play in Sunday's game at the Jets, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

After making an early exit from a Week 3 loss at Chicago, Lamb was diagnosed with a high left-ankle sprain, which typically is accompanied by a multi-week absence. He already missed this past Sunday's tie with the Packers, but he was able to resume rehab work on the field as of this Wednesday, marking the first notable progress in his recovery effort. Ultimately, the Cowboys can make a ruling on Lamb's status for Week 5 as soon as they post Friday's injury report.

Coach Todd Bowles officially ruled out Evans (hamstring) for Sunday's game in Seattle, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

The decision from Bowles comes as no surprise considering Evans hasn't been able to participate in practice since suffering a moderate left hamstring strain during a Week 3 win against the Jets. His next chance to suit up is Sunday, Oct.12 against the 49ers, while Chris Godwin, rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka and Sterling Shepard will serve as QB Baker Mayfield's primary wide receivers this weekend.

Bond is listed atop the unofficial depth chart as the punt returner ahead of Week 5 against Minnesota.

The Browns had to scramble this week after placing DeAndre Carter (knee) on injured reserve following last week's loss to the Lions. Bond is slated to replace Carter on punts, while Jerome Ford is expected to return kickoffs. Bond had some experience fielding punts in college and earlier this season stepped in for a concussed Carter in Week 2. The added return role, however, is small potatoes compared to what is expected to be a larger profile as a receiver; Cleveland also placed wideout Cedric Tillman (hamstring) on injured reserve, and Bond is expected to see an increased workload on offense.

Atwell brought in two of four targets for 72 yards in the Rams' 26-23 overtime loss to the 49ers on Thursday night.

Atwell finished third in receiving yards despite recording just a pair of receptions, including a 38-yard grab in Los Angeles' overtime drive. He's suddenly come to life in the passing game over the past five days after going into Week 4 with just one catch for four yards, as he's posted a 3-160-1 line on six targets in the last pair of contests. Despite the recent surge, Atwell remains a hit-or-miss deep threat in an offense that runs almost exclusively through Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Kyren Williams.

Robinson brought in three of seven targets for 39 yards in the 49ers' 26-23 overtime win over the Rams on Thursday night.

With Jauan Jennings (ribs/ankle) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) joining Brandon Aiyuk (knee, reserve/PUP list) on the sidelines, Robinson shot up to No. 2 on the WR depth chart in only his second game in a 49ers uniform. The veteran wasn't overly efficient in his first opportunity to work with Mac Jones, but he turned in some solid gains on his trio of receptions. Kendrick Bourne, Christian McCaffrey and Jake Tonges all got more of Jones' attention, but Robinson could still have a meaningful role in a Week 6 road matchup against the Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 12 considering San Francisco could still be down multiple receivers.

Adams brought in five of 11 targets for 88 yards in the Rams' 26-23 overtime loss to the 49ers on Thursday night.

Adams edged Puka Nacua by three for the team lead in receiving yards, and he was one target behind his teammate for the top spot in that category as well. Adams' yardage and target tallies were also his best since Week 2 and second highest of the campaign in both cases. Nacua remains the clear alpha option in the Rams' air attack, but Adams' role as the No. 2 receiver is just as clearly delineated heading into a Week 6 road matchup against the Ravens on Sunday, Oct. 12.

Bourne brought in 10 of 11 targets for 142 yards in the 49ers' 26-23 overtime win over the Rams on Thursday night.

The veteran receiver set a new career high in receiving yards during the hard-fought win, one in which Bourne played the role of No. 1 receiver thanks to the absences of Jauan Jennings (ankle/ribs) and Ricky Pearsall (knee). Bourne's reception and receiving yardage totals were both team highs, and he tied tight end Jake Tonges for the lead in targets as well. Were all of San Francisco's receivers, including Brandon Aiyuk (knee, reserve/PUP list), healthy, Bourne would be either the No. 4 or No. 5 receiver, but his performance Thursday corroborated what he can do with an elevated role. Bourne could well be one of the 49ers' top three wideout options again in a Week 6 road matchup against the Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 12.

Nacua secured 10 of 12 targets for 85 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' 26-23 overtime loss to the 49ers on Thursday night.

Nacua was in the customary position of leading the Rams in receptions and targets while checking in second in receiving yards. The prolific pass catcher also brought in one of Matthew Stafford's three touchdown passes, recording a one-yard scoring grab with just under four minutes remaining in the third quarter. Nacua now has three consecutive double-digit reception and target totals, and he's posted both of his touchdowns this season in the last pair of contests. Nacua will remain Stafford's most reliable target in a Week 6 road matchup against the Ravens on Sunday, Oct. 12.