NFL Player News

The Bears signed Brown from their practice squad to their 53-man roster Saturday.

Brown has played one game this season, tallying five carries for 37 yards and a touchdown in Week 9 versus Cincinnati as a practice-squad elevation. He's now getting a chance on the active roster as a replacement for Roschon Johnson (thumb), who was placed on injured reserve Saturday. Johnson had been seeing almost all of his work on special teams before the injury, and that may be Brown's role as well since both D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai are healthy and have been logging nearly all of the team's backfield touches.

The Bears placed Johnson (thumb) on injured reserve Saturday.

Johnson popped up on Wednesday's injury report with a thumb injury. He ended up missing all three practices during the week before being ruled out from playing Sunday against Pittsburgh. With Johnson's placement on IR, he'll now miss at least three more games beyond Sunday, making his earliest return date Dec. 20 versus Green Bay. The Bears signed Brittain Brown to their 53-man roster from the practice squad Saturday to replace Johnson as the team's No. 3 running back.

The Bears moved Edmunds (groin) to IR on Saturday.

Edmunds didn't practice at all this week due to a groin injury. The issue seems significant given that Chicago has elected to move the veteran linebacker to IR, thus ensuring that he'll miss at least four games. Ruben Hyppolite could move into a starting role in Edmunds' absence.

The Vikings cut Akers from the practice Saturday.

Akers appeared in three games for the Vikings this season as a depth piece behind Jordan Mason and Zavier Scott while Aaron Jones was on injured reserve. In that time, the 26-year-old Akers rushed only five times for 19 yards, but he also completed one pass for 32 yards. Cornerback Dwight McGlothern replaces Akers on the practice squad.

The Falcons elevated Drummond from their practice squad Saturday, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.

Drummond's presence is needed due to Drake London (knee) being ruled out for Week 12. Drummond will likely serve in a depth wideout role Sunday, as he did after his previous two elevations this season, when he tallied seven total offensive snaps without seeing any targets across Weeks 8 and 9. Since Drummond has now been elevated three times, Atlanta would need to sign him to the active roster in order for the Eastern Michigan product to play again for the team during the regular season beyond Week 12.

Bethune (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against Carolina, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Bethune took over as the 49ers' starting middle linebacker in Week 7 after Fred Warner sustained a season-ending ankle injury against the Buccaneers in Week 6. However, Bethune suffered a high-ankle sprain against the Cardinals in Week 11, and the second-year linebacker will miss his first game of the regular season as a result. In his absence, Curtis Robinson will step up as the starting middle linebacker for Monday's game. Bethune will look to return to practice in at least a limited capacity ahead of the 49ers' Week 13 clash against the Browns.

The Falcons activated Deablo (forearm) off IR on Saturday and removed his injury designation for Sunday's tilt against New Orleans, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.

Deablo landed on injured reserve Oct. 25 due to a fractured forearm. He missed the minimum four games and was able to return to full practice participation Thursday and Friday this week. Though Deablo was initially deemed questionable for Sunday's contest, that designation was removed upon his activation. He should thus return to a starting role at linebacker against New Orleans.

Pineiro (hamstring) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Panthers, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Pineiro was unable to practice all week due to a right hamstring injury, and he will not play in Monday night's game as a result. In his absence, Matt Gay will likely be elevated from the practice squad to the active roster. Pineiro's next opportunity to play is Week 13 against the Browns on Sunday, Nov. 30.

The Falcons placed Harrison (knee) on IR on Saturday, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.

Harrison first hurt his knee in mid-October. He missed two games before returning to action in Week 10 against Indianapolis. However, Harrison sat again during Week 11 and had already been deemed out for this Sunday before being moved to IR. Atlanta coach Raheem Morris said Saturday that Harrison had a setback with his knee and will need to get the issue "fixed," which may mean the third-year pro is going to need surgery.

The Packers elevated Strong from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Strong has been on Green Bay's practice squad since September and was already brought up to the active roster once this season as extra depth in the backfield. The fourth-year pro will be available to play a similar role again for Week 12 if Josh Jacobs is unable to play.