NFL Player News

Dowdle (quadriceps) is not practicing Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Dowdle was the engine of Carolina's offense during the team's upset Week 9 win over Green Bay, in which he rushed 25 times for 130 yards and two scores while catching two of three targets for 11 yards. He clearly played through pain versus the Packers, however, so it's not a complete surprise to see Dowdle now a non-participant at practice. He'll have two more chances to officially get back on the practice field before the Panthers decide whether to assign Dowdle an injury designation for Sunday's matchup against the Saints.

Ward (concussion) was spotted doing work on the field with a trainer Wednesday, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Ward has missed each of the Colts' last four games and remains on the injured reserve list due to a concussion, but Wednesday's workout suggests he may be nearing a return. The Middle Tennessee product must stay on IR for at least one more game, making the Week 12 matchup against the Chiefs his earliest possible return. Ward will likely be designated to return from IR in the near future if he continues to progress.

Wilson (knee) is practicing Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Wilson didn't practice or play in Week 8, but he seems to be doing much better after a Week 9 bye. The Jets will face a tough Cleveland defense at the Meadowlands this Sunday, with Justin Fields likely starting at quarterback, though head coach Aaron Glenn has thus far declined to name his starter. QB Tyrod Taylor (knee) is also expected to practice this week.

Robinson (concussion) is not practicing Wednesday, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

The 2024 first-round pick from Penn State sustained a concussion in the Week 9 loss to the Ravens, so it's no surprise that he's missing Wednesday's practice. Although Robinson hasn't been ruled out for the Week 10 matchup against the Bills, head coach Mike McDaniel didn't sound too optimistic about his availability Sunday, per Louis-Jacques.

Stroud (concussion) is not participating in Wednesday's practice, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Stroud's lack of participation is no surprise, given that he was forced out of Houston's loss to the Broncos in Week 9 early due to a concussion. The starting quarterback will need to fully clear the NFL's concussion protocol before returning to game action, making his status for Sunday's divisional matchup against the Jaguars uncertain at best. Davis Mills will stand to start in place of Stroud if the franchise QB can't go.

Zavala (elbow) didn't practice Wednesday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Zavala returned from a knee injury in the Week 9 win over the Packers before exiting later in the game with an elbow issue. He'll likely need to log at least a limited practice session Thursday or Friday to have a chance at playing in the Week 10 matchup against the Saints.

Head coach Mike Vrabel said that Elliss (hip) won't practice Wednesday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Elliss wasn't able to finish out this past Sunday's win over the Falcons after exiting with a hip injury, so his absence from practice to begin Week 10 prep isn't overly surprising. The linebacker likely needs to upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday and/or Friday to have a chance at playing in the Patriots' Week 10 matchup with the Buccaneers.

The Rams signed Mevis to their practice squad Wednesday.

The Missouri product competed with Nick Folk for the Jets' top placekicking spot throughout the preseason but ultimately lost the job. Now in Los Angeles, Mevis gives the Rams another option at kicker, as Joshua Karty has converted on just 10 of his 15 field-goal attempts through eight games this season.

Lewis (shoulder) was not spotted at Wednesday's practice, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Lewis was forced out of Jacksonville's narrow Week 9 win over the Raiders early due to a shoulder issue, and it looks like his availability for Sunday's road matchup against the Texans is uncertain as a result. After Lewis' early departure versus Las Vegas and with Travis Hunter (knee) on IR, Jarrian Jones stepped into a starting role on defense and tallied a season-high 10 tackles (six solo) plus one pass defensed.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that "the plan we had in place" is for Williams (shoulder) to return to the lineup Sunday against the 49ers, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

Williams hasn't played since Week 7 due to a shoulder injury McVay called a "little setback," but it appears the starting cornerback is trending toward a Week 10 return. McVay said "the hope and optimism" is that Williams will suit up on the road against San Francisco on Sunday. With Ahkello Witherspoon (collarbone) on IR and not expected to return until at least December, Williams' return to the field will represent a notable boost for Los Angeles' defense.