NFL Player News

Oliver (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Oliver sustained a sprained foot in last Thursday night's loss to the Chargers and will miss his first game of the season. The blocking specialist has recorded five catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns on the year. Ben Yurosek and Ben Sims will be candidates to see increased reps behind T.J. Hockenson.

Metellus (foot) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Metellus is dealing with foot soreness, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. He's started all seven games this season, producing 41 tackles (25 solo) and four pass breakups, including a pair of interceptions.

Flacco (right shoulder) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears after being deemed a non-participant in Friday's practice.

Per Ben Baby of ESPN.com, Flacco, who is dealing with a sprained AC joint in his right throwing shoulder, said Friday that he felt "pretty good" after throwing ahead of Sunday's contest. When discussing the possibility of Flacco starting versus Chicago, coach Zac Taylor noted, "I thought he did a nice job out there. I saw what we would hope to see for a guy to be able to play on Sunday. Now we'll just work through the next few days to see where it ends up." In the event that Flacco isn't ready to get the nod for Cincinnati's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, Jake Browning would be in line to step in for him.

Wilson (calf) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bears, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

The veteran linebacker from Wyoming didn't practice all week due to a calf injury and is now expected to miss his first game of the season Sunday. With both Wilson and Oren Burks (groin, questionable) dealing with injuries ahead of the Week 9 matchup, Joe Giles-Harris is expected to have a larger role in Cincinnati's inside-linebacker corps.

Ham (hand) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Ham will miss his second straight contest after being injured in Week 7. The veteran fullback has logged just 24 offensive snaps this season.

Burks (groin) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bears, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Burks practiced in a limited fashion Thursday and Friday after suffering an apparent groin injury. He's played 310 total snaps (189 on special teams, 121 on defense) over Cincinnati's first eight games this season, recording 23 total tackles and a forced fumble. If the 30-year-old is unable to play Sunday, expect Joe Giles-Harris to play an expanded role in the Bengals' linebacker corps.

Monangai is poised to lead the Bears backfield Sunday at Cincinnati in the wake of D'Andre Swift (groin) being ruled out, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Both Swift and Roschon Johnson (back) were unable to practice this week due to their respective injuries, and Chicago ruled out both players on Friday's practice report. Swift's health concern in particular has been lingering for weeks, so perhaps the Bears are giving him the week off with the long term in mind. In any case, Monangai will be the primary beneficiary Sunday, and the rookie seventh-round pick's average of 4.4 yards per carry so far as a pro indicates a fruitful performance is very possible against the Bengals' league-worst run defense (151.9 yards per game).

Wilson (hamstring) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bears, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old from Florida didn't return to practice after missing the Bengals' Week 8 loss to the Jets with a hamstring injury, so it's no surprise that he'll likely be sidelined again Sunday. If Wilson misses the Week 9 contest as expected, Josh Newton will likely operate as Cincinnati's top reserve boundary corner.

Moore (illness) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bills.

The 27-year-old from Western Michigan popped up on Kansas City's injury report Friday as a non-practice participant due to an illness, putting him in jeopardy of missing the Week 9 contest. If Moore is sidelined Sunday, Wanya Morris is expected to start at left tackle.

Burden (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Cincinnati.

Burden suffered a concussion during this past Sunday's loss at Baltimore and wasn't able to practice in any capacity during Week 9 prep. With no progress to speak of yet through the protocol for head injuries, he could be in danger of missing multiple contests. Meanwhile, the rest of the Bears' banged-up wide receivers don't have designations going into the weekend, meaning Rome Odunze (heel), DJ Moore (hip/groin) and Olamide Zaccheaus (knee) all are poised for their typical roles in the passing game.