NFL Player News

Austin (shoulder) is returning to practice Wednesday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that he's optimistic about Austin returning for Sunday's game against the Packers. Austin hasn't played or practiced since Week 4, missing a bye and two games in the interim. The backup wideouts haven't done much in Austin's absence, with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith instead relying on his tight ends even more than he usually does. Austin was a pleasant surprise for Pittsburgh early in the season with 126 yards and two TDs on 15 targets over his first three games.

Bullock recorded four total tackles (three solo) and one interception in Monday night's 27-19 loss to the Seahawks.

The second-year safety was one of two Texans to nab a pick in Monday night's loss, intercepting a pass intended for Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the second quarter. Bullock has established himself as one of the NFL's top ball hawks in his first two years in the league, recording 13 passes defended, including six interceptions, in just 23 regular-season contests. He's expected to continue starting alongside M.J. Stewart in the Texans' secondary ahead of a Week 8 contest against the 49ers.

Stingley tallied two total tackles (both solo) and one interception in Monday night's 27-19 loss to the Seahawks.

The 2022 first-round pick continues to prove why he's one of the league's top cornerbacks, picking off a pass intended for AJ Barner in the fourth quarter of Monday's loss. Stingley has now recorded 13 total tackles and five passes defended, including two interceptions, over the Texans' first six games this season. He's expected to continue causing problems for opposing quarterbacks in the Week 8 matchup against the 49ers.

Speed tallied seven total tackles (six solo) during Monday night's 27-19 loss to the Seahawks.

Speed played a season-high 44 defensive snaps in Houston's Week 7 loss. The 30-year-old linebacker has now tallied 23 total tackles in his first six games as a Texan, contributing both defensively (116 snaps) and on special teams (93 snaps). He's expected to remain one of Houston's top linebackers in the Week 8 matchup against the 49ers.

Autry recorded two total tackles (both solo), including 1.0 sacks, and blocked a field-goal attempt in Monday night's 27-19 loss to the Seahawks.

The veteran defensive lineman played 17 total snaps (10 on defense, seven on special teams) and made an instant impact in his regular-season debut, sacking Sam Darnold in the fourth quarter. Autry also blocked a 53-yard field-goal try from Jason Myers late in the second quarter, helping the Texans pull within one score before half time. The 35-year-old is expected to remain a key reserve defensive lineman heading into Houston's Week 8 matchup against the 49ers.

Pitre recorded nine total tackles (four solo) in Monday night's 27-19 loss to the Seahawks.

The Baylor product finished with the second-most tackles on the Texans' defense during Monday's loss, trailing Kamari Lassiter's 10-stop performance. Pitre has now tallied 31 total tackles and five passes defended, including three interceptions, through the Texans' first six games this season. He's expected to continue causing problems for opposing quarterbacks in the Week 8 matchup against the 49ers.

Kirk (hamstring) isn't practicing Wednesday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

A mid-week addition to the Week 7 injury report, Kirk was ruled out Saturday for Monday's eventual loss to Seattle (in which No. 1 receiver Nico Collins suffered a concussion). Houston may now be without both Kirk and Collins this Sunday against the 49ers, which would leave more routes/targets for some combination of Xavier Hutchinson, Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel and Braxton Berrios.

Collins (concussion) isn't practicing Wednesday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

This was to be expected just two days after Collins suffered a concussion during Monday Night Football. He's now on a short week, with not much time to clear concussion protocol before Sunday's matchup with San Francisco.

Marshall (hamstring) was designated to return from the injured reserve list Wednesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

The rookie corner from Florida has missed Miami's last four games after sustaining a hamstring injury in the Week 3 loss to the Bills, but it now appears he's nearing a return. Marshall played 88 total snaps (62 on defense, 16 on offense) over his first three NFL games, recording three total tackles. He now has 21 days to be added to Miami's active roster and will likely play a depth role in the secondary once fully healthy.

Interim head coach Mike McCoy told reporters Wednesday that Simmons (hamstring) is considered week-to-week, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

The All-Pro defensive lineman sustained a hamstring injury early into the Titans' Week 7 loss to the Patriots and is now expected to be sidelined for the immediate future. Simmons has appeared in all seven of Tennessee's games this season, recording 30 total tackles, including 4.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. James Lynch is likely to operate as one of the Titans' starting interior defensive linemen until Simmons returns from injury.