NFL Player News

Hutchinson will likely see more playing time Week 7 with Christian Kirk (hamstring) ruled out against the Seahawks on Monday, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Hutchinson splashed in Week 5's victory over the Ravens, when he caught two touchdown passes -- the wide receiver's first two scores since being drafted in 2023. He and Jaylin Noel are the most likely beneficiaries of Kirk's absence, although it should be noted that Houston's gameplan is expected to have a run-heavy focus. Head coach DeMeco Ryans talked about leaning on the running backs earlier in the week. Even so, if the running attack is successful, that could benefit the passing game, and targets might accrue to Hutchinson and the rest of the group.

Purdy (toe) will be out for Sunday's game against the Falcons, but the 49ers are hopeful that the quarterback will return to the lineup for a Week 8 contest in Houston, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Purdy hasn't put in a full practice since aggravating a turf toe injury in a Week 4 loss to Jacksonville and will be sidelined Sunday for the third game in a row and for the fifth time in six games. He took a step forward this week by turning in three limited practices, and if he can increase his activity during the upcoming week, Purdy should be on a path to making a return to action. Mac Jones has been tending to knee and oblique injuries of his own but will be healthy enough to make another start in Purdy's stead Sunday.

Hunter (coach's decision) is a healthy inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars in London.

After being inactive for the Rams' season-opening win over the Texans, Hunter had suited up for each of Los Angeles' subsequent five games, but the rookie running back had been used exclusively on special teams. At least for one week, Hunter appears to have lost out on that meager role, as practice-squad call-up Ronnie Rivers will be active as depth behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum in addition to taking on Hunter's responsibilities on special teams.

Sample didn't draw a target or run a route while playing 39 of the Bengals' 76 offensive snaps in Thursday's 33-31 win over the Steelers.

Sample has always been deployed mainly as a blocker when he's taken the field, but the Bengals took that to an extreme in Week 7. Cincinnati didn't have Tanner Hudson (concussion) available as a depth option at tight end, which may have motivated the decision to scale back Sample's route running and use him exclusively as a blocker behind starter Noah Fant, who moved atop the depth chart due to Mike Gesicki (pectoral) hitting injured reserve.

Carter (heel) is questionable to play against the Vikings on Sunday but is trending toward being available, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Carter was unable to suit up for Week 6 against the Giants due to a heel injury. The 2023 first-rounder registered an FP-LP-LP practice log this past week, which earned him the questionable tag for Week 7. Carter's return would be a welcome one for the Eagles' defensive front, though it would result in less rotational snaps for Byron Young and rookie fourth-rounder Ty Robinson.

Iosivas had three catches for 49 yards in Thursday's win over the Steelers on four targets. He dropped one pass early in the game.

Iosivas made a big impact late in the third quarter, hauling in a 40-yard reception to convert a 3rd-and-4 play when the Bengals were trying to extend a three-point lead. He's had four-plus targets in three straight games while working primarily behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Iosivas played 70 percent of the offensive snaps Thursday.

Jarrett (knee) is questionable to play against the Saints on Sunday but is expected to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Jarrett missed the Bears' last two games due to a knee injury that has lingered since the beginning of the regular season. He opened the week with back-to-back DNPs before practicing in a limited capacity Friday, which earned him the questionable tag for Week 7. Even if he's expected to play, Jarrett's status may not be officially known until the Bears announce their list of inactive players approximately 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Jarrett's return would mean less rotational snaps at defensive tackle to go around for Chris Williams, Andrew Billings and Shemar Turner.

Ertz (shoulder), who is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Dallas, is expected to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Ertz appears positioned for a significant role in the receiving game this weekend, as Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Deebo Samuel (heel) have both been ruled out, and Noah Brown (groin/knee) was recently placed on injured reserve. After logging six targets while the Commanders had Samuel available for this past Monday's loss to the Bears, Ertz could see his target share grow versus a Dallas defense that's surrendered the most passing yards to opponents in the league through six weeks. His status may not be made official until Washington releases its inactive list roughly 90 minutes prior to kickoff at 4:25 p.m. ET, but Ertz is on track to take the field Sunday.

Perine had seven carries for 31 yards in Thursday night's win over the Steelers. He played 27 offensive snaps, which accounted for 38 percent of the Bengals' offensive snaps.

Perine had registered 47 percent of the offensive snaps over the two previous games, but teammate Chase Brown was running so effectively against the Steelers that it made less sense to replace him with Perine.

Carter (hamstring) is considered a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Carter popped up on Friday's practice report as a limited participant due to a hamstring injury. He traveled with the team to Denver on Saturday, and how his hamstring responds to pregame warmups will determine whether he will play Sunday. Chauncey Golston (neck) has already been ruled out, so the Giants may have to turn to Victor Dimukeje (neck) -- who was activated from injured reserve Saturday -- to take on a more prominent, rotational role as an edge rusher behind Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux if Carter is unable to play.