NFL Player News

Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that McLaurin (quadriceps) will return to practice this week but that his status for Sunday's road matchup against the Cowboys remains uncertain, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

McLaurin's practice activity on Thursday and Friday will be informative as to his odds of retaking the field versus Dallas, as Washington is hosting a walkthrough session Wednesday. The veteran wideout has missed three consecutive games due to a lingering quad injury and didn't practice in any capacity during that span, though he's reportedly avoided any setbacks in his recovery. With No. 3 receiver Noah Brown (groin/knee) having been placed on IR on Wednesday, it will be an especially notable boost for the Commanders' receiving corps if McLaurin is able to return to action Week 7.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday that Lloyd (hamstring), who remains on IR, is getting closer to a return to practice, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.comg reports.

Lloyd began the regular season on IR and has already missed more than the requisite minimum four contests, so he's eligible to be designated for a return to practice at any point, once Green Bay deems in healthy enough. Once that transaction is submitted, Lloyd will have a 21-day window wherein he can be evaluated at practice without counting against the active roster. The second-year pro will be positioned for a reserve role behind lead back Josh Jacobs once back in action, but Lloyd's early-season absence has allowed both Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks to further establish themselves as reserve backfield options.

Reynolds (hip) won't practice Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

With Garrett Wilson dealing with a knee injury that threatens his Week 7 availability, Reynolds' status gains import ahead of Sunday's game against the Panthers. The wideout now has two more chances to practice before the Jets post injury designations Friday, but if Wilson is sidelined versus Carolina, Reynolds -- if active -- could see an expanded role this weekend. The Jets' other rostered WRs are Arian Smith, Allen Lazard and Tyler Johnson, while the team currently has five wideouts on the practice squad.

The Commanders placed Brown (groin/knee) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Brown has already missed four consecutive games due to a pair of injuries, and being placed on IR will now force him to sit out at least another four contests. That makes Brown's earliest possible return date Sunday, Nov. 11 versus the Dolphins in Week 11. Brown's absence will be especially notable for Washington if Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) remains sidelined for the team's Week 7 matchup against the Cowboys on Sunday.

Wilson (knee) won't practice Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

ESPN's Adam Schefter previously reported that Wilson hyperextended his knee during Week 6 action and is expected to miss a couple of weeks; however, at this stage coach Aaron Glenn isn't ruling out the wideout for Sunday's game against the Panthers. With regard to Wilson's chances of being available this weekend, Glenn noted Wednesday "we'll see how he progresses" during the week. If Wilson ends up sidelined versus Carolina, Josh Reynolds (hip), Arian Smith, Allen Lazard (personal) and Tyler Johnson would be candidates to see added reps in Week 7, while the Jets also currently have five wideouts on their practice squad.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that he had "no real update" on Watson's (Achilles) status beyond noting that the quarterback is "doing a great job with his rehab," Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

While Watson -- who suffered a right Achilles tendon rupture in Week 7 last season and then underwent an additional surgery in January -- is eligible to resume practicing at any time since he's already missed the minimum four games to begin the season, the expectation is that the quarterback is still weeks away from getting back on the field. With the Browns having traded away Kenny Pickett in August and Joe Flacco last week, rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are the only signal-callers currently on the team's active roster.

Leonard appears in line to serve as the top backup to starting quarterback Daniel Jones for a second straight game Sunday against the Chargers after the Colts placed Anthony Richardson (orbital) on injured reserve Monday, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.

After being inactive for the first five games of the season, Leonard suited up as the Colts' No. 2 quarterback during this past Sunday's 31-27 win over the Cardinals due to Richardson sustaining an orbital fracture in a freak pregame accident. With Richardson's injury now set to keep him out for at least four more games, Leonard is the lone healthy option at quarterback on the 53-man roster beyond Jones, though Indianapolis signed veteran Brett Rypien to its practice squad Wednesday. Rypien brings more experience to the table and could eventually make a push for the No. 2 role if he's able to quickly familiarize himself with head coach Shane Steichen's playbook, but Leonard, a rookie sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame, would offer far more fantasy upside if he's forced into action in the event of an injury to Jones. Leonard put his dual-threat abilities on full display during the preseason, carrying seven times for 58 yards while completing 34 of 56 pass attempts (60.7 percent) for 345 yards, one touchdown and one interception over three games.

Njoku (knee) is not slated to practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Njoku is in line to miss Wednesday's practice due to the knee injury that forced him to leave Sunday's 23-9 loss to the Steelers early. Coach Kevin Stefanski said the tight end is "truly day-to-day," per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. Njoku will almost certainly need to resume practicing on at least a limited basis Thursday and/or Friday, and if he's unable to suit up in time to face the Dolphins in Week 7, rookie Harold Fannin -- who led the Browns in receptions and yards versus Pittsburgh -- will again benefit from increased target opportunities.

The Bengals placed Gesicki (pectoral) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Gesicki will be forced to miss at least four games due to a pectoral injury sustained during the Bengals' loss to the Packers on Sunday. Since Bengals have a Week 10 bye, Gesicki's first chance to return to action will arrive Week 12 against the Patriots on Nov. 23. With Gesicki sidelined, Noah Fant is expected to step up as the No. 1 tight end for Cincinnati, beginning with Thursday's game versus the Steelers. Reserve tight end Tanner Hudson (concussion) also may benefit from increased receiving opportunities, though he looks uncertain to be available Thursday.

Heyward recorded a 12-yard touchdown reception on his lone target in Sunday's 23-9 win over the Browns.

Heyward was on the field for just six of the Steelers' 59 offensive snaps, but he was able to make the most of his limited playing time by connecting with quarterback Aaron Rodgers on a touchdown grab midway through the third quarter to gave Pittsburgh a 13-point lead. The touchdown was the first of the season for Heyward, who has notched just two receptions through the team's first five games. The fullback/tight end will continue to handle a limited role on offense in the weeks to come.