NFL Player News

Coach Dave Canales said Friday that the Panthers will open Coker's (quadriceps) 21-day window to return from injured reserve next week, Joe Person of The Athletic reports. "Coker is doing great," Canales added. "He's hitting some top speeds. Now, it's about capacity."

Coker sustained a quad injury in practice on Aug. 28 that forced the Panthers to place him on IR not long afterward. Initial reports noted he was slated to sit out 4-to-6 games, and as of this Sunday's contest versus the Dolphins, he'll reach have reached five games missed. Carolina will need to designate Coker to return from injured reserve in order for him to practice.

Sanders (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

With Sanders set to miss his second straight game, Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans will lead the team's TE corps this weekend, with Mitchell Evans in reserve. In Carolina's Week 4 loss to the Patriots, Tremble caught five of his eight targets for 42 yards and a touchdown, while Evans caught three of his four targets for 23 yards and a touchdown. Sanders' next chance to see game action will arrive Sunday, Oct. 12 against the Cowboys.

Hubbard (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Hubbard played through a calf injury this past Sunday in New England but logged a season-low 51 percent snap share in the process. In the wake of that contest, he didn't practice at all this week, signaling that he was trending toward his first absence of the campaign. Rico Dowdle thus lines up to lead Carolina's backfield this weekend, with Trevor Etienne and DeeJay Dallas also on hand for RB reps. Hubbard's next chance to suit up is Sunday, Oct. 12 versus the Cowboys.

Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Friday that the Cowboys don't expect Lamb (ankle) to play in Sunday's game at the Jets, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

After making an early exit from a Week 3 loss at Chicago, Lamb was diagnosed with a high left-ankle sprain, which typically is accompanied by a multi-week absence. He already missed this past Sunday's tie with the Packers, but he was able to resume rehab work on the field as of this Wednesday, marking the first notable progress in his recovery effort. Ultimately, the Cowboys can make a ruling on Lamb's status for Week 5 as soon as they post Friday's injury report.

Coach Todd Bowles officially ruled out Evans (hamstring) for Sunday's game in Seattle, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

The decision from Bowles comes as no surprise considering Evans hasn't been able to participate in practice since suffering a moderate left hamstring strain during a Week 3 win against the Jets. His next chance to suit up is Sunday, Oct.12 against the 49ers, while Chris Godwin, rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka and Sterling Shepard will serve as QB Baker Mayfield's primary wide receivers this weekend.

Coach Todd Bowles officially ruled out Irving (foot/shoulder) for Sunday's game at Seattle, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Irving emerged from a Week 4 loss to the Eagles with a sprained right foot that forced him to don a walking boot and also crutches as a spectator at Wednesday's practice. Earlier Friday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported that Irving was unlikely to play Week 5, which now has been confirmed. The Buccaneers thus will roll with the combination of Rachaad White and Sean Tucker out of the backfield this weekend and perhaps beyond that point.

Williams (knee) will not play in Sunday night's game against the Patriots, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

While the Bills are one of just two NFL teams off to a 4-0 start, the run defense has been poor with an AFC-worst mark of 164.3 rushing yards allowed per game. Fellow linebacker Matt Milano's (pectoral) status now takes on added import for Sunday's divisional matchup.

Jackson (hamstring) wasn't spotted at practice Friday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Jackson also didn't practice Wednesday and Thursday, so the star QB is trending toward an absence from Sunday's game against the Texans. Friday's final injury report will reveal whether he's ruled out or the door is left open at all for him to suit up this weekend. If Jackson isn't able to face Houston, Cooper Rush would be on track to start in his place, with Tyler Huntley a candidate to be elevated from the practice squad.

Coach Brian Daboll noted that Tracy (shoulder) is slated to practice Friday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Per the report, Tracy, who didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, is doing "a lot better," and the running back's status for Sunday's game against the Saints has yet to be determined. Added clarity on that front will arrive via the Giants' final Week 5 injury report Friday, but if Tracy is ultimately forced to miss another game, Cam Skattebo would continue to lead the team's backfield this weekend, with Devin Singletary on hand to work in a complementary role.

Coach Aaron Glenn revealed Friday that Allen (knee) is expected to miss 8-12 weeks, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Per Cimini, it hasn't yet been determined if Allen -- who was placed on IR on Thursday -- will undergo surgery on his knee or recover via rehab, but either way, the timetable estimate will remain in the 8-12 week range. In Allen's absence, Isaiah Davis, as well as newcomer Khalil Herbert and Kene Nwangwu (hamstring) -- when healthy -- are slated to work behind top back Breece Hall.