NFL Player News

Ray (ankle) was designated to return from the injured reserve list Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

The Alabama product was placed on injured reserve in late August due to an ankle injury and has missed Carolina's first four games this season. He now must be added to the Panthers' active roster over the next 21 days, or he will revert to IR. Ray is likely to serve as a depth option on Carolina's defensive line once healthy, playing behind Derrick Brown and A'Shawn Robinson.

The Panthers signed Dallas off their practice squad Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

The 27-year-old running back signed with Carolina's practice squad after failing to make the Cardinals' initial 53-man roster in late August. However, Dallas has now been promoted to the active roster and will likely operate in a depth role in the Panthers' backfield, playing behind Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle and Trevor Etienne.

Zavala (knee) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

The 2023 fourth-round pick from NC State had been serving as the Panthers' top right guard while Robert Hunt (biceps) was sidelined, but he'll now be forced to miss at least the team's next four contests. Brady Christensen is likely the next man up at right guard while both Zavala and Hunt are on IR.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that Irving (foot) is day-to-day and could have a chance to suit up Sunday versus Seattle if he's able to shed his walking boot by Friday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Irving suffered a sprained foot during Tampa Bay's 31-25 loss to the Eagles in Week 4, per Adam Schefter of ESPN, and he was spotted on crutches and in a walking boot at Wednesday's walk-through practice. It's a relief that the second-year pro has avoided a long-term injury, but it appears his status for Week 5 may come down to the wire. If Irving ends up missing any time, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker will be slated to lead the Buccaneers' backfield.

Dean (knee) was designated to return from the reserve/PUP list Wednesday.

The 2022 third-round pick out of Georgia has missed Philadelphia's opening four games this season due to a knee injury sustained in a wild-card win over the Packers in January. He now has 21 days to be added to the Eagles' active roster before reverting to the reserve/PUP list. It's unclear whether Dean will reclaim his starting spot once healthy, as rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell has impressed through his first four games as a pro.

McCarthy (ankle) was not spotted at the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said the "hope is soon" that McCarthy will be "back on an individual level," per Alec Lewis of The Athletic. That said, O'Connell noted that he "probably would not expose [McCarthy] to the look team" in the immediate future, a signal that the second-year quarterback doesn't have a very real chance to be available for Sunday's game against the Browns in London. McCarthy hasn't yet been ruled out for Week 5, but even if active, it's likely he would operate in a backup role behind Carson Wentz. The Vikings will benefit from a bye Week 6, making Sunday, Oct. 19 against the Eagles in Week 7 a more realistic tentative date for McCarthy's return, though it's possible Wentz could retain the starting job if he's able to turn in another strong showing versus Cleveland.

Hill (knee) has officially been placed on IR by the Dolphins.

Per Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN, Hill -- who underwent a major procedure Tuesday to repair his dislocated left knee and multiple torn ligaments, including his ACL -- won't need additional surgery, with agent Drew Rosenhaus indicating afterward that the wideout will play next season, while noting that "the realistic goal is the start of the season." In Hill's absence for the rest of the 2025 campaign, Malik Washington and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine are in line to see expanded roles alongside top WR Jaylen Waddle, with Dee Eskridge, Cedrick Wilson and Tahj Washington available to mix in.

Leonard retired from the NFL on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old linebacker has officially called it a career following seven seasons in the NFL . Leonard, a second-round pick out of South Carolina State, earned the 2018 Defensive Rookie of the Year award and received first-team All-Pro honors in three of his first four years. From 2018 to 2021, he tallied 538 total tackles, including 15.0 sacks, 30 passes defended and 17 forced fumbles across 58 regular-season contests. Although Leonard last played for the Eagles in 2023, he's retiring as a Colt, as the team announced Wednesday.

Irving is dealing with a foot sprain that is not considered a long-term injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

That said, Schefter notes that Irving -- who was spotted at Wednesday's walk-through on crutches and in a walking boot -- is viewed as week-to-week ahead of Sunday's game against the Seahawks. If he's unable to play this weekend, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker would be in line to see expanded opportunities in the Buccaneers' Week 5 backfield.

Benson is uncertain for Sunday's game against the Titans due to a knee injury sustained during last Thursday's loss to Seattle, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Benson's knee injury isn't considered serious, per Schefter, but it could impact his availability for Week 5. The second-year pro reportedly sustained the issue toward the end of Arizona's loss to the Seahawks last Thursday, in which he rushed eight times for 35 yards and secured all five of his targets for 19 yards. With James Conner (foot) out for the season Benson is positioned as the Cardinals' clear lead back, meaning of he were to miss any time change-of-pace man Emari Demercado and No. 3 option Michael Carter would step into significant workloads. Wednesday's official practice report will reveal how much, if any, on-field work Benson's injury currently allows him to handle.