NFL Player News

The Texans designated Smith (foot) to return from injured reserve Wednesday.

Smith opened the regular season on IR due to a torn plantar fascia, a diagnosis that came with a 4-to-6 week recovery timeline. Now that he's been designated to return, Smith will have 21 days to be activated from IR, otherwise he would be forced to sit for the entire 2026 season. The 2018 second-rounder was limited in Wednesday's practice.

The Eagles signed Pierce off their practice squad Wednesday.

Philadelphia placed Tank Bigsby (core) on injured reserve Tuesday and appears likely to be without top back Saquon Barkley (hamstring) for Sunday's game against the Jaguars in London, so Pierce will be moved up from the practice squad to replenish the team's depth in the backfield. Assuming Barkley sits, Pierce will be primarily competing for reps with Will Shipley, who has been on the roster all season as the No. 3 back behind Barkley and Bigsby. Philadelphia could also look to elevate one of Jaydon Blue or Carson Steele from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's contest.

The Lions designated Mays (wrist) for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Richard Silva of The Detroit News reports.

The move opens a 21-day window during which Mays can be officially activated from IR before he'd have to stay there for the rest of the campaign. Once he has fully recovered from the wrist fracture he sustained during the preseason, he projects to take over the starting center job from free-agent acquisition Juice Scruggs.

Campbell (knee) did not practice Wednesday.

Campbell has played well this season, recording at least nine tackles in each of the Eagles' first four games of the 2026 campaign. It's possible he didn't practice Wednesday as a precautionary measure, so he could be out there at some point ahead of the Week 5 meeting with Jacksonville.

The Titans opened Williams' (pectoral) 21-day practice window Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

Practicing for the first time all season after sitting out the Titans' first four games, Williams was a full participant Wednesday. The Titans have until Oct. 28 to return the cornerback to the active roster, or he'll otherwise need to spend the remainder of the 2026 season on injured reserve.

The Commanders worked out Allen (undisclosed) on Wednesday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Allen was waived with an injury settlement by the Vikings in early September. He appears to have recovered from his undisclosed injury, and the undrafted rookie out of North Carolina is attempting to join a team in need of depth at defensive back.

The Jets signed Lynn to the active roster Wednesday.

Lynn has yet to start in an NFL regular-season game. The defensive end from William & Mary University will now provide additional support for the Jets' defensive line.

The Vikings designated Jurgens (elbow) for return from injured reserve Wednesday.

Jurgens was a full participant at practice Wednesday, which suggests he may be able to return to game action as soon as Sunday for Minnesota's contest against the Saints in Week 5. The transaction starts the clock on a 21-day window during which he can be officially activated before he'd be required to spend the remainder of the season on IR.

Baun (concussion) was limited during practice Wednesday.

Baun didn't suit up in the Week 4 loss to the Rams. If he can't get back on the field for the Week 5 meeting with the Jaguars, Jeremiah Trotter should continue to see an increase in snaps.

Thompson (quadriceps) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Wednesday's practice was Thompson's first since Week 2 prep, with the rookie fourth-rounder missing the Chargers' last two games due to a quadriceps injury. However, he told reporters after Wednesday's session that he's unsure whether he'll be cleared to return for Sunday's AFC West showdown against the Broncos, per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com. A full practice over the next two days would put Thompson on track to play in Week 6, and his return would be a welcome one for the Chargers, given that top wideout Ladd McConkey is considered week-to-week due to a foot injury.