NFL Player News

Hill (Achilles) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Jay Morrison of SI.com reports.

Hill missed three consecutive games with an Achilles injury he suffered in the Bengals' Week 1 win over the Buccaneers. Wednesday's full session is the first the defensive tackle has logged since sustaining the injury, meaning there is a strong chance Hill will be able to suit up for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Epps (groin) did not practice Wednesday.

Epps didn't play in Sunday's loss to the Rams. If that trend continues in Week 5 versus Jacksonville, Michael Carter should remain in line to see an uptick in defensive snaps.

Shelton (hamstring) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Buccaneers, Tommy Yarrish of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Shelton is considered week-to-week due to a hamstring injury he picked up in Week 4 against the Texans, so his absence for Thursday's game isn't a surprise. His next chance to suit up is Week 6 against the Packers on Sunday, Oct. 18, though Shelton would have to log at least a limited practice to have a legitimate chance of returning.

Smith (thumb) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Buccaneers, Tommy Yarrish of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Smith, who was designated to return from injured reserve Monday, finished Week 5 prep with a full practice Wednesday. The questionable tag gives him a chance to be activated from IR and make his 2026 debut Thursday. Smith's return would likely result in T.J. Bass reverting to a depth role on the offensive line.

Penning (concussion) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

Penning exited the Chargers' Week 4 loss to the Seahawks early with a head injury. The offensive guard has entered the league's five-step concussion protocol and will need to be cleared by an independent neurologist to return to full contact.

Greenard (ankle) did not practice Wednesday.

Greenard exited Sunday's loss to the Rams. He is considered day-to-day, so his absence from practice Wednesday isn't a surprise. The 29-year-old has logged only 37 defensive snaps during the 2026 campaign, though his absence could allow more involvement from A.J. Epenesa and Arnold Ebiketie.

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.