NFL Player News

Head coach Sean Payton said Wednesday that he does not expect Surtain (ankle) to spend time on injured reserve, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Surtain injured his ankle during the Broncos' Week 4 loss to the 49ers, but the initial tests ruled out a severe injury and estimated a two-game absence. The star defensive back did not practice Wednesday, and it seems like he won't be available for Sunday's AFC West showdown against the Chargers. Riley Moss (ribs) could also miss time, so the Broncos will likely start Jahdae Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine at outside cornerback for the time being.

Cisse (neck) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Cisse suffered a neck injury during the Packers' Week 4 win over the Buccaneers. The cornerback cleared an independent concussion check and was believed to have suffered a short-term issue. Cisse is now back to full participation and appears set to continue preparing for Sunday's divisional showdown with the Bears.

Reaves (finger) was listed as a full practice participant on Wednesday's injury report.

Reaves injured his finger during the Commanders' Week 4 loss to the Colts in London, but his ability to practice in full Wednesday indicates that the injury is not a serious issue and puts him on track to play against the Giants on Sunday. Reaves has 27 tackles (16 solo) and one pass defense through the first four games of the regular season.

Van Ness (shoulder) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Van Ness was limited in all three practices building up to the Packers' Week 4 win over the Buccaneers. The linebacker entered the contest without an injury designation, logging 73 percent of the team's defensive snaps in the win. Van Ness appears set to duplicate last week's schedule, likely logging limited practices throughout the week and avoiding any injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bears.

Cross (illness) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Cross missed the Commanders' last two games due to an illness, but the 2022 third-rounder's full practice Wednesday puts him on track to return against the Giants on Sunday. His return means Quan Martin will likely revert to a rotational role behind Cross and Jeremy Reaves.

Elliss (calf) was estimated as a non-participant at practice Wednesday.

The Saints' only started their week of preparation with a walk-through practice, but the estimation signals Elliss is in jeopardy of missing another game because of a nagging calf injury. Unless he returns to practice in some capacity Thursday or Friday, odds are low he'll be available Sunday versus the Vikings.

Styles (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Styles may have picked up the injury during the Commanders' Week 4 loss to the Colts in London, when he logged eight tackles (four solo) while failing to play more than 80 percent of the team's defensive snaps for the first time this season. The rookie first-rounder will have two more opportunities to increase his practice participation and avoid an injury designation for Sunday's NFC East tilt against the Giants.

Al-Shaair (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Al-Shaair logged just one limited practice during Week 4 prep in Thursday's session. The middle linebacker's limited presence in the first prep session of Week 5 is a good sign. If the 29-year-old can build Wednesday's start into Thursday and Friday practice sessions, he may be able to dodge any injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Titans.

Blackmon (shoulder) was estimated as a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

The Saints only held a walk-through practice to start the week, and the precise nature of the injury is unclear, but the estimation suggests it's probably nothing too severe. If he can practice in full Thursday or Friday, he might be able to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend altogether.

Luvu (groin) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Luvu was able to overcome a groin injury to play against the Colts in Week 4, when he logged five tackles (one solo) while playing 95 percent of Washington's defensive snaps. The injury caused him to miss the Commanders' two games prior to Week 4, so unless his practice participation gets downgraded over the next two days, Luvu is likely to be available for Sunday's NFC East showdown against the Giants.