NFL Player News

Dowdle (toe) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Earlier Wednesday, head coach Mike McCarthy told Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Dowdle would be part of the rehab group to begin Week 5 prep, but the running back was apparently able to fit in enough work behind the scenes to log his first practice activity since dislocating a toe in the Steelers' Week 2 loss to New England. Given that he's missed the Steelers' past two games, Dowdle may need to upgrade to full practice participation by the end of the week in order to get cleared to play Sunday versus the Colts. If Dowdle is available this weekend, McCarthy has previously indicated that he would likely reclaim his spot in a backfield timeshare with Jaylen Warren, who has thrived while handling an every-down role over the past two games.

Monangai (toe/thumb) did not practice Wednesday.

The thumb injury was known coming out of Sunday's win, but the toe issue is a new revelation. Monangai peeled off 146 yards over 30 carries before coach Ben Johnson announced that the second-year back was dealing with a thumb issue. The Bears kept him out of practice Wednesday, so Monangai's status is now on the radar for the rest of the week. Of note, D'Andre Swift (hip/knee) also did not practice Wednesday. Chicago's run game has been key to keeping things on track in Caleb Williams' absence.

Swift didn't practice Thursday due to hip and knee injuries.

Both Swift and fellow RB Kyle Monangai (thumb/toe) were non-participants to begin Week 5 prep, leaving question marks in the Bears backfield ahead of Sunday's contest at Green Bay. While Swift ceded 30 carries to Monangai in a Week 4 win against the Jets, the former notched 15 rushes and two catches en route to 74 yards from scrimmage. The overall situation will continue to be monitored to get a sense of who among the duo will be Chicago's lead runner this weekend.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Evans (ribs) is expected to be limited at Wednesday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Evans was able to gut through strained ribs this past Sunday against the Broncos, logging a 59 percent snap share and hauling in five of eight targets for 76 yards. He likely will endure practice restrictions for as long as he's dealing with the injury, but at this point there's no indication that his availability for a Week 5 matchup at Seattle is in question.

Nabers said he took on "as much as I could" at Wednesday's practice, after which he noted he's dealing with undisclosed soreness, Connor Hughes of SNY.tv reports.

Nabers also relayed that he'll "see how the week goes" as it pertains to his odds to play Sunday at Washington. He's already on his second signal-caller of the campaign (Jameis Winston) and has a cumulative 18-208-1 line on 26 targets through four games, and whether or not he'll be available in Week 5 remains to be seen

Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that Mallory (thumb) will have his 21-day practice window opened Wednesday, Nathan Brown of The Indianapolis Star reports.

After sustaining a thumb injury in August, Mallory was sent to injured reserve at the conclusion of the preseason. The 27-year-old has made good progress in his recovery, and after missing the minimum four games, the Colts have decided to clear him to practice at the first opportunity in which he's eligible to do so. Mallory could make his 2026 debut as soon as this Sunday in Pittsburgh, though he'll likely struggle to earn playing time behind fellow tight ends Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree.

Patterson signed with the Browns' practice squad Wednesday.

The 27-year-old running back will join his fourth different NFL organization, after stints with the Commanders, Chargers and Vikings. He saw action in six games with the Chargers in 2025, carrying 41 times for 159 yards and one touchdown to go with three catches for eight yards on four targets.

Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said that Flowers (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Though Flowers wasn't present on the field for the media-access portion of practice, the fourth-year wideout was apparently able to get in some work behind the scenes Wednesday. The Ravens haven't indicated that Flowers has experienced any setbacks with his hamstring since returning from a one-game absence to play in both of the previous two contests, so his limitations to begin Week 5 prep were most likely maintenance-related. Flowers still appears likely to head into Sunday's game in Atlanta without an injury designation, though his fantasy appeal may be more limited than usual with Tyler Huntley trending toward drawing the Week 5 start in place of the injured Lamar Jackson (ankle).

McConkey (foot) is expected to be at practice Wednesday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

The level of McConkey's participation remains to be seen but it appears he'll get some work in Wednesday, according to coach Jim Harbaugh. McConkey has battled through a couple of injuries this season, the most recent being a foot issue that flared up in the third quarter of the Chargers' loss to the Seahawks. The Chargers have a critical game Sunday at home against the Broncos.

Pittman (foot) was seen using a scooter with his foot propped up in the Steelers' locker room Wednesday, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com reports.

With Pittman having already missed time recently due to a foot injury, it doesn't like he's past the issue despite playing in last Thursday night's loss to the Browns. The veteran receiver has been a non-factor in his short time with the Steelers, catching seven passes for 89 yards and no touchdowns on 12 targets across three games. Pittsburgh hosts Pittman's former Colts teammates on Sunday.