NFL Player News

Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Daniels (knee) won't practice Wednesday but "had a good rehab session today and threw out on the field," Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Daniels is considered day-to-day after suffering a knee sprain during last Thursday's loss to the Packers. He now has two chances left to upgrade to at least limited practice activity before being tagged with a tentative injury designation for Sunday's home matchup against the Raiders. Backup Marcus Mariota will step up under center in the event that Daniels isn't cleared to suit up Week 3.

Head coach Sean McDermott told reporters Wednesday that Johnson (quadriceps) is questionable for Thursday night's matchup against the Dolphins, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

McDermott added that Johnson will practice in a limited fashion Wednesday, suggesting he could be trending toward playing in Thursday's divisional contest. However, if the Weber State product is forced to miss his second consecutive game in Week 3, Jordan Hancock will step in and serve as the Bills' top slot corner.

Bates signed with the Texans on Wednesday.

After terminating his practice squad contract with the Browns on Tuesday, the 25-year-old from Kentucky has found a new home in Houston. Bates appeared in seven games with the Browns and Jets in 2024, but failed to catch his lone target while playing 70 total snaps (41 offensive and 29 on special teams). With Cade Stover (foot), Brevin Jordan (knee) and Irv Smith (ankle) all on injured reserve, Bates is expected to play a depth role in the Texans' tight end corps.

Head coach Sean McDermott told reporters Wednesday that Oliver (ankle) won't play in Thursday night's matchup against the Dolphins, Matt Parrino of The Syracuse Post-Standard reports.

Oliver was unable to play in Buffalo's Week 2 win over the Jets after sustaining an ankle injury the game prior, making it no surprise that he'll be sidelined Thursday. The Houston product is an integral part of the Bills' defense, recording 29 total tackles, including 3.0 sacks, and three forced fumbles over 14 regular-season contests in 2024. T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker are expected to see increased defensive work in Oliver's stead in Week 3.

Watson (calf/Achilles) was placed on IR by the Texans on Wednesday.

Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Watson is dealing with a calf/Achilles injury, but given that the wideout's Achilles isn't torn, it's possible that he could be designated to return from IR at some point down the road. Either way, Watson will miss at least four games, but on the plus side from the perspective of the Texans, fellow WRs Christian Kirk (hamstring) and Braxton Berrios (hamstring) are expected to return to action in Week 3.

Head coach Sean McDermott told reporters Wednesday that Milano (pectoral) won't play in Thursday night's matchup against the Dolphins, Matt Parrino of The Syracuse Post-Standard reports.

The 31-year-old from Boston College sustained a pectoral injury in Buffalo's Week 2 win over the Jets, so it's no surprise he won't play on short rest Thursday night. Milano has battled injuries over the past three seasons, appearing in just 11 regular-season contests since 2023. In his absence, Shaq Thompson (hamstring) and Joe Andreessen are expected to see increased defensive reps in Week 3.

Mack is expected to miss a few weeks after dislocating his elbow in Monday night's 20-9 win over the Raiders, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The star edge rusher exited in the first half of Monday's affair after sustaining what appeared to be a serious injury. However, Rapoport's report Wednesday suggests Mack avoided a long-term issue and could return in a couple of weeks. This is great news for the Chargers' defense, as the 34-year-old has tallied 32.0 sacks since joining Los Angeles in 2022. In the meantime, Bud Dupree is expected to start opposite Tuli Tuipulotu as part of the Chargers' top edge-rush duo while Mack is sidelined.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said Wednesday that Taylor will start Sunday's game on the road against Tampa Bay with Justin Fields (concussion) ruled out, Connor Hughes of SNY.tv reports.

Taylor will draw at least one start while Fields works his way through the NFL's five-step concussion protocol. The veteran QB entered New York's 30-10 loss to the Bills in Week 2 in the fourth quarter, completing seven of 11 passes for 56 yards and a score while playing the Jets' final two drives. He also rushed three times for 21 yards, looking more efficient in command of New York's offense than Fields had through the first three quarters. Taylor's modest dual-threat upside at age 36 makes him a viable fantasy option in formats that start two quarterbacks.

Coach Aaron Glenn noted Wednesday that Fields (concussion) won't play Sunday against the Buccaneers.

As a result, Tyrod Taylor is slated to draw the start at QB for the Jets this weekend. Fields will thus look to progress through the NFL's concussion protocol ahead of the team's Sept. 29 contest against the Dolphins. Per Rich Cimini of ESPN, Fields was injured early in the fourth quarter of this past Sunday's loss Bills, marking the signal-caller's first documented concussion in the NFL, though the 2021 first-rounder did sustain one during his time at Ohio State.

The Vikings placed Jones (hamstring) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Jones will miss at least four games while recovering from his hamstring injury, making his earliest tentative return date Week 8 against the Chargers on Oct. 23, due to the timing of Minnesota's bye in Week 6. That positions Jordan Mason to take over the Vikings' backfield in a workhorse capacity, beginning Sunday versus the Bengals. Minnesota also has Zavier Scott available as backfield depth, and the team inked Cam Akers to the practice squad Wednesday.