NFL Player News

The Texans signed Vaughn to the practice squad Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Vaughn had a brief stint with the Texans in August before being waived ahead of Week 1. The 24-year-old has not played in a regular-season game since the 2024 season, where he recorded 17 rush attempts for 70 yards and caught three of five targets for 18 yards.

Brooks underwent further tests on his ankle Monday, Weston Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Brooks underwent further tests on his ankle after leaving Sunday's Week 4 game with an ankle injury. The 26-year-old has seen more reps through four weeks with starter Josh Jacobs (personal) remaining out.

The Browns opened Gabriel's (back) 21-day practice window Tuesday.

After Gabriel sustained a back injury in their final preseason game, the Browns used one of its eight designations for return on Gabriel upon placing him on injured reserve Aug. 30. Now that he's missed the requisite four games, Gabriel is eligible to be activated from IR at any point, but the Browns may wait closer to the end of the 21-day window to reinstate him. Once he's added back to the 53-man roster, Gabriel will likely slot third on the depth chart at quarterback behind Deshaun Watson and Shadeur Sanders.

Thrash worked out with the Broncos on Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Thrash was waived from the Browns' injured reserve in early September with an undisclosed injury. He has yet to play this season, but the workout with Denver hints at a possible return. The 25-year-old secured 10 of 15 targets for 107 yards and no touchdowns in nine games during the 2025 season.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen said Tuesday that Key is expected to miss three to four weeks with a hamstring injury, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com.

Key's availability was already in doubt for Week 5 after sustaining a hamstring injury in Sunday's win over Washington, he's now set to miss the next three to four weeks for the Colts. JT Tuimoloau and Caden Curry will increase reps on the defensive line while Key is out.

Smythe was diagnosed with a torn Achilles tendon following an MRI on Monday and will require season-ending surgery, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Ravens had been concerned that Smythe ruptured his Achilles during Sunday's win over the Titans, and the MRI ended up confirming the team's fears. The 31-year-old tight end suited up for each of the Ravens' first four games, serving mainly as a blocker while contributing a four-yard reception on two targets. He'll be ticketed for free agency in the spring after signing a one-year, $3 million deal with Baltimore in the offseason.

The Seahawks opted not to sign Mixon (foot) after he underwent a physical for the team Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

With Jadarian Price (chest) recently landing on injured reserve and with Zach Charbonnet (knee) not expected to return from the PUP list until at least Week 6, Seattle planned to bring Mixon aboard to bolster their running-back room. However, the Seahawks evidently had some reservations about Mixon's health after reviewing his physical, and the 30-year-old will now remain a free agent. Mixon last appeared in the NFL with the Texans in 2024, as he missed the entire 2025 campaign due to an unspecified foot/ankle injury that he ultimately addressed with a surgery earlier this past offseason.

The Broncos are confident that Bryant avoided a long-term right ankle injury after an MRI on Monday yielded good news, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The report doesn't offer any specifics regarding what the MRI revealed, but Bryant may have avoided a dreaded high-ankle sprain after exiting Sunday's 24-14 loss to the 49ers. Bryant still appears likely to miss time due to the injury, with Adam Schefter of ESPN relaying Monday that the second-year wideout is expected to be sidelined for "a few weeks." Assuming Bryant is out for at least this Sunday's game against the Chargers, the Broncos would have more reps available for Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin behind starting receivers Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton.

Jackson (ankle) is not dealing with a long-term injury, but he has "only an outside chance to play" in Week 5 and "could end up missing multiple games," Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Jackson is believed to be dealing with a sprain, but the report indicates it's more likely than not he will sit out Baltimore's upcoming Sunday Night Football matchup with Atlanta -- and he may miss more time beyond that. Jackson's participation -- or lack thereof -- in practice this week will likely determine his availability for Week 5, and if he is unable to go Tyler Huntley would be next in line at the signal-caller spot.

Vele secured six of nine targets for 54 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' 45-24 loss to the Falcons on Monday night.

Vele tied for second in receptions and checked in as the runner-up in targets for the Saints on the night, and he rounded out a solid fantasy performance by recording a three-yard touchdown reception with 1:13 remaining. The score was ultimately meaningless to the outcome of the lopsided loss, but Vele further cemented his standing a relatively high-volume No. 2 receiver by tying his season high in targets. Vele will take a 21-226-2 line on 31 targets into a Week 5 home matchup against the Vikings on Sunday.