NFL Player News

Sheppard was signed to the Packers' practice squad Wednesday.

Sheppard went unclaimed on waivers after being let go by the team Tuesday, and he will now hang around Green Bay as a member of the practice unit. The wide receiver will look to earn an elevation to the active roster and make his NFL debut in 2025.

Saylors signed with the Lions' practice squad Wednesday.

Saylors is entering his third season in the NFL but has yet to play in a regular-season game. He was highly productive over his past two seasons at East Tennessee State, but he'll need injuries to pile up before he gets a shot on the active roster.

Ekwonu is in jeopardy of missing Carolina's Week 1 matchup against Jacksonville after undergoing an emergency appendectomy this past Sunday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Ekwonu experienced abdominal pain over the weekend, and he was taken to hospital for an appendectomy after being examined by the Panthers' medical staff. Yosh Nijman would be the top candidate to start at left left tackle if Ekwonu can't play, though there's optimism that the latter will have enough time to fully recover from the procedure.

The 49ers are unsure if Jennings (calf/contract) will play Week 1 at Seattle, but GM John Lynch said Wednesday that he won't trade the wide receiver, ESPN.com's Nick Wagoner reports.

Lynch confirmed that Jennings requested a trade at one point due to frustration with contract negotiations, saying it was "a while ago" and the team has moved on. Jennings showed up for the start of training camp but then left the fourth practice early with a calf injury -- an issue that Lynch says is legitimate and not just an excuse to miss practice during contract negotiations. Jennings hasn't practiced for a month, joining a long list of San Francisco wideouts that are in doubt for Week 1 due to suspensions or injuries. Frustration with the lack of an extension in his contract year adds another risk factor, but there's also a clear opportunity for Jennings to pile up snaps and targets in the absence of Brandon Aiyuk (knee) this September.

Meeks signed with the Lions' practice squad Wednesday.

Meeks led the Lions in receptions (11) and receiving yards (176) through three preseason games, adding two touchdowns as well. Unfortunately, the undrafted free agent out of Syracuse was left off the 53-man roster with the Lions keeping just five wide receivers. Meeks' impressive performance could get him called up to the active roster if injuries stack up.

Herbert signed to the Colts' practice squad Wednesday.

The running back was released Tuesday after falling short of the team's 53-man roster, and while he may have been expected to end up with another team given his experience in the league, Herbert cleared waivers and remained with Indy. The former Bengal and Bear initially signed with the Colts in March after appearing in 14 regular-season games for the aforementioned teams in 2024, but he failed to make the roster after missing the last two preseason games with an undisclosed injury. Healthy now, Herbert is perhaps a candidate for a call-up if the Colts need running back help behind Jonathan Taylor during the regular season.

Neyor was signed to the Packers' practice squad Wednesday.

Neyor will stick around Green Bay as a member of the practice unit after he was waived by the team Tuesday, and ultimately went unclaimed. The wide receiver will look to earn an elevation to the active roster and make his NFL debut in 2025.

Scourton (chest) returned to practice Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Scourton suffered a collapsed lung Aug. 16 and was considered week-to-week at the time. However, he returned to practice fairly quickly and received around 50 percent of the reps. While that's a positive sign for his Week 1 availability against Jacksonville, it will be worth monitoring his practice participation in the coming week.

Kennedy signed with the Lions' practice squad Wednesday.

Kennedy played three preseason games and recorded four receptions for 27 yards. The 29-year-old wide receiver spent most of the 2024 season on the Lions' practice squad and was elevated four times, returning six kickoffs for 167 yards.

Nabers (toe/shoulder) said Wednesday that the back injury that sidelined him the last few weeks was "a minor thing" and shouldn't be an issue moving forward, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Nabers dealt with numerous health concerns in recent months, sitting out the offseason program due to a toe injury that dates back to college and also bothered him during a standout rookie season, then suffering a shoulder injury early in training camp before tightness in his back popped up. He didn't play at all during the preseason, but he returned to practice last Monday and appeared to have no limitations while running at Wednesday's session. Afterward, he said, "Yeah, I feel like I'm always ready. When it's game time and those lights are on, I believe my body's going to turn it on." Next Wednesday's injury report will reveal whether or not Nabers has any limitations ahead of a Week 1 road matchup with the Commanders on Sunday, Sept. 7.