NFL Player News

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that Hill (oblique) will participate in joint practices against the Lions but will continue to be monitored "so we can protect him against himself," Tom D'Angelo of the Palm Beach Post reports.

McDaniel said Hill and Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed), who will also return to practice Wednesday, both remain "day-to-day." It sounds like Hill's reps will be limited in some capacity, but it's encouraging to see him cleared to participate in joint practices. After his oblique injury forced him to sit out Miami's preseason opener against the Bears, Hill's next opportunity to log exhibition action will arrive Saturday on the road against Detroit.

Thornton is likely to make the Chiefs' 53-man roster, Jesse Newell of The Athletic reports.

Thornton isn't exactly a roster lock in the way that Rashee Rice (groin), Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown (ankle), JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie fourth-rounder Jalen Royals are, but Newell reports that training camp has clearly demonstrated that Andy Reid envisions a role for Thornton's 4.28 speed. Newell notes that Thornton would be an ideal fit to take over the field-stretching role Kansas City had relied on Justin Watson, now with the Texans, to handle the last three seasons. Thornton will also be a candidate to contribute in the return game, which would boost his odds of securing a depth WR spot on the regular-season roster.

Flacco, who will take the majority of first-team reps at practice Wednesday, is not expected to suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Eagles, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski hasn't yet officially named a starting quarterback for Week 1, but all indications remain that it will be Flacco who lines up under center against the Bengals in the regular-season opener, per Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Ashley Bastock of cleveland.com reports that 40-year-old veteran is expected to continue handling first-team reps throughout Cleveland's two joint practices with Philadelphia, while rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel figure to split game reps Saturday. Kenny Pickett (hamstring), meanwhile, remains limited to 7-on-7 drills.

Brown (hamstring) isn't in uniform for Wednesday's joint practice with the Browns, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Brown returned Sunday after missing a week, but he still hasn't been a full participant, making him highly unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason game even if the Eagles use other starters against the Browns. There doesn't seem to be any concern about Brown's Week 1 availability at this point.

Pierce (quadriceps) was a full practice participant Tuesday for the first time at training camp, splitting first-team reps with Nick Chubb, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Pierce was on the PUP list until Aug. 4, but he has still time to make his case for the Week 1 starting job in the event Joe Mixon (foot/ankle) isn't ready. Chubb and passing-down back Dare Ogunbowale have taken most of the first-team reps during training camp, with rookie fourth-round pick Woody Marks lingering as another candidate for playing time in the regular season. Pierce is thus left in an odd position, with no guarantee of a roster spot even though he has some chance to open the season as a starter. A lot will depend on Mixon's health and the team's opinion on whether Chubb has regained some of his pre-surgery explosiveness.

Cook and the Bills have reached an agreement on a four-year contract extension for the running back, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN reports.

Per the report, Cook's four-year pact is for $48 million and includes $30 million guaranteed. The 2022 second-rounder, who had returned to practice Tuesday following a four day 'hold-in' is thus a candidate to play against the Bears on Sunday after not seeing any action in the Bills' preseason opener this past Saturday. As the 2025 regular season approaches, Cook remains the clear leader of a Buffalo backfield that also includes Ray Davis and Ty Johnson.

Taylor is currently battling a groin injury, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Taylor popped up on the injury report Tuesday, though it's currently unclear how long he'll be sidelined for. The 26-year-old is coming off career year last season, when he recorded 89 tackles (61 solo), including 4.0 sacks, and 16 pass breakups across 17 regular-season appearances with the Saints. He is expected to serve as one of the team's starting cornerbacks once again during the upcoming campaign.

Bartch suffered an undisclosed injury during San Francisco's practice Tuesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Bartch exited practice and didn't return, while the severity of his injury is currently unknown. The 27-year-old is expected to serve as the team's starting left guard during the upcoming campaign, but if he ends up being forced to miss extended time, Nick Zakelj will likely start in his place.

Clark didn't practice Tuesday due to an elbow injury, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Clark may have injured his elbow during the Cowboys' preseason loss to the Rams on Saturday, when he played 54 snaps (48 on defense, six on special teams) and finished with five solo tackles. His practice participation over the next two days will be worth monitoring, as it will provide clarity on his chances of playing against Baltimore on Saturday.

Turner left Tuesday's training camp practice due to a rib injury, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Turner appeared to initially suffer the injury during the first quarter of the Cowboys' preseason loss to the Rams on Saturday, but he managed to return to finish with two tackles (one solo) while playing 18 snaps (15 on defense, three on special teams). Turner was on the field for individual drills before heading to the locker room, and he'll undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury. The results of those tests, coupled with his practice participation over the coming days, will indicate his chances of playing in Saturday's exhibition game against the Ravens.