NFL Player News

Shepherd (illness) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Steelers in Paris, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Shepherd had missed the Saints' previous two games while recovering from an illness, but he appeared to have moved past the ailment after he was a full participant in practices Wednesday and Thursday. Unfortunately for Shepherd, he appears to have experienced a setback in his recovery, as he was unable to practice in any capacity Friday and then took a questionable tag into Sunday. The Saints will hold him out for one more game, but with a bye on tap in Week 8, Shepherd could be ready to resume playing in the team's following game Nov. 8 versus the Browns.

Rudolph is active for Sunday's game against the Saints in Paris, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Rudolph has emerged as the Steelers' preferred backup quarterback behind starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers coming out of the preseason. Through each of Pittsburgh's first seven contests, Rudolph has suited up, while both Will Howard and Drew Allar have been inactive. Howard is the Steelers' emergency No. 3 quarterback and will be called upon to play only in the event that both Rodgers and Rudolph are forced to exit Sunday's game.

Ruiz (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Steelers in Paris, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Ruiz will be forced to miss his first game of the season while he gets more time to recover from the knee injury that kept him out for the entire second half of the Saints' Week 6 win over the Giants. After opening the week as a non-participant in the Saints' first two practices, Ruiz practiced in a limited fashion Friday before taking a questionable tag into Sunday. With a bye on tap Week 8, Ruiz stands a good chance at returning to the lineup for the Saints' Week 9 matchup with the Browns on Nov. 8.

Dowdle (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Saints in Paris, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com reports.

After missing three straight games due to a dislocated toe, Dowdle made his return to action in last week's overtime win over the Buccaneers, finishing with 40 yards on seven carries and nine yards on three receptions. However, he seemingly emerged from that contest with a new knee issue, which limited his participation in Week 7 prep and resulted in him being listed as questionable heading into Sunday. The Steelers were apparently encouraged enough by how Dowdle looked in pregame warmups to clear him to play against the Saints, and the 28-year-old should be ready to work in his usual complementary role behind lead back Jaylen Warren.

The Rams are optimistic that Nacua (calf), who is listed as questionable for Week 7, will play in Sunday's game at Las Vegas, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The injury-plagued Rams endured another scare this week when Nacua made an early exit from Thursday's practice due to a calf injury. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Friday that Nacua's new health concern is believed to be "more minor than anything else" and "not significant," but the wide receiver sat out the team's last Week 7 session and was listed as questionable ahead of the weekend. Nacua likely is poised for a pregame workout before L.A. makes a call on his status about 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

Surtain (ankle) isn't likely to play Sunday at Arizona, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Despite being limited on all three of the Broncos' Week 7 practice reports and entering the weekend listed as questionable, Surtain appears as if he'll log a third straight absence due to the sprained ankle that he sustained in Week 4 at San Francisco. Having said that , Rapoport also reported that Surtain has a "good chance" to return next Sunday versus the Chiefs, assuming the cornerback doesn't play this weekend.

Washington (foot/back) is considered a game-time decision for Sunday's contest against the Rams, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

Washington managed just one limited session (Wednesday) during Week 7 prep due to foot and back injuries, but a listing of questionable has kept the door open for the rookie fourth-round pick to suit up Sunday. His status will be clarified about 90 minutes before a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, but if Washington is inhibited or sidelined, Dylan Laube will be the primary backup to No. 1 RB Ashton Jeanty.

Hall (quadriceps) is unlikely to suit up for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Hall has missed the past three contests due to a quadriceps injury and seems poised to miss a fourth, but Rapoport reported that the running back may work out pregame to see if a return to action is possible. If Hall remains sidelined Sunday, Braelon Allen again will pace the Jets backfield, with Isaiah Davis on hand for RB reps that linger.

Skattebo is expected to resume his role as the Giants' lead running back in Sunday's game at Houston, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Skattebo ranked fourth in offensive snaps (six of 77) among Giants running backs behind Devin Singletary (31), Tyrone Tracy (29) and Najee Harris (11) last Sunday against the Saints, failing to log a touch in the process. The team has since released Harris, and Skattebo's brief benching appears to be over. It's unclear who among Skattebo, SIngletary and Tracy will get the start this Sunday, but the former did average 18.2 touches per game through the first five weeks of the campaign.

Collins and the Browns agreed to a two-year, $30 million contract extension Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The deal includes $23 million in guaranteed money and keeps Collins in Cleveland through the 2028 season. The veteran defensive tackle has accumulated 3.5 sacks over his last three games and has operated in a key role on the Browns' defensive line alongside Mason Graham, Isaiah McGuire and Jared Verse.