NFL Player News

Smith (neck) is questionable but expected to play against the 49ers on Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Smith earned the questionable tag for Week 7 after an LP-LP-FP practice log, but it looks like the veteran pass rusher will return from a one-game absence due to a neck injury. His would return would give the Falcons a boost at the edge rusher position, especially if Samson Ebukam (hamstring) is not cleared to play.

The Raiders have ruled out Runyon (foot) for Sunday's game against the Rams.

Runyon was a full participant in practice throughout the week, after he had been limited in the Raiders' three Week 6 sessions upon having his 21-day window opened Oct. 14. If the tight end can remain free of restrictions in practices during Week 8 prep, he'll stand a good chance of being activated from injured reserve ahead of the Raiders' Nov. 1 matchup with the Jets.

Cam Skattebo is expected to reclaim duties as the Giants' starting running back in Sunday's game against the Texans, but Tracy is expected to remain "heavily in the mix," Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

After receiving at least 15 touches in each of the Giants' first five games, Skattebo had his playing time scaled back dramatically in the Week 6 loss to the Saints, logging no carries or receptions while playing just six snaps on offense. The main beneficiary of Skattebo's role reduction was Tracy, who carried six times for 18 yards and a touchdown while adding two receptions for 27 yards and another score across a season-high 29 offensive snaps. The Giants' decision to pare back Skattebo's workload looks to be a one-time arrangement as a result of his fumble issues in the prior five contests, and while Skattebo should take back an increased workload in Week 7, Tracy won't be phased out of the game plan entirely. Raanan speculates that the Giants will proceed with "close to a 50/50 split" between the two backs Sunday, with Devin Singletary picking up any of the remaining snaps out of the backfield.

Jackson (ankle), who has been ruled out out for Sunday's game against the Bengals, was considered close to playing this week and is "likely to return" to action Week 8 versus the Bills, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Tyler Huntley will start a third consecutive game while Jackson remains sidelined due to a left ankle sprain. Though Jackson has taken longer than initially anticipated to make a full recovery from the injury, he took some clear steps forward in Week 7 by practicing as a limited participant Wednesday through Friday. So long as Jackson can maintain that level of activity or upgrade to full at any point during Week 8 prep, he should get the green light to return to the lineup in Buffalo.

Rattler is active and will remain the Saints' No. 2 quarterback for Sunday's game against the Steelers in Paris, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Rattler was able to beat out Zach Wilson for the top backup job behind Tyler Shough during the preseason and has maintained his positioning on the depth chart all season. For the seventh week in a row, Wilson will be inactive as the Saints' emergency No. 3 signal-caller.

Elliott (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Saints in Paris.

Elliott will suit up for his first game action since Oct. 26, 2025, when he sustained a knee injury that kept him out for the remainder of that season as well as the first six games of the 2026 campaign. The 29-year-old was a full participant in practice this week, and after being activated from injured reserve Saturday, he'll likely be ready to handle a full load of snaps against New Orleans. Expect Elliott to unseat rookie Robert Spears-Jennings as one of Pittsburgh's starting safeties.

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

Welch had appeared in five of the Saints' first six games but will be in street clothes for the contest in France while New Orleans keeps just three tight ends active (Juwan Johnson, Noah Fant and Oscar Delp). In his prior five outings, Welch had drawn just one target while seeing the bulk of his snaps on special teams.

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.