NFL Player News

Johnson (calf) was activated from the injured reserve list Friday.

The second-year pro from Ole Miss is now set to make his 2025 debut in Sunday's matchup against the Bears after missing the Bengals' first eight games this season due to an ankle injury sustained in late August. Now fully healthy, Johnson is expected to play a depth role on Cincinnati's defensive line as the season progresses.

Shaheed (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at the Rams, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Shaheed didn't rejoin last week's 23-3 loss to Tampa Bay after exiting in the fourth quarter, but that doesn't mean much given that the Saints were down by 20. He managed limited practice participation Wednesday through Friday this week, with coach Kellen Moore telling reporters Friday that Shaheed, RB Alvin Kamara (ankle) and CB Alontae Taylor (shoulder) are all trending in the right direction. It is possible trade rumors could impact Shaheed's availability or usage, but there was no hint of anything like that from Moore during his media availability Friday.

The Bengals signed Clifford from the practice squad Friday.

With Joe Flacco (shoulder) questionable to face the Bears on Sunday, Clifford will provide insurance behind Jake Browning. Clifford has yet to attempt an NFL pass during the regular season.

After being traded from the Titans to the Rams on Tuesday, McCreary is available for Sunday's matchup against the Saints, Nate Atkins of The Athletic reports.

McCreary was an integral part of Tennessee's secondary prior to being traded Tuesday, logging 33 total tackles and two passes defended, including one interception, over eight appearances. Now that he's in line to make his Rams debut in Week 9, he's expected to operate as one of the team's top slot cornerbacks.

Brissett took most of the first-team snaps during the media-access portion of practice Friday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

The implication is that Brissett is preparing for a third straight start in place of Kyler Murray (foot), although gamesmanship by coach Jonathan Gannon can't be ruled out at this point. Whatever the case, it's a tough situation for fantasy managers with the Cardinals facing the Cowboys on Monday Night Football this week. Gannon said Thursday that he was preparing Murray to start, while reports from Thursday's practice suggested Murray mostly worked with backups (the same thing was reported Friday).

Williams (shoulder) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Saints, Nate Atkins of The Athletic reports.

The 32-year-old practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday and Thursday, but it now appears that his shoulder injury will keep him on the sidelines in Week 9. Williams has appeared in six games for the Rams this season, recording 14 total tackles and seven passes defended. If he's out Sunday as expected, Josh Wallace will likely operate as one of Los Angeles' top outside corners.

Rams coach Sean McVay confirmed Friday that Nacua will return for Sunday's game against the Saints, Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Nacua was injured Week 6 and will end up missing just one game with the help of a Week 8 bye. The Rams listed him as a limited practice participant Wednesday, before an upgrade to full participation Thursday answered lingering doubts about Nacua's Week 9 availability.

Woods (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Chargers, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Woods was unable to practice both Wednesday and Thursday after sustaining a hamstring injury in the Week 8 loss to the Colts. The 30-year-old has been an integral part of the Titans' defense, recording 34 total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, and two passes defended, with one interception, over the team's first eight contests. Now that he's set to miss his first game of the season in Week 9, Quandre Diggs is likely to start at free safety.

Key (quadriceps) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Chargers, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Key was unable to practice both Wednesday and Thursday due to a quadriceps injury sustained in Tennessee's Week 5 win over the Cardinals, so it's no surprise that he'll remain sidelined Sunday. Expect Jihad Ward to continue operating as one of the Titans' top outside linebackers until Key returns from injury.

Kamara (ankle) is officially questionable for Sunday's game at the Rams, but Saints coach Kellen Moore said Friday that the running back is trending in the right direction, WWLAM's Jeff Nowak reports.

Moore said the same of WR Rashid Shaheed (hip) and CB Alontae Taylor (shoulder), with all three getting 'questionable' designations after limited practice participation this week. Any setbacks for Kamara would lead to more work for Devin Neal, who is alo listed with an ankle injury but seemingly on track to play.