NFL Player News

Head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters Wednesday that Oliver will likely be sidelined for Sunday's matchup against the Lions due to a foot sprain, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

The 28-year-old was feared to have sustained a long-term injury in Minnesota's Week 8 loss to the Chargers, but X-rays confirmed the issue to be a foot sprain. Although Oliver is expected to miss the Week 9 contest in Detroit, he could return for the Week 10 matchup against the Ravens. While he's likely sidelined Sunday, expect Ben Yurosek to operate the Vikings' No. 2 tight end.

Johnson signed with the Patriots' practice squad Wednesday, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

The South Florida product was cut from the Cardinals' practice squad Tuesday, but he's already found a new home in New England. He made on appearance for Arizona this season, rushing once for no yards across 14 offensive snaps. With Antonio Gibson (knee), Lan Larison (foot) and Deneric Prince (Tulsa) all currently on injured reserve, Johnson could be elevated to the Patriots' active roster and play a depth role in the backfield.

Kirk (hamstring) and Nico Collins (concussion) returned to practice Wednesday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

The Texans may have their receiving corps back at full strength this Sunday against the Broncos, facing a defense that leads the league in sacks but will now be playing without reigning DPOY Patrick Surtain (pectoral). With Kirk and Collins absent last week, the Texans got solid showings from all of Jaylin Noel, Jayden Higgins and Xavier Hutchinson in a win over the 49ers.

Baker (head) won't practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Baker exited the Titans' Week 8 loss to the Colts in the third quarter after taking a hit to the head, but interim head coach Mike McCoy didn't give an update on his condition. The Georgia Southern product likely needs to upgrade to at least limited practice Thursday or Friday in order to play in Sunday's matchup against the Chargers.

Collins (concussion) returned to practice Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Christian Kirk (hamstring) is also back at practice after he and Collins missed the Week 8 win over San Francisco. Wilson suggests that Collins is trending toward a return for Sunday's matchup with Denver.

Payton (hamstring) was designated to return from the injured reserve list Wednesday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

The Pittsburgh State product has yet to play this season due to a hamstring injury, but it now appears he's nearing a return. Payton appeared in 16 games for the Saints last season and played 242 special-teams snaps, recording 11 total tackles. He now has 21 days to be added to the Giants' active roster before reverting to IR, and he'll likely have a similar role once fully healthy.

Haynes (pectoral) was designated to return from the injured reserve list Wednesday, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

The second-year pro from UConn was placed on injured reserve in late August due to a pectoral injury, but it now appears he's nearing a return. Seattle now has 21 days to add Haynes to its active roster before he reverts to IR. He's expected to serve as the Seahawks' top right guard once fully healthy.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday that Lloyd (hamstring), who remains on IR, is not nearing a return to practice, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Lloyd has spent the entire regular season on IR due to a hamstring injury. LaFleur offered optimism about the second-year pro's progression toward the practice field in mid-October, but it seems things have since changed. It's possible that Lloyd, who has dealt with consistent injury issues since being selected by Green Bay in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, has suffered a setback in his recovery. In any case, Emanuel Wilson has entrenched himself as the No. 2 option behind Josh Jacobs in the Packers' backfield, so if Lloyd does return to action this season, he'll likely compete with Chris Brooks for the No. 3 role.

Woods (hamstring) won't practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

The 30-year-old played a season-low 25 defensive snaps in the Week 8 loss to the Colts, recording four total tackles prior to his hamstring injury. Woods has yet to miss a game this season, but if he doesn't upgrade to at least limited practice Wednesday or Thursday, his status for Tennessee's Week 9 matchup against the Chargers will likely be in doubt.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Brown (illness) will not practice Wednesday, Matt McMullen of the team's official site reports.

Brown's health will have to be monitored for Week 9, as the veteran wideout will now have two more chances to get back on the practice field ahead of Sunday's road matchup against the Bills. In the two games since Rashee Rice's return to the lineup, Brown played under 40 percent of offensive snaps. He failed to haul in his only target during Monday's win over the Commanders. As a result, even if he's cleared to suit up Week 9, the current state of Brown's involvement on offense will put him off the fantasy radar aside from in deeper formats.