NFL Player News

Young (ankle) was seen throwing during Wednesday's practice, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Young suffered a high right-ankle sprain during the Panthers' Week 7 win at the Jets and didn't practice last week before being deemed inactive this past Sunday against the Bills. Prior to mixing into drills on a wet field Wednesday, he also joined his teammates for a pre-practice stretch, something that he didn't do last week, per Joe Person of The Athletic. Young thus has made clear progress in his recovery, but whether or not he'll be able to supplant backup QB Andy Dalton as the Week 9 starter Sunday in Green Bay remains to be seen.

Head coach Ben Johnson told reporters Wednesday that Gardner-Johnson will play slot corner for the Bears, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

The 27-year-old signed with the Bears' active roster Wednesday after being dropped from the Ravens' practice squad on Oct. 14. With Kyler Gordon (groin/calf) moving to IR, Gardner-Johnson is expected to take over as the Bears' top slot corner. The Florida product is likely to help a Chicago defense that already leads the NFL in takeaways (16), as he forced seven turnovers over 16 regular-season games with the Eagles in 2024.

Winfrey (back) was designated to return from the injured reserve list Wednesday.

The 2022 fourth-round pick from Oklahoma has yet to play this season after sustaining a back injury in late August. Following his return to practice Wednesday, Winfree has 21 days to be added to Dallas' active roster before reverting to IR. He's expected to play a depth role on the Cowboys' defensive line once fully healthy.

Pacheco (knee) won't practice Wednesday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Pacheco's absence from the Chiefs' first practice this week isn't surprising, with Tom Pelissero of NFL Network having reported Tuesday that the running back is considered week-to-week with an MCL sprain. Per Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com, coach Andy Reid indicated that he doesn't think Pacheco's injury is a long-term concern, but it remains to be seen if suiting up Sunday against the Bills is a possibility for the Chiefs' leading rusher. In the event that he's sidelined this weekend, Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith would be next up for carries, with Elijah Mitchell available to mix in.

Chosen signed with the Commanders' practice squad Wednesday.

Chosen was dropped from Washington's practice squad Monday, but it now appears the team had a change of heart. The 32-year-old played 33 offensive snaps in the Week 7 loss to the Cowboys, catching all four of his targets for 36 yards. Given his strong performance, he could be elevated to the Commanders' active roster later this season.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that Flacco (shoulder) won't practice Wednesday, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Taylor noted that the Bengals plan to try and take the whole week to see where Flacco stands in his recovery from an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder before a decision is made on his status for Sunday's game against the Bears. While the veteran signal-caller has said that he wants to play this weekend, the team will nonetheless have backup Jake Browning ready to go if Flacco -- whom Taylor labeled as "50-50" for Sunday's game -- isn't available to start.

Hendrickson (hip) won't practice Wednesday, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The veteran edge rusher aggravated his previous hip injury in the Bengals' Week 8 loss to the Jets, so it's no surprise that he's missing Wednesday's practice. Hendrickson was labeled "day-to-day" by head coach Zac Taylor earlier in the week, suggesting he has a chance to play in the Week 9 matchup against the Bears. His practice participation Thursday and Friday will likely provide the best indication of whether he can suit up Sunday.

Giants coach Brian Daboll said Hyatt (wisdom teeth) will not practice Wednesday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Hyatt was made inactive as a healthy scratch for New York's loss to the Eagles in Week 8, but he now appears to be missing time due to a dental issue. That Hyatt was left out of the wide receiver rotation Week 8 despite the Giants' depth issues at the position could be an indication that his chances to make an impact with the team that selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft are running out. Even if healthy, Hyatt may again be a healthy scratch for Sunday's matchup against the 49ers.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that Van Ness (foot) won't practice Wednesday but is considered day-to-day, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Van Ness hasn't practiced since sustaining the foot injury in the Packers' Week 6 win over the Bengals. Though Van Ness isn't beginning Week 9 prep on the right foot, his day-to-day label suggests that he still has some chance of playing Sunday against the Panthers. The Iowa product likely needs to upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday in order to boost his potential of suiting up this weekend.

Giants coach Brian Daboll said Bellinger (neck) will not practice Wednesday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Bellinger will not practice due to a neck injury sustained during New York's loss to Philadelphia in Week 8. If Bellinger's injury forces him to sit out versus the 49ers on Sunday, No. 1 tight end Theo Johnson will figure to take on an increased workload. With rookie running back Cam Skattebo (ankle) and top wideout Malik Nabers (knee - ACL) both out for the year, the Giants' tight ends corps could become a larger factor on offense going forward.