NFL Player News

Jackson (right hamstring) was a full practice participant Friday, according to coach John Harbaugh.

After being limited Wednesday and Thursday, Jackson is trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears. The Ravens' upcoming injury report will reveal both the star QB's official participation level Friday, as well as whether he heads into the weekend with an injury designation or cleared for Week 8 action. In the event that Jackson ends up sidelined this weekend, however, Harbaugh noted that the team would turn to Tyler Huntley (who is currently on the practice squad), rather than Cooper Rush, who has gone 0-2 while filling in as Baltimore's starting signal-caller.

Njoku (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Per Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, coach Kevin Stefanski noted Friday that Njoku has worked very hard while pushing through his injury rehab and has looked like himself in the process. That said, it's possible that the Browns proceed cautiously with the tight end -- who was inactive Week 7 -- while Njoku's Week 8 status is set to be confirmed, either way, ahead of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. If Njoku is limited or out versus New England, fellow TE Harold Fannin would remain busy, with Blake Whiteheart also on hand to mix in.

Coach Shane Steichen said Friday that Downs has cleared concussion protocol and will play Sunday against the Titans, Amanda Foster of the Colts' official site reports.

The wideout was trending in the right direction after practicing fully Thursday, and with Downs past the concussion that sidelined him Week 7, he'll reclaim his role in a Colts' WR corps that also features Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce. In six games prior to his concussion, Downs compiled a 26-217-1 line on 34 targets, a pace that has given the 2023 third-rounder a degree of fantasy utility in deeper formats and makes him a lineup option for those in need of WR help with six teams on bye this week.

Dalton will start Sunday's game against the Bills, a Panthers spokesperson confirmed Friday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Dalton will be the starter even if Bryce Young (ankle) is medically cleared to play. Young is listed as doubtful. Dalton has made 168 previous regular-season starts, including six with the Panthers. He's 1-5 in those six starts for Carolina.

Tufele (knee) won't play Sunday against the Bengals, Eric Allen of the Jets' official site reports.

Tufele will miss at least one game after sustaining a knee injury in the Jets' Week 7 loss to the Panthers. Jowon Briggs is the team's lone available backup defensive tackle behind Quinnen Williams and Harrison Phillips, though the Jets could opt to rotate in some of their defensive ends on the interior.

James is believed to have suffered a low-ankle sprain Thursday against the Vikings and will undergo an MRI on Friday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

If the MRI confirms a low-ankle sprain, James wouldn't be facing an extended absence and would have a chance to return as soon as Week 9 at Tennessee, especially with a few extra days to recover after the Chargers played their Week 8 game Thursday. Prior to his early exit against Minnesota, James had been on the field for all of the Chargers' defensive snaps this season.

Young (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Buffalo.

Young didn't practice at all this week, after making an early exit from last Sunday's win over the Jets. Backup quarterback Andy Dalton is expected to start Week 8, and while it won't be surprising if he makes additional starts, the Panthers are still calling Young day-to-day with a high-ankle sprain.

Jones (hip) won't play Sunday against the Bengals, Eric Allen of the Jets' official site reports.

Jones will miss a second consecutive game due to the hip injury he sustained in the Jets' Week 6 loss to the Broncos. The Jets are hoping to activate usual starter Quincy Williams (shoulder) from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game. If Williams joins Jones on the sidelines, Ja'Markis Weston would be next in line to start.

Brown (hamstring) isn't practicing Friday, Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia reports.

A third straight missed practice is bad news for Brown and his fantasy managers, although Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said earlier Friday that the wideout doesn't need to practice this week in order to play in Sunday's game against the Giants. Brown did work out on the side Thursday while his teammates practiced, with Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer suggesting that the wideout was on track to play Sunday. A third missed practice may have changed that expectation, with Brown now highly likely to have a game designation on the final injury report later Friday.

Smartt (quadriceps) won't play Sunday against the Bengals, Eric Allen of the Jets' official site reports.

Top tight end Mason Taylor is also battling a quadriceps injury, though Taylor still has a chance to play Sunday since he's considered questionable. Jeremy Ruckert retains the second spot on the depth chart, while Jelani Woods could take on a larger role in Smartt's absence.