NFL Player News

Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said Monday that Jackson (ankle) could "potentially" practice in Week 7 and is still being considered day-to-day, Ryan Mink of the team's official site reports.

Since spraining his left ankle in an Oct. 4 win over the Titans, Jackson hasn't practiced in any fashion and has been inactive for both of the Ravens' ensuing games. Though Jackson hasn't taken any steps forward in terms of practice activity, Minter noted that the two-time NFL MVP is making progress in his recovery from the ankle injury. The Ravens will hold their first Week 7 practice Wednesday, and if Jackson is on the field in some capacity, it would be a good sign for his chances of returning to action Sunday versus the Bengals.

The NFL announced Monday that Gardner-Johnson has received a one-game suspension without pay for an act of unsportsmanlike conduct during Sunday's 33-30 win over the Raiders.

During the second quarter of the game, Gardner-Johnson was ejected after spitting in the direction of Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. The Bills are on bye in Week 7, so the veteran defensive back will serve the ban during a Week 8 game against the Ravens. Gardner-Johnson's absence likely clears the way for Damar Hamlin and Dee Alford to see added snaps in the secondary.

Commanders general manager Adam Peters said that Cross (illness), who is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the 49ers, is "trending in the right direction" to be available to play, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Cross has been sidelined for the Commanders' last three games with what has been described as an internal injury, but he's been practicing for two weeks and looks poised to put an end to his absence Monday. The fifth-year safety was a full participant in practice Wednesday through Friday and should be ready to reclaim a starting role in the secondary.

Walker went without a target while playing 10 of the Bears' 77 snaps on offense in Sunday's 31-23 win over the Falcons.

Walker's afternoon came to an end just after the start of the fourth quarter, when he was ejected for headbutting a Falcons player at the end of a kickoff return. He was assessed his second 15-yard penalty of the day as a result, with his first coming on a roughing-the-kicker charge back in the third quarter. Walker will remain a key part of the Bears' special-teams units heading into a Week 7 matchup with the Patriots, but he's buried on the depth chart at receiver and isn't likely to see extended playing time on offense anytime soon.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen said Monday that Pierce (heel) won't have his 21-day practice window opened in Week 7, Nathan Brown of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Pierce has now spent the requisite four games on injured reserve after re-injuring his surgically repaired left heel in the Colts' Week 2 loss to the Chiefs, but he'll need some more time to complete a rehab program before getting back on the practice field. Given the recurring nature of Pierce's injury in addition to the significant financial investment in him, the Colts are likely to take a deliberate approach in bringing the wideout back from IR.

Boutte finished with two receptions for 16 yards on three targets in Sunday's 34-31 win over the Jaguars in London.

Though the newly acquired Marvin Harrison was limited to just 12 snaps in his Texans debut, his presence may have been enough for Boutte to see a notable role reduction in Week 6. Boutte took the field for 26 of the Texans' 63 snaps, with his 41.3 percent share representing a season-low rate and placing him fourth among Houston receivers. Harrison is likely to see his snaps pick up once he gains a full grasp of his new playbook, and Boutte could end up being a casualty from a playing-time standpoint.

Arroyo is expected to miss time after exiting Thursday's 17-14 loss to the Broncos due to a shoulder injury, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The Seahawks are still looking to determine the extent of Arroyo's injury, but he appears likely to be sidelined for the team's Week 7 game against the Chiefs, and a stint on injured reserve could be a possibility. The second-year tight end has handled a light role on offense through the Seahawks' first six games of the season, registering a 17-yard reception on two targets.

Gardner was diagnosed with a mild left calf strain following an MRI on Monday and is considered week-to-week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Gardner was unable to return to Sunday's 26-20 loss to Tennessee after going down with the calf injury in the third quarter. While the Colts are confident that the calf strain won't result in an extended absence, the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback appears likely be sidelined for the team's Week 7 game versus the Vikings. Gardner has gotten off to a lackluster start to his first full season in Indianapolis, logging 17 tackles, four pass breakups and no interceptions through the team's first six games.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that Mayfield (thumb) is "supposed to practice" Wednesday, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.

Mayfield hasn't logged any practice activity and has missed three consecutive games since dislocating his right thumb in a Sept. 27 loss to the Vikings, but he looks poised to take a meaningful step forward in his recovery process during the upcoming week. According to Greg Auman of Fox Sports, Bowles added that while he's still planning for undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels to make a fourth straight start this coming Sunday against the Panthers, the Buccaneers will evaluate how Mayfield looks with his throwing over the next few days before making any decisions. Shortly after Mayfield was diagnosed with the dislocated thumb, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the veteran signal-caller was facing a loose recovery timeline in the range of 3-to-6 weeks.

Kirk (calf), who is listed as questionable for Monday's matchup with the Commanders, is expected to be reinstated from injured reserve ahead of the Week 6 game, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

On IR all season while working his way back from a calf injury sustained early in training camp, Kirk appears to be closing in on his 49ers debut after having his 21-day practice window opened Thursday. He proceeded to turn in three consecutive limited practices, which may be enough for the 49ers to activate Kirk to provide aid to a banged-up receiving corps. Deebo Samuel (hamstring) has already been ruled out for Monday's contest and top wideout Mike Evans (ribs/Achilles) is listed as questionable and is shaping up as a game-time call after not practicing all week, so Kirk could be needed to handle a meaningful role in the passing game right off the bat if he's activated.