NFL Player News

Ham (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns in London.

The fullback missed the Vikings' first four games of the season while recovering from a knee injury but could be ready to make his 2025 debut after turning in a trio of full practices this week. Ham currently remains on injured reserve, so the Vikings will need to add him back to the 53-man roster by Saturday in order for him to be eligible to play in Week 5.

The Viking have ruled out McCarthy (ankle) for Sunday's game against the Browns in London.

With McCarthy still sidelined due to a right high-ankle sprain, Carson Wentz is slated to draw a third straight start at quarterback while working behind a shorthanded offensive line. McCarthy -- who last played Week 2 -- will thus target a potential return to action Oct. 19 against the Eagles, following the Vikings' Week 6 bye.

Hubbard (calf) is expected to miss Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report.

After sitting out practices Wednesday and Thursday, Hubbard is trending toward being unavailable Sunday, an outcome that could be confirmed as soon as Friday, when the Panthers post their final Week 5 injury report. If Hubbard is indeed sidelined versus Miami, Rico Dowdle would likely be in line for a leading role out of the backfield, with Trevor Etienne and DeeJay Dallas also on hand as depth options.

Bond is listed atop the unofficial depth chart as the punt returner ahead of Week 5 against Minnesota.

The Browns had to scramble this week after placing DeAndre Carter (knee) on injured reserve following last week's loss to the Lions. Bond is slated to replace Carter on punts, while Jerome Ford is expected to return kickoffs. Bond had some experience fielding punts in college and earlier this season stepped in for a concussed Carter in Week 2. The added return role, however, is small potatoes compared to what is expected to be a larger profile as a receiver; Cleveland also placed wideout Cedric Tillman (hamstring) on injured reserve, and Bond is expected to see an increased workload on offense.

Ford is listed as the top kickoff returner on the Browns' unofficial depth chart heading into Week 5 against the Vikings.

Ford is set to take on a larger role Sunday when he's expected to add kick-return duties to his portfolio, replacing DeAndre Carter (knee), who was placed on IR following Week 4's loss to Detroit. Ford's usage as a runner is down in 2025 due to the emergence of rookie back Quinshon Judkins -- just one carry the last two weeks -- but he has served as receiving threat out of the backfield. And now with the quarterback change -- rookie Dillon Gabriel will replace veteran Joe Flacco -- and what is expected to be run-heavy offensive gameplan, Ford might reclaim some of those lost carries.

Atwell brought in two of four targets for 72 yards in the Rams' 26-23 overtime loss to the 49ers on Thursday night.

Atwell finished third in receiving yards despite recording just a pair of receptions, including a 38-yard grab in Los Angeles' overtime drive. He's suddenly come to life in the passing game over the past five days after going into Week 4 with just one catch for four yards, as he's posted a 3-160-1 line on six targets in the last pair of contests. Despite the recent surge, Atwell remains a hit-or-miss deep threat in an offense that runs almost exclusively through Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Kyren Williams.

Robinson brought in three of seven targets for 39 yards in the 49ers' 26-23 overtime win over the Rams on Thursday night.

With Jauan Jennings (ribs/ankle) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) joining Brandon Aiyuk (knee, reserve/PUP list) on the sidelines, Robinson shot up to No. 2 on the WR depth chart in only his second game in a 49ers uniform. The veteran wasn't overly efficient in his first opportunity to work with Mac Jones, but he turned in some solid gains on his trio of receptions. Kendrick Bourne, Christian McCaffrey and Jake Tonges all got more of Jones' attention, but Robinson could still have a meaningful role in a Week 6 road matchup against the Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 12 considering San Francisco could still be down multiple receivers.

Tonges secured seven of 11 targets for 41 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers' 26-23 overtime win over the Rams on Thursday night.

The third-year tight end was due for an elevated role with Jauan Jennings (ribs/ankle) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) joining Brandon Aiyuk (knee, reserve/PUP list) and George Kittle (hamstring, IR) on the sideline, and that came to fruition perhaps to an even greater degree than expected. Tonges finished tied with Kendrick Bourne for the team lead in targets, and he opened the scoring on the night with a six-yard touchdown grab to close out the opening possession of the contest. Kittle reportedly has a chance to return when first eligible in a Week 6 road matchup against the Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 12, but Tonges has proven capable of serving as an effective complementary pass-catching option with his work during his teammate's absence.

Adams brought in five of 11 targets for 88 yards in the Rams' 26-23 overtime loss to the 49ers on Thursday night.

Adams edged Puka Nacua by three for the team lead in receiving yards, and he was one target behind his teammate for the top spot in that category as well. Adams' yardage and target tallies were also his best since Week 2 and second highest of the campaign in both cases. Nacua remains the clear alpha option in the Rams' air attack, but Adams' role as the No. 2 receiver is just as clearly delineated heading into a Week 6 road matchup against the Ravens on Sunday, Oct. 12.

Bourne brought in 10 of 11 targets for 142 yards in the 49ers' 26-23 overtime win over the Rams on Thursday night.

The veteran receiver set a new career high in receiving yards during the hard-fought win, one in which Bourne played the role of No. 1 receiver thanks to the absences of Jauan Jennings (ankle/ribs) and Ricky Pearsall (knee). Bourne's reception and receiving yardage totals were both team highs, and he tied tight end Jake Tonges for the lead in targets as well. Were all of San Francisco's receivers, including Brandon Aiyuk (knee, reserve/PUP list), healthy, Bourne would be either the No. 4 or No. 5 receiver, but his performance Thursday corroborated what he can do with an elevated role. Bourne could well be one of the 49ers' top three wideout options again in a Week 6 road matchup against the Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 12.