NFL Player News

Ekeler (shoulder) does not carry an injury designation for Thursday's contest against the Packers.

Ekeler was listed as a limited practice participant on all three of Washington's injury reports Week 2, but it appears the veteran running back has simply been having his reps managed with a short week of rest before Thursday Night Football. He rushed six times for 26 yards and caught all three of his targets for 31 yards during the Commanders' 21-6 win over the Giants in Week 1 and looks primed to again contribute primarily on passing downs versus Green Bay, while rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt and quarterback Jayden Daniels are set to headline Washington's rushing attack.

Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said Wednesday that Hunter will get more snaps on defense in Sunday's game at Cincinnati, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

In the Jaguars' Week 1 win over Carolina, Hunter played 64 percent of his team's snaps on offense but only nine percent on defense, catching six passes for 33 yards on a team-high eight targets. He ran a route on 77 percent of Trevor Lawrence's dropbacks, flirting with full-time status in his NFL debut. Additional playing time on defense doesn't necessarily mean fewer snaps on offense, especially when Hunter is starting at such a low point with the former. He should remain a key part of Jacksonville's offense, regardless of what his weekly role on defense looks like in the coming games.

Waller (hip) wasn't spotted at Wednesday's practice, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Waller was among the Dolphins' Week 1 inactives, and the tight end's status for Week 2 is uncertain at this stage. If Waller remains sidelined this weekend, Julian Hill and Tanner Conner would once again handle Miami's TE duties.

Fehoko was signed to the Cardinals' active roster Wednesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

The 2021 fifth-round pick joined the Cardinals' practice squad after failing to make the initial 53-man roster in late August. However, with the injury to key special-teamer Joey Blount (neck/concussion), Fehoko has been added to the active roster. The Stanford product is expected to contribute on special teams and as a depth piece in Arizona's wide receiver corps as the season continues.

The Cardinals placed Blount (neck/concussion) on injured reserve Wednesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters earlier Wednesday that Blount would miss the remainder the season due to a neck injury, so his move to IR comes as no surprise. Kitan Crawford will likely see increased snaps as a rotational safety and special-teamer while Blount remains sidelined.

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

Coach Andy Reid noted that Royals -- who was inactive Week 1 -- is doing better and making progress but acknowledged that at this stage it's too early to know if the wideout will be able to play Sunday against the Eagles, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports. For now, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton are Kansas City's top healthy/available WRs.

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

According to coach Andy Reid, Worthy -- who suffered a right shoulder injury during Week 1 action -- is doing better and making progress, while surgery currently isn't under consideration for the wideout. As this stage, however, Worthy's status for Sunday's game against the Eagles remains cloudy, and in that context Hollywood Brown is the Chiefs' top healthy and available WR. In the event that both Worthy and Jalen Royals (knee) are sidelined this weekend, added snaps would be available for JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton.

Head coach Brian Daboll told reporters Wednesday that McFadden (foot) won't play in the Giants' Week 2 matchup against the Cowboys, Dan Salomone of the team's official site reports.

This news comes as no surprise, as McFadden's foot injury will require surgery, and he was expected to miss "significant time." While McFadden remains sidelined Sunday, Darius Muasau is expected to start alongside Bobby Okereke in New York's inside linebacker corps.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters Wednesday that Blount (neck/concussion) will be placed on injured reserve and miss the remainder of the season, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Blount was originally ruled out for the remainder of Arizona's Week 1 win due to a concussion, but it now appears he also sustained a neck injury serious enough to end his 2025 campaign. The 27-year-old from Virginia has appeared in 27 games for the Cardinals over the past three seasons, recording 12 total tackles as a key special-teamer. With Blount out for the year, Kitan Crawford could see additional reps as a rotational safety as the season progresses.

Thomas (foot) didn't practice Wednesday, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Raanan added that this is part of head coach Brian Daboll's plan for Thomas' recovery, and he will practice both Thursday and Friday. The 2020 first-round pick is still working back from a foot injury that limited him to just six games in 2024. His participation in practice Thursday and Friday will likely provide the best indication of whether he can suit up in Week 2, when the Giants play the Cowboys.