NFL Player News

Brooks (core) was seen jogging at practice Thursday, Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340 reports.

Brooks appears to be making incremental progress in his recovery from core muscle surgery, though he wasn't in uniform Thursday and has yet to be cleared for participation in practice drills while he remains on injured reserve. The 2024 second-round pick has suited up for just five of a possible 38 regular-season games in his career and will miss a minimum of two additional games before he's eligible to return, though his absence could linger beyond then. Chuba Hubbard has worked as the clear lead back for the Panthers, with AJ Dillon (ankle) siphoning off less work than Brooks had been prior to getting hurt.

Barkley (hamstring) wasn't present for the open portion of Thursday's practice, Martin Frank of The News Journal reports.

As of Wednesday, Barkley has been listed as a non-participant on four consecutive injury reports due to a right hamstring issue, and he seems poised to make it five such listings once the Eagles post their second Week 6 report. With Will Shipley (foot) likely out for multiple weeks, Dameon Pierce seems set for a large workload out of the backfield Sunday against the Panthers, assuming Barkley doesn't put himself in a position to play.

Smith was not seen with his helmet during the media viewing period Thursday,Tim McManus of ESPN.com reports.

Smith is nursing hamstring and toe injuries and it appears he'll be missing his second straight practice Thursday. He has missed back-to-back games and doesn't seem to be trending towards a return in Week 6 against the Panthers. The Eagles will already be missing Jalen Hurts (blood clot) for Sunday's game.

Jacobs filed a civil suit Wednesday seeking a permanent injunction restricting access to records pertaining to his May 23 altercation with a woman at his home, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

After being arrested following the domestic incident, Jacobs appeared in court Sept. 10 and pleaded no contest to charges of battery and criminal destruction of property. He was ultimately convicted of battery and fined $1,000, while agreeing to a deferred judgment agreement on a charge of damage to property. Later that month, a judge lifted a temporary seal of the records pertaining to the case and turned the decision whether to release part or all of the records over to the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department. Jacobs has appealed the release of those records, which could further delay the NFL's efforts to wrap up its investigation into the running back and levy a potential suspension. So long as the NFL's investigation is ongoing, Jacobs will remain on the commissioner's exempt list.

Henderson (ankle) is in pads ahead of Thursday's practice, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

Henderson was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, and he looks poised to practice in some capacity again Thursday, though the extent of his participation remains to bee seen. After initial pessimism following his exit from the Week 5 win over the Raiders, Henderson seemingly has a chance to suit up Sunday against the Jets without missing any additional game action.

Brown (ankle) said Thursday that it's "up in the air" whether he'll be available for Sunday's game against the Jets, and that the decision will ultimately be made by head coach Mike Vrabel, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Brown practiced Wednesday after having his 21-day window to return from injured reserve opened. "I felt pretty good," Brown said regarding Wednesday's practice, during which he was listed as limited. "It's one step at a time." The flashy offseason acquisition has missed the past four games due to a sprained ankle sustained in the second half of New England's season-opening loss to Seattle. A loss to the Jets on Sunday would drop the Patriots to third in the AFC East standings, but New England's passing game has been trending in the right direction despite Brown's ongoing absence, as Drake Maye has a 7:1 TD:INT over the past two games after posting a 1:6 ratio through Week 3.

Judkins (foot) was present for Thursday's practice but didn't participate in stretching or individual drills during the portion of practice open to the media, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Judkins was listed as a non-participant Wednesday, and while his presence Thursday is encouraging, he may go down as a non-participant again unless he ramps up his activity level behind closed doors. The Browns placed Raheim Sanders (hip) on injured reserve Tuesday and opened Dylan Sampson's 21-day window to return from IR on Wednesday. If neither Judkins or Sampson are available Sunday against the Ravens, Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime would split Cleveland's backfield duties in a rehash of the 2024 Broncos backfield.

McKee appears lined up to start Sunday's game against the Panthers after the Eagles announced Wednesday that Jalen Hurts has been ruled out for Week 6 due to a superficial blood clot on his calf, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

While the Eagles could look to re-sign the recently released Andy Dalton to give the quarterback room another experienced option in Hurts' absence, McKee looks poised to draw the start after moving ahead of Dalton on the depth chart prior to Week 4. Hurts' availability beyond Week 6 is in flux while the Eagles determine the appropriate course for his treatment, so McKee could be headed for a multi-game run as the team's starter. A 2023 sixth-round pick, McKee has appeared in just six games (two starts) during his four-year career, completing 54 of 88 pass attempts (61.4 percent) for 597 yards (6.8 YPA) and a 5:1 TD:INT. Assuming he starts, McKee may have few weapons at his disposal, as running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring) and wideout DeVonta Smith (hamstring) were absent from practice Wednesday and could be tracking toward sitting out this weekend.

Jackson (ankle) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Head coach Jesse Minter has stated that Jackson doesn't necessarily need to practice in order to take the field Sunday against the Browns, but a return to practice in any capacity Friday certainly wouldn't hurt considering Jackson hasn't practiced or played since the first half of Baltimore's Week 4 win over the Titans. Tyler Huntley finished out that victory and guided the Ravens to an overtime win over the Falcons in Week 5. Huntley would make a second consecutive start in Sunday's clash between AFC North rivals if Jackson is ultimately unable to play.

Croskey-Merritt (undisclosed) wasn't present for the portion of Thursday's practice open to the media, Ben Standig of The Team 980 Washington D.C. reports.

Croskey-Merritt has been listed on the injury report at various points this season due to a groin issue, but he's still mustered 67 carries and five catches (on seven targets) for 279 yards from scrimmage and two rushing touchdowns in five appearances. The Commanders are kicking off Week 6 prep Thursday in advance of a Monday game at San Francisco, but the reason for Croskey-Merritt's potential absence isn't yet known.