NFL Player News

Head coach Kellen Moore said Wednesday that the Saints haven't opened Etienne's (hamstring) practice window just yet, Jeff Nowak of WWL Louisiana reports.

Etienne has missed the required four games on IR due to a strained left hamstring, but even with the benefit of a Week 8 bye, he hasn't gained clearance to mix into drills. Moore told Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana on Monday that Etienne has a chance to return to practice this week, but with no on-field work to begin Week 9 prep, he seems to be on the outside looking in to have enough time to be activated for Sunday's contest against the Browns.

Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said Wednesday that the breakdown in carries between Jeanty and Mike Washington will be determined on a week-to-week basis, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.

Jeanty is averaging just 3.1 yards per tote on the season and has seen his carry count gradually decline with each successive game. After rushing a season-high 23 times in a Week 1 win over the Dolphins, Jeanty logged just two carries (for nine yards) in this past Sunday's win over the Jets, while Washington handled 25 carries (for 83 yards). According to McFadden, Kubiak said that he believes Jeanty can "absolutely" be a bell cow running back, but the second-year player out of Boise State looks like he'll be part of a timeshare with Washington until his production on the ground improves. Jeanty is still locked in as the Raiders' clear top back on passing downs, as he ranks first or tied for first with all NFL running backs in targets (49), receptions (37) and receiving yards (376) and receiving touchdowns (three).

Skattebo (hamstring) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

The Giants are preparing for the Eagles coming off of their bye, and Skattebo was not available to practice as the week got underway. Skattebo tweaked his hamstring on his last carry of the game against the Texans in Week 7. His status in practice the remainder of the week will be crucial given the Giants' shorthandedness in the backfield. Devin Singletary and Greg Desrosiers are the healthy options on-hand beyond Skattebo.

Wright (quadriceps) was a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

In addition to a foot injury, Wright was listed with the same quad issue on the Dolphins' Week 8 injury report but proceeded to log three full practices before playing in Sunday's 24-19 loss to the Patriots. Though he played just 13 total snaps before offense and special teams in Week 8, Wright apparently emerged from the contest with his quad injury still bothering him. He'll have two more chances to get back to full practice participation prior to this Sunday's game against the Lions.

St. Brown was a limited participant at Wednesday's walkthrough due to a rib injury, Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports.

St. Brown made a brief exit during this past Sunday's win against the Vikings due to an undisclosed injury but was able to return, finishing with seven catches (on eight targets) for 46 yards and one carry for 10 yards. The nature of the health concern has been revealed, but his ability to practice in some capacity Wednesday generally bodes well for his status ahead of Sunday's game at Miami.

Franklin (shin) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Franklin started the week as a nonparticipant in practice Wednesday and hasn't played since Week 6 after suffering a hairline fracture in his shin. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur added Wednesday that the 30-year-old is making progress in his recovery, and he hopes Franklin can return soon. The ninth-year pro has 41 tackles (18 solo), one pass deflection and one forced fumble in six games this season.

Samuel (hamstring) won't take part in practice Wednesday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Samuel injured his right hamstring during a Week 5 win at Seattle, resulting in two missed games before the 49ers' Week 8 bye. Head coach Kyle Shanahan relayed to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area on Oct. 26 that Samuel has a chance to return this Sunday against the Raiders, but the wide receiver likely will need to practice in some capacity Thursday and/or Friday to put himself in a position to do so.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Evans (Achilles) won't practice Wednesday, NFL reporter Andrew Siciliano reports.

Evans sat out a Week 7 loss in Atlanta after aggravating a right Achilles injury in Week 6 against the Commanders, and while there's an expectation that he'll be back after a Week 8 bye, he'll kick off this week with a DNP. He thus will have two more chances to mix into drills ahead of Sunday's contest versus the Raiders.

While Montgomery (groin) has made some progress, coach DeMeco Ryans noted Wednesday that the running back will remain out for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Montgomery missed Houston's last two games before the team's Week 8 bye, and now he won't return to the lineup any sooner than Nov. 15, when the Texans face the Browns on the road. With Montgomery still out, Woody Marks is poised to maintain his lead backfield role, an assignment that resulted in him logging a season-high 19 carried for 66 yards and one catch for 15 yards in a Week 7 overtime loss to the Giants.

McCaffrey (hamstring) will not participate in Wednesday's practice, Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group reports.

Three key vets are not taking part in the first practice out of the bye Wednesday as McCaffrey, Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel are all sidelined for this session. McCaffrey has been dealing with a hamstring issue since the Week 7 game in Atlanta. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that McCaffrey is "not going today but hopefully a chance [Thursday]." The next few days of practice will be telling for McCaffrey's status going into Sunday's game against the Raiders.