NFL Player News

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 with a groin injury at various points this season due to a groin injury, but he's still mustered 67 carries and five catches (on seven targets) for 279 yards from scrimmage and two rushing touchdowns. 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.

Hall (quadriceps) is working on a side field with trainers at Thursday's practice, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

Hall is expected to go down as a non-participant in practice once again Thursday since he isn't taking part in individual or team drills, but he's at least showing some incremental signs of progress in his recovery from a quadriceps injury he sustained during the Jets' Week 3 loss to the Lions. He has missed the team's last two games, with Braelon Allen stepping into the lead role at running back. Allen is expected to continue working as the top backfield option for the Jets against the Patriots on Sunday, barring an unexpectedly fast recovery from Hall.

The Vikings are hopeful that Mason (thumb) will be ready to return from injured reserve for their Week 7 game versus the Colts, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Mason has already missed the required four games after landing on injured reserve following the Vikings' season-opening win over the Packers, and he'll get additional time to recover from thumb surgery while the team is on bye Week 6. Assuming that Mason's thumb has healed as expected following the five-week absence, he'll likely be designated for return from IR and resume practicing coming out of the bye. Aaron Jones has shouldered the load out of the Minnesota backfield over the past four games, but Mason should reclaim the bulk of the snaps on early downs once he's reinstated from IR.

Jeanty (foot) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's injury report, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.

Jeanty was listed with both ankle and foot injuries last week, but it appears the former is no longer an issue, as only the latter accompanied his name on the first injury report the Raiders released this week. Head coach Klint Kubiak said earlier Wednesday that Jeanty is improving and will not be rested, and with a full practice under his belt there is little reason to believe otherwise.

The Saints signed Hunter to the practice squad Wednesday.

Hunter was cut from the Dolphins' practice squad Tuesday, but it didn't take long for the 2025 fourth-rounder to find a new opportunity with the Saints. Lead back Travis Etienne (hamstring) is on injured reserve, and with Alvin Kamara still working through a back issue, Hunter is a candidate to be elevated to the Saints' active roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Giants on Sunday.

Johnson (hamstring) was considered limited at the Bills' walkthrough practice Wednesday.

Johnson reeled in all four of his targets for 72 yards during Monday night's 37-34 overtime win against the Rams, but he may have picked up a hamstring injury in the process. The running back's ability to be limited Wednesday is a positive sign, but he'll have two more chances to log a full practice and erase any concern about his availability for Sunday's contest versus Las Vegas.

Etienne (ankle) was a full participant at practice Wednesday.

The Panthers designated Etienne for return to practice from their injured reserve list Tuesday, and it seems like there's a chance he could be officially activated for Week 6. With free-agent acquisition AJ Dillon also tending to an ankle issue and Jonathon Brooks (abdomen) on IR, a significant role could be in store for Etienne come Sunday if he does suit up at Philadelphia.

Dillon (ankle) did not participate at practice Wednesday.

It's not clear when Dillon suffered the ankle injury, but it puts his availability for Week 6 in doubt. He'll likely have to return to practice Thursday or Friday to put himself back on track to play Sunday at Philadelphia.

Shipley (foot) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

It's not much of a surprise to see a DNP next to Shipley's name on the Eagles' first injury report of Week 6 prep, given that the third-year running back was diagnosed with a partial tear of his plantar fascia following the team's 19-17 Week 5 loss to the Jaguars in London. Shipley is facing a multi-week absence, and with Saquon Barkley (hamstring) also idle for Wednesday's session, the Eagles may have to turn to Dameon Pierce to lead the backfield against the Panthers on Sunday.

Tucker did not participate in Wednesday's practice session due to a quadriceps injury.

Tucker may have picked up the injury during the Buccaneers' Week 5 win over the Cowboys, when he played seven offensive snaps and logged five carries for 18 yards. He'll have two more chances to return to practice in at least a limited capacity ahead of Tampa Bay's next contest against Pittsburgh on Sunday. Even if he is available, Tucker profiles as the Bucs' RB3 behind Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell.