NFL BUZZ - OCTOBER 22nd RAPID FIRE

Welcome back to NFL BUZZ! Thursday brought another wave of significant injury updates, including a new concern for one of fantasy football's most productive receivers, a major return in Seattle, and some potentially important backfield changes heading into Week 7.

Let's get into it!

🌵 Arizona Cardinals

• Jeremiyah Love: Remained OUT of practice Thursday with his ankle injury, although he was seen working with trainers. Love is reportedly expected to miss Sunday's game against Denver, potentially leaving Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight to share the backfield. (Matt Zenitz; Darren Urban; Tyler Drake)

🐦‍⬛ Baltimore Ravens

• Lamar Jackson: Practiced on a LIMITED basis for the second consecutive day as he continues recovering from his ankle injury. (Baltimore Ravens; Jamison Hensley; Jeff Zrebiec)
• Rashod Bateman: Upgraded to a FULL practice Thursday after being limited by his shoulder injury. An encouraging sign for his chances of playing Sunday. (Underdog NFL; RotoWire NFL)

🐻 Chicago Bears

• Kyle Monangai: Remains sidelined for Thursday Night Football against New England. Ian Rapoport indicates his return is approaching, but no specific date has been established. D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson remain important backfield names to monitor. (Ian Rapoport; RotoWire NFL)

🟤 Cleveland Browns

• Quinshon Judkins / Dylan Sampson: Both remained LIMITED Thursday. Judkins continues dealing with an ankle injury, while Sampson is managing a knee injury. (Chris Easterling; Underdog NFL)

⭐ Dallas Cowboys

• George Pickens: Limited in Thursday's practice with a shoulder injury. Pickens has accumulated 278 receiving yards over the last three weeks, making his health worth monitoring heading into Week 7. (Tommy Yarrish; Fantasy Points Data)

🐴 Denver Broncos

• Jonah Coleman: Practiced FULLY for the second consecutive day after Denver opened his return window from injured reserve. Coleman has not officially been activated, but his progress makes him an intriguing fantasy stash behind J.K. Dobbins. (Zac Stevens; Underdog NFL)
• Jaylen Waddle: Remained limited Thursday with a chest injury. (Denver Broncos; Zac Stevens)

🧀 Green Bay Packers

• Josh Jacobs: RETURNED TO PRACTICE Thursday for the first time since training camp! His potential Week 7 return continues to look more promising.(Matt Schneidman; Bill Huber; Ian Rapoport)
• Jordan Love: Upgraded to a FULL practice Thursday while managing a back injury. (Rob Demovsky)
• Christian Watson / Matthew Golden: Both remained limited Thursday. Watson is dealing with an ankle injury, while Golden is managing a shoulder injury. Matt LaFleur indicated he isn't concerned about either missing Sunday's game. (Matt LaFleur; RotoWire NFL)

🐂 Houston Texans

• David Montgomery: Missed practice again Thursday because of a groin injury and is reportedly EXPECTED TO MISS Sunday's matchup with the Giants. (Aaron Wilson; Underdog NFL)
• Woody Marks: Could be headed for another significant workload with Montgomery expected to miss Week 7. Offensive coordinator Nick Caley says Marks will receive a good amount of carries, while Dare Ogunbowale could also contribute. (Nick Caley; Underdog NFL)
• Dalton Schultz: Returned to LIMITED practice Thursday after missing Wednesday with a quadriceps injury. (Houston Texans; Aaron Wilson)

🐎 Indianapolis Colts

• Tyler Warren: Did NOT practice for the second consecutive day because of his groin injury. His Week 7 availability remains in question. (Indianapolis Colts; Kevin Bowen)
• Jonathan Taylor: Multiple teams reportedly have interest in acquiring Taylor before the trade deadline, although Indianapolis has not decided whether to sell. Taylor says he hasn't given a potential move much thought. (Stephen Holder; Adam Schefter)

🏹 Kansas City Chiefs

• Rashee Rice: Did NOT practice for the second consecutive day. Rice is dealing with hamstring and knee issues, and his Week 7 availability remains uncertain. (Kansas City Chiefs; Adam Schefter)
• Travis Kelce: Limited again Thursday with an ankle injury. His status remains worth monitoring ahead of Sunday's matchup against Seattle. (Kansas City Chiefs)
• Josh Simmons: Placed on INJURED RESERVE with a back injury involving a bulging disc. The Chiefs will be without their left tackle for at least four games, a significant development for the offensive line. (Adam Schefter; Ian Rapoport; Nate Taylor)

☠️ Las Vegas Raiders

• Brock Bowers: Upgraded to a FULL practice Thursday after being limited with hamstring and calf issues. Since returning in Week 3, Bowers leads all tight ends in targets (40) and receiving yards (382), according to Fantasy Points Data. (Anthony Galaviz; Underdog NFL; Fantasy Points Data)
• Mike Washington Jr.: Downgraded to a DNP Thursday while managing foot and back injuries. His Week 7 availability remains uncertain. (Anthony Galaviz; RotoWire NFL)

🐏 Los Angeles Rams

• Puka Nacua: MAJOR INJURY WATCH! Nacua exited Thursday's practice with a calf injury and was officially listed as LIMITED. The severity remains unknown, but medical analyst Jeff Mueller cautions that midweek soft-tissue injuries can sometimes lead to multiple missed games. (Sarah Barshop; Adam Schefter; Gary Klein; Jeff Mueller)
• Konata Mumpfield: An intriguing name to monitor if Nacua misses time, particularly with Davante Adams already sidelined.

🟣 Minnesota Vikings

• Justin Jefferson / Jordan Addison / Jordan Mason / T.J. Hockenson: All four practiced FULLY Thursday! Jefferson continues recovering from an ankle injury, Addison from a hamstring injury, Mason from a thumb injury, and Hockenson from a concussion. Importantly, Hockenson has NOT been confirmed to have cleared concussion protocol. (Minnesota Vikings; Underdog NFL; RotoWire NFL)
• Aaron Jones: Has reportedly been playing through an MCL sprain since Week 2. With Jordan Mason progressing toward a return, Minnesota's backfield distribution will be worth monitoring. (Kevin Seifert; Jeff Mueller)

🏈 New England Patriots

• Alijah Vera-Tucker: Placed on injured reserve. (Adam Schefter)

⚜️ New Orleans Saints

• Alvin Kamara: Remained LIMITED Thursday with a back injury. (Katherine Terrell; RotoWire NFL)
• Jordyn Tyson: Still not practicing this week as he recovers from his hamstring injury. (RotoWire NFL)

🗽 New York Giants

• J.J. McCarthy: Will officially START against Houston on Sunday. New York appears prepared to give McCarthy an extended opportunity. (Jordan Raanan; Ian Rapoport; Connor Hughes)
• Cam Skattebo: Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy says giving Skattebo ZERO carries last week was not the intention. However, reports suggest he may continue operating in a complementary role, with Tyrone Tracy also competing for opportunities. (Matt Nagy; Ryan Dunleavy; Connor Hughes)

✈️ New York Jets

• Breece Hall: Returned to LIMITED practice Thursday after missing Wednesday with his quad injury. (New York Jets; Brian Costello; Underdog NFL)
• Adonai Mitchell: Remained limited with a finger injury. His eventual return could affect Omar Cooper Jr.'s opportunities. (New York Jets; RotoWire NFL)

🦅 Philadelphia Eagles

• Saquon Barkley: Returned to LIMITED practice Thursday while recovering from his hamstring injury. Mike Garafolo reports Barkley is IN LINE TO PLAY Monday against Dallas. (Mike Garafolo; Dave Zangaro)
• DeVonta Smith / Dallas Goedert / Dontayvion Wicks: All three missed Thursday's practice. Smith is dealing with a hamstring injury, Goedert a knee injury, and Wicks an ankle injury. (Philadelphia Eagles; Jimmy Kempski; Underdog NFL)
• Jaydon Blue: Rejoined Philadelphia on its practice squad after being waived earlier in the week. Offensive lineman Evan Neal was also added to the practice squad. Neither has been elevated to the active roster. (Adam Schefter)

🟡 Pittsburgh Steelers

• Rico Dowdle: Remained limited Thursday with a knee injury. (Alan Saunders)

🌉 San Francisco 49ers

• Mike Evans: Did NOT practice Thursday while dealing with rib and Achilles injuries. His Week 7 availability remains in serious question. (Nick Wagoner; Matt Barrows; Underdog NFL)
• Deebo Samuel: Also remained OUT of practice Thursday because of his hamstring injury. (Nick Wagoner; RotoWire NFL)
• Christian Kirk: Previously returned to FULL practice as he works back from his calf injury. (RotoWire NFL)

🌊 Seattle Seahawks

• Zach Charbonnet: OFFICIALLY ACTIVATED FROM PUP! Charbonnet is back on Seattle's active roster after recovering from his torn ACL. (Seattle Seahawks; Adam Schefter; Ian Rapoport)
• Elijah Arroyo: OUT FOR THE SEASON! Arroyo is undergoing shoulder surgery, bringing his 2026 campaign to an end. (Adam Schefter)

🏴‍☠️ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Baker Mayfield: Practiced FULLY again Thursday and says his injured thumb is strong enough to play. Mayfield revealed that the thumb was dislocated and sustained ligament damage, but surgery was unnecessary. He's wearing a protective plate on his glove. (Baker Mayfield; Greg Auman; MicNuggets)
• Emeka Egbuka: Did NOT practice Thursday because of concussion and foot injuries. His Week 7 availability remains a major concern, with no clearance reported. (Scott Smith; Greg Auman; Underdog NFL)
• Bucky Irving: Returned to LIMITED practice Thursday after missing Wednesday due to illness. Sean Tucker practiced fully again while managing a quad injury. (Scott Smith; Rick Stroud; RotoWire NFL)

⚔️ Tennessee Titans

• Calvin Ridley: Downgraded to a DNP Thursday because of his hip injury. (Tennessee Titans)

Data & Analysis Credit

A big thank you to the national and local beat reporters, medical analysts, team communications staff and data providers whose work makes NFL BUZZ possible. Special appreciation to RotoWire NFL, SleeperNFL, Rotoworld Football, Underdog NFL, 32BeatWriters, Adam Schefter, Ian Rapoport, Jeff Mueller, MicNuggets, Fantasy Points Data and the many original reporters providing coverage across the NFL. Your dedication, reporting and analysis are greatly appreciated!