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Demond Claiborne: In line for larger role sans Mason
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 8:50 PM
Claiborne was a healthy scratch for the Vikings' Week 1 win over the Packers, but he's in line for a larger role for at least the next four games after Jordan Mason (thumb) was placed on injured reserve, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Mason, Aaron Jones and Deejay Dallas were Minnesota's three active running backs for Sunday's 39-22 win over Green Bay, with Claiborne observing the game in street clothes. Mason's injury means Jones is the clear RB1 on the roster while the former is sidelined, but Claiborne will be in the mix for backup duties, with Dallas -- who was signed to the Vikings' active roster from the practice squad Wednesday -- being the rookie sixth-rounder's main competition. The Vikings hit the road for a Week 2, NFC North tilt this Sunday against the Bears, whose defense gave up 478 total yards -- including 125 rushing yards -- to the Panthers in a 59-37 Week 1 win for Chicago.
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Kyle Williams: Expected to be more involved Week 2
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 8:44 PM
Williams is expected to see more playing time Week 2 versus the Steelers, Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano of ESPN.com report.
Williams didn't garner a target over 11 offensive snaps in the team's 13-10 loss to the Seahawks in Week 1. Now with A.J. Brown (ankle) on injured reserve, the second-year wide receiver has a clear path to more opportunities against Pittsburgh on Sunday. Williams caught 10 of 21 targets for 209 yards and three touchdowns over 17 regular-season contests with New England last season.
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Raheim Sanders: Slated for increased role sans Sampson
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 8:40 PM
Sanders will have the opportunity to work in an expanded role in the Browns' offense after Dylan Sampson (knee) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Scott Petrak of BrownsZone reports.
Sampson injured his knee on a kickoff return during Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Jaguars, and he'll be required to miss at least the next four games while on IR. Sanders finished that game with three catches on as many targets for 25 yards along with a one-yard carry, but moving forward, he should see more offensive snaps as the Browns' RB2 behind Quinshon Judkins, with Jaleel McLaughlin slotting in as the No. 3 backfield option. The Browns will stay on the road for a Week 2 tilt against the Buccaneers, whose defense gave up 106 rushing yards and one touchdown on 27 carries (3.9 YPC) in a 33-27 loss to the Bengals in Week 1.
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Cooper Kupp: Working through back injury
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 8:33 PM
Kupp was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a back injury, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.
Kupp may have tweaked his back during the Seahawks' 13-10 win over the Patriots in Week 1, when he played 39 of 50 snaps on offense (78.0 percent) and finished with two catches on three targets for 35 yards. Kupp's status for Sunday's NFC West tilt against the Cardinals doesn't appear to be in serious jeopardy, and he'll have two more chances to increase his practice participation and avoid an injury designation for Week 2. The Seahawks' pass catchers figure to see a downtick in production with Drew Lock starting at quarterback for the injured Sam Darnold (lower body).
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Tory Horton: Practices in full Wednesday
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 8:32 PM
Horton (hamstring) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports
Horton was unable to recover from the hamstring injury he suffered during training camp in time for last Wednesday's 13-10 win over the Patriots. The wide receiver was a full participant in the first practice of Week 2 and should be all set to suit up for next Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
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Juwan Johnson: Under the weather
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 8:27 PM
Johnson did not participate in Wednesday's practice due to an illness.
Johnson's absence from Wednesday's practice was likely a precautionary measure, and the veteran tight end will have two more chances to return to practice ahead of the Saints' Week 2 road tilt against the Ravens on Sunday. Johnson had a career year in 2025 and produced a 3-54-1 receiving line (on seven targets) during the Saints' 31-30 overtime loss to the Lions in Week 1. With rookie first-round wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) on injured reserve, Johnson, Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele are going to be the go-to targets in the passing game for quarterback Tyler Shough.
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Ty Johnson: Questionable for home opener
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 8:20 PM
Johnson (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Lions.
Johnson sat out the Week 1 victory over the Texans. He returned to a limited practice Tuesday, but he's not quite in the clear yet and his status will probably come down to the wire for the primetime game Thursday. No Buffalo running back has much value outside of insurance behind bell-cow back James Cook, and now Frank Gore has had a chance to enter the mix as yet another option in the Buffalo backfield.
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Jerome Ford: Inks deal with Minnesota's practice squad
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 8:05 PM
Ford was signed to the Vikings' practice squad Wednesday, Lindsey Young of the team's official website reports.
Ford was in Minnesota for a workout Tuesday with the team, and he will now have the opportunity join the practice squad. The running back was let go by the Commanders with an injury settlement in late August after suffering a hamstring injury, but he is now back to full health. Ford recorded 73 yards on 24 carries while catching 26 of 32 targets for 103 yards over 13 regular-season contests with Cleveland in 2025, and he'll now look to earn an elevation to the active roster down the road with the Vikings.
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Eddy Pineiro: Misses practice with illness
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 7:59 PM
Pineiro (illness) did not participate at practice Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
It's not clear exactly what kind of sickness Pineiro is dealing with, but he does have until Sunday to get better. His status will still be worth keeping an eye on when San Francisco publishes its Thursday and Friday injury reports, as the team does not carry another kicker on its active roster or its practice squad.
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Derius Davis: Practices in full Wednesday
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 7:56 PM
Davis (undisclosed) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Davis sustained an unspecified injury during the Chargers' 26-14 loss to the Cardinals in Week 1, but his full practice participation Wednesday puts the 2023 fourth-rounder on track to play against the Raiders on Sunday. Davis returned two kickoffs for 33 yards and recorded a tackle prior to his exit against Arizona.
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