Vikings’ McCarthy Returns to Practice; Jackson’s Imminent Return

Wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. and running back Bucky Irving have been ruled out for Monday night’s match with the Lions, but the team is hoping that Evans will be back for Week 7.

Evans has not played since Week 3 due to a hamstring injury against the Jets.

Godwin is dealing with a fibula injury, while Irving has been out due to injuries in the foot and shoulder.

Brian Branch’s suspension was confirmed after appeal regarding the incident at the end of the Lions-Chiefs game on Sunday night in Kansas City. Branch will miss Sunday’s matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

To read more on Branch’s suspension and the Arrowhead Stadium altercation, go here.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua did not participate in Wednesday’s practice as he recovers from an ankle injury that happened during the Week 6 match against the Baltimore Ravens.

Nacua is dealing with an ankle sprain, but Rams coach Sean McVay anticipates that his star receiver will recover.

Los Angeles is scheduled to play the Jacksonville Jaguars in London this week, then will take a bye.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers did not practice on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden.

Bowers has been out due to a knee injury over the past two games.

He also did not practice last week, which resulted in him missing Week 6 win against the Tennessee Titans. Michael Mayer has been filling in as the Raiders’ primary tight end.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner underwent surgery for his season-ending ankle injury and the surgery “went great,” according to head coach Kyle Shanahan, as reported by David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard on Wednesday.

The Atlanta Falcons did not hold practice on Wednesday. However, they had five players listed as not participating. Tackle Jake Matthews (ankle), edge rusher Jalon Walker (groin), cornerback Clark Phillips III (triceps/illness), cornerback Billy Bowman Jr. (hamstring), and edge rusher Leonard Floyd (illness).

Wide receiver Darnell Mooney (hamstring) and tight end Feleipe Franks (calf) were listed as limited participants. Defensive linemen LaCale London (triceps) and Ta’Quon Graham (calf) would have been full participants had the Falcons practiced on Wednesday.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter stated that he will be playing Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane.

Carter missed the Eagles’ Week 6 road loss to the New York Giants due to a heel injury after appearing on the team’s injury report.

Carter, a second-team All-Pro in 2024, has made 10 tackles this season, including one TFL.

The New York Jets had four players listed as ‘did not practice’ on Wednesday, including wide out Garrett Wilson (knee), linebacker Cam Jones, wide receiver Josh Reynolds, and cornerback Qwan’Tez Stiggers, all dealing with hip injuries.

Cornerback Michael Carter II (concussion) was listed as a full participant along with linebacker Ja’Markis Weston (groin).

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray missed the Week 6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts due to a foot injury suffered in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans.

Murray is dealing with a “mid-foot sprain,” as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He was limited in practice Wednesday.

Cardinals backup Jacoby Brissett filled in for Murray against the Colts and passed for 320 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception in a 31-27 defeat.

Arizona is hosting Green Bay this week.

The new linebacker is at practice, hoping to debut in 2025 after suffering a quad injury in the offseason.

George Kittle’s practice period has opened for the 49ers this week as the tight end aims to return from IR.

On the QB front, it seems Jones is healthier than Purdy.

The pass rusher is questionable with a hip injury.

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh announced that the team is activating All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack’s 21-day return period and that he would practice on Wednesday. Mack hasn’t played since suffering a dislocated elbow in Week 2.

Coach Harbaugh also reported that tackles Joe Alt (ankle) and Trey Pipkins (knee) would not practice on Wednesday and that Wide receiver Quentin Johnston (hamstring) would be in practice.

The Philadelphia Eagles have signed defensive end Titus Leo and tight end Jaheim Bell to the team’s practice squad. Leo has played in four NFL regular season games since being selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.

Bell was a seventh round pick in 2024 by the New England Patriots and played in 15 games last season.

The Kansas City Chiefs are without lineman Josh Simmons. He missed their game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday due to a personal matter and was back home in California.

Details on Simmons’ situation are unknown. Head coach Andy Reid declined to comment on it today, and Patrick Mahomes didn’t say much other than that “he’s praying for him.”

When Simmons will be back with the team is unknown. The Chiefs will host the Las Vegas Raiders next on Sunday.

Rookie running back Brashard Smith also missed Chiefs practice on Wednesday with an illness.