NFL Week 11: Irving Returns, Winston Starts

According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is nearing his return to the field. Coach Shanahan indicated that Purdy stands a good possibility of playing if he demonstrates continuous improvement throughout the week. Purdy has been on the sidelines since September due to a toe injury.

Due to a throwing hand injury, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s practice involvement was restricted on Wednesday. McCarthy sustained the injury to his hand during the follow-through of a throw in last week’s game, when he made contact with a helmet. The loss to Baltimore on Sunday marked McCarthy’s second game following an absence due to a high ankle sprain.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay informed the press that while wide receiver Davante Adams will not participate in Wednesday’s practice, he anticipates Adams will play in Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Adams is managing an oblique injury that he incurred during a Week 10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. He left the game in the fourth quarter after running a route and reportedly felt pain in his lower back on the left side of his torso.

The New York Giants have moved kicker Graham Gano to the injured reserve list. In addition to discussing the death threats from sports bettors he’s faced over the years, Gano mentioned last week that he has been struggling with a herniated disc.

Former Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo took Gano’s place against the Chicago Bears last week and was successful on two field goal attempts, as well as two extra points, in a 24-20 defeat.

Stevenson had limited involvement in practice sessions on Monday and Tuesday due to a toe injury. He was absent from Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers. Over the course of 8 games this season, he has run 83 times for a total of 279 yards and scored three touchdowns.

Boutte also saw limited practice time this week due to a hamstring injury, which also prevented him from playing in Week 10.

Wilson was absent for two games due to a knee injury, but he returned for Sunday’s game against the Browns. He exited the game in the third quarter, and imaging tests performed on Monday revealed that he will not require surgery.

While the Jets have only confirmed that he will miss this week’s game, ESPN’s Rich Cimini has reported that Wilson is likely to miss a period of at least three to four weeks.

According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud remains in the concussion protocol and did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. Wilson also noted that backup quarterback Davis Mills is preparing for his second consecutive start.

Mills was instrumental in last week’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He completed 27 of 45 passes for 292 yards, achieving 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. The Texans rallied in the fourth quarter with a 26-point surge, defeating the Jaguars. Mills rushed for the game-winning score, a 14-yard run, with only 31 seconds remaining.

Houston is scheduled to play against the Tennessee Titans on the road this Sunday.

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh informed reporters on Wednesday that quarterback Lamar Jackson did not participate in Wednesday’s practice because of knee discomfort, but he is projected to return on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.

“He ought to be alright,” Harbaugh stated on Wednesday, according to Hensley. Hensley had reported earlier that Jackson took some notable hits in the Week 10 game against the Minnesota Vikings despite finishing the game.

This season, Jackson was previously sidelined for three games due to a hamstring injury.

The Ravens are set to face the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in Week 11.

Pacheco was not active in Week 9 because of a knee injury. He has participated in eight games this season, rushing 78 times for 329 yards and scoring one touchdown.

Simmons, the Chiefs’ first-round selection in the 2025 draft, had been absent since October 12, when he departed to return to his hometown of San Diego hours before their victory against the Lions. At the time, the team stated that the Ohio State product was absent due to a personal matter.

It’s probable that the Cincinnati Bengals will be without their best defensive player again in Week 11, as head coach Zac Taylor considers DE Trey Hendrickson questionable due to a hip injury sustained during the bye week.

Hendrickson has been absent for two games so far this season because of the injury, including Weeks 7 and 9. Hendrickson didn’t record any practice participation leading up to Week 9, and Taylor remains unsure whether he will participate in any practices leading up to Week 11.

Despite being sidelined, Hendrickson still leads the team with eight quarterback hits and four sacks this year.

Steelers quarterback Will Howard was moved from injured reserve to the 53-man roster. Howard resumed practice on October 22, and the Steelers had a 21-day period to either activate him or keep him on the reserve list for the remainder of the season.

The sixth-round selection from Ohio State was originally placed on the list on August 28 after suffering a hand injury in training camp that sidelined him for the entire preseason.

The other quarterbacks on the Steelers are Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph. Last Sunday against the Chargers, Rodgers completed 16 of 31 passes for 161 yards, scored one touchdown, and threw two interceptions.

The Steelers also signed CB Asante Samuel Jr. to the practice squad, released RB Trey Sermon from the active roster, and released DB Darrick Forrest from the practice squad. The Steelers are scheduled to play against the Bengals in a divisional matchup on Sunday.

Irving has not practiced since September and has missed time due to foot and shoulder injuries.

The running back, who had limited participation on Wednesday, has been absent for five games. According to Tampa head coach Todd Bowles, the shoulder injury is more concerning for the team. Irving may be cleared to play if he demonstrates that his shoulder can withstand contact without any issues.

The Bucs will be visiting the Bills in Week 11.