NFL Player News

Wells has been playing through the injury for the entire second half of the season, but the Cardinals opted for extreme caution now that the playoffs are out of reach. Alfonso Smith is the favorite for carries. John Skelton is starting with Kevin Kolb (concussion) out. Patrick Peterson (Achilles), who looked “quick and fast” in warmups, is active. Other Cardinals inactives: WR Stephen Williams, FS Kerry Rhodes, LB Brandon Williams, OL D.J. Young, and WR DeMarco Sampson.

That makes two straight DNPs for Bigsby to open the week. The second-year back was limited in practice all of last week but ultimately played through his ankle injury. As things stand right now, his Week 11 availability is very much up in the air, but that can change if he can get on the field Friday. Even if he’s active, Bigsby will be hard to trust as anything more than a dart throw after seeing only two carries in last week’s loss to the Vikings.

Higgins was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice and will presumably log another limited session on Thursday. He’s far from a lock to suit up in Week 11 against the Chargers, but Higgins is trending in the right direction with one practice left to go in the week. If he can get on the field Friday, he should have a good chance of suiting up against a stout Chargers defense that’s allowed the fewest points of any team in the league through the first 10 weeks.

With the Texans not playing until Monday night, Thursday marks the team’s first practice of the week. Head coach DeMeco Ryans said on Tuesday that Collins would practice this week, so it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to see him on the field to start the week. While he’s not a lock to return in Week 11, the general belief is that Collins will play against the Cowboys, barring any setbacks. He entered last week under the questionable tag and was ruled out after being a game-time decision during pre-game warmups. Collins’ practice status will be one to watch over the next few days.

This report comes during the portion of practice that’s opened to the media, but after yesterday’s DNP, it wouldn’t be surprising if Adams missed another practice. Adams is dealing with a wrist injury and an illness, but Jets beat writer Cimini specifically noted the illness as the reason for his absence on Thursday. We’ll wait to see what happens in Friday’s practice before prematurely speculating on Adams’ Week 11 availability against the Colts.

Hill caught three passes for 16 yards and a touchdown in the Dolphins’ Week 10 win over the Rams but had totaled 10 catches for 152 yards in his previous two games. Welker attributed last week’s performance to the Rams’ coverage, noting that the offense is “starting to realize how perfect” it has to be to get its receivers opened against coverages. The Dolphins get a very generous Week 11 matchup at home against the Raiders. It’s a good bounce-back spot for Hill in what is a must-win game for the Fins.

On one hand, this doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Dowdle has handled 33 of the Cowboys’ last 64 running back opportunities, and that’s after missing Week 8’s game against the 49ers due to an illness. Still, this is the first time McCarthy has gone out of his way to endorse Dowdle as the team’s lead back. Dowdle has earned 15 or more opportunities in his last two games and has totaled 163 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown over that span. He’ll have some RB3/FLEX appeal in Week 11 against the Texans.

After being a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, Pittman logging another practice on Thursday is a good sign for his Week 11 availability. Pittman missed Week 10’s game against the Bills in part due to a finger injury he suffered in Week 9, but that seems to be behind him. We’ll see where things stand when Friday’s injury report is released, but it sounds like we can expect Pittman to suit up against the Jets, where he’ll be a boom-or-bust WR2.

Pierce has missed the last two games as a result of his injury, but was spotted on the practice field Thursday. The third-year back has had a challenging season dealing with injuries and the fact Joe Mixon is handling the majority of backfield touches. To date, Pierce has 14 carries for 98 yards and one touchdown, with most of his production coming on a 54-yard run in Week 6 against the Patriots. If he is active for Week 11 against the Cowboys, Pierce won’t have any fantasy upside, given the current state of Houston’s backfield. He could make for an interesting stash in deeper leagues, but that’s where his ceiling tops out at this point in time.

Kelly, a four-time Pro Bowler, was placed on injured reserve last week after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee. He’s required to miss at least four games as a result but will be eligible to return in Week 15 Week. Tanor Bortolini filled in for Kelly in the Colts’ Week 10 loss to the Bills and should continue to start in his place until he is eligible to return.

Rodgers, who turns 41 in December, isn’t exactly committing to playing next season, but he’s definitely not ruling it out. He and the 3-7 Jets have had their fair share of struggles this season, and returning for another year of losing probably isn’t his preferred way to go out. With eight weeks left in the season, it’s possible Rodgers will see how the rest of the year plays out before making any firm decisions. He’s under contract through the 2025 season and will earn $23.5 million if he does return.