NFL news, injury updates entering Week 11: Bucs’ Bucky Irving returns to practice, while Giants starting Jameis Winston

Stevenson was limited in practice on Monday and Tuesday as he deals with a toe injury. He did not play during Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers. In 8 games this season he has rushed 83 times for 279 yards and three touchdowns.

outte was also limited this week with a hamstring injury that kept him out Week 10.

Wilson missed two games with a knee injury before returning for Sunday’s win over the Browns. But in the third quarter he exited the game and underwent imaging tests on Monday, which showed he does not need surgery.

While the Jets have only ruled him out for this week, ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported that Wilson is expected to miss at least three to four weeks.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud remains in the concussion protocol and didn’t practice Wednesday, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, who also reported that backup Davis Mills is preparing for his second consecutive start.

Mills played hero last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He completed 27-of-45 passes for 292 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception, as the Texans mounted a 26-point fourth quarter to defeat the Jags. Mills rushed for a game-winning, 14-yard score with 31 seconds remaining.

Houston plays on the road against the Tennessee Titans Sunday.

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters Wednesday that quarterback Lamar Jackson sat out Wednesday’s practice with knee soreness but is expected back Thursday, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.

“He should be OK,” Harbaugh said Wednesday, per Hensley, who reported earlier in the day that, despite finishing Sunday’s win against the Minnesota Vikings, Jackson took some hard hits in the Week 10 matchup.

Jackson previously missed three games with a hamstring injury this season.

The Ravens play the Cleveland Browns Sunday in Week 11.

Pacheco was inactive in Week 9 with a knee injury. He has played eight games this season, rushing 78 times for 329 yards and a touchdown.

Simmons, the Chiefs’ 2025 first-round draft pick, had been away since Oct. 12 when he left to fly back to his hometown of San Diego hours before their win over the Lions. At the time the team said the Ohio State product was absent due to a personal reason.

The Cincinnati Bengals are likely to be without their top defender yet again in Week 11, as head coach Zac Taylor deemed star DE Trey Hendrickson doubtful with a hip injury coming out of the bye week.

Hendrickson has missed two games so far this season with the injury, including Weeks 7 and 9. Hendrickson had not logged any practices leading up to Week 9, and Taylor remains uncertain if he’ll participate in practice in any capacity leading up to Week 11.

Despite missing time, Hendrickson still leads the team with eight quarterback hits and four sacks on the year.

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

The sixth-round pick out of Ohio State was first placed on the list on August 28 after dealing with a hand injury in training camp that kept him out for the entirety of the 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, one touchdown and two interceptions.

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

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

The running back, who was limited Wednesday, has missed five game with Tampa head coach Todd Bowles saying the shoulder injury was the bigger concern for the team. Irving could be cleared to play if he shows the shoulder is able to take contact without issue.

The Bucs visit the Bills in Week 11.

If the Arizona Cardinals are hoping to pull off an upset win over the division-rival San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, they’ll need to do it without one of their best players. Wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. underwent surgery for appendicitis Wednesday and will not play in the team’s game in Week 11 due to the issue.

Harrison could miss additional time based on his recovery, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Read more here.

The New York Giants are making a change at quarterback. With veteran Russell Wilson scuffling, Jameis Winston will now serve as the team’s No. 2 option behind Jaxson Dart, according to multiple reports.

The promotion means a lot more in Week 11, however, as Dart might not be able to play due to a concussion. Because of that, Winston could get the start when the Giants take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Winston, 31, hasn’t played a single snap with the Giants this season. He’s been the team’s No. 3 option throughout the season and has been inactive for games due to that designation. But it sounds like that’s all about to change in Week 11.

While Winston won’t take the job away from Dart, who has performed well in limited action, the former No. 1 overall pick could show the Giants he deserves to be the team’s No. 2 option next season. Winston is under contract with the Giants for 2026 and — barring a trade — should stick with the team during the offseason.

Jaire Alexander has stepped away from the Eagles in order to focus on “getting right physically and mentally,” according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. He’s apparently contemplating retirement.

Alexander has played in two games this season for the Baltimore Ravens, but was dealt to the Eagles ahead of the deadline. He has yet to make his debut with the team.

The Minnesota Vikings have signed cornerback Shemar Bartholomew to the practice squad. Bartholomew played in five games with the Carolina Panthers in 2024, posting three tackles and two passes defend

The New York Giants have signed tight end Zach Davidson and kicker Ben Sauls to the practice squad, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. Younghoe Koo is on the practice squad but kicked Sunday vs. Chicago. Jude McAtamney is an international roster exemption on the practice squad. Graham Gano has a neck injury.

Justin Tucker’s 10-game NFL suspension is over. The former Baltimore Ravens kicker is free to sign with any team.

The Ravens released Tucker in May after he was accused of sexual misconduct by 16 women that allegedly occurred during massage therapy sessions. Tucker, who does not face criminal charges, was then placed on a 10-week suspension by the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

There are no reports on Tuesday of any teams interest in pursuing Tucker, who made seven Pro Bowls with Baltimore and was largely considered the best kicker in football until he took a step back on the field in 2024.

Buffalo has signed former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (announced Monday) to the practice squad and released wideout Kristian Wilkerson and defensive end Kingley Jonathan from the practice squad. The Bills also placed third-round rookie defensive end Landon Jackson on injured reserve with a knee injury.

The Dallas Cowboys defense is getting some much-needed help.

The team activated linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and defensive back Shavon Revel on Tuesday ahead of their matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders this week. Overshown was on the PUP list after he tore several ligaments in his right knee last season. Revel was recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last season at East Carolina.

Both Overshown and Revel are expected to be available for Monday night’s game against the Raiders.

The Denver Broncos are considering placing running back J.K. Dobbins on injured reserve due to a foot injury, according to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. If Dobbins is placed on IR, he’ll miss at least four games.

Dobbins was having a nice season in his first with Denver, rushing for 772 yards in 10 games, with four touchdowns already. He’s also averaging five yards per carry.

Williams has violated the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The 24-year-old Williams signed with Tampa after going undrafted in 2025 out of LSU. Williams has played three games this season, recording four rushing attempts for 11 total yards.

The 26-year-old Samuel played with the Chargers from 2021-2024. He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Oct. 2024 and was not re-signed by LA.

Samuel underwent spinal-fusion surgery in April and was cleared to play earlier this month.

In 50 career games, Samuel has six career interceptions and 176 total tackles.

The Cleveland Browns waived cornerback Tre Avery and signed defensive ends K.J. Henry and Ochaun Mathis to the practice squad. Avery played his first three seasons with Tennessee before being picked by Cleveland this season. He played in six games this year for the Browns and posted seven total tackles.

Henry was a fifth round pick by Washington in 2023 and has played in 14 career games on four different teams. Mathis was select by the Rams in the fifth round of the 2023 draft and has also played in 14 career games.