The NFL’s Sunday roster shuffle brought major quarterback news, a wave of injured-reserve activations and several key game-status decisions across the league. Jalen Hurts has been placed on injured reserve with a blood clot and will be sidelined for at least four games, while Caleb Williams is expected to return from a three-game hamstring absence and start against the Falcons.
Hurts’ team also ruled out tight ends Grant Calcaterra, who is dealing with a back injury, and Eli Stowers, who has a quad issue, for Sunday’s game against the Panthers. Guard Landon Dickerson (knee) and cornerback Jakorian Bennett (knee) were also downgraded to out.
Williams is in line to reclaim the starting job Sunday, while cornerback Kyler Gordon has been activated from the physically unable to perform list and is set for his season debut against Atlanta. Gordon is expected to have his workload managed as he returns. Defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo was moved to injured reserve.
Quarterback and game-status updates
Marcus Mariota has been ruled out with a knee injury for Monday night’s game against the 49ers. Easton Stick was elevated for game day, along with running back Josh Williams.
DeMarvion Overshown will not make the trip for Sunday’s game at Green Bay after being ruled out with a hamstring injury.
DK Metcalf was cleared from the injury report after an illness and is expected to play against the Buccaneers. Pat Freiermuth was added late with a calf injury and is questionable, while Roman Wilson was placed on injured reserve.
The 49ers will be without wide receiver Deebo Samuel, defensive end Nick Bosa, linebacker Garret Wallow and safety Marques Sigle for Monday night against Washington. Samuel has a hamstring injury, Bosa is managing knee and calf issues, Wallow has a hamstring problem and Sigle is out with an ankle injury.
San Francisco also listed Mike Evans (ribs/Achilles), Christian Kirk (calf), Gracen Halton (quad), Mykel Williams (knee), Upton Stout (shoulder) and Siran Neal (neck) as questionable.
Washington ruled out running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt with a groin injury that head coach Dan Quinn said was aggravated after first surfacing late in the preseason. Defensive end Charles Omenihu (groin) and linebacker Javontae Jean-Baptiste (pectoral) are also out for Monday’s matchup.
Washington listed running back Jeremy McNichols (quad), wide receiver Stefon Diggs (hamstring), offensive lineman Lucas Patrick (illness), defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (ankle/knee), cornerback Trey Amos (ankle), safety Nick Cross (illness) and safety Tyler Owens (hamstring) as questionable.
Players returning from injured reserve
A.J. Brown was activated from injured reserve after an ankle injury and is expected to play against the Jets, though he remains questionable. Trevor Etienne (ankle), Taylor Moton (lung/blood clot) and Tershawn Wharton (neck) were also restored to the active roster but remain questionable for Sunday. Etienne’s game is against the Eagles.
Ja’Kobi Lane has been activated after recovering from a wrist injury. He practiced fully during the week and is available to return.
Other players activated from injured reserve or reserve lists included Kitan Crawford, Savion Williams, Henry To’oTo’o, Ja’Marcus Ingram, Will Mallory, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Keagen Trost, Zach Wood, Omar Cooper Jr. and Joshua Williams.
Mallory’s thumb injury designation was removed, clearing him for Sunday’s game against the Titans. Joshua Williams also has no injury designation for Sunday’s matchup with the Colts. Moton returned from the non-football injury list, while Wharton was activated from the physically unable to perform list.
New injured-reserve moves
Several clubs created roster space by moving players to injured reserve. The latest group includes Skyy Moore, Jonathan Ford, Javon Hargrave and Roman Wilson. Dayo Odeyingbo was also placed on IR, while Hurts’ blood-clot diagnosis will keep him out through at least the next four games.
Practice-squad promotions and signings
Linebackers Bralen Trice, Carl Jones and Caleb Murphy were signed from practice squads, as were defensive back Nick McCloud, running back Jaydon Blue and running back Lew Nichols III.
Teams also elevated a large group of players for Sunday duty:
- Running backs Evan Hull, Anthony Tyus III, Zavier Scott and Jawhar Jordan.
- Wide receivers Coleman Owen, Cedric Tillman, Brandon Johnson and Brandon Smith.
- Offensive linemen Chuma Edoga, Kyle Hergel and Daniel Brunskill.
- Defensive linemen Drake Jackson, Sam Kamara, Chris Williams and Cian Slone.
- Cornerbacks Robert Rochell, Derion Kendrick, Bryce Hall, Jabbar Muhammad, Isas Waxter and Cam Lampkin.
- Safeties Jerrick Reed II, Jammie Robinson, Juanyeh Thomas, Elliott Davison, Cole Wisniewski and Isaiah Oliver.
- Linebackers Arron Mosby, Buddy Johnson, Jaden Keller and Keyshawn James-Newby.
- Long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer.
Additional roster decisions
Marquez Valdes-Scantling was released, while Xavier Woods, Aiden Fisher and Collin Wright were cut. Hassan Haskins was removed from a practice squad, and defensive back Erick Hallett was waived.
The moves leave several teams leaning on newly elevated depth for Sunday, while the injury news at quarterback, receiver and along the offensive line could carry into Monday night’s schedule.
