NFL Week 7 Updates: Sam Franklin Suspended, J.J. McCarthy to Start

Wednesday’s NFL transaction and injury updates brought several roster moves, return-to-practice designations and major quarterback decisions across the league, with Sam Franklin facing a one-game suspension and J.J. McCarthy confirmed as a Week 7 starter against Houston.

What changed for the franchise

Roster moves and coaching staff additions

• The Panthers claimed offensive lineman Albert Reese off waivers.
• The Falcons opened the practice window for cornerback A.J. Terrell, who is returning from injured reserve after a groin injury.
• Defensive end Charles Snowden joined the active roster after being signed from the Commanders’ practice squad.
• Running back Anthony Tyus III was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster.
• Defensive tackle Eric Johnson signed to a practice squad, while defensive end Nadame Tucker was released from a practice squad.
• Linebacker Kenneth Murray signed to a practice squad.
• Running back Jawhar Jordan was placed on the practice squad injured list.
• Linebacker Cooper McDonald was cleared to resume practice from injured reserve.
• Linebacker Aiden Fisher signed to a practice squad. Running back Nate Carter was released from a practice squad, and linebacker Cam Jones was cut.
• Defensive tackle Jalen Hunt joined a practice squad, while outside linebacker Darryl Peterson III moved from the practice squad to the active roster.
• Tight end Quentin Moore and linebacker Austin Keys signed to practice squads.
• Safety Rayshawn Jenkins was released.
• Washington added veteran coach Steve Wilks to Dan Quinn’s defensive staff. Wilks will work alongside defensive coordinator Daronte Jones and help prepare weekly game plans.

Suspension

Bills defensive back Sam Franklin received a one-game unpaid suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct during Buffalo’s Week 6 victory over Las Vegas. The league determined that Franklin spat at a Raiders player with 1:32 left in the fourth quarter. Franklin intends to appeal. The suspension begins Monday, Oct. 26, after Buffalo’s Week 7 bye, and he can return Monday, Nov. 2. He is the second Bills player suspended in three days for spitting at a Las Vegas opponent, following C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

Quarterback and lineup developments

• Lamar Jackson was limited Wednesday with an ankle injury, although coach Jesse Minter said the quarterback handled some work during the session.
• Bryce Young was a full participant while managing a knee injury.
• Jordan Love was limited by a back issue.
• Malik Willis practiced in full after a right-thumb injury.
• J.J. McCarthy will start at quarterback against the Texans in Week 7.
• Baker Mayfield returned as a full participant following a right-thumb injury. He has missed three games, with rookie Jalon Daniels starting in his absence. Coach Todd Bowles expects to decide Friday whether Mayfield will start against Carolina in Week 7.

Players returning toward action

• Cornerback T.J. Tampa, recovering from a knee injury, was designated to return from injured reserve and logged a limited practice.
• Linebacker Bam Martin-Scott was designated for return from injured reserve and practiced fully.
• Cornerback Patrick Surtain II practiced for the first time since sustaining an ankle injury in Week 4.
• Defensive tackle Jordon Riley, in his 21-day return window after an Achilles injury, was limited.
• Running back Jordan Mason was a full participant while in his 21-day return window from a thumb injury.
• Linebacker Dorian Mausi was designated to return from injured reserve and practiced in full after a foot injury.

Notable injury decisions

• Outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips will miss Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay because of a hamstring injury. His availability for Week 8 against Green Bay will be evaluated.
• Running back Kyle Monangai was ruled out against New England on Thursday with thumb and toe injuries. Linebacker Jack Sanborn, dealing with a concussion, was also ruled out. Linebacker T.J. Edwards is doubtful with a hamstring injury, while defensive back Tyrique Stevenson is questionable with a hip injury. Guard Jonah Jackson will play after progressing to a full practice with hip and quadriceps injuries.
• Davante Adams will require a procedure to address his hamstring injury, although it has not been scheduled. Defensive end Kobie Turner went on injured reserve with a groin injury, and linebacker Nate Landman entered concussion protocol.
• Guard Alijah Vera-Tucker was one of five players ruled out for Thursday’s game against the Bears. Offensive tackle Morgan Moses was among four players listed as questionable.
• Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson will not practice this week with a hamstring injury and remains on injured reserve.
• Wide receiver Rashee Rice and offensive tackle Jaylon Moore will not practice Wednesday because of hamstring and concussion issues, respectively.

Wednesday injury report

Additional injury absences and limited participants

• David Montgomery did not practice with a groin injury. Tank Dell was full with a knee injury. Dalton Schultz, Trent Brown and Blake Fisher did not practice because of quadriceps, wrist and thumb injuries. Jadeveon Clowney and Logan Hall were limited with knee issues.
• Azeez Al-Shaair did not practice with a knee injury. Henry To’oTo’o was limited with a shoulder injury. Reed Blankenship missed practice with concussion and hand injuries, while Jalen Pitre was out with a shoulder injury.
• Ashton Dulin was limited with a hamstring injury. Anthony Gould, Andrew Ogletree, Tyler Warren, Matt Goncalves, Bryce Boettcher, Sauce Gardner, Justin Walley and Rigoberto Sanchez did not practice.
• Jalen Travis, Austin Ajiake and Jaylon Carlies were limited. Jerry Tillery was absent for personal reasons.
• Jaylen Wright, Caleb Douglas, Will Kacmarek, Robert Beal Jr., Kyle Louis and Tucker Addington were limited. Reese Taylor did not practice.
• Justin Jefferson and Brian O’Neill were limited with ankle and knee injuries. T.J. Hockenson and Christian Darrisaw practiced fully after concussions, while James Pierre was limited by a foot injury.
• Charlie Jones, Theo Johnson, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Paulson Adebo, Colton Hood and Tyler Nubin were limited. Jermaine Eluemunor, Andrew Thomas, Marcus Mbow, Tremaine Edmunds, Greg Newsome II and Jevon Holland did not practice.
• Breece Hall did not practice with a quadriceps injury but will be evaluated through the week. Kene Nwangwu, Joseph Ossai and Francisco Mauigoa also missed practice. Adonai Mitchell, Dylan Parham, T’Vondre Sweat and Will McDonald IV were limited.
• Bucky Irving, Emeka Egbuka, Luke Goedeke, Christian Rozeboom and Zyon McCollum did not practice. Calijah Kancey and Antoine Winfield Jr. were limited.
• Tyjae Spears did not practice for rest purposes. Calvin Ridley, Tony Adams and Kevin Winston Jr. were limited.