NFL News & Rumors: Wednesday 10/16

NFLTR

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Bills

• CEO Russ Brandon mentioned that rookie QB E.J. Manuel will “hopefully” be back in the “next month or so.” (BuffaloBills.com)
• WR Stevie Johnson is expected return for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. (ESPN.com)
• RB C.J. Spiller did not practice Wednesday.
• QB Thad Lewis reportedly couldn’t take a step on his right foot without grimacing following Sunday’s game. (ESPN.com)
• QB Thad Lewis was able to practice on Wednesday. (Mark Gaughan)

Broncos

• Broncos worked out WR Nathan Palmer and FB Brad Smelley. (Adam Caplan)

Browns

• The Browns reportedly discovered that recently signed WR Charles Johnson has a torn ACL in his knee during a recent physical. (Scott Petrak)

Buccaneers

• WR Mike Williams returned to practice on Wednesday. (Rick Stroud)
• KR/RB Jeff Demps is dealing with a groin injury. (Rick Stroud)
• Buccaneers signed WR Skye Dawson to their active roster. (Pat Yasinskas)
• Buccaneers signed OT Emmett Cleary and DB Nick Saenz to their practice squad. (Pat Yasinskas)

Chargers

• Free agent DE/OLB Scott Solomon worked out for the Chargers. (Adam Caplan)

Colts

• Colts worked out G Lance Louis. (Adam Caplan)

Cowboys

• Cowboys released DT Jay Ratliff. (NFLTR)
• Rookie RB Joseph Randle was taking the first-team reps on Wednesday. (Todd Archer)

Dolphins

• DT Randy Starks mentioned that the hope of signing a long-term contract has been his motivation this season. (Miami Herald)
• LB Dannell Ellerbe did not practice on Wednesday. (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

Falcons

• OC Dirk Koetter mentioned that TE Tony Gonzalez should see even more opportunities now that Julio Jones is gone and Roddy White is injured. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Giants

• Giants signed RB Peyton Hillis. (NFLTR)
• Giants signed RB Jeremy Wright to their practice squad.

Jaguars

• WR Cecil Shorts mentioned that he’s hopeful that he’ll be able to play in Week 7, but added that he’s in “a lot of pain.” (John Oesher)
• TE Marcedes Lewis returned to practice on Wednesday. (Ryan O’Halloran)

Lions

• WR Calvin Johnson, RB Joique Bell and CB Rashad Mathis practiced on Wednesday. (Dave Birkett)
• Lions signed WR Pat Edwards to their practice squad.

Packers

• WR James Jones did not practice on Wednesday. (Rob Demovsky)
• RB James Starks has been ruled out for Week 7.
• CB Casey Hayward practiced on Wednesday.
• Former first-round pick OT Derek Sherrod returned to practice on Wednesday. (Tyler Dunne)
• TE Ryan Taylor reportedly underwent a knee surgery. (Jason Wilde)
• Jarrett Boykin is expected to be the Packers’ No. 2 WR if James Jones is unable to play. (ESPN Milwaukee)
• TE Brandon Bostick could see increased playing time against the Browns this weekend. (Green Bay Press-Gazette)
• Packers brought in LBs Alan Baxter, Demetrius Hartsfield, Jake Muasau, Lawrence Wilson and DEs Justin Staples and Aston Whiteside for tryouts on Tuesday. (Bob McGinn)

Panthers

• RB Jonathan Stewart did not practice on Wednesday. (Joe Person)
• TE Greg Olsen was sporting a walking boot on Wednesday. (Joe Person)
• Rookie RB Kenjon Barner returned to practice. (Steve Reed)

Patriots

• Patriots placed LB Jerod Mayo on season-ending injured reserve. (NFLTR)
• WR Danny Amendola and CB Aqib Talib did not practice on Wednesday. (Mike Reiss)
• Patriots worked out WR Devon Wylie, WR LaQuan Williams, WR Jordan Shipley and TE Brandon Barden. (Adam Caplan)
• Patriots re-signed DT Andre Neblett.

Raiders

• HC Dennis Allen would like to get Marcel Reece more involved in the coming weeks.

Ravens

• HC John Harbaugh mentioned that WR Jacoby Jones‘ offensive role will increase. (Baltimore Sun)
• Free agent RB Bernard Scott worked out for the Ravens. (Adam Caplan)

Seahawks

• LB Bobby Wagner will not play in Thursday’s game. (Curtis Crabtree)
• TE Zach Miller will play in Thursday night’s game.

Texans

• QB Matt Schaub did not practice on Wednesday.
• Texans place S Danieal Manning on season-ending injured reserve.
• Texans signed CB Elbert Mack and ILB Mike Mohamed to their active roster.
• Texans place CB A.J. Bouye on season-ending injured reserve.
• Texans worked out DE Kyle Moore, DT Kheeston Randle, DT Jerrell Powe, DT Kyle Love, and DT Sealver Siliga. (Adam Caplan)

Titans

• Titans signed LB Zac Diles and waived WR Michael Preston. (Vic Tafur)

Vikings

• Vikings announced that Josh Freeman will start Monday night’s Week 7 game against the Giants. (NFLTR)
• Vikings worked out S Joe Lefeged. (Adam Caplan)