NFL News & Rumors: Thursday 10/10

NFLTR

• Top 50 – 2014 Free Agents list. 
• NFL Cap Space Update

Bears

• CB Charles Tillman is still considered a game-time decision for Thursday night’s game. (ESPN Chicago)

Bengals

• Bengals worked out RB D.J. Harper. (Aaron Wilson)

Bills

• FS Jairus Byrd is expected to make his season debut on Sunday. (ESPN.com)
• RB C.J. Spiller is “progressing much better this week.” (Bills)
• WR Stevie Johnson missed practice on Thursday and could miss Sunday’s game while he attends to a death in his family. (Buffalo News)

Broncos

• CB Champ Bailey mentioned that the plan is for him to make his season debut this weekend. (Broncos)

Buccaneers

• Bucs G Carl Nicks is reportedly dealing with a reoccurrence of his MRSA staph infection. (NFLTR)

Chargers

• RB Ryan Mathews has yet to receive medical clearance and missed Thursday’s practice. (Michael Gehlken)
• LT King Dunlap received clearance to resume practicing and could start on Monday. (Michael Gehlken)

Chiefs

• OLB Justin Houston has been cleared to practice, but could still miss Week 6’s game. (Adam Teicher)

Cowboys

• WR Miles Austin is expected to be active for Week 6. (DallasCowboys.com)

Eagles

• QB Michael Vick mentioned that expects to be ready for Week 7. (Geoff Mosher)
• Eagles HC Chip Kelly mentioned that he won’t announce his starting quarterback until Sunday morning. (NFLTR)

Falcons

• The Falcons officially placed WR Julio Jones on season-ending injured reserve.
• RB Steven Jackson has not participate in Falcons workouts this week. (ESPN.com)

Jaguars

• The Jaguars are expected to grant FS Dwight Lowery his release once he’s medically cleared. (Jaguars.com)
• WR Cecil Shorts was downgraded to out for Thursday’s practice. (Hays Carlyon)

Jets

• Jets are expected to approach DE Muhammad Wilkerson regarding a contract extension after the season. (NFLTR)
• Jets signed QB David Garrard and placed him on the Exempt List. (NFLTR)
• RB Chris Ivory put in a limited practice on Thursday. (Manish Mehta)
• TE Kellen Winslow did not practice on Thursday. (Brian Costello)
• Jets worked out LBs Tim Fugger, Deon Lacey, Caleb McSurdy and Quan Sturdivant. (Aaron Wilson)

Lions

• HC Jim Schwartz told reporters again on Thursday that WR Calvin Johnson is most likely end up being a game-time decision this weekend. (NFLTR)
• WR Nate Burleson is hoping to return in Week 10. (Detroit News)
• OC Scott Linehan mentioned that rookie TE Joseph Fauria will likely be on the field “much more than he has been” this weekend. (Tim Twentyman)

Packers

• Packers signed C Garth Gerhart to their practice squad.

Panthers

• TE Greg Olsen returned to practice on Thursday. (Joseph Person)

Patriots

• RB Shane Vereen is still sporting a cast on his right wrist. (Michael Whitmer)

Raiders

• RB Darren McFadden practiced again on Thursday. (Paul Gutierrez)
• RB Rashad Jennings practiced again on Thursday. (Paul Gutierrez)

Rams

• RT Rodger Saffold put in a limited practice on Thursday. (Jim Thomas)

Ravens

• Ravens re-signed TE Billy Bajema. (Jamison Hensley)
• Ravens released RB/KR Shaun Draughn. (Jamison Hensley)

Steelers

• Steelers signed S Will Allen. (NFLTR)

Texans

• HC Gary Kubiak mentioned that WR Andre Johnson will be a game-time decision on Sunday. (Texans)
• TE Owen Daniels is hoping to return in Week 14. (Houston Chronicle)
• S Ed Reed told reporters on Thursday that he “isn’t near where he wants to be physically” and that he “nicked up” his MCL last Sunday. (James Palmer)

Vikings

• The Vikings may end up starting Matt Cassel against the Panthers, despite Christian Ponder being cleared to play. (NFLTR)