NFL Notes: Eagles, Panthers, Rams, Saints & Texans

Eagles

• Howard Eskin reports that RB DeMarco Murray left Wednesday’s practice witha “mild” hamstring strain, but still has a “chance” at playing in Week 3.

Panthers

DT Star Lotulelei practiced in pads for the first time since Aug. 3 when he sustained a stress reaction in his surgically repaired right foot.

However, he did not confirm whether he would play in Week 3.

“It’s getting there,” said Lotulelei, via Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. “I was able to hit today for the first time in a while. So first step, we’ll see how it feels from there.”

It is worth mentioning that HC Ron Rivera said he looked “really good” at Wednesday’s practice.

More information on Lutulelei’s status should develop as the week progresses.

Rams

Howard Balzer predicts that rookie RB Todd Gurley (ACL) will play in Week 3, as he was not listed on Wednesday’s injury report.

Gurley also admitted that he feels that he is ready to play in Week 3, while HC Jeff Fisher said he is continuing to monitor his health.

“He’s had two good days. Had a good day today in pads and he had a good day at three-quarter speed in practice yesterday,” said Fisher, via Joe Lyons of The St.Louis Post-Dispatch. “He’ll get a day off tomorrow and we’ll see how he is Friday.”

We will provide more information regarding Gurley’s status for Week 3 as the news becomes available.

Saints

CB Keenan Lewis practiced in limited fashion on Wednesday and is “ahead of schedule” in his recovery from hip surgery he underwent three weeks ago.

“I’m getting better every day, I know I’m getting close,” said Lewis, via Evan Woodberry of The Times-Picayune. “I’ll let the trainers and coaches make that call.”

The original timetable for his recovery from surgery was 4-6 weeks. At this point in time, Lewis’ status for Week 3 remains “uncertain“.

Texans

Aaron Wilson reports that G Oday Aboushi is “under consideration” for valuable playing time for Week 3 against the Buccaneers.

“It looks to me like Oday is doing a good job of picking it up,” said HC Bill O’Brien said. “He’s a bright guy, similar terminology was used in New York to what we use. He was coached by Mike Devlin before, so he has an idea that way. All those things come into account, but what we do during the week is we practice all those guys so that at the end of the week we can make a decision as to who will be up on the 46.”

Wilson insists that Derek Newton will move from left guard to right tackle, due to starting RT Jeff Adams sustaining a season-ending knee injury. With the corresponding move on the line, Aboushi will now have the opportunity to start at left guard.

Aboushi, 24, started 10 games for the Jets at left guard last season when LG Brian Winters went down with a season-ending injury. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the No. 43 overall guard out of 78 possible qualifiers in their end of the season ratings for 2014.