J.J. McCarthy is back for the Minnesota Vikings, though it’s unclear if he’ll get the starting job right away again.
McCarthy has been out recovering from an ankle sprain after making two starts for the Vikings at the beginning of the season. He returned to practice officially on Wednesday, but head coach Kevin O’Connell didn’t say who would start for them this weekend against the Philadelphia Eagles. McCarthy will get reps alongside Carson Wentz for now in practice.
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The injury-ravaged San Francisco 49ers suffered another blow Sunday when linebacker Fred Warner went down with a season-ending ankle injury, which required the four-time All-Pro to be carted off the field during a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will require surgery.
The 49ers were already missing quarterback Brock Purdy, who is still recovering from a toe injury that he aggravated in Week 4, as well as wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who is dealing with a knee injury that’s cost him the past two games. Fellow wideout Jauan Jennings told reporters postgame Sunday that he’s got five broken ribs, among other injuries.
Fortunately for San Francisco, tight end George Kittle has a chance to return this week against the Atlanta Falcons.
The similarly injury-riddled Baltimore Ravens uncharacteristically slumped to 1-5 in Week 6, but head coach John Harbaugh said postgame that star quarterback Lamar Jackson is expected to return after the team’s Week 7 bye.
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In Week 8, the Ravens are slated to get back not only a two-time NFL MVP in Jackson but also a five-time All-Pro linebacker in Roquan Smith.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was sidelined in Indianapolis because of a foot issue, which reportedly is a mid-foot sprain that’s a version of a Lisfranc injury. Backup Jacoby Brissett filled in and threw for more than 300 yards in the Cardinals’ latest gut-wrenching defeat. Plus, Arizona lost wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to a concussion in the second quarter.
Another young receiver out of Ohio State, Emeka Egbuka, suffered a hamstring injury against the 49ers that interrupted his NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign.
Los Angeles Rams wideout Puka Nacua injured his ankle during a win over the Ravens, and, although Nacua returned to the field to finish the game, head coach Sean McVay said afterward that he didn’t know if his standout receiver will be able to play versus the Jacksonville Jaguars in London this week.
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NFL news live blog
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more following results from Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season:
Live48 updates
Ryan Young
Brian Branch’s suspension was just upheld after appeal following the fight at the end of the Lions-Chiefs game on Sunday night in Kansas City. As a result, Branch will miss Sunday’s matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
For more on Branch’s suspension and the brawl at Arrowhead Stadium, click here.
Andy Backstrom
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua sat out Wednesday’s practice because of the ankle injury he suffered during a Week 6 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Nacua is dealing with an ankle sprain that Rams head coach Sean McVay doesn’t expect to be a long-term issue for his standout receiver.
Los Angeles plays the Jacksonville Jaguars in London this week. Then the Rams have a bye.
Andy Backstrom
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers isn’t practicing Wednesday, as reported by ESPN’s Ryan McFadden.
Bowers has been dealing with a knee injury that’s kept him out the past two games.
He didn’t practice all last week leading up to his absence during a Week 6 win over the Tennessee Titans. Michael Mayer has filled in as the Raiders’ top tight end.
Andy Backstrom
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner underwent surgery for his season-ending ankle injury, and it “went great,” according to head coach Kyle Shanahan, David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard reported Wednesday.
Criss Partee
The Atlanta Falcons did not hold practice on Wednesday; however, they did have five players listed as non-participants. Tackle Jake Matthews (ankle), edge rusher Jalon Walker (groin), cornerback Clark Phillips III (triceps/illness), cornerback Billy Bowman Jr. (hamstring), and edge rusher Leonard Floyd (illness).
Wide receiver Darnell Mooney (hamstring) and tight end Feleipe Franks (calf) were both listed as limited participants. Defensive linemen LaCale London (triceps) and Ta’Quon Graham (calf) would have both been full participants had the Falcons practiced on Wednesday.
Andy Backstrom
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter told reporters that he’s playing Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane.
Carter missed the Eagles’ Week 6 road loss to the New York Giants with a heel injury after popping up on the team’s injury report earlier in the week.
Carter, a second-team All-Pro in 2024, has tallied 10 total tackles this season, including one TFL.
Criss Partee
The New York Jets had four players listed as ‘did not practice’ on Wednesday, including wide out Garrett Wilson (knee), linebacker Cam Jones, wide receiver Josh Reynolds, and cornerback Qwan’Tez Stiggers, all dealing with hip injuries.
Cornerback Michael Carter II (concussion) was listed as a full participant along with linebacker Ja’Markis Weston (groin).
Andy Backstrom
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray missed a Week 6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts with a foot injury he suffered in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans.
Murray is dealing what NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport’s reported as a “mid-foot sprain.” He was limited in practice Wednesday.
Cardinals backup Jacoby Brissett filled in for Murray against the Colts and threw for 320 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception in a 31-27 defeat.
Arizona is hosting Green Bay this week.
Wed, October 15, 2025 at 4:56 PM EDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
The newly signed linebacker is back at practice, hoping to make his 2025 debut after suffering a quad injury in the offseason.
Wed, October 15, 2025 at 4:51 PM EDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
George Kittle’s practice window has officially been opened for the 49ers this week as the star tight end tries to return from IR.
And on the QB front, it appears Jones is more healthy than Purdy.
Wed, October 15, 2025 at 4:48 PM EDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
Wed, October 15, 2025 at 4:40 PM EDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
The star pass rusher is officially questionably with a hip injury.
Criss Partee
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh announced that the team is opening All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack’s 21-day return window and that he would practice on Wednesday. Mack hasn’t played since suffering a dislocated elbow in Week 2.
Coach Harbaugh also said tackles Joe Alt (ankle) and Trey Pipkins (knee) would not practice on Wednesday. Harbaugh also mentioned he thought Wide receiver Quentin Johnston (hamstring) would be in practice on Wednesday.
Criss Partee
The Philadelphia Eagles have signed defensive end Titus Leo and tight end Jaheim Bell to the team’s practice squad. Leo has played in four NFL regular season games since being selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.
Bell was a seventh round pick in 2024 by the New England Patriots and played in 15 games last season.
Ryan Young
The Kansas City Chiefs are still without lineman Josh Simmons. He missed their game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday due to a personal matter and was back home in California.
Specifics on Simmons’ situation are still unknown. Head coach Andy Reid declined to comment on it today, and Patrick Mahomes didn’t say much other than that “he’s praying for him.”
When Simmons will be back with the team is still unknown. The Chiefs will host the Las Vegas Raiders next on Sunday.
Josh Simmons is still away from the Chiefs due to a personal matter. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
(Michael Owens via Getty Images)
Rookie running back Brashard Smith also missed Chiefs practice on Wednesday with an illness.
Criss Partee
The Los Angeles Chargers have signed wide receiver Dalevon Campbell and defensive back Myles Purchase to the practice squad. The team has also released center Josh Kaltenberger from the practice squad.
Chris Cwik
The Minnesota Vikings could find themselves in an interesting spot at quarterback in Week 7. After missing multiple weeks, quarterback J.J. McCarthy will return to practice ahead of Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
While McCarthy is expected to receive practice reps along with Carson Wentz, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell declined to say anything about which player will start in Week 7.
Prior to the injury, McCarthy opened the 2025 season as the team’s starter. He struggled in all but one of his eight quarters over the first two weeks of the season, leading the Vikings to a 1-1 record.
But an injury knocked McCarthy out the past four weeks, opening the door for Wentz to start. The veteran has turned in steady performances, leading the team to a 2-1 record. The Vikings had a bye in Week 6.
After a week off, O’Connell will need to decide which player to start in Week 7. McCarthy presumably has higher upside, but Wentz has proved steady enough to keep the team afloat. If McCarthy is fully back and experiences no ill effects from his leg injury during practices, O’Connell will have a tough choice ahead of him.
Criss Partee
Tennessee Titans nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat has been designated to return to practice from an ankle injury suffered in Week 1. Sweat has not played since the injury occurred and has been on injured reserve since Sept. 20.
This designation opens a 21-day window for Sweat to return to the practice field, making him eligible as of Wednesday.
Andy Backstrom
The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for a Week 7 “Thursday Night Football” showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals and released their final injury report Wednesday, including game designations:
WR Calvin Austin III (Shoulder): OUT
S Miles Killebrew (Knee): OUT
S DeShon Elliott (NIR – Resting Vet/Personal): Questionable
LB Malik Harrison (Knee): Questionable
Elliott also will not be traveling with the team to Cincinnati although he remains listed as questionable.
Andy Backstrom
The Arizona Cardinals wished rookie defensive lineman Walter Nolen III happy birthday Tuesday, and head coach Jonathan Gannon announced they’re opening Nolen’s practice window Wednesday.
That means Nolen — the Cardinals’ first-round pick who has been on the PUP list since the start of training camp with a calf injury — has three weeks to be reinstated to the 53-man roster.