NFL roundup: Latest league news from Monday, Oct. 18

The Atlanta Falcons are close to having their top receiver back in the lineup on gameday.

Head coach Arthur Smith told reporters Monday that Calvin Ridley, who missed Week 5 due to a personal matter, will return to practice this week.

The standout wideout was a late scratch prior to the Falcons' battle with the Jets in London on Oct. 10. Atlanta went on to win that game, 27-20.

Ridley's return comes at an ideal time as the club prepares to travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins following its bye week.

Still growing into his role as the Falcons' undisputed No. 1 wideout, Ridley has accumulated 27 receptions (42 targets) for 255 yards and a touchdown in four starts this season.

Injuries/COVID-19

• Tennessee Titans rookie cornerback Caleb Farley was ruled out of Monday's game against the Bills with a knee injury. The first-rounder was carted to the locker room after being unable to put any weight on his left leg as he was helped off the field in the second quarter. Left tackle Taylor Lewan was also carted off the field in the first half. The team announced he has movement in all extremities and is being evaluated for a concussion. Wideout Julio Jones was ruled out with a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter, and wide receiver/kick returner Cameron Batson was ruled out with a knee injury. Running back Jeremy McNichols (ankle) exited early. The Titans elevated safety Amani Hooker from injured reserve and placed cornerback Kristian Fulton on IR. Fulton suffered an injury against the Jaguars in Week 5.
• Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox was ruled out against the Titans with a hand injury.
• The Carolina Panthers are expected to open the practice window for cornerback Stephon Gilmore (quad) this week. Gilmore has been on the PUP list all season and has not practiced in months. Carolina acquired Gilmore in a trade from New England in September.
• Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari will practice this week after beginning the season on the PUP list, head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters. Bakhtiari has not played since he tore his ACL in the final week of the 2020 regular season. "Time will tell if we put him in a position to suit up for us," LaFleur added. Packers center Josh Myers (knee) is also likely to miss a few weeks.
• Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll told reporters Monday that defensive end Darrell Taylor did not suffer a neck injury on Sunday night when he was immobilized and transported to a local hospital. Carroll indicated it could be a shoulder injury and that there was a chance Taylor would play in Week 7. Carroll added running back Alex Collins does not have a significant injury, but did not play in overtime last night due to cramps and taking a few hard hits.
• New York Giants defensive tackle Danny Shelton is day-to-day with a pectoral strain, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
• Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (calf) is "likely" headed to injured reserve after getting injured Sunday, per coach Kevin Stefanski. Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (ankle) is also expected to miss extended time. Hunt and JOK were listed as DNPs on the team's estimated injury report, along with receiver Odell Beckham (shoulder), RB Nick Chubb (calf), offensive linemen Jack Conklin (knee), JC Tretter (knee) and Jedrick Wills (ankle); cornerback A.J. Green (shoulder, groin), quarterback Baker Mayfield (left shoulder) and LB Malcolm Smith (abdomen). Defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney (ankle, chest) and Takkarist McKinley (ankle), defensive tackle Malik Jackson (knee), tight end David Njoku (knee) and LB Mack Wilson (calf) were listed as limited.
• The Minnesota Vikings placed cornerback Patrick Peterson on injured reserve. Peterson sustained a hamstring injury against the Panthers on Sunday.
• Denver Broncos linebacker Alexander Johnson is out for the season with a torn pec, the team announced. Johnson, who will be a free agent following the 2021 season, was listed as a DNP on the team's estimated injury report, along with offensive tackle Garett Bolles (knee), and linebackers Baron Browning (concussion) and Andre Mintze (hamstring). Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (foot), tight end Noah Fant (foot) and running back Melvin Gordon (hip) were listed as limited.
• Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson underwent an MRI on his lower leg, per coach Ron Rivera. Gibson struggled with a lingering shin injury throughout Week 6 against the Chiefs. The results are still pending.
• Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich told reporters that receiver Parris Campbell is dealing with a significant foot injury and will "miss some time."
• The New Orleans Saints designated kicker Wil Lutz (groin) for return from injured reserve. Lutz has been on IR since Sept. 6.
• Houston Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor (hamstring) is day-to-day, per coach David Culley. There is still no word on when Taylor will come off injured reserve, which he was added to on Sept. 21.
• The Atlanta Falcons activated offensive lineman Josh Andrews from injured reserve, and placed OL Kaleb McGary on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers activated guard John Molchon from injured reserve.
• The Philadelphia Eagles activated guard Sua Opeta from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• The San Francisco 49ers designated running back JaMycal Hasty (ankle) for return from injured reserve. Hasty was placed on IR on Sept. 25.
• Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters Monday that running back Jake Funk (torn hamstring) and Johnny Mundt (torn ACL) are each out for the year.

Roster news

• The Houston Texans released linebacker Whitney Mercilus, Rapoport reported. Mercilus was a first-round pick for the Texans in 2012. A starter for the better part of the previous nine seasons, Mercilus started the first two games of this year for Houston, but has came off the bench since.
• The Tennessee Titans elevated fullback Tony Carter as a COVID-19 replacement for Monday night's game against the Bills.
• Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle La'el Collins has been reinstated from suspension, per the transaction wire. Collins was suspended for five games last month for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
• The San Francisco 49ers are expected to sign linebacker Mychal Kendricks following a physical Monday, Rapoport reported. Kendricks was with the club during training camp. The transaction was later confirmed via the wire.
• The New York Giants are expected to sign former Texans and Dolphins linebacker Benardrick McKinney to the practice squad upon passing a physical, Rapoport reported. New York plans to quickly promote McKinney to the active roster once he gets acclimated.
• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released receiver/return specialist Jaydon Mickens from the active roster and linebacker Elijah Ponder from the practice squad. The team also signed defensive back Blidi Wreh-Wilson to the practice squad.
• The Baltimore Ravens were awarded former Cowboys offensive lineman Brandon Knight off waivers. The Ravens are also signing veteran guard James Carpenter, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported via Carpenter's agent. The former Seahawks first-rounder will begin with the practice squad.
• The Philadelphia Eagles signed receiver Deon Cain to the practice squad. Linebacker Christian Elliss was released in a corresponding move.
• The Minnesota Vikings elevated practice squad offensive tackle Blake Brandel to the active roster.

Workouts

• The Indianapolis Colts are working out kickers Ramiz Ahmed, Sam Sloman and Chris Blewitt, per Pelissero.
• The Washington Football Team is working out a group of kickers, including Lirim Hajrullahu, Pelissero reported.