Thursday's NFL injury and roster news for Week 9

Myles Gaskin will miss at least three games due to a knee injury.

Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores told reporters Thursday morning that Gaskin was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury suffered in Week 8, meaning he'll be out at least three weeks.

The news is a blow to a spunky Dolphins squad. Gaskin earned the starting role this year, outplaying both Jordan Howard and Matt Breida. In seven games, including five starts, Gaskin has rushed for 387 yards and two touchdowns on 100 attempts. He also has 30 receptions on 35 targets for 198 yards.

Breida is also dealing with a hamstring injury that could keep him out this week. Flores didn't rule out Breida, but noted "hamstrings are tough," via Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.

If Breida joins Gaskin out this week, it would represent a big opportunity for Howard, who has been a healthy scratch since last playing in Week 4. Patrick Laird and Salvon Ahmed are also backfield options for Miami.

The Dolphins traded for running back DeAndre Washington this week due to the injuries piling up, but he must pass through COVID-19 protocols before joining the club.

Here's other injury and roster news we're tracking on Thursday:

• Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (concussion), linebacker Krys Barnes (calf), offensive tackle Rick Wagner (knee) and running back Dexter Williams (knee) were all ruled out for the remainder of Thursday Night Football. .The Packers activated Williams and defensive backs Henry Blackand Stanford Samuels off the practice squad ahead of the game; all are COVID-19 replacement players. Practice squad guard Ben Braden was also designated as a standard elevation for the game.
• San Francisco 49ers cornerback K'Waun Williams (ankle) did not return after getting injured in the first half. Safety Jaquiski Tartt (foot) was ruled out for the second half. Tight end Jordan Reed has been activated from IR ahead of TNF. Defensive back Johnathan Cyprien, TE Daniel Helm and receiver Kevin White were designated as COVID-19 replacements for the game. Guard Tony Bergstrom and WR Austin Walter were standard elevations. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and TE George Kittle were placed on injured reserve.
• Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is in Los Angeles to see Dr. Neal ElAttrache regarding his shoulder injury from Sunday's game vs. the Saints, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per sources informed. It's a similar injury to the one he suffered in 2018 when he missed two games. Tight end Jimmy Graham (knee/hamstring) was a full participant in practice after missing Wednesday. Defensive back Eddie Jackson (knee) was limited after missing Wed. while TE Cole Kmet (groin) did not practice.
• Indianapolis Colts defensive tackles Sheldon Day and Tyquan Lewis; guard Quenton Nelson and receiver Michael Pittman were considered COVID-19 close contacts but are not considered high-risk, Rapoport reported, per an informed source. He added that it's possible they could be back in the building on Friday.
• The Las Vegas Raiders placed offensive tackle Trent Brownon the reserve/COVID-19 list for a second time. He was removed just six days ago. Running back link-placeholder-23 and safety Johnathan Abram (illness) missed practice; Jacobs was a full participant Wednesday while Abram sat out. Receiver Bryan Edwards (foot/ankle) practiced in full for the first time since Week 2. The team also signed RB Theo Riddick off the practice squad. Defensive back Damon Arnette (thumb) has been designated for return.
• New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees(right shoulder) and receiver Michael Thomas (ankle/hamstring) were limited in practice for a second consecutive day. Running back Alvin Kamara (foot) was upgraded to full after being limited Wednesday.
• Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• Baltimore Ravens running back Mark Ingram (ankle) missed a second consecutive practice.
• San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, had a negative result in his latest test, according to Rapoport, per source. Yet, that doesn't mean it was a false positive, Rapoport adds, with the fact that this has happened plenty of times before in the NFL and 98 percent of the time players have been proven positive. As part of the normal process, the NFL is reviewing the matter and among the key issues is how often was Bourne wearing a mask.
• Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin (concussion/hamstring) and running backs Chris Carson (foot) and Carlos Hyde (hamstring) did not practice. Safety Jamal Adams (groin), RB Travis Homer (knee) and tight end Greg Olsen (foot) were limited.
• The Baltimore Ravens removed linebacker Matt Judon from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (concussion) did not practice again while tackle Bryan Bulaga was downgraded to limited after being a full participant on Wednesday.
• The Houston Texans placed linebackers Jacob Martin, Whitney Mercilus and Dylan Cole on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule told reporters that running back Christian McCaffrey looked "fresh and fast" in today's practice. After spending time on injured reserve with an ankle injury, McCaffery returned to the practice field in full pads yesterday and Rhule said that if the Panthers played today, its star RB would be able to play. The only Panther not to practice today was defensive end Marquis Haynes (shoulder), while tackle Russell Okung (calf) and safety Jeremy Chinn (knee) were limited. Panthers rookie DE Yetur Gross-Matos has been designated for return from injured reserve, the team announced. Gross-Matos missed the last three games while on IR with a high ankle sprain and now has a 21-day window to practice before the team must activate him to the 53-man roster. Center Sam Tecklenburg was waived.
• Philadelphia Eagles safety Marcus Epps has tested positive for COVID-19, NFL network's Tom Pelissero reports, per source. The Eagles have since confirmed Epps' positive test. Pelissero adds that there have been no other positives from Wednesday's testing for the Eagles, who will enter intensive protocols during their bye week.
• New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (hamstring) and running back Devonta Freeman (ankle) were limited in practice.
• New England Patriots running back Sony Michel has been designated for return off IR. He's been sidelined the past five weeks with a quad injury. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore (knee) and receiver N'Keal Harry (concussion) did not practice. Guard Shaq Mason (calf), RB Damien Harris (ankle), CB J.C. Jackson (knee) and LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (groin) were among the 12 limited players.
• Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy says he'll take the full week to determine if Cooper Rush or Garrett Gilbert will start at quarterback. Team plans on making a decision on Saturday.
• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed receiver Cyril Grayson, who waived on Tuesday, to the practice squad. Cornerback Jamel Dean (illness) was a full practice participant after missing Wednesday. Linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (knee) and receiver Chris Godwin (finger) were limited for a second straight day. Also, guard Ali Marpet (concussion) did not practice again.
• Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia told reporters he could not comment on Matthew Stafford being placed on the reserve/COVID list or if the quarterback has a chance to play Sunday, but said their offense is fit for any QB on their roster. Chase Daniel would get the start if Stafford is ruled out. Patricia also got a look at newly acquired defensive lineman Everson Griffen fort he first time, saying the veteran has a "high motor" and yesterday's pr actice was a "good first step." The Lions acquired Griffen from the Cowboys via trade last week.
• Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox has been activated from the reserve/COVID list, the team announced.
• New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (shoulder), defensive lineman Quinnen Williams (hamstring) and Jamison Crowder (hamstring) all sat out practice.
• The Denver Broncos signed defensive back Kevin Toliver from the practice squad.
• The Tennessee Titans signed long snapper Matthew Orzech off the Dolphins' practice squad.
• The Cleveland Browns activated former Lions linebacker Elijah Lee. Cleveland claimed him off waivers on Oct. 30.
• Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (ankle) and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (thigh) did not practice.