Washington's biggest free-agent grab this offseason will finally make his long-awaited debut on Sunday.
Curtis Samuel is set to play in Washington's road tilt versus the Atlanta Falcons, coach Ron Rivera announced Friday.
"He'll be active," Rivera told reporters. "He'll be ready to roll."
Samuel was placed on injured reserve ahead of Week 1 with a groin injury which kept him on the sidelines for most of training camp and held out of any preseason action. WFT signed the dynamic wideout to a three-year, $34.5 million contract in March. Friday, the team officially activated Samuel to the active roster.
Washington will finally get to see a return on their investment come Sunday, and Samuel's presence is welcomed for an offense that sits in the bottom half of per game averages in passing (318.7), rushing (97.0) and points (22.3). Samuel has the ability to contribute through the air and on the ground coming off a career-high 1,051 scrimmage yards last season in Carolina. His threat alone should boost an offense that is hoping to do favors for a high-powered defense that has struggled out of the gate.
Meanwhile, running back Antonio Gibson is officially questionable for Week 4 with a shin injury after being limited in practice on Friday.
Injuries/COVID-19
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (ribs) and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder) will be game-time decisions versus New England while cornerback Jamel Dean (knee) and running back Giovani Bernard (MCL) have been ruled out, coach Bruce Arians announced Friday. The team officially listed Gronk as doubtful and JPP as questionable. Arians also said Richard Sherman, who signed a one-year deal on Wednesday, will be active.
- The New England Patriots listed running back James White (hip) as out for Week 4. The team later placed White on injured reserve. Cornerback J.C. Jackson (knee), offensive tackle Trent Brown (calf) and linebacker Kyle Van Noy (groin) are among the eight players listed as questionable.
- Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (back) returned to practice as a full participant. Jackson is officially listed as questionable for Week 4, along with cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey (knee) and Tavon Young (knee) and six other players. Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) and defensive end Derek Wolfe (hip/back) have been ruled out.
- Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (ankle) and linebacker Anthony Barr (knee), who both missed last week's game, were seen on the field for the start of practice, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. Defensive tackle Michael Pierce was not on the practice field, Pelissero added. Cook, Barr and Pierce are officially ruled as questionable.
- Tennessee Titans wideouts Julio Jones and A.J. Brown are out with hamstring injuries for Sunday versus the Jets, coach Mike Vrabel announced. Jones and Brown have since been officially listed as out, along with pass rusher Bud Dupree (knee) and punter Brett Kern (right groin). Defensive lineman Larrell Murchison has been placed on injured reserve.
- Chicago Bears quarterback Andy Dalton (knee) is officially ruled as questionable, but coach Matt Nagy told reporters Friday that the starting QB will be a game-time decision.
- Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (ankle/knee), pass rusher Kwity Paye (hamstring), cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (ankle) and safety Khari Willis (ankle/groin) have been ruled out versus Miami.
- Seatte Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett (hip) is officially questionable for Week 4's game against the 49ers.
- Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said he expects running back Darrell Henderson (ribs) to play in Week 4. "I don't anticipate him not being able to go," McVay said of Henderson, who missed Week 3 and has been limited in practice this week. Henderson is officially listed as questionable.
- New York Giants wide receivers Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard have been ruled out versus New Orleans with hamstring injuries.
- The Los Angeles Chargers again listed receiver Keenan Allen (ankle), cornerback Chris Harris (shoulder) and defensive lineman Justin Jones (calf) as limited practice participants. Safety Derwin James (toe/shoulder) was upgraded from limited to full.
- The New Orleans Saints ruled offensive linemen Terron Armstead (elbow) and Erik McCoy(calf) out for Sunday's game against the Giants.
- The Houston Texans have placed linebacker Zach Cunningham and defensive lineman Ross Blacklock on the reserve/COVID list. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport says they won't play this week. Safety Justin Reid (knee) is expected to play Sunday after practicing in full; he was limited all week.
- Green Bay Packers wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling (hamstring) is being ruled out versus the Steelers, coach Matt LaFleur told reporters. Tackle Elgton Jenkins is doubtful to play with an ankle injury. Linebacker Za’Darius Smith underwent back surgery this week, per Rapoport and NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Smith, who has been on IR since Sept. 17, is expected to be out an extended period of time, though the hope is it's not a season-ending situation.
- The San Francisco 49ers listed tight end George Kittle (calf) and defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw (knee) as questionable. Cornerback Josh Norman (chest) is doubtful.
- Miami Dolphins center Michael Deiter (foot/quad) was injured at Wednesday's practice and will not only miss Sunday's game versus the Colts, but could land on injured reserve, coach Brian Flores said Friday. Backup C Greg Mancz will get the start.
- Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury says three starting offensive lineman -- Kelvin Beachum (ribs), Justin Pugh (back) and Justin Murray (back) -- will be game-day decisions for Sunday's showdown with the Rams. All there are officially questionable. Meanwhile, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (ribs) was a full participant in Friday's practice. Hopkins missed all of last week's practices despite suiting up against the Jaguars in Week 3.
- New York Jets wide receivers Jamison Crowder and Denzel Mims will be active versus Tennessee while Elijah Moore (concussion) and Jeff Smith will be out, coach Robert Saleh said. On the heels of Marcus Maye's ankle injury, Ashtyn Davis will be included in the rotation at safety. Saleh said Maye could be back in time for the Patriots game in Week 7.
- Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (concussion) is no longer on the injury report, clearing his way for a return on Sunday against Washington. Wide receiver Russell Gage (ankle) has been ruled out.
- Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (hamstring) is officially listed as questionable and did not practice Friday.
- Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) has been ruled out for this week, as expected, but pass rusher Yetur Gross-Matos (ankle) is listed as doubtful.
- Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Randy Gregory is questionable versus the Panthers with a knee injury.
- Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer (ankle) has been ruled out versus the Texans.
Roster signings
- The Los Angeles Chargers signed defensive lineman Joe Gaziano to the active roster. Gaziano was called up from the practice squad in Weeks 2 and 3.
- The Detroit Lions have been assigned defensive lineman Eric Banks via waivers from the Chargers.
- The Tennessee Titans promoted linebacker Sharif Finch to the active roster.
