Oct 27, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (85) celebrates after catching a game-winnning Hail Mary pass on the final play of the game against the Chicago Bears at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Commanders WR Noah Brown sustained internal injuries

Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown could miss the rest of the season with an internal injury, coach Dan Quinn confirmed Wednesday.

Initial reports said Brown had sustained a rib injury in Washington’s 42-19 win against the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 1.

Quinn updated Brown’s status as the Commanders (8-5) return from their bye week and prepare to visit the New Orleans Saints (5-8) on Sunday.

“He’s going to be out for a while,” Quinn said. “He had a significant internal injury from the game, so that’s going to knock him out for a while.”

Brown caught three passes for 27 yards against the Titans before leaving late in the third quarter.

“During the game, between him and the medical staff, they did a really good job to address what was a serious injury,” Quinn said. “Fortunately, he’s going to be OK. But it’s going to knock him out for a bit.”

Quinn said it’s not certain Brown will miss the rest of the season “but it’s likely heading that way.”

Brown ranks third on the team in receptions (35) and receiving yards (453) and has one touchdown in 11 games (nine starts). His touchdown catch was on a 52-yard Hail Mary pass that gave Washington an 18-15 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 8.

A seventh-round draft pick by Dallas in 2017, Brown has 150 catches for 2,000 yards and six TDs in 87 games (34 starts) with the Cowboys (2017-18, 2020-22), Houston Texans (2023) and Commanders.

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (30) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Jayden Daniels (left) and center Tyler Biadasz (63) during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Commanders RB Austin Ekeler clears concussion protocol, to play vs. Browns

Washington running back Austin Ekeler has cleared concussion protocol and will play in Sunday’s home game against the Cleveland Browns, Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Friday.

Quinn also said starting running back Brian Robinson (knee) is trending in the right direction but will be a game-time decision. Wide receiver Noah Brown (groin) and defensive end Clelin Ferrell (knee) have been ruled out against the Browns (1-3).

Ekeler missed last Sunday’s road victory over the Arizona Cardinals as the Commanders improved to 3-1. He exited the Sept. 23 win at Cincinnati in the second half with the injury and also a lacerated ear. It was his third documented concussion in his seven-plus years in the NFL.

The 29-year-old has 13 rushes for 83 yards and a touchdown in three games (one start) this season, his first with the Commanders. He also has nine catches for 121 yards out of the backfield while splitting time with Robinson.

Ekeler signed a two-year contract worth $11.43 million with Washington in March after seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.

In 106 career games (69 starts), Ekeler has amassed 8,443 yards from scrimmage (4,438 rushing, 4,005 receiving) with 40 rushing touchdowns and 30 receiving TDs.

Robinson, 25, has started all four games and has 66 carries for 307 yards and three touchdowns. He also has eight cathes for 68 yards.

Brown, 28, has played in three games (two starts) for the Commanders since they signed him as a free agent on Aug. 29. He has nine receptions on 10 targets for 111 yards.

Ferrell, 27, started the first two games of the season and had four tackles, including two sacks, but has not played since then.

–Field Level Media

Nov 12, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Noah Brown (85) catches a pass during warmups before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Texans place WR Noah Brown on season-ending IR

The Houston Texans placed wide receiver Noah Brown on injured reserve Monday.

Brown sustained a shoulder injury in the first quarter of Saturday’s 45-14 wild-card victory against Cleveland.

He walked off the field gingerly after a collision with Browns safety Juan Thornhill but did not return.

Brown, 28, caught 33 passes for 567 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games (seven starts) this season.

He has 115 receptions for 1,547 yards and five scores in 76 games (25 starts) with the Texans and Dallas Cowboys (2017-22), who drafted him in the seventh round in 2017.

–Field Level Media

Oct 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) celebrates with wide receiver Nico Collins (12) after a touchdown during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Texans WR Nico Collins active vs. Cardinals

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is listed as active for Sunday’s game against the visiting Arizona Cardinals.

While Collins is returning from a one-game absence due to a knee injury, the Texans listed fellow wide receiver Noah Brown among their inactives for Sunday’s game.

Collins, 24, leads the team in catches (36) and receiving yards (631). His four receiving touchdowns are one shy of the team lead, held by Tank Dell.

Brown, 27, was listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report because of a knee injury. He reeled in 13 catches and 325 yards and a touchdown over the past two weeks.

In addition to Brown, the Texans (5-4) also listed the following players as inactive: safety Jimmie Ward, running back Dameon Pierce, linebackers Henry To’oTo’o and Jake Hansen, quarterback Case Keenum and tight end Eric Saubert.

As for the Cardinals (2-8), they listed safety Joey Blount, running backs Emari Demarcado and Michael Carter, offensive lineman Dennis Daley, defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter and wide receivers Zach Pascal and Michael Wilson as inactives.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Noah Brown (85) gains yardage after a second quarter catch defended by Baltimore Ravens safety Ar   Darius Washington (29) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Texans to activate WR Noah Brown off IR

Texans wide receiver Noah Brown is expected to be activated off injured reserve for Sunday’s game against the visiting New Orleans Saints, according to a report Saturday from KPRC 2 in Houston.

Brown, 27, was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 13 with a groin injury. On Wednesday, he was designated to return from IR, opening up a three-week window for Brown to practice with the team before being added to the 53-man roster.

Brown participated in three full practices this week.

He hasn’t played in a game since he had three receptions for 20 yards in Week 1 at Baltimore. Brown played 52 snaps in the 25-9 loss to the Ravens.

Selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Brown signed with the Texans as a free agent this past offseason. He had a career-best 43 receptions for 555 yards as the Cowboys’ No. 2 wide receiver in 2022.

In total, Brown has 85 receptions for 1,000 yards in 67 games (18 starts) with the Cowboys and Texans.

–Field Level Media