NFL Player News

Barner (knee) did not practice Wednesday, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

While Barner's knee injury kept him from practicing Wednesday, it's nonetheless a step in the right direction that he appears to have cleared the concussion protocol. If he's able to get healthy in time for Sunday's game against Texans, Barner will retake his usual role as Atlanta's top kick and punt returner.

Coach Pete Carroll said Thursday that Penny will be available Thursday versus the Rams, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Penny missed Seattle's last two games due to a lingering hamstring injury, but he now appears back to full health and ready to retake the field. The 2018 first-round pick stands to play his usual role as a complement to backfield mate Chris Carson during Thursday Night Football. He'll attempt to make the most of his explosive skill set against Los Angeles' stout defensive front.

Conner (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

Conner hurt his ankle this past Monday against the Bengals and was mentioned Wednesday by coach Mike Tomlin as one of the Steelers who "may be limited some this week," whose "practice participation and the quality of it (will) be our guide in terms of their game availability." If Conner is less than 100 percent or ruled out for Sunday's game against the Ravens, added work would be available for Jaylen Samuels, as well as Benny Snell, to a lesser degree.

Williams (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Almost a week removed from the hit to the head he took from Eagles defensive lineman Derek Barnett, Williams doesn't appear to be in a good spot in his journey through the concussion protocol. Williams also suffered a neck injury on the play in question, so there's no telling when he'll gain clearance from both the team's medical staff in addition to an independent neurologist. With Williams' status for Week 5 in Dallas up in the air, the Packers' backfield boasts Aaron Jones, rookie Dexter Williams and fullback Danny Vitale.

Mack (ankle) wasn't present for Wednesday's practice, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.

Mack's ankle injury has been downplayed, but his absence from practice Wednesday means that his status will need to be monitored as Sunday's game against the Chiefs approaches. Next up for reps behind Mack at running back are Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines.

Coach Pat Shurmur relayed Wednesday that Barkley is "progressing" through his high right ankle sprain. "I don't know yet," Shurmur said, when asked about Barkley's availability for Sunday's game against the Vikings. "It's one of those things, we'll see how fast he comes back."

According to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, Barkley didn't practice Wednesday, but Shurmur leaked that the running back took part in some individual drills. Because Barkley's activity didn't rise to the level of limited participation on the Giants' first Week 5 injury report, he doesn't seem to be trending toward a return Sunday. Still, both Shurmur and Barkley have intimated that the standout back will outpace his initial recovery timeline of at least four weeks, so his status in practice will be monitored closely to see when he takes the next step.

Williams (knee) will practice in some capacity Wednesday, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

The extent of Williams' participation won't be known until after practice concludes, but his involvement in any capacity is a positive early sign with regard to his chances of playing Sunday against the Colts. Williams hadn't practiced since suffering a right knee bruise Week 2, clearing the way for LeSean McCoy and Darrel Williams to handle heightened roles the past two games.

Jacobs was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to an elbow injury.

The severity of Jacobs' injury isn't fully known, but it's certainly a positive sign that he wasn't held out of practice entirely. Jacobs' participation level in practices Thursday and Friday will warrant close monitoring as Sunday's tilt against the Bears approaches. The rookie first-round pick has notched at least 99 total yards in three of the Raiders' four games this season.

Singletary (hamstring) will be a limited practice participant Wednesday, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports.

Singletary previously turned in limited practices last Thursday and Friday before he was ultimately ruled out in a game-time decision prior to Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Patriots. He seems to have a decent shot at returning Week 5 in Tennessee, though it will be hard to have any confidence unless he returns to full participation Thursday and/or Friday. Singletary's eventual return could push T.J. Yeldon out of a passing-down role, in addition to threatening some of Frank Gore's workload on the ground.

Barkley (ankle) did some light running and change-of-direction work Wednesday under the supervision of the Giants' training staff, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Barkley plans to beat his estimated recovery timeline -- which has been reported as 4-to-6 weeks or 4-to-8 weeks -- and is already taking a small first step in the right direction. His activity Wednesday doesn't mean he's close to returning to practice, but it lends some credence to the notion that his youth and freakish athleticism could allow for a quicker-than-usual rehab process. In any case, the Giants will roll with Wayne Gallman and Jon Hilliman in their backfield for Week 5 against Minnesota.