NFL Player News

Downs (shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Downs missed the Colts' 25-24 win over the Patriots in Week 13 due to a right shoulder injury, but he seems to have benefited from a well-timed bye in Week 14. Though he was eased back into practice Wednesday in a limited fashion, Downs' ability to take every rep Thursday clears the way for him to play Sunday in Denver. Before missing the win over the Patriots, Downs saw his numbers take a bit of a hit in the previous two contests while Anthony Richardson took back the starting quarterback role from Joe Flacco. In those two games, Downs produced an 8-111-1 receiving line on 12 targets.

Pickens (hamstring) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.

Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com, head coach Mike Tomlin indicated Tuesday that there's an "outside chance" Pickens can play Sunday against the Eagles. The wideout has one more chance to practice in advance of the contest, but it's plausible that Pickens could be ruled out as soon as Friday. If Pickens remains sidelined versus Philadelphia, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Mike Williams and Scotty Miller would be in line to lead Pittsburgh's Week 15 WR corps.

Nabers (hip) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Nabers hasn't been a full participant in any of the Giants' last four practices, but he appears to be in a better spot in the health front this week. He's turned in a pair of limited practices to begin Week 15 prep, whereas he sat out last Friday's session entirely before being deemed questionable ahead of last Sunday's game against the Saints. Nabers ultimately suited up for a 14-11 loss to New Orleans and played 93 percent of the offensive snaps on his way to five receptions for 79 yards on 10 targets, and he apparently emerged from that contest no worse for the wear. Even if Nabers remains limited in the Giants' final practice of the week Friday and takes a designation into Sunday's game against the Ravens, he should still be in good position to play.

Boyd (foot) is participating in the portion of Thursday's practice open to the media, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Boyd didn't practice Wednesday due to a foot injury, but he's resumed handling at least limited activity Thursday. On 47 targets cross 13 appearances this season, Boyd has racked up 33 catches for 317 yards. He has yet to score his first touchdown in a Titans uniform. If he's able to get healthy in time for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Boyd will continue contributing in a depth role on offense, as well as in the return game.

Baker (concussion) is not practicing Thursday, Taylor Kyles of CLNSMedia.com reports.

Baker remains in the five-step concussion protocol following New England's bye, and he has yet to progress to stage which would allow him to resume handling restricted practice reps. The rookie fourth-round pick, who has yet to record a reception across eight regular-season appearances, looks to be trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Coker (quadriceps) practiced fully Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Coker kicked off Week 15 prep with a full session, as he did one week prior, but he was able to maintain that activity level this time around after being limited last Thursday and a non-participant one day later. He ultimately missed a third straight game this past Sunday at Philadelphia due to a quadriceps injury. On Wednesday, coach Dave Canales told Steve Reed of the Associated Press that Coker has been able to attack his routes this week, something that was missing in advance of Week 14 action, and with back-to-back uncapped sessions now under his belt, he's set to suit up for the first time since Week 10.

Dulin (ankle) is not participating in the portion of Thursday's practice open to the media, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Dulin hasn't played since Week 12 due to an ankle injury, and despite the Colts being fresh off a bye, it appears the depth wideout is trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's road matchup against the Broncos. If Dulin is indeed unable to suit up versus Denver, his absence will most be felt by Indianapolis on special teams.

Evans (hamstring) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Evans didn't take any reps during Wednesday's walk-through session and looks set to be listed as a non-participant on the Buccaneers' second straight practice report. While the lack of activity at this stage of the week is normally a worrisome sign for a player's chances of playing Sunday, Evans started Week 14 prep in a similar fashion before suiting up for Tampa Bay's 28-13 win over Las Vegas and finishing with four catches for 69 yards on five targets while playing 85 percent of the offensive snaps. If he continues to mirror his participation from last week, Evans will be limited in Friday's session, which could be enough for him to avoid carrying a designation into Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Sterling (foot) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

With a pair of absences to begin Week 15 prep, Shepard's status for Sunday's game against the Chargers is looking shaky. The veteran wideout will likely need to practice in some fashion Friday just to carry a questionable tag into the weekend, while another missed practice would likely result in him being ruled out for Sunday's game. Shepard hasn't topped a 52 percent snap share in any of Tampa Bay's last three contests but has nonetheless seen his involvement in the passing game increase, as he's put together a 13-121-0 receiving line on 20 targets during that stretch.

The Buccaneers announced Thursday that Johnson (ankle) has been designated to return from IR, opening his 21-day practice window, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Johnson has been sidelined since Week 5 due to an ankle injury. Now having been cleared to practice, Johnson can be activated fully from IR and to the 53-man roster at any point during his 21-day window, making him eligible to retake the field as early as Sunday versus the Chargers. The undrafted rookie drew just one target while handling a depth role in his first four NFL games.