NFL Player News

Johnston (ankle) remained sidelined at practice Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Johnston, who was inactive for Monday's 17-15 loss to the Cardinals, has now missed four straight practices, which clouds his status for Sunday's game against the Saints. If he's unable to suit up this weekend, Joshua Palmer, Ladd McConkey and Simi Fehoko would once again be in line to lead the Chargers' wideout corps.

Kupp (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Thursday's game against Minnesota, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Kupp is officially in the clear to make his first appearance since Week 2 after he was listed as a full participant in walk-throughs Monday and Tuesday and in Wednesday's practice. Fellow Rams wideout Puka Nacua (knee) is listed as questionable but has yet to be activated from injured reserve, while rookie receiver Jordan Whittington (shoulder) has been ruled out for the Week 8 contest.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Samuel (illness) won't practice Wednesday but still has a chance to play Sunday against the Cowboys, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Samuel played just four snaps during this past Sunday's loss to the Chiefs due to an illness, which was clarified as pneumonia by Shanahan on Monday. A stay in the hospital was ordered up for Samuel, but he was discharged Tuesday. Considering Shanahan's comments Wednesday, Samuel's status now will be one to watch this season, as the 49ers are particularly banged up at the skill positions at the moment.

Houston (undisclosed) signed with Tampa Bay's practice squad Wednesday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Houston was last with the Giants during training camp and was ultimately waived from injured reserve due to an undisclosed injury. Now healthy, the Western Illinois product will bolster the Buccaneers' organizational depth at wide receiver as the team deals with multiple injuries at the position.

Nacua (knee) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against Minnesota, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

The Rams designated Nacua for a return from injured reserve Tuesday and apparently have seen enough in practice from him to keep the door open for a Week 8 appearance. If nothing else, his questionable tag is a strong sign he's on track to play in a Week 9 matchup with the Seahawks on Nov. 3. Fellow Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Thursday's game.

Miller was signed to the Buccaneers' 53-man roster from their practice squad Wednesday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Miller suited up Week 6 against the Saints and will now likely see more opportunities in the weeks ahead. With Mike Evans (hamstring) expected to miss at least three games and Chris Godwin (ankle) expected to miss the rest of the season, there are plenty of opportunities up for grabs in Tampa Bay's receiving corps.

Downs didn't practice Wednesday due to groin and toe injuries.

Downs had missed the last two Wednesday practice sessions as he managed a toe issue, and while the wideout is still being listed with the toe injury, he's now also nursing a groin concern as Sunday's game against the Texans approaches. The wideout's status is thus worth tracking closely in the coming days, and his availability for the Week 8 contest could be in jeopardy if he doesn't resume practicing fully by Friday.

Thielen (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Thielen was designated to return from injured reserve earlier Wednesday and can now be activated to the roster at any point. It's unclear if the Panthers expect him to play this Sunday in Denver, but his fantasy outlook won't be especially robust if he's cleared to suit up for the first time since Week 3. In addition to potentially having his snaps managed coming off the injury, Thielen would be working with Bryce Young rather than Andy Dalton (thumb) at quarterback while also facing off against a strong Denver pass defense.

The 49ers placed Aiyuk (knee) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Aiyuk has a long rehab path ahead of him after suffering ACL and MCL tears in his right knee during Sunday's loss to the Chiefs. The 49ers are left with Deebo Samuel (illness) and Jauan Jennings (hip) as their top veteran wide receivers for the rest of the season, and it's unclear if either will be available this Sunday against the Cowboys. Rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing and second-year pro Ronnie Bell are all candidates for significant playing time in the near future, especially if veteran backup Chris Conley (ankle) also is unable to play.

Hollins (shoulder) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

Hollins saw minimal involvement in Amari Cooper's debut with the Bills in Week 7 against the Titans, as the former drew just one target in the 34-10 win. Even if Hollins upgrades to full participation later in the week and avoids an injury designation, he may not play a significant role Sunday in Seattle.