NFL Player News

Means secured three of five targets for 37 yards in the Saints' 33-10 loss to the Broncos on Thursday night.

Means found himself in an expanded role with Chris Olave (concussion), Rashid Shaheed (knee) and Taysom Hill (ribs) all sidelined, and he finished tied for second in receptions and fourth in receiving yards. The rookie fifth-round pick went without a catch for the first four games of his career, but he's now generated an 8-82-1 line on 13 targets over the last pair of contests. Means could be in for extra opportunity again in a Week 8 road matchup against the Chargers on Sunday, Oct. 27 with Shaheed now ruled out for the season.

Tipton secured six of nine targets for 45 yards and returned one kickoff for 21 yards in the Saints' 33-10 loss to the Broncos on Thursday night.

The undrafted rookie from Yale unsurprisingly saw a significantly extended role with Chris Olave (concussion), Rashid Shaheed (knee) and Taysom Hill (ribs) all out for New Orleans. Tipton came into the night with a 6-40 line on 11 targets over his first five games, so his numbers Thursday essentially matched what he'd accomplished as a pro to date. The solid performance could be a sign of what's to come for Tipton the rest of the season, as Shaheed has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.

Sutton did not draw a target during the Broncos' 33-10 win over the Saints on Thursday night.

The Broncos' No. 1 wideout was shockingly uninvolved in a game during which his team enjoyed a solid amount of offensive success, although Sutton did draw a target late in the first quarter that didn't end up in the box score due to the Saints' defensive holding penalty on the play. Given he'd drawn an impressive 47 targets from Bo Nix over the first six games, Thursday can safely be chalked up as an outlier for Sutton, who'll be well-positioned for a bounce-back performance during a Week 8 home matchup against the Panthers on Sunday, Oct. 27.

Vele secured one of three targets for 20 yards in the Broncos' 33-10 win over the Saints on Thursday night.

The rookie made an impact with his one catch, although his final line was underwhelming in comparison to his performance against the Chargers just four days prior. Vele had posted a 4-78 line on six targets in that contest, but in fairness, Bo Nix was required to do less in the passing game Thursday night than he did versus Los Angeles. Vele's production will likely remain difficult to trust week to week, but he'll draw a good matchup against the Panthers in a Week 8 home clash on Sunday, Oct. 27.

Franklin secured five of six targets for 50 yards in the Broncos' 33-10 win over the Saints on Thursday night.

Franklin led the Broncos across the board in receiving stats, setting the pace in receptions, receiving yards and targets. The rookie also tallied a team-high 30-yard catch, and all of his metrics Thursday qualified as season/career highs. The one-time college teammate of Bo Nix appears to be upping his NFL chemistry with the rookie signal-caller heading into a favorable Week 8 home matchup against the Panthers on Sunday, Oct. 27.

Pearsall (chest) practiced fully Thursday.

As for the rest of the 49ers' receiving corps, Deebo Samuel (wrist) again was limited Thursday while wearing a blue non-contract jersey, and Jauan Jennings (hip) has yet to practice this week. That marks two of the team's top three wide receivers, which may spur San Francisco to get Pearsall back on the active roster for the first time since Sept. 2. Friday's injury report will unveil whether he has a designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Chiefs, but the 49ers will need to activate him from the reserve/non-football injury list by 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday in order for the rookie first-round pick to have a chance to play this weekend.

Shenault (back) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Shenault didn't practice Wednesday due to a back injury he presumably sustained during the Seahawks' Week 6 loss to the 49ers. He was able to practice without restrictions Thursday, however, and he should be good to go for Sunday's contest against Atlanta, barring any setbacks. Shenault has primarily served as Seattle's lead kick returner, and he returned a kickoff 97 yards for his first touchdown of the season against San Francisco.

Whittington (shoulder) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Whittington now has put together back-to-back capped sessions out of the Rams' Week 6 bye due to a shoulder injury that he sustained Week 5 against the Packers. Friday's practice report likely will give a sense of Whittington's odds to suit up Sunday versus the Raiders, a contest in which fellow WR Cooper Kupp (ankle), who also has been limited Wednesday and Thursday, may return to action. If both players are able to play this weekend, Whittington likely would take a step back in terms of target share.

Kupp (ankle) was limited in practice Thursday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

During the open portion of Thursday's session, Kupp seemed to be mimicking his activity level from one day prior, which has been confirmed on the Rams' second Week 7 injury report. He's seeking to return to action for the first time since Week 2, when he initially suffered a left high-ankle sprain. Coach Sean McVay told Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com on Wednesday that Kupp was "trending in the right direction, but we'll see exactly what that means as the week progresses." Ultimately, Friday's report will unveil how much of a chance Kupp has to suit up again Sunday against the Raiders.

Lockett didn't practice Thursday due to a knee injury, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Lockett previously operated with the occasional cap on his practice reps from Weeks 1-5 due to a thigh issue, so his absence Thursday can be attributed to a new health concern. Considering he showed up on the Seahawks' injury report in the middle of the week, he may be in danger of sitting out Sunday's game in Atlanta. Still, Friday's report could provide some clarity on Lockett's chances to suit up this weekend.