NFL Player News

Higgins (quad) isn't practicing Thursday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

The report does note that Higgins, who didn't practice Wednesday, either, was present Thursday for rehab work. The wideout thus has one more chance to practice in advance of Sunday's game against the Raiders, but if Higgins is out this weekend, Jermaine Burton and Trenton Irwin would be in line to see added snaps, as they did Week 8 when Higgins was inactive.

Downs (toe) returned to practice Thursday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Along with receiver Michael Pittman (back), Downs continues to have his practice reps managed, but his return to Thursday's session has him on track to suit up Sunday against the Vikings. So long as Downs upgrades to full practice participation Thursday and/or Friday, he should approach the Week 9 game without a designation.

Pittman (back) returned to practice Thursday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

The same applies to fellow WR Josh Downs (toe), as the Colts continue to manage the duo's practice reps. Thursday's injury report will reveal Pittman's official participation level, but it's worth noting that a week ago he advanced to full participation after missing Wednesday's session.

Smith-Schuster (hamstring) won't practice Thursday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Smith-Schuster, who was inactive for this past Sunday's win over the Raiders, didn't practice ahead of that contest, and his continued absence from Thursday's session clouds his status for Monday night's game against the Buccaneers. If Smith-Schuster remains sidelined in Week 9, Xavier Worthy, DeAndre Hopkins and Justin Watson would be in line to lead the Chiefs' WR corps versus Tampa Bay.

The Bills signed Cain to the practice squad Thursday.

Cain hasn't suited up for NFL regular-season action since 2020 when he played two games with the Steelers, but he's recorded 65 receptions for 787 yards and eight touchdowns in the regular season and postseason across the last two springs with the USFL/UFL's Birmingham Stallions. Now, the 2018 sixth-round pick will compete to carve out a deep depth role with Buffalo.

Chark (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Chark has been regularly listed as limited since having his 21-day practice window opened. The veteran wide receiver hasn't yet played this season, but he should be nearing a return and might even be a candidate to suit up for Sunday's road game against the Browns. Chark will need to be activated from injured reserve before being eligible to make his Chargers debut, however.

McConkey (hip) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

McConkey continues to manage a hip issue, but with no reported setbacks coming out of this past Sunday's win over the Saints, the rookie might have had his reps capped Wednesday for maintenance reasons. He'll have two more chances to increase his practice participation and clear up any lingering concern about his health ahead of this weekend's game against the Browns.

Lockett was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to an oblique injury, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Lockett spent the first month of the season as a regular on Seattle practice reports due to a lingering thigh issue and then tended to a knee injury during Week 7 prep, so the current health concern is a new one. He'll have two more sessions this week to return to full participation or else risk entering the weekend with a designation for Sunday's divisional matchup with the Rams.

Johnston (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

Johnston has missed two straight contests, but his ability to continue practicing in a limited fashion offers hope that he could return to action Sunday against the Browns. Once he's cleared to play again, Johnston will bolster a Chargers wideout corps that also features Ladd McConkey (hip) and Joshua Palmer. In the five games he's played this season, Johnston has hauled in 14 of his 22 targets for 164 yards and three touchdowns.

Rice (shoulder) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Rice was a healthy scratch for the Chargers' Week 8 game against the Saints. It's unclear when he injured his shoulder, but it caused him to be limited during Wednesday's practice session. The rookie seventh-round pick will have two more chances this week to increase his practice participation before Sunday's game against the Browns.