NFL Player News

Thielen (hamstring) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Broncos, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Thielen, who remains on IR, logged two limited sessions after having his 21-day practice window opened, but he downgraded to a DNP listing Friday. With Diontae Johnson (rib) also ruled out for Week 8, quarterback Bryce Young will have to overcome a depleted receiving corps in his return to the starting lineup. Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, David Moore and Jonathan Mingo will have to serve as Young's available wideouts versus a stingy Denver secondary led by star cornerback Patrick Surtain.

Johnson (ribs) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Broncos, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Johnson missed a trio of practices leading up to Week 8 action, and despite saying Thursday that he believed he'd be available versus Denver, the No. 1 wideout officially will be sidelined. Adam Thielen (IR, hamstring), who returned to practice this week, also has been ruled out, while second-year quarterback Bryce Young will start. That will leave Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, David Moore and Jonathan Mingo as the Panthers' top available wide receivers Sunday, with Johnson's next chance to take the field coming Week 9 against the Saints.

Flowers (ankle) returned to practice Friday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Flowers didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, but the wideout's return to the field Friday is a good sign regarding his availability for Sunday's game against the Browns. The Ravens' upcoming injury report will clarify whether Flowers heads into the weekend with an injury designation or fully cleared for Week 8 action.

Thornton, who has been a healthy scratch the last two games, is in line to be active Sunday against the Jets, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Per head coach Jerod Mayo, Thornton has "had a great week of practice. Hopefully it translates." With Ja'Lynn Polk dealing with a concussion, Thornton should have an opportunity to work into the Patriots' wideout rotation Week 8 behind DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte and Kendrick Bourne, but until the speedster puts up some consistent production he's off the fantasy lineup radar. In five games thus far, Thornton has caught two of his five targets for 27 yards.

Head coach Sean McDermott noted Friday that Samuel (pectoral) will be out for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

Samuel didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday due to a pectoral injury, with his next chance to see game action arriving Nov. 3 against the Dolphins. In his absence this weekend, Amari Cooper, Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman are in line to lead the Bills' Week 8 WR corps, with Mack Hollins (shoulder) -- if available -- and presumably a practice-squad elevation or two on hand in reserve.

Atwell secured one of two targets for 18 yards in the Rams' 30-20 win over the Vikings on Thursday night.

With Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) both returning from multi-game absences Thursday, Atwell predictably saw his opportunities narrow considerably. The fourth-year speedster had generated a 20-284-0 line on 30 targets over the previous four games, but he figures to continue in a hard-to-trust reserve role when the Rams face off with the Seahawks on the road in a Week 9 divisional battle on Sunday, Nov. 3.

Addison brought in two of three targets for 22 yards in the Vikings' 30-20 loss to the Rams on Thursday night.

Addison was once again a bit player in the air attack, with the likes of Aaron Jones, Josh Oliver and Jalen Nailor all recording the same amount of receptions as the second-year wideout. Addison hasn't topped three receptions or 72 yards in any game this season, and he's now logged four or fewer targets in four of five contests. Addison's next opportunity to revert to his 2023 production comes in a favorable Week 9 home matchup against the Colts on Sunday night, Nov. 3.

Robinson secured two of three targets for 35 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams' 30-20 win over the Vikings on Thursday night.

Robinson was third in receptions and receiving yards on the night for the Rams, but he maximized his two catches by recording key touchdown grabs of 25 and 10 yards in the third and fourth quarters, respectively, erasing a three-point deficit with the first and extending a one-point lead with the second. Robinson had mustered modest production during the absences of Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee), so it was somewhat ironic his first multi-touchdown game since Week 2 of the 2019 season unfolded in the duo's return to action. Despite the success Thursday, Robinson will be difficult to rely on in a Week 9 road matchup against the Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 3.

Kupp (ankle) brought in five of eight targets for 51 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' 30-20 win over the Vikings on Thursday night.

Kupp was second to fellow returnee Puka Nacua (knee) across the board in his receiving line, but the former was the only one of the two to find the end zone. Kupp recorded a seven-yard touchdown grab early in the second quarter, the second score of his injury-shortened campaign. Provided trade rumors that have been circulating about Kupp prove inaccurate, the veteran wideout should once again be in for a key role during a Week 9 road matchup against the division-rival Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 3.

Nacua (knee) secured seven of nine targets for 106 yards and rushed twice for five yards in the Rams' 30-20 win over the Vikings on Thursday night.

Nacua didn't miss a beat in his return from a five-game absence, serving as the team leader in receptions, receiving yards and targets. Nacua was involved quickly, as he was the target on the Rams' first play from scrimmage and recorded a 13-yard grab on the second play, as well as a 21-yard catch later in the drive. The second-year wideout appears back to full health and conditioning clearly doesn't seem to be an issue, making Nacua an elite fantasy asset heading into a Week 9 road matchup against the Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 3.