NFL Player News

Downs (toe) didn't practice Thursday.

Downs didn't practice Wednesday, either, so what he's able to do Friday will be telling with regard to his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Titans. With Michael Pittman (back) reportedly a candidate to miss multiple games, Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell are currently the Colts' top healthy wideout options ahead of Week 6 action.

Nabers (concussion) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Nabers hasn't practiced since suffering a concussion in the waning moments of the Giants' Week 4 loss to the Cowboys on Thursday, Sept. 26. Coach Brian Daboll even told Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports on Thursday that Nabers didn't make any progress through the protocol for head injuries from one day prior. Nabers was seen on a stationary bike Thursday, but it was the only activity he managed after running and taking part in other football-related drills Wednesday, per Dan Duggan of The Athletic. Despite having one more session remaining during Week 6 prep, Nabers thus seems to be trending in the wrong direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Hollins (shoulder) was limited at practice Thursday.

Meanwhile, Khalil Shakir (ankle) didn't practice, while Curtis Samuel (toe) was limited Thursday, signaling that the trio's status will need to be monitored ahead of Monday night's game against the Jets. Hollins likely will need to progress to a full session by Saturday in order the avoid a Week 6 injury designation.

Shakir (ankle) didn't practice Thursday.

Shakir didn't practice last week before sitting out this past Sunday's loss to the Texans, so his continued absence Thursday clouds his status for Monday night's game against the Jets. The wideout now has two more chances to return to the field ahead of the contest, but if Shakir remains sidelined Week 6, Keon Coleman, Mack Hollins (shoulder), Curtis Samuel (toe) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling would be in line to lead the team's WR corps versus New York, pending the availability of Hollins and Samuel, who were limited Thursday.

Pickens said Thursday that it was offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's decision to restrict his snaps during Sunday's 20-17 loss to Dallas, NFL.com's Nick Shook reports.

Pickens still was consistently on the field for three-wide formations, but he took just one of 20 snaps (5 percent) in 12 personnel, after getting 79 percent of those snaps Weeks 1-4. Smith curiously used 162-pound Calvin Austin and 174-pound Scotty Miller as the 12 personnel wideouts alongside Van Jefferson, which suggests Pickens' lack of playing time may have been related to effort or fatigue avoidance rather than his actual ability as a blocker. Pickens ran half-hearted routes a few times during Sunday's loss, fueling speculation that the Steelers are displeased with his effort and body language. The team may have a point, but what they don't have is another legitimate receiving threat out wide. Pickens saw a team-high seven targets Sunday night even with the reduced playing time, and coach Mike Tomlin said after the game that he thought minimizing the wideout's reps might actually help his productivity. None of this is ideal for fantasy managers, but Pickens is still a clear favorite to lead his team in targets during Sunday's game in Las Vegas.

Shaheed (hip) was seen during the team stretch prior to Thursday's practice, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Having said that, Shaheed then left the field, indicating he's poised for a second straight absence to kick off Week 6 prep. His activity level, or lack thereof, will be known once the Saints post their next practice report later Thursday.

Johnson (ankle) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Johnson played through the same injury and handled his normal workload in Sunday's loss to the Bears, after logging limited practices Thursday and Friday last week. He's now been a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday this week, giving him one last chance to upgrade to 'full' before Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Pittman (back) didn't participate in practice Thursday, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.

Pittman, who also didn't practice Wednesday, was an observer during Thursday's session, which isn't surprising considering a report via James Boyd of The Athletic that the wideout's back injury could sideline him for multiple weeks. Further context regarding Pittman's status should come from the Colts at some point, but if he's forced to miss time, Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell likely would see added snaps alongside Josh Downs, provided a toe issue that caused Downs to miss practice Wednesday doesn't impact his Week 6 availability.

Samuel (foot/toe) is participating in practice Thursday, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Samuel missed Wednesday's session due to foot and toe injuries, but he's back on the field in at least a limited capacity Thursday. That bodes well for the versatile veteran WR's odds of returning to health in time for Monday's divisional matchup against the Jets, though definitive word on Samuel's status for Week 6 may not arrive until Saturday's final official practice of the week.

Giants coach Brian Daboll said Nabers didn't make progress through concussion protocol between Wednesday and Thursday, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.

It hints at a second straight absence, although Nabers still has a couple days to advance through the protocol before Sunday night's matchup with the Bengals. He was limited to side work Wednesday and listed as a non-participant on the injury report.