NFL Player News

Brown (hamstring) didn't take part in Thursday's practice.

Brown unsurprisingly has kicked off Week 3 prep with back-to-back absences due to a hamstring concern that he expects will sideline him for a few weeks. Friday's injury report may rule him out ahead of Sunday's contest at New Orleans, which would mark a second DNP in a row as a result of the issue he sustained in practice last Friday.

Jefferson (quadricep) remained a limited participant in practice Thursday for the second day in a row, but he said afterward that he "for sure" plans to play Sunday against the Texans, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Jefferson is tending to a bruised right quad in the aftermath of Sunday's win over the 49ers, but he said his body feels "great," and he's continuing to work with the Minnesota training staff to ensure he's in optimal condition by the weekend. A blowout win over the Giants in Week 2 and the injury in Week 2 have played a part in limiting Jefferson to six and seven targets in those respective contests, but he still ranks in the top five in the NFL in both receiving yards (192) and receiving touchdowns (two) through the first two weeks of the season.

Vele (ribs) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Vele failed to practice in any fashion last week before sitting out Denver's 13-6 loss to Pittsburgh. However, after opening Week 3 prep with a limited practice Wednesday and then taking every rep a day later, Vele looks on track to return to action Sunday at Tampa Bay. The rookie seventh-round pick served as Denver's No. 3 receiver in the Week 1 loss to the Seahawks, notching eight receptions for 39 yards on eight targets.

Reynolds (Achilles) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

For the third week in a row, Reynolds appears on Denver's injury report with a listed Achilles issue, but he has yet to miss a game and is once again on track to play Sunday in Tampa after getting a full practice under his belt. Through his first two games with Denver, Reynolds has produced a 9-138-0 receiving line on 13 targets. His reception and receiving yardage totals are tops among Denver pass catchers, while his target count trails only Courtland Sutton (16).

Collins (hip/foot) was a limited participant at practice Thursday.

Collins didn't practice Wednesday, but his return to the field Thursday in a limited capacity bodes well for his chances of being available Sunday against the Vikings. The wideout will presumably need to practice fully Friday, however, in order to avoid taking an injury designation into Sunday.

Addison (ankle) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice.

Addison has yet to practice since hurting his right ankle Week 1, likely meaning he'll have to log at least a limited session Friday to give him a chance to return to action Sunday versus the Texans. Meanwhile, fellow wide receiver Justin Jefferson (quadriceps) was limited for a second day in a row, at least providing him more legitimate odds to be active Week 3. Friday's injury report should be telling for the statuses of both Addison and Jefferson heading into the weekend.

Thrash (illness) was a limited participant during practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Thrash wasn't able to practice at all Wednesday, so this is a step in the right direction for the rookie. However, even if he regains full health in time for Sunday's matchup with the Giants, there's no guarantee he'll play, as the Louisville product has been a healthy scratch in each of the Browns' first two games.

Jefferson (quadriceps) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Jefferson maintained his activity level from Wednesday's session as he tends to the bruised right quadriceps that he picked up late in the third quarter of this past Sunday's win against the 49ers. Both the wide receiver and coach Kevin O'Connell have expressed optimism in the meantime that the injury isn't serious, but Jefferson now has just one more session this week to prove his health ahead the weekend. In the end, Jefferson appears destined to have a designation for Sunday's game versus the Texans.

Higgins (hamstring) returned to a limited practice Thursday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Per Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer, this marks the first time that Higgins has been able to practice since Sept. 5, when he tweaked his hamstring ahead of Week 1 action. While the wideout's return to the field Thursday is an encouraging development, Conway adds that the Bengals plan to make sure Higgins can get through a full week of practice before deciding if he can play Monday night against the Commanders, with coach Zac Taylor noting that the extra day ahead of the contest helps Higgins' case to be able to make his regular-season debut in Week 3.

Samuel (calf) won't practice Thursday, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

With Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) out Weeks 1 and 2, Samuel was getting some run out of the 49ers backfield in addition to his work as a receiver. Overall, Samuel had 23 touches for 177 yards from scrimmage and one rushing touchdown before he strained his right calf in the waning moments of this past Sunday's loss in Minnesota. Coach Kyle Shanahan relayed Monday that Samuel is in line for a multi-game absence, and George Kittle (hamstring) joined him on the injury report Thursday as a non-participant, leaving San Francisco potentially down three of its top skill-position talents Week 3. Currently, WR Brandon Aiyuk is the lone healthy regular, while Jauan Jennings, Chris Conley, Ronnie Bell and Jacob Cowing are the other options at the position on the active roster.