NFL Player News

Downs (groin/toe) practiced fully Thursday.

Downs and Michael Pittman (back) were deemed non-participants Wednesday, but both players practiced fully a day later, which sets the stage for the duo to be available alongside fellow WR Alec Pierce on Sunday against the Texans. In five games to date overall, Downs has compiled a 28-242-2 line on 38 targets, though in QB Anthony Richardson's return to action in the Colts' Week 7 win over the Dolphins, the 2023 third-rounder caught just one of his three targets for three yards. An uptick in Downs' production this weekend is plausible, though it remains to be seen if he'll be able to match the pace he put up while Joe Flacco worked as the team's signal caller.

The Rams activated Nacua (knee) from injured reserve Thursday ahead of a Week 8 matchup with the Vikings, but he remains questionable for that contest, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, there's an expectation that Nacua will be able to play Thursday, but the Rams won't make a decision until they see how he fares in pregame warmups. Nacua made a speedy recovery from the PCL sprain in his right knee that he suffered Week 1, but both he and Cooper Kupp (ankle) should be back in action for the Rams in Week 8.

Pittman (back) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Last week, Pittman sandwiched missed practices Wednesday and Friday around a full session Thursday before playing in Sunday's 16-10 win over the Dolphins and finishing with three catches on 63 yards on five targets. He may be following a similar path this week, as he sat out Wednesday's session before logging every rep Thursday. The Colts will wait and see what Pittman is able to do during Friday's practice before determining whether he'll avoid a designation or take a questionable tag into this Sunday's matchup with the Texans.

Ridley (foot) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Ridley missed Wednesday's practice, so what the wideout is able to do Friday will be pivotal with regard to his chances of playing against the Lions on Sunday. With DeAndre Hopkins having been traded to the Chiefs, Ridley has a chance to pick up the pace in terms of his production in the coming weeks, but first he'll need to move past his foot issue.

Thielen (hamstring) was limited in practice Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Since Carolina designated him for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Thielen has managed a pair of capped sessions as he closes in on his recovery from the right hamstring injury that he suffered back in Week 3. Fellow WR Diontae Johnson hasn't practiced this week due to a rib issue, so the team may feel compelled to get Thielen back in the lineup Sunday in Denver if Johnson isn't able to suit up. Ultimately, the Panthers will need to activate Thielen from IR by Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET for him to have a chance to play this weekend.

Johnson didn't practice Thursday due to a rib injury, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Johnson was listed as a non-participant Wednesday for non-injury-related/rest reasons in addition to the rib issue, but the Panthers' latest practice reports attributes his absence Thursday only to the injury. He'll still have another chance to log some practice reps before the Panthers potentially make a decision on his availability for Sunday's game at Denver. For his part, Johnson said after Thursday's practice that he believes he'll be ready to play this weekend, per David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Toney (undisclosed), who is a member of the Browns' practice squad, is back at practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Toney has practiced both Wednesday and Thursday, and he looks healthy after having missed over a month due to an undisclosed injury. With Amari Cooper now a member of the Bills, Toney may be a candidate to elevate from the practice squad and bolster Cleveland's wide-receiver corps as early as Sunday versus the Ravens.

The NFL officially suspended Williams two games for violating the league's policy regarding performance-enhancing substances Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Initial word of the suspension leaked Monday via Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com, and shortly after Williams announced through his agency Alliance Sports Management on Thursday that he won't appeal the ban, it became official. Williams thus will be out Week 8 against the Titans and Week 9 in Green Bay, after which he'll be eligible for reinstatement Nov. 4. In the meantime, Tim Patrick, Kalif Raymond and Allen Robinson will be the candidates for reps behind top wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Williams announced via his agency Alliance Sports Management on Thursday that he won't appeal his two-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Williams thus will be absent this Sunday against the Titans and Week 9 at Green Bay, making his next possible game action Sunday, Nov. 10 in Houston. While Williams is sidelined, the Lions will lean on Tim Patrick, Kalif Raymond and Allen Robinson alongside top wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Flowers (ankle) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Jonas Shaffer of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

He'll go down as a non-participant for the second practice in a row, clouding his status for Sunday's game in Cleveland. The Ravens will wait and see what, if anything, Flowers can do during Friday's practice before determining whether he'll be cleared to play against the Browns, carry a designation into the weekend or be ruled out for the contest. A potential Flowers absence Sunday would likely free up more targets for receivers Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor and tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.