NFL Player News

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.

Reed (calf) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

After sitting out Wednesday's session due to a calf injury, Reed took a step forward with some on-field reps one day later. He'll have one more chance to return to all activity Friday before the Packers potentially give him a designation ahead of Sunday's game in Tennessee. Elsewhere in the offense, Jordan Love (knee) has cobbled together back-to-back limited practices, and coach Matt LaFleur noted Thursday that the quarterback may be a game-time decision this weekend, per Ryan Wood of USA Today. If Love is able to complete his recovery from a sprained MCL early and relegate Malik Willis to clipboard duty Sunday, an active Reed likely would regain the fantasy sway that he lost with Willis under center Week 2.

Westbrook-Ikhine played 10 of the Titans' 66 snaps on offense and didn't draw a target in Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Jets.

After logging at least half of the Titans' snaps in 12 of his 14 appearances in 2023, Westbrook-Ikhine has seen his playing time diminish under Tennessee's new coaching staff. The offseason additions of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd have pushed him down the depth chart, but Westbrook-Ikhine hasn't taken advantage of DeAndre Hopkins being limited to 26- and 43-percent snap shares in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively, while easing back in from a knee injury that surfaced in training camp. Westbrook-Ikhine has yet to draw a target through two games, and his involvement in the passing game isn't likely to increase with Hopkins' playing time only expected to rise in the weeks to come.

Hyatt failed to draw a target while playing 12 of the Giants' 56 snaps on offense in Sunday's 21-18 loss to the Commanders.

With Malik Nabers, Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton solidified as the Giants' starting wideout trio, Hyatt has been unable to make much of an impression in the box score through the first two weeks of the season. After failing to secure his lone target in the Giants' Week 1 loss to the Vikings, Hyatt didn't draw any looks from quarterback Daniel Jones in Week 2. Hyatt will likely need one of the aforementioned receivers to miss time before he handles a more meaningful snap count.

Odunze (knee) was limited in practice Thursday.

Odunze now has a pair of capped sessions under his belt this week, which is one more than he managed during Week 2 prep before he was able to suit up this past Sunday in Houston. With Keenan Allen (heel) sidelined for that contest, Odunze earned 66 of 70 offensive snaps, but the huge workload didn't amount to much for him in the box score (two catches for 33 yards on five targets). Allen hasn't practiced this week and thus seems to be trending toward another absence Sunday at Indianapolis, so Odunze would be in line for another key spot in the Bears' receiving corp this weekend, assuming he's active.

Allen (heel) didn't participate in practice Thursday.

Allen was listed with a heel injury during Week 1 prep but still suited up in the Bears' season-opening win against the Titans, turning 11 targets into four catches for 29 yards. Since then, he hasn't logged any practice reps and also didn't play Week 2 at Houston. As such, Allen may need to mix into drills Friday to give him a chance to be available Sunday in Indianapolis.

Palmer (calf/elbow) did not practice Thursday.

Palmer played through a knee issue during the Chargers' win over the Panthers in Week 2, but he's now missed consecutive practices while being listed with two new injuries. He was at least present for Thursday's session, with Daniel Popper of The Athletic noting that Palmer was working out off to the side. Palmer will still need to upgrade to at least limited practice participation Friday in the Chargers' final session of the week to have a chance at playing Sunday in Pittsburgh.