NFL Player News

Smith (ankle) wasn't spotted at the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Brooks Kubena of The Athletic reports.

One day removed from not taking part in Wednesday's walkthrough, Smith appears as if he'll log a second consecutive absence, which will be confirmed when the Eagles post their second injury report of Week 18 prep later Thursday. He's tending to a right ankle sprain that forced him to use crutches and wear a walking boot after this past Sunday's loss to the Cardinals, clouding his availability for Sunday's regular-season finale at the Giants.

Smith-Marsette (illness) was a full practice participant Thursday.

An illness kept Smith-Marsette off the practice field Wednesday, but the ailment didn't affect his on-field work whatsoever one day later. He's received at least one touch in four straight games, a stretch in which he's compiled six catches (on seven targets) for 31 yards and eight carries for 74 yards and one touchdown.

Chark (foot) practiced fully Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

After opening Week 18 prep with a capped session due to a foot issue Wednesday, Chark was able to handle every practice rep one day later, thereby paving the way for him to suit up Sunday against the Buccaneers. Back in Week 13, he hauled in three of four targets for 56 yards at Tampa Bay.

Hill (ankle/personal) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Hill, who has been managing an ankle issue, left Wednesday's practice early to tend to personal matters, and was deemed a limited participant on the Dolphins' subsequent injury report. With Hill absent from Thursday's session, what the star wideout is able to do Friday will provide key context with regard to his status ahead of Sunday night's game against the Bills.

Toney (hip/ankle) won't practice Thursday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Toney was limited Wednesday, so it remains to be seen if his lack of participation Thursday is indicative of load management or an injury setback. Given that the Chiefs are locked in as the AFC's No. 3 seed in the playoffs, Toney is a candidate to be held out this weekend if he approaches Week 18 action at less than 100 percent.

Rice (hamstring) won't practice Thursday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Rice also missed Wednesday's session, so the wideout now has one more opportunity to practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers. Either way, with the Chiefs locked into the AFC's No. 3 playoff seed, Rice is a candidate to be held out by the team in Week 18.

Cooper (heel) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Cooper -- who was inactive for last Thursday's win over the Jets -- also missed practiced Wednesday, so the veteran wideout now has one more chance to get some work in ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bengals. In any case, with the Browns locked in as the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs, Cooper is a candidate to be rested by the the team in Week 18.

Samuel isn't participating in Thursday's practice due to a hamstring injury, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Samuel appeared Wednesday on the Commanders' initial Week 18 injury report with the same hamstring issue, but he was a full participant in practice that day. The Commanders haven't relayed that Samuel experienced any setbacks in Wednesday's practice, so his absence one day later could well be maintenance-related. Either way, Samuel's status for Sunday's season finale against the Cowboys will gain some clarity by his participation -- or lack thereof -- in the Commanders' final practice session Friday.

McMath was signed to the Cowboys' practice squad Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

McMath will head to Dallas after being let go by the Colts in October. The wide receiver will provide Dallas with an extreme depth option in case of injury.

Gray (shoulder) was a full participant at the 49ers' practice Wednesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Gray was designated to return from injured reserve last week and his full participation to open the week seems to suggest that he's nearing an activation by San Francisco. If activated, the 24-year-old will provide the team with some added depth behind the likes of Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk at wide receiver heading into the postseason.