NFL Player News

Dell (calf) was a limited participant in his return to practice Thursday.

After sitting out Wednesday's session, Dell's return to the field one day later bodes well for his Week 13 availability. However, unless he practices fully Friday, Dell will likely approach Sunday's game against the Broncos with an injury designation.

Smith (knee) practiced in full Thursday.

One day removed from being listed as limited on the Eagles' first injury report of Week 13 due to a knee issue, Smith was able to manage every on-field rep as the team took part in an actual practice. He's thus ready to take on a 49ers defense Sunday that has conceded the seventh-highest catch rate (66.9 percent) to opposing wide receivers this season.

Brown (thigh) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

Brown maintained his listed activity level from Wednesday, giving him one more chance this week to get back to full before the Eagles potentially hand him an injury designation ahead of Sunday's showdown with the 49ers. He was able to play through the thigh injury this past Sunday against the Bills on his way to a 5-37-1 line on nine targets on a 94 percent snap share. As a result, it'd be a surprise if Brown isn't available for a crucial Week 13 contest.

Jeudy (groin) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Though Jeudy didn't practice Wednesday, his absence was downplayed, and his return to the field a day later supports the notion that the wideout should be available Sunday against the Texans. That said, Jeudy probably will need to practice fully Friday in order to avoid a Week 13 injury designation.

Austin (ankle) was a limited participant in practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Austin logged a DNP on Wednesday, so this is a step in the right direction for the second-year pro. If he can get in a full practice Friday he'll likely avoid an injury designation for a Week 13 matchup with the Cardinals. However, if he remains limited, expect him to head into Sunday with a questionable tag.

Allen (quadriceps) remained a non-participant at practice Thursday.

Allen has now missed consecutive practices to begin Week 13 prep, so what he's able to do during Friday's session will be telling with regard to his chances of playing Sunday against the Patriots. A return to the field Friday -- even in a limited capacity -- would certainly brighten the prospects of the Chargers' top receiver being available this weekend.

Burks (concussion) practiced fully Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Burks was limited Wednesday, but his return to a full practice a day later has him trending toward playing Sunday against the Colts. Friday's injury report will reveal whether Burks carries an injury designation into the weekend, but if he's able to fully clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, he'll be on track to rejoin the Titans' receiving corps following a three-game absence.

Hollins (ankle) practiced on a limited basis Thursday, Amna Subhan of the Falcons' official site reports.

Hollins appears to be in a better spot than last week, when he managed just one limited listing on Atlanta's injury report before being ruled out ahead of this past Sunday's contest against the Saints. With a pair of capped showings so far during Week 13 prep, he may be putting himself in a position for his first game action since Week 9. Friday's report will reveal whether or not Hollins enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's visit to the Jets.

Shaheed (thigh) didn't participate at Thursday's practice, Brooke Kirchhofer of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Shaheed has opened Week 13 prep with back-to-back DNPs due to the quadriceps injury that he suffered this past Sunday in Atlanta. He'll thus have only one more chance for on-field work this week before the Saints potentially make a ruling on his availability for Sunday's game against the Lions. With Chris Olave also embedded in the concussion protocol and Michael Thomas (knee) on injured reserve, New Orleans' healthy wide receivers on the active roster are A.T. Perry, Lynn Bowden and Keith Kirkwood.

The Bengals listed Higgins as a limited practice participant Thursday due to hamstring and ankle injuries.

Higgins was back on the practice field for the first time since Nov. 8, after the hamstring issue had kept him from playing in any of the Bengals' last three games. Though the listed ankle injury is a new one for Higgins, the wideout said Thursday that he doesn't expect either health concern to keep him from playing Monday in Jacksonville, according to Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site. The Bengals will wait and see if Higgins can upgrade to full practice participation Friday or Saturday before deciding whether he'll carry an injury designation into the team's Week 13 contest.