NFL Player News

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that Watson (hamstring) was a non-participant for Thursday's practice as part of a maintenance plan for the wideout rather than because of a setback, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic

Watson sat out the Packers' first two games due to the hamstring injury, but he showed some tangible progress last Friday, when he logged his first limited practice session of the regular season. The wideout remained a limited participant for the Packers' first Week 3 practice Wednesday, and even though Watson took a step back in terms of activity Thursday, hope isn't lost for the wideout to potentially play this Sunday against the Saints. In order for that to become a reality, however, Watson will presumably need to resume practicing Friday in at least a limited fashion.

Watkins (hamstring) wasn't taking part in drills during the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Josh Tolentino of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Watkins is thus poised to go down as a non-participant on the Eagles' first Week 3 injury report, though the wideout was spotted catching footballs from a JUGS machine on the side field during Thursday's session, according to Tolentino. The fourth-year wideout was limited to just 11 snaps in the Eagles' Week 2 win over the Vikings last Thursday after exiting the game early with the hamstring injury. The Eagles will hope that Watkins will be able to increase his practice activity the next two days, but if the 25-year-old is unable to play Monday at Tampa Bay, Olamide Zaccheaus would step in as the Eagles' No. 3 wideout.

Beckham (ankle) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

With the wideout going down as a non-participant for both of the Ravens' first two Week 3 practices, Beckham will likely need to take the field in some capacity Friday to have a chance at playing Sunday against the Colts. If Beckham ends up being sidelined this weekend, Nelson Agholor would likely step into a regular role in three-receiver sets alongside Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman.

Cooper (groin/shoulder) was spotted on the field for the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Cooper took a questionable tag into this past Monday's game against the Steelers due to the groin injury, but he ultimately played 74 percent of the snaps on offense and finished with seven catches for 90 yards on 10 targets in the Browns' 26-22 loss. The wideout sat out the Browns' first Week 3 practice Wednesday with listed groin and shoulder injuries, but his presence on the field Thursday suggests he didn't suffer any major setbacks coming out of Monday's contest. The Browns will release their second Week 3 practice report later Thursday, at which point it'll become known whether Cooper was a limited or full participant in the session.

Waddle (concussion) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Waddle didn't practice Wednesday either, but he still has time to progress through the NFL's five-step concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos. What the wideout is able to do Friday will thus be telling with regard to his chances of playing Week 3, but if Waddle doesn't gain clearance to suit up, added opportunities behind Tyreek Hill would be available for Braxton Berrios, River Cracraft and Erik Ezukanma.

Jones (knee) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Jones didn't practice Wednesday, so what the wideout is able to do Friday will be pivotal with regard to his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Texans. If he's out or limited this weekend, Jamal Agnew and Tim Jones would be candidates to log added snaps at wide receiver behind Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk.

James (knee) will not practice Thursday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

James is still recovering from an MCL injury and is likely on the wrong side of questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears. According to special-teams coach Dave Toub, if James misses, the team may turn to a committee of Kadarius Toney (toe), Skyy Moore and Justin Watson for return duties, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Watson (hamstring) wasn't present at the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

After opening Week 3 prep with a limited session Wednesday, Watson doesn't appear to be ready to go with the hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined for the first two games of the campaign. If he goes down as a non-participant Thursday, he'll have just one more opportunity for on-field work before the Packers potentially give him a designation for Sunday's contest against the Saints.

St. Brown (toe) was present for Thursday's practice, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.

St. Brown didn't practice Wednesday, so his return to the field Thursday, in any capacity, is a step in the right direction for the wideout ahead of Sunday's game against the Falcons. The Lions' looming injury report will provide added context with regard to St. Brown's Week 3 status by clarifying his level of participation.

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

Toney also missed Wednesday's session, so what the wideout is able to do (if anything) at Friday's practice will be telling with regard to his chances of playing Sunday against the Bears. After a forgettable one-catch effort in the Chiefs' season opener, Toney bounced back in the team's Week 2 win over the Jaguars, hauling in all five of his targets for 35 yards.