NFL Player News

Samuel (hamstring) wasn't spotted during the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

It appears as if Samuel will go down as a non-participant for a second straight session to begin Week 8 prep, giving him just one more chance to mix into drills Friday. And if he's unable to log a full practice, he seems destined to be tagged with a game-day designation for Sunday's road matchup with the Rams.

Lazard (shoulder) didn't practice and said he will "probably not" be available to play Sunday in Buffalo, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

Speaking about the injury he sustained in the Packers' Week 7 loss to the Commanders, Lazard said he heard a "snap, crackle, pop" in his left shoulder when he was tackled hard to the ground. Though Lazard doesn't believe he'll be in store for a long-term absence, his inability to practice Wednesday and Thursday has left him pessimistic about his chances of suiting up in Buffalo. Green Bay will already be without Randall Cobb (ankle) on Sunday, so Lazard's expected absence will further weaken an already thin Packers receiving corps.

Waddle (shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Waddle's reps were capped for the second day in a row, but the Dolphins haven't yet suggested that his status for Sunday's game in Detroit is truly in any jeopardy. Assuming Waddle is good to go for the Week 8 contest, he'll be in a prime spot to take aim at his fourth 100-yard receiving game of the campaign. Detroit has allowed 7.7 yards per pass attempt on the season, the second-worst mark in the NFL behind the Vikings (7.9).

St. Brown (concussion protocol) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

Opening Week 8 prep with back-to-back capped sessions is a fair sign that St. Brown is progressing through the protocol for head injuries. He entered said protocol this past Sunday in Dallas, when he seemed to stumble as he attempted to get to the sideline and eventually went to the locker room, where he was ruled out. St. Brown will have one more opportunity to get back to full participation this week before the Lions make a ruling on a game-day designation for Sunday's matchup with the Dolphins. Elsewhere in the team's receiving corps, DJ Chark (ankle), Jameson Williams (knee) and Quintez Cephus (foot) aren't on the active roster, and Josh Reynolds (knee) also was limited at practice Thursday, so Kalif Raymond and Tom Kennedy are the healthy options at the position.

Adams (illness) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

The wideout didn't practice Wednesday, so what he's able to do Friday will be key with regard to Adams' chances of suiting up Sunday against the Saints. In six games to date, Adams leads the Raiders with 37 catches on 63 targets for 509 yards and five TDs.

Brown (groin) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Brown's limited activity marks no change from Wednesday, but his ability to maintain that level of participation is at least a positive sign after he failed to practice in any capacity last week before sitting out Washington's win over the Packers. If Brown gets cleared to play Sunday in Indianapolis, he could serve as the Commanders' No. 3 wideout behind Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel with rookie first-round pick Jahan Dotson (hamstring) trending toward missing his fourth consecutive game.

Sims (hamstring) was a full practice participant Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Sims missed the team's Week 7 contest with the Dolphins and was limited in practice Wednesday. His bump up to a full participant Thursday should put him on the field Sunday against the Eagles, where he'll operate as the team's return man on kicks and punts.

Thomas (foot) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Thomas hasn't practiced in any capacity since injuring his foot in a Sept. 25 loss to the Panthers and appears to be at risk of missing his fifth consecutive contest this Sunday versus the Raiders. Fellow wideout Jarvis Landry (ankle) was also a spectator for practice Thursday and doesn't seem to be trending toward suiting up this weekend, so the New Orleans receiving corps looks as though it could once again be shorthanded.

Shenault (hamstring) was listed as a limited participant on the Panthers' practice report Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Shenault was deemed questionable with a hamstring injury heading into Sunday's win over the Buccaneers, and he ultimately played just two offensive snaps in the contest. Now, the 23-year-old has been limited in practice for the second day in a row to start Week 8 prep, once again leaving his availability up in the air. Shenault will have one more practice to increase his activity before Sunday's tilt against the Falcons.

Roberson was cut from the Bears' practice squad Thursday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Roberson joined the team's practice squad Sept. 28 after spending training camp with the Titans. The undrafted rookie never received a bump up to the active roster, and he'll now work to find an opportunity elsewhere. In a corresponding move, the Bears signed defensive lineman Gerri Green to their practice squad.