NFL Player News

Godwin (hip/knee) logged a veteran rest day Thursday.

On Wednesday, Godwin added a hip issue to his list of health concerns this season, practicing on a limited basis. After Thursday's day off, he'll aim to do enough at Friday's session to be cleared for game action. Even if he enters the weekend with a designation, though, there hasn't been any inkling that his status is in danger for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh. As for the rest of the receiving corps, Julio Jones (knee) also didn't practice, Russell Gage (ankle) was limited, and Breshad Perriman (knee/hamstring) and Jaelon Darden (tooth) practiced in full Thursday, so the group as a whole seems to be a bit healthier than most weeks to date.

Toney (hamstrings) didn't practice Thursday, Darryl Slater of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

For the second day in a row, Toney was rehabbing under the supervision of the Giants' training staff while he works his way back from injuries to both of his hamstrings. The Giants won't give Toney an official designation for Sunday's contest against the Ravens until after Friday's practice, but the wideout doesn't appear to be a good bet to put an end to his three-game absence this weekend.

Shenault (hamstring) did not participate during Thursday's practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Shenault did not practice for the second day in a row after missing Sunday's loss to the 49ers with a lingering hamstring injury. Now, unless he can work his way back onto the practice field Friday, the third-year wideout appears likely to sit out once again in Week 6. Shenault caught two passes for 90 yards and a touchdown over just 11 offensive snaps against the Saints in Week 3, though his production could be limited by Carolina's depleted quarterback position if he does play Sunday.

Thomas (foot) wasn't on the field for the open portion of Thursday's practice and is expected to be listed as a non-participant, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Though Adam Schefter of ESPN reported over the weekend that Thomas was likely to return from a two-game hiatus to play Sunday against the Bengals, the wideout's continued absences from practice would seem to suggest otherwise. The Saints will wait until after Friday's session before providing an update on Thomas' status for the team's matchup with Cincinnati, but the 29-year-old will likely need to put in a full workout just to avoid taking a questionable designation into the weekend.

Bateman (foot) isn't practicing Thursday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Bateman will sit out for the second consecutive day and will be missing his fifth consecutive practice overall while he continues to tend to the left foot injury that forced him out late in the Ravens' Week 4 loss to the Bills. He'll almost certainly need to get back on the field in some capacity Friday to have a legitimate shot at returning to action Sunday against the Giants. If Bateman can't go, the Ravens would be more likely to spread his vacated targets among their tight ends and running backs; Devin Duvernay was the only Baltimore wide receiver to draw more than two targets in last week's win over the Bengals.

Higgins (ankle) wasn't in uniform for Thursday's practice, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

The report notes that the wideout headed to the rehab field Thursday, so Higgins now is destined to be listed as a non-participant at practice for the second day in a row. He'll have one more chance to practice in advance of Sunday's game against the Saints, but unless Higgins is able to log a full practice Friday, he figures to head into the weekend with a Week 6 injury designation.

Gage (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Gage didn't practice Wednesday, so his return to Thursday's session is a step in the right direction for the wideout ahead of Sunday's game against the Steelers. The Buccaneers' upcoming injury report will reveal whether Gage was limited or worked without limitations Thursday.

Brown (groin), who is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Bears, is expected to play, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Washington has already ruled out wideout Jahan Dotson (hamstring) and tight end Logan Thomas (calf) for the second straight week, but Brown looks like he'll avoid an absence due to the groin issue that resulted in him being listed as a limited practice participant Monday through Wednesday. While Dotson was sidelined for the Week 5 loss to the Titans, Brown stepped up to deliver 75- and 30-yard touchdown receptions, but he didn't reel in either of his other two targets across his 20 snaps on offense on the afternoon. Assuming he avoids the inactive list, Brown could step into a larger role Thursday on the heels of his big performance, but his projected target volume still might not be large enough to make him a reliable fantasy option in most leagues.

Eskridge did not participate during practice Wednesday due to an illness, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

This illness will leave Eskridge's availability for Sunday's game against the Cardinals up in the air. The 25-year-old has caught three of five targets for 16 yards through the first five games of 2022, so his potential absence should not have a significant impact on Seattle's passing game in Week 6.

Harty (foot) did not participate during the Saints' practice Wednesday.

Harty is expected to miss some time after suffering what is feared to be a significant turf toe injury during Sunday's win over the Seahawks. The 25-year-old has served as New Orleans' primary returner for both punts and kickoffs when healthy this season, so his likely absence should lead to more special-teams usage for fellow wideout Marquez Callaway.