NFL Player News

Thomas (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Seahawks., Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

The Saints are getting healthier, but slowly, with Thomas and Jameis Winston (back/ankle) both now missing back-to-back games. The team is optimistic about RB Alvin Kamara (ribs) and WR Jarvis Landry (ankle) suiting up, which would give Andy Dalton a solid group of targets (including rookie standout Chris Olave) to get after one of the worst defenses in the league. Thomas' next chance to play will be Sunday, Oct. 16 against the Bengals, followed by a Thursday visit to Arizona in Week 7.

Bateman (foot) was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

During the Ravens' Week 4 loss to the Bills, Bateman remained on the sideline for a good portion of the second half due to a foot injury, and after failing to practice in any capacity Wednesday through Friday, he'll miss his first game since Week 5 of last season. With the second-year pro unavailable Sunday, Baltimore will turn to Devin Duvernay, Demarcus Robinson, Tylan Wallace and James Proche at wide receiver, while tight end Mark Andrews is a huge favorite to lead the team in targets. Bateman's next chance to play will arrive Sunday, Oct. 16 at the Giants.

Gage (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Gage and Chris Godwin (knee) have been removed from the injury report, while Julio Jones (knee) is listed as questionable for a fourth straight week. Gage mostly worked on the perimeter in a Week 4 loss to Kansas City while Godwin dominated slot snaps, but it was more mixed back in Week 1 the last time both were healthy. If the Falcons use A.J. Terrell to shadow Mike Evans, that would leave Casey Hayward on whichever of Godwin/Gage gets the perimeter snaps, while the slot receiver could be lined up against any one of three or four different players the Falcons have used there this year.

McKenzie (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers after logging limited practices Thursday and Friday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Per Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com, McKenzie was able to shed his red non-contact jersey Friday, but the Bills' slot man remains in the NFL's concussion protocol at this stage. If McKenzie is unable to gain full clearance ahead of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, Khalil Shakir would be in line for added snaps behind top wideouts Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, given that both Jamison Crowder (ankle) and Jake Kumerow (ankle) have been ruled out this week.

Godwin (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Neither does Russell Gage, who was listed as questionable with a hamstring injury for each of the team's first four games (he played in all four). Godwin, on the other hand, missed two games with a hamstring injury, returning Week 4 with a 7-59-0 receiving line on 10 targets and 83 percent of snaps in a 41-31 loss to the Chiefs. He could have a similar role this weekend against a Falcons defense that's cycled a few defensive backs through the slot this year while keeping starting CBs A.J. Terrell and Casey Hayward on the perimeter.

Higgins (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Baltimore.

During the Bengals' Week 4 win against the Dolphins, Higgins left the game for a spell in the second half to have his leg checked out by team trainers, but he returned and finished with season highs in catches (seven) and yards (124) while scoring his second TD of the campaign. This week, he's been operating with limitations on his practice reps, entering the weekend with his status up in the air. Coach Zac Taylor told Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer on Friday that he's confident Higgins will be able to suit up Sunday, which somewhat assuages the fact that the contest doesn't kick off until 8:20 p.m. ET.

Johnson (hip) was a full participant in Friday's practice session and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bills, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Johnson was limited by a hip injury during Thursday's practice session, but the issue won't impact his availability for Sunday's Week 5 matchup. The 2019 third-rounder had a season-low 22 yards from scrimmage during last week's loss to the Jets and will be catching passes from rookie Kenny Pickett against the Bills.

Burks (toe) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Commanders, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Now that Burks is unavailable Sunday, look for Kyle Philips and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine to see added Week 5 WR opportunities alongside Robert Woods, while TE Austin Hooper also could factor in the team's passing game more, per Wyatt. With the Titans on bye next week, Burks will target a potential return to action Week 7, when Tennessee hosts Indianapolis on Sunday, Oct. 23.

Bateman (foot) wasn't spotted at practice Friday, Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

With Bateman also having missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, it doesn't seem especially likely that he'll be able to suit up Sunday night against the Bengals. Friday's upcoming injury report should help clarify Bateman's Week 5 status, but if he's unavailable this weekend, Devin Duvernay and Demarcus Robinson would be in line to lead the Ravens' WR corps.

Campbell secured two of three targets for 22 yards during the Colts' 12-9 overtime win over the Broncos on Thursday.

Campbell racked up a season-high 43 receiving yards during last week's loss to the Titans, but he was less effective in Thursday's low-scoring victory. The 2019 second-rounder hasn't been targeted more than four times in any of the first five games of the season, and he's secured 11 of 15 targets for 112 yards to begin the year.