NFL Player News

Hopkins (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Hopkins and quarterback Kyler Murray (ankle) have logged back-to-back limited listings on Cardinals' injury reports to kick off Week 13 prep. There's an expectation from the team that both players are slated to return to action Sunday in Chicago, barring a setback, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Hopkins has another opportunity Friday to handle every on-field rep, but no matter his activity level in that session the team may provide some insight into his ability to play this weekend. Ultimately, if he's listed as questionable, his status won't be confirmed until 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Claypool (toe) returned to a full practice Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

As did QB Ben Roethlisberger (pectoral/right shoulder), which sets the stage for the duo to suit up Sunday against the Ravens. After being inactive in Week 10 due to the toe issue he's still managing, Claypool has logged 91 and 98 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps over the past two weeks en route to hauling in eight of his 17 targets for 175 yards in that span. As long as he can stay healthy, Claypool is destined to see a steady flow of wideout looks alongside fellow starter Diontae Johnson.

Smith (illness) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

According to Tim McManus of ESPN.com, Smith was spotted with a brace protecting the elbow he first hurt Week 9 against the Chargers, but neither that injury nor the non-COVID-19-related ailment that kept him out of Wednesday's walk-through will prevent him from playing Sunday against the Jets. In his return to practice, Smith took reps with the first-team offense with both backup Gardner Minshew and starter Jalen Hurts, who was limited for the second straight day due to a sore ankle. Barring a setback, Hurts still appears likely to give it a go this weekend, so Smith's outlook shouldn't change much from prior weeks.

Benson (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Benson was limited Wednesday, but his full participation Thursday puts him on track to suit up Sunday against the Vikings. The rookie wide receiver has eight catches and is still searching for his first touchdown.

Hodge (illness) was limited in Thursday's practice.

This is a step up for Hodge, who was unable to practice Wednesday as the Lions prepare to face Minnesota on Sunday. Hodge has just six catches this season as a depth piece in the Lions' putrid passing attack.

Shepard (quadriceps) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

The limited showing marks Shepard's first recorded practice activity since suffering the quad injury in the Giants' Nov. 1 loss to the Chiefs. Because Shepard missed four weeks and three games due to the injury, the Giants will likely need to see him practice fully Friday in order for him to avoid taking a designation into Sunday's game against the Dolphins. At any rate, Shepard appears to be in a better spot in his recovery from a quad injury than fellow wideout Kadarius Toney, who was a non-participant in Thursday's session while mostly working off to the side with trainers, per Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York. Shepard, meanwhile, stretched with his healthy teammates and took part in some individual work during the open portion of Thursday's practice.

Toney (oblique/quadriceps) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Instead, Toney's activity was contained to working with the Giants' training staff on a side field, per Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York. Toney seems to be trending toward a second consecutive absence due to a pair of injuries, while fellow wide receiver Sterling Shepard (quadriceps) is in a better spot after putting in a limited session Thursday. Friday's injury report will be telling for the state of the team's receiving corps heading into the weekend.

Conley (illness) didn't practice Thursday, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.

There appears to be an illness going around Houston's facility, as Brandin Cooks and David Johnson were also sidelined by non-COVID illnesses. Houston will hope to get at least some of those skill position players back for practice Friday. If neither Cooks nor Danny Amendola (knee) can go Sunday against the Colts but Conley plays, he could see a substantial number of targets due to a lack of alternatives.

Cooks (illness) didn't practice Thursday, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.

Cooks was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report, and he's apparently still feeling under the weather a day later. The Texans have said Cooks' ailment isn't related to COVID-19, but he still may need to get back on the practice field Friday in order to earn his normal snap share this weekend against the Colts.

Duvernay (thigh) returned to practice Thursday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Duvernay missed Wednesday's practice due to a thigh injury, but it appears that was more of a maintenance day than a cause for further concern. The second-year wideout should occupy his usual role as the Ravens' return man on special teams while also playing a handful of snaps on offense Sunday in Pittsburgh.