NFL Player News

Shepard (hamstring) was present for Thursday's practice, Tom Rock of Newsday reports.

Thursday's injury report will reveal Shepard's participation level, but that fact that he's practicing is a positive indicator with regard to the wideout's chances of returning to action Monday night against Kansas City. Shepard was a game-time decision for this past Sunday's win over the Panthers and ultimately was made inactive for the contest, but at this stage he appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of Week 8 action.

Adams (illness) didn't clear the NFL's COVID-19 health and safety protocols Thursday morning and won't be activated ahead of the Packers' Week 8 game in Arizona, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

After Adams was revealed Monday to have tested positive for the virus, his status as a vaccinated player still gave him a slim chance to clear the protocol prior to Thursday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. Adams' odds of playing took another hit when he didn't fly with the team to Arizona on Wednesday, but he could have arranged private travel Thursday if he submitted a second negative COVID-19 test result 24 hours after the first negative test. Evidently, Adams wasn't able to do that, leaving the Packers without their top receiver in Week 8, as well as No. 2 wideout Allen Lazard, who is also on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Meanwhile, fellow wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling (hamstring) hasn't been ruled out from making his return from injured reserve Thursday, though he would likely be available for only a limited role after not practicing this week. With that in mind, the Packers look poised to head into Thursday with receivers Randall Cobb and Equanimeous St. Brown, tight end Robert Tonyan and running back Aaron Jones as QB Aaron Rodgers' top pass-catching options.

Hopkins (hamstring) is expected to play Thursday night against the Packers, barring any pre-game setbacks, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The wideout is officially listed as questionable for the contest after being listed as a non-participant on the Cardinals' posted Week 8 practice/injury reports, but he nonetheless appears on track to suit up. Official confirmation of his availability will arrive upon the release of inactives prior to Thursday night's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff.

The Saints placed Humphrey on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

The 23-year-old tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday and will have to submit two negative tests at least 24 hours apart before he's eligible to be activated. After being a healthy scratch for three games in a row, Humphrey dressed in Monday's win over the Seahawks, but he failed to record a reception across his 11 offensive snaps.

Snead signed a deal to join the Panthers' practice squad Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Snead will join Carolina after asking for a release from the Raiders. The wide receiver requested the release after receiving much less playing time than he anticipated. Now in Carolina, Snead will hope to be promoted to the Panthers' 53-man roster as soon as possible. The receiver will fill a depth role barring any injuries to the Panthers' wide receivers.

Eskridge (concussion) is expected to return to Seattle on Wednesday and potentially practice Thursday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Eskridge has been away from the team recently to take part in a visual training program in Florida, after experiencing some side effects of the concussion he sustained Week 1. The rookie second-round pick apparently is in "great shape and ready to go," per head coach Pete Carroll, but it's unclear where Eskridge currently stands in the NFL's concussion protocol. If he's back on the practice field Thursday or Friday -- to do so, the Seahawks must first designate him to return from injured reserve -- Eskridge may not have enough time to complete the final phases and get cleared for Sunday's game versus the Jaguars. Still, he seems to be rounding into shape after missing six consecutive contests.

Darden failed to bring in his only target, rushed once for 11 yards, returned one punt for 43 yards and ran back one kickoff for 17 yards in the Buccaneers' 38-3 win over the Bears on Sunday.

With Antonio Brown (ankle) and Scotty Miller (toe) unavailable and Jaydon Mickens no longer on the roster, the rookie got a solid amount of opportunity on both offense and special teams against Chicago. Darden was in on 13 plays from scrimmage in addition to his six special-teams snaps, and with Brown and Miller still expected out in Week 8 against the Saints, it appears Darden is set to garner active status for the second consecutive game.

McLaurin was sidelined from Wednesday's practice by a hamstring injury, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

McLaurin was erroneously listed with an ankle issue earlier Wednesday, but the actual health concern is to the part of the body that has affected his practice reps the last two weeks. His absence from the first session of Week 8 prep may be maintenance-related, but his status nonetheless should be watched closely to ensure his availability isn't in peril for Sunday's game in Denver.

Harris (hamstring) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice.

Since hurting his hamstring Week 5 in Washington, Harris hasn't been able to practice in any capacity. Until he does, he'll be a tough sell to be available for game action. Still, Harris has two more sessions to make a case for a return Sunday against the Buccaneers.

Bourne was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Cox notes that Bourne fell on his shoulder on his 46-yard reception in this past Sunday's win over the Jets, but so far there's nothing to suggest that the wideout's Week 8 status is in danger. That said, Bourne will presumably need to practice fully Thursday or Friday in order to head into Sunday's game against the Chargers minus an injury designation.