NFL Player News

Thielen (foot) stretched and ran routes before Thursday's practice, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

It's unclear if Thielen's activity will equate to a limited showing, but he did leave the field for rehab work during the media portion of Thursday's session. The same can be said for Justin Jefferson (ankle), as the Vikings' top two receivers tend to injuries. Thielen's level of participation will become known upon the release of Thursday's practice report.

Brown (knee) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Brown didn't appear in Sunday's game against the Saints due to his knee injury, but he's practiced in a limited capacity on each of the last two days. The rookie could enter Week 6 without an injury designation if he's a full participant in Friday's practice.

Hill (quadriceps) won't practice Thursday, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

Following back-to-back practice absences, what Hill is able to do during Friday's session will be telling with regard to his availability for Sunday's game against Washington. If Kansas City's top wideout is out this weekend, the Chiefs would have to get by with Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson, Byron Pringle and Josh Gordon as its primary options at receiver.

Parker (shoulder/hamstring) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

With that, Parker's status for Sunday's game against the Jaguars in London is cloudy. Friday's injury report will reveal the wideout's chances of suiting up Week 6, but if Parker is out or limited versus Jacksonville, Preston Williams likely would be in store for a heightened role in the Miami passing attack along with Jaylen Waddle, Mike Gesicki and Myles Gaskin.

Jefferson (ankle) will return to practice Thursday as a limited participant and said he expects to play Sunday against the Panthers, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.

Jefferson was surprisingly absent from Wednesday's practice due to the ankle injury, which he apparently picked up in last weekend's thrilling win over the Lions. Though the Vikings are taking things slowly with their top wideout heading into the team's Week 6 game in Carolina, Jefferson looks like he'll be ready to fill his usual high-volume role in the Minnesota passing attack come Sunday. Whether he carries a questionable designation into the contest will likely hinge on the extent of his participation in the team's final Week 6 practice session Friday.

Samuel (groin) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Samuel was seen working out off to the side at Wednesday's practice and ultimately went down as a non-participant on Washington's first Week 6 injury report. He'll be listed the same Thursday, likely foreshadowing his fourth absence of the season Sunday against the Chiefs. With Cam Sims (hamstring) also seemingly trending toward being inactive, DeAndre Carter and rookie Dyami Brown (knee) -- if healthy -- could see more reps alongside Terry McLaurin and Adam Humphries at receiver.

Offensive coordinator Greg Roman indicated Thursday that there's a chance Bateman will be activated for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun reports. "He's looking good," Roman said of the rookie wideout, who's bouncing back from groin surgery.

In the event that Bateman does come off IR in advance of Sunday's contest, there could be a path to snaps for him, with Sammy Watkins dealing with a hamstring injury that sidelined him for Wednesday's practice. That said, based on Roman's comments, the Ravens seem inclined to ease Bateman back into the mix, so he doesn't profile as a high-percentage Week 6 fantasy lineup option. However, with multiple teams on bye in the coming weeks, the 2021 first-rounder is worth a speculative add by fantasy managers with a degree of roster flexibility.

Hopkins (illness) wasn't in attendance for Thursday's practice and is expected to go down as a non-participant on the Cardinals' report, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Hopkins has previously received maintenance days in practice earlier this season while tending to a rib injury, but it's an ailment that will keep him off the field for the second day in a row to begin Week 6. The Cardinals haven't suggested that Hopkins' illness is related to COVID-19, so at this stage, there's still reason for fantasy managers to expect the standout wideout to be ready to suit up Sunday in Cleveland. Ideally though, Hopkins would return to practice in some fashion Friday to clear up any concern about his status.

Metcalf (foot) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

For the third week in a row, Metcalf has practice limitations due to a foot issue, and while his share of the offensive snaps Weeks 4 and 5 was a bit lower than normal, he still put up a combined 9-163-3 receiving line on 13 targets. There's seemingly no worry about his availability for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh, but his status still should be watched as the week goes on to make sure he's out there Week 6. Assuming Metcalf ultimately suits up, he'll have to make do with a new quarterback for the first time in his career, as Geno Smith is slated to start under center with Russell Wilson (finger) likely out for the next month.

St. Brown was signed to the Packers' active roster from the practice squad Wednesday.

The 25-year-old has been on Green Bay's practice squad all season and was a gameday elevation for three contests, catching one of two targets for zero yards. St. Brown should see sporadic offensive snaps while also playing a role on special teams.