NFL Player News

Cooks (neck) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Cooks' ability to practice in a limited fashion is a good sign with regard to his status for Sunday's game against the Colts, but he may need to upgrade to full activity Friday to avoid carrying a designation into the weekend. While Cooks was sidelined in the Texans' blowout loss to the Bears in Week 14, receivers Keke Coutee, Chad Hansen and Steven Mitchell and tight end Jordan Akins served as the primary options in the passing game for quarterback Deshaun Watson. Cooks would presumably usurp all of those players and step in as Watson's top target if he can gain clearance for the Week 15 contest.

Moore (ankle) had his roster exemption lifted Thursday, clearing him for Saturday's game in Green Bay, per the NFL's transaction report.

Moore was included on the Panthers' last two Week 15 practice reports as limited for a non-injury-related reason, likely as a way to ease him back in after a stay on the reserve/COVID-19 list and the ankle injury that he suffered before the Panthers' Week 13 bye. Now that he'll be available, he could be in line for a bit more work than usual with the status of Curtis Samuel (hamstring) in question for Saturday.

Grant (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's walk-through practice, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Grant will have one more opportunity to upgrade his practice activity before Sunday's game against the Patriots, but as things currently stand it looks like he has at least a chance of suiting up. Friday's final injury report of the week will provide more clarity on Grant's status.

Perriman (shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

After being limited in the Jets' first Week 15 practice Wednesday, Perriman's upgrade to full activity clears the way for him to play Sunday against the Rams. Meanwhile, Jamison Crowder (calves) returned to practice as a limited participant Thursday, and Denzel Mims (personal) rejoined the team Wednesday, leaving the Jets poised to have their top three receivers all available in the same game for one of the few times this season.

Lazard (core) doesn't have a designation for Saturday's contest against the Panthers, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Despite being limited in practice all week, Lazard is ready to roll for a fifth straight game since his lengthy stint on injured reserve due to Oct. 1 core muscle surgery. The Packers have yet to fully unleash Lazard since the procedure, and if his activity level on the field this week is any indication, he may be slated for his usual handful of targets Saturday.

Thomas (ankle) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

With another absence under his belt this week, Thomas may be trending in the wrong direction as the Saints prepare for Sunday's game versus the Chiefs. In the end, his listing on Friday's injury report will be telling with regard to his Week 15 availability. If Thomas is able to gut out the ankle injury that's followed him throughout the campaign, he could be working with Taysom Hill or Drew Brees (ribs), who was designated to return from IR on Wednesday.

Ridley (foot) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Tori McElhaney of The Athletic reports.

Ridley maintained his activity level from Wednesday, as did Julio Jones (hamstring), who was unable to practice yet again. If Jones needs to sit out again Sunday against the Buccaneers, Ridley would be in line to lead the Falcons' receiving corps, assuming he's able to play through his foot issue. Since the team's Week 10 bye, Ridley has notched 24 catches (on 40 targets) for 372 yards and two touchdowns over the last four games.

Parker (hamstring) remained listed as limited on Thursday's practice report, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Per Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com, the Dolphins held a walk-through Thursday, so what Parker is able to do Friday should determine whether he approaches Sunday's game against the Patriots with a Week 15 injury designation or fully cleared to play.

Brown (ankle) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Though Brown was listed as limited Wednesday, his downgrade in participation follows a recent pattern of the wideout being rested on Thursdays. Barring an unforeseen setback, we'd expect Brown back at practice Friday and quite possibly off the team's injury report by the end of the day.

Samuel (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game in Green Bay, Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer reports.

After going through the practice week unscathed prior to Thursday, Samuel made a surprise appearance on the final Week 15 injury report as a limited participant, clouding his status for this weekend. He's so far putting together his best season as a pro, with 724 yards from scrimmage and five total touchdowns in 12 contests. The Panthers will make a decision on Samuel's status about 90 minutes before Saturday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff.