NFL Player News

Jefferson (ankle) was limited at practice Thursday.

Jefferson initially injured his ankle in the middle of a Week 3 win at Tampa Bay and missed this past Sunday's game against the Dolphins. So far this week, he's logged back-to-back capped sessions, and Friday's practice report may provide some clarity regarding whether or not a return to action Sunday in New Orleans is possible. For what it's worth, Jefferson told Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com on Wednesday that he wants to play this weekend as a native of Louisiana, but ultimately it'll be a team decision regarding his status.

Wicks was limited at Thursday's practice due to a hamstring injury, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Wicks' addition to the injury report midweek indicates that he may have picked up the health concern at practice, but he joins DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Hollywood Brown (ankle) as banged-up players at the position. Currently, rookie first-rounder Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper, Elijah Moore and Britain Covey are the Eagles' healthy wide receivers.

Smith (hamstring) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice.

Per Tim McManus of ESPN.com, Smith was seen running on a side field Thursday, but the activity wasn't enough for him to be considered limited. It could be a sign that Smith is closing in on a return to practice, but until he does he may be trending toward a second straight absence Sunday at Jacksonville due to a hamstring issue. Friday's injury report may provide clarity on that front.

Bryant (ankle) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports.

Though Bryant looks poised to avoid a stint on injured reserve after an MRI on the right ankle he injured in Sunday's loss to the 49ers ruled out a long-term injury, the second-year wideout still appears likely to miss some time. He's been a spectator for the Broncos' first two practices of Week 5 and will likely be officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers following Friday's session.

Tate (back) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

This is a new injury for Tate, who practiced without limitations Wednesday. The rookie fourth overall pick is coming off the best performance of his young NFL career, as Tate compiled nine catches for 145 yards in this past Sunday's 28-14 loss to the Ravens. A return to full participation Friday would help Tate avoid taking an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Texans.

Higgins (groin/neck) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice.

Higgins was seen working out off to the side during the open portion of Thursday's session, and he apparently wasn't able to mix into team drills once practice was closed to the media. The veteran wideout has now had consecutive absences from practice to kick off Week 5 prep, while No. 1 receiver Ja'Marr Chase (concussion) bumped up to limited participation Thursday after sitting out Wednesday. The Bengals will see if Higgins and Chase can increase their practice activity Friday before deciding if either or both wideouts will carry designations into Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Chase (concussion) was officially listed as a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Chase took a step in the right direction Thursday after being unable to practice Wednesday. In order to have a chance to clear the league's five-step concussion protocol in time to suit up Sunday against the Dolphins, Chase would need to practice without limitations Friday. He was diagnosed with a concussion after exiting this past Sunday's loss to the Jaguars in the first half.

Olave (rest/foot) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

The Saints held a walkthrough Wednesday, during which Olave logged a rest day. As of Thursday, he mixed back into drills, but a foot injury was added to the practice report after his capped session. His ability to handle some reps while dealing with a health concern generally is a good sign that his status isn't in question for Week 5, but Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not he enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's contest versus the Vikings.

Nabers (knee) was listed as a limited participant at practice Thursday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Nabers returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's session, but he isn't completely out of the woods yet. An upgrade to full participation Friday could help Nabers avoid an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Commanders.

McLaurin (hamstring) officially didn't practice Thursday.

McLaurin thus has just one more opportunity to mix into drills this week before the Commanders potentially make a call on his status ahead of Sunday's game versus the Giants. Both he and Stefon Diggs (hamstring) haven't practiced so far this week, meaning Antonio Williams, Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown and Luke McCaffrey are the current healthy wide receivers on Washington's active roster.