NFL Player News

Johnson (ankle) told Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he intends to take the practice field Thursday.

Johnson is coming off one of his best fantasy performances of the season with two touchdowns Week 7 against Tennessee, but the injury bug bit again and he was forced to leave the contest early. The second-year wideout proceeded to begin the week with a missed practice session, but it seems he intends to be back out there Thursday, which would only increase his chances of getting to suit up for a key divisional matchup Week 8 in Baltimore.

Peoples-Jones will remain the Browns' primary returner on punts and kicks while preparing for an expanded offensive role Week 8 against Las Vegas, George M. Thomas and Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal report.

Peoples-Jones has handled the return duties the last four weeks while having little involvement on offense, but that changed this past week when Odell Beckham (knee) sustained a season-ending injury. With KhaDarel Hodge (hamstring) slated to return this week, Peoples-Jones may be no better than fourth on the depth chart, but he proved himself last week with a pair of catches on the team's game-winning drive, including a touchdown catch.

Hodge (hamstring) practiced Wednesday and will be active Week 8 against the Raiders, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Hodge should step back into a familiar role as Cleveland's No. 3 wide receiver, after the Browns placed Odell Beckham (knee) on injured reserve this week. He missed the last three weeks and has been designated to return from injured reserve.

Osborn (hamstring) wasn't listed on Minnesota's injury report Wednesday, Craig Peters of the team's official site reports.

The 23-year-old missed the previous two games heading into the Week 7 bye, but he's practicing with no limitations after receiving the extra recovery time. Osborn should reclaim returning duties for the Vikings now that he's healthy.

Lazard (abdomen) returned to practice Wednesday, opening a 21-day window for the receiver to be activated from injured reserve, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.

Since he's already missed three games after having core-muscle surgery in early October, Lazard is eligible to return from IR, but the Packers have yet to decide if he'll be fit to play Sunday against the Vikings. The Packers have taken cautious approaches this season with key players working through injuries in Davante Adams and Aaron Jones, and Lazard may fall in the same category as Green Bay's clear No. 2 wideout. If he's unable to play Sunday, Lazard would stand a good chance to play Week 9 against the 49ers as long as he responds to practice well.

Moore (thigh) isn't listed on Baltimore's injury report Wednesday.

The 27-year-old was inactive for the win over the Eagles prior to the Week 7 bye, but he was able to practice with no limitations with the added recovery time. Moore has yet to see the field this season due to thigh and finger injuries, but he appears on track to make his season debut Sunday against the Steelers.

Gage (knee) doesn't have a designation for Thursday's game in Carolina.

Gage logged a limited offensive snap count (32 percent) during Sunday's loss to the Lions, marking the second time in seven contests in which he didn't earn at least 60 percent. Still, he made an impression in the box score, with six receptions (on seven targets) for 54 yards. Gage's practice reps were capped Monday through Wednesday due to a knee injury, so the Falcons could still be judicious with his workload in Thursday's game even though he won't be taking a questionable tag into the matchup.

St. Brown (knee) was limited at practice Wednesday.

St. Brown spent the first four games of the season on injured reserve, but even after his return Week 6, he's actually played more snaps on special teams (15) than offense (14) over the last two contests. His lingering knee injury continues to inhibit his ability to practice and clearly be a part of the offense, and until he elevates to full participation, St. Brown may not be a regular in the Packers' receiving corps. Playing time will be even harder to come by for St. Brown once Allen Lazard (core) is cleared to return from IR, likely in the next week or two.

James (ankle) was a nonparticipant at Wednesday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The 25-year-old picked up the injury during Sunday's win over the Patriots. James has mostly contributed in the return game since returning from injured reserve for Week 6.

Perriman (concussion) isn't practicing Wednesday, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.

Perriman finally returned from a three-game absence related to an ankle injury last week, only to pick up a concussion in the Jets' 18-10 loss to the Bills. He'll need to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol within the next few days in order to play Sunday in Kansas City.