NFL Player News

Chark (ankle) didn't practice Thursday.

What Chark is able to do at practice Friday, if anything, will thus be a pivotal with regard to his status for Sunday's game against the Raiders. If he's limited or out this weekend, added Week 15 looks will be available for Dede Westbrook (shoulder), Chris Conley and Keelan Cole.

Smith-Schuster (undisclosed) was limited at practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

That's a downgrade in participation after Smith-Schuster practiced fully Wednesday, but the report notes that "barring any future setbacks, though, (the wideout is) still expected to play Sunday." We'll circle back later Thursday to note the nature of the injury/issue that led to Smith-Schuster's limitations.

Humphries (ankle) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports,

We'll revisit the the slot man's status Friday, but if Humphries is out or limited Sunday against the Texans, added snaps behind A.J. Brown and Corey Davis once again would be available for Tajae Sharpe.

Renfrow (ribs) is practicing Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Renfrow has missed two straight games while nursing a broken rib and a punctured lung, but he appears to be trending toward a return to the field against Jacksonville on Sunday. If the rookie is able to log a full practice session Thursday and/or Friday, he can be expected to reprise his usual role as the No. 2 option in Oakland's wide receiver corps behind Tyrell Williams.

Thielen (hamstring) practiced again Thursday, after which he said the Vikings want to see how he progresses this week before making a decision on his availability for Sunday's road game against the Chargers, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Thielen is as optimistic as he's been at any point in his recovery from a strained right hamstring. His belief is backed up by an Adam Schefter of ESPN report from Wednesday that stated Thielen is in line to play Sunday for the first time since Week 9, barring a setback. It's unclear if Thielen was limited for a second straight session Thursday, or elevated to all activity, but he seems to be trending in the right direction.

Coach Brian Flores said Thursday that Parker will remain in the league's five-step concussion protocol "at least through the end of the week," Safid Deen of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Parker managed to participate in non-contact drills during Wednesday's practice, but he's still facing an uphill battle to fully clear the league's protocol for head injuries in time to suit up Sunday against the Giants. For any chance of being available Week 15, the No. 1 wideout will need to continue making progress in practice and meet with an independent neurologist by the end of the week. With Albert Wilson (concussion) and Allen Hurns (ankle/knee) also battling injuries, it's possible that expanded roles on offense will be handed to the likes of Isaiah Ford, Mack Hollins and Trevor Davis.

Chark (ankle) is expected to miss another practice session Thursday.

Chark rolled his ankle in Week 14's blowout loss to the Chargers, and so far it appears the injury will cost him two days of practice. He'll likely need to participate in some fashion Friday if he intends to be cleared for a favorable matchup Week 15 against the Raiders.

Pettis (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Pettis has been sidelined by a knee injury for two consecutive games, but he appears on pace to be available for the 49ers' Week 15 tilt against the Falcons. Pettis has played no more than 33 offensive snaps in a single contest since Week 7, however, so don't expect a sudden burst in production upon his return.

Coach Pete Carroll said Lockett is "really back" in form this week, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports. "He was pretty good last week and he's going into this week rarin' to go," Carroll said.

Lockett is entering a second straight week without being listed on the Seahawks' injury report, as John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site notes. The wide receiver's Week 14 performance also backs up Carroll's comments. Lockett put up four catches (on six catches) for 43 yards in Sunday's loss to the Rams. By putting the shin contusion he suffered Week 10 at San Francisco further in the rear-view mirror, Lockett is poised to pounce on a Panthers defense that has given up the third-most receiving yards (185.2 per game) to wideouts this season.

Miller (hamstring) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Miller missed the last two games due to the hamstring injury, but his return to practice is a good sign for Week 15. The 22-year-old likely will need to advance to full practice participation by Friday to avoid an injury designation for Sunday's game at Detroit.