NFL Player News

Evans is active for Thursday's game at Carolina, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Evans picked up an illness just days before the Buccaneers' season-opening loss to the 49ers. The development clearly played a role in his 2-28-0 line on five targets, but he still managed to play 59 of 69 offensive snaps (86 percent). Evans is used to taking on such a heavy workload, so with the issue further in the rearview mirror, he should look more like the receiver that posted 1,000-plus yards in each of his first five pro campaigns.

Smith-Schuster (toe) returned to a full practice Thursday.

With that, Smith-Schuster is in line to play Sunday against the Seahawks, in a game where the Steelers offense has nowhere to go but up after a 33-3 loss to the Patriots in Week 1. Despite the rout, Smith-Schuster hauled in six of his eight targets for a team-high 78 yards in the contest and he figures to remain busy in Week 2, while serving as Pittsburgh's undisputed top wideout.

Brown (hip) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Though he only logged 14 snaps in Week 1's 59-10 win over the Dolphins, Brown hauled in four of his five targets in the contest for 147 yards and two TDs. Despite his limitations this week, we'd expect Brown to be available Sunday against the Cardinals, an outcome that would be cemented if the speedy wideout returns to a full practice Friday.

Moore (illness) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Moore was limited Wednesday due to an illness and now looks back to full health. The 2016 fourth-round pick wasn't targeted Week 1 but played 32 snaps on offense. He'll work to make a bigger impact versus the Cardinals on Sunday.

Gage (concussion) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, William McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

Gage will need to fully clear the league's concussion protocol before retaking the field. The second-year pro appears to be recovering well, though it remains to be seen whether he'll suit up versus the Eagles on Sunday. Justin Hardy will serve as the No. 4 receiver in Atlanta if Gage is forced to miss any time.

Cain was a limited participant in Thursday's practice for heat-related reasons.

The specifics of Cain's situation remain unknown, but there doesn't yet appear to be any reason to worry about his availability for Sunday's contest against the Titans. With Devin Funchess (collarbone) having been placed on injured reserve, Cain is primed for increased targets going forward and could become the No. 2 wideout in Indianapolis.

Williams (knee) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

What Williams is able to do at practice Friday, if anything, will be telling with regard to his Week 2 status. If he can't play Sunday against the Lions, added opportunities would be on tap for Travis Benjamin and Dontrelle Inman.

Hopkins (ribs) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Despite spending nearly all of last season on the injury report, Hopkins played all 16 games for a fifth time in six years. It appears the Texans will limit his practice reps once again, with Hopkins nursing a rib injury after he put up an 8-111-2 receiving line on a 98 percent snap share in Monday's 30-28 loss to the Saints. Hopkins doesn't seem to be in much danger of missing Sunday's matchup with Jalen Ramsey and the Jaguars.

Montgomery will step in as the lead running back if Le'Veon Bell (shoulder) doesn't play in Monday's game against Cleveland, Al Iannazzone of Newsday reports.

Bell practiced Wednesday after coming out of the season opener with what he referred to as "normal soreness", but he was absent from Thursday's session, instead going for an MRI. He played every snap on offense in a 17-16 loss to Buffalo, with Montgomery chipping in two carries for four yards on five snaps in two-RB formations. Montgomery wouldn't necessarily handle an every-down role in the event of a Bell absence, as the Jets have another experienced backup in Bilal Powell, along with second-year pro Trenton Cannon. It's already a tough spot for the Jets offense, with Sam Darnold (illness) ruled out for at least one week --- and probably longer -- while he recovers from mononucleosis.

Taylor (foot) didn't practice Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

The 49ers haven't said anything to rule Taylor out, but there's been no indication he's close to returning from his August surgery on a Jones fracture. Taylor's presumed absence for Week 2 against the Bengals leaves an opening in the slot, where Richie James saw most of the work in a season-opening win over Tampa Bay. Fellow wide receivers Dante Pettis and Kendrick Bourne also have experience working inside.