NFL Player News

Pearsall (knee) was working on the side with a sleeve on his right leg during Thursday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Pearsall has yet to practice since picking up a minor PCL injury in his right knee during a Week 4 loss to the Jaguars, but GM John Lynch said Thursday that the second-year wide receiver "hasn't given up hope" on playing Sunday in Tampa Bay, per David Lombardi of SFStandard.com. In the end, though, Pearsall likely will need to mix into drills Friday to put himself in a position to do so.

Jennings (ankle/rib) returned to practice Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

This marks Jennings' first on-field work since Week 4 prep as he tends to lingering ankle and rib injuries. GM John Lynch said earlier Thursday that Jennings may be limited at the 49ers' upcoming session and also return for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, per Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News. The team's second Week 6 practice report will reveal Jennings' activity level Thursday, but he likely will need to practice fully Friday in order to avoid a designation entering the weekend.

St. Brown (wrist) practiced fully Thursday.

After sitting out Wednesday's session due to a wrist injury, St. Brown was spotted on the practice field Thursday, and his activity level indicates that the issue isn't much of a concern. He'll thus turn his focus to a Chiefs defense Sunday that has allowed 7.5 YPT (21st in the NFL) and just four touchdown catches to wide receivers in five games this season.

Pierce (concussion) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Pierce has missed two straight games but has now logged back-to-back full practices sessions, so he appears to be nearing a return from the concussion protocol. Friday's practice figures to be key for Pierce, who will also need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist before being eligible to return to the starting lineup alongside Michael Pittman and Josh Downs. He's working to gain clearance in time for Sunday's matchup against the Cardinals.

Skowronek (illness) was a full participant in practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Skowronek was a full go Thursday after being limited by an illness Wednesday. He could see additional opportunities Sunday against the Browns if Calvin Austin (shoulder) is unable to play. Austin didn't practice in any capacity Wednesday or Thursday.

Austin (shoulder) remained a non-participant in practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Austin injured his shoulder in Pittsburgh's Week 4 win over the Vikings, and he has now missed the team's first two practices coming out of a Week 5 bye. Head coach Mike Tomlin said earlier in the week that Austin could ramp up his practice participation as the week progresses, but Austin will likely need to practice in some capacity Friday to give himself a chance to suit up for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Samuel (neck/ribs) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Samuel played a season-high 49 percent of offensive snaps during Buffalo's loss to New England in Week 5, in which he secured both of his targets for 26 yards and one score, but he appears to have picked up a pair of injuries in the process. He also racked up 86 yards across three kick returns versus the Patriots. Samuel will figure to handle a similar role on the road against Atlanta on Monday night, as long as he can gain clearance to suit up.

Worthy (ankle/shoulder) won't practice Thursday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Worthy practiced without limitations Wednesday, so it's possible Thursday is just a maintenance day for the 2024 first-round pick, who has had an injury-filled start to his sophomore season. He sat out Weeks 2 and 3 after injuring his shoulder in a collision with Travis Kelce early in Week 1, and Worthy experienced swelling in his ankle shortly before Monday's loss to the Jaguars, though he showed no ill effects from the latter injury in a six-catch performance against Jacksonville. Worthy's participation level Friday will offer valuable insight regarding his availability for Sunday night's game against the Lions.

St. Brown (wrist) returned to practice Thursday, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.

St. Brown didn't practice Wednesday due to a wrist injury, but he's back out there Thursday, through it remains to be seen if he's listed as a full participant or merely manages a limited session. In either case, St. Brown's health is trending in the right direction, so the league leader in touchdown receptions (six) will likely suit up Sunday night in Kansas City as he looks to add to that total.

McLaurin (quadriceps) isn't practicing Thursday, Tashan Reed of The Washington Post reports.

Per Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic, McLaurin went through a stretching routine with the team Thursday before moving off to a side field, though he isn't in uniform. McLaurin hasn't practiced or played since sustaining a quadriceps injury in Washington's Week 3 win against the Raiders. Head coach Dan Quinn expressed optimism earlier in the week about McLaurin potentially returning to face the Bears on Monday, but McLaurin hasn't demonstrated much tangible progress in his recovery. Washington playing Monday in Week 6 is a double-edged sword for McLaurin's fantasy managers, as the standout wide receiver has an extra day to recover but replacement options will be limited for managers banking on a McLaurin return if his status isn't decided until closer to gametime.