NFL Player News

Davis (calf/eye) did not participate in Thursday's practice, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

It's the second straight DNP to begin Week 18 prep for Davis, who rumbled for 103 yards on 20 carries against Washington on Christmas Day after No. 1 RB Javonte Williams (shoulder/neck) departed early. Williams has also been held out of practice the first two days this week, so the Cowboys' backfield could be severely depleted for the season finale against the Giants on Sunday. If neither Davis nor Williams is able to suit up in that game, Jaydon Blue figures to take on lead-back duties.

Smith (knee) was a full participant at practice Thursday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Smith was able to log a full practice after opening the week as a limited participant Wednesday with a knee injury. The 24-year-old appears to be all set to go for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Giants.

Dorlus (hamstring) didn't practice Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Dorlus couldn't finish Monday's win over the Rams after suffering an injury early in the second half. He was deemed a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report (Atlanta held a walkthrough) and was labeled with another DNP for Thursday's padded practice. The initial belief was that Dorlus' injury was to his knee, but it's since been discovered that he actually hurt his hamstring, per Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com. Head coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that the team "dodged a big-time bullet" with Dorlus, according to Raimondi, but the second-year defensive end still isn't expected to play in Atlanta's regular-season finale Sunday against New Orleans, per McElhaney.

Williams (shoulder/neck) didn't practice Thursday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Williams hasn't practiced this week due to the shoulder/neck injury that he's been dealing with since a Week 15 matchup with the Vikings. He's still racked up 39 touches for 188 yards and two rushing TDs during that span, while No. 2 RB Malik Davis has turned his 38 touches into 163 total yards and one TD on the ground. Davis (eye/calf) also hasn't practiced this week, so rookie Jaydon Blue is the only healthy player at the position on the active roster.

Baker (concussion/thumb) was a full practice participant Thursday and said that he'll play Sunday against the Rams after clearing concussion protocol, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Baker missed last Sunday's loss to Cincinnati while in concussion protocol, but he said Thursday that he's since passed through the NFL's five-step process and is good to go for Sunday. That should be a big boost to Arizona's defense, which was torched by the combination of Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco for a 121.2 passer rating last weekend. Baker ranks second on the Cardinals with 111 tackles on the campaign (one behind linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither) and has added five defensed passes, including one interception.

Pitts (knee) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

This marks Pitts' fourth week in a row being listed on Atlanta injury reports with a knee issue, but he's been able to suit up for each of the last three games, compiling a 20-239-4 line on 24 targets during that stretch. Friday's practice report will reveal whether or not Pitts enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's contest against the Saints.

Speights (ankle) remained limited in Thursday's practice, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Speights suffered a high-ankle sprain back in October and has been on the injury report various times this season. Across 15 starts this season, Speights has logged 80 tackles (41 solo) and one pass breakup.

Lake (elbow) was a full participant at practice Thursday.

Lake was designated to return from injured reserve earlier in the day, and he was ultimately able to log a full practice in his return. The safety has been sidelined since mid-November while recovering from a left elbow injury and subsequent surgery. Lake will have one more opportunity to build off of Thursday's session before Sunday's matchup with the Cardinals, but it remains unclear if the Rams intend on activating him for the regular-season finale.

Smith (chest) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Smith led the Rams with 67 receiving yards on four catches in Monday night's loss to the Falcons. With Davante Adams (hamstring) expected to miss Week 18 against Arizona, Smith should again operate as the Rams' third receiver.

Higbee (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

The Rams opened Higbee's 21-day practice window Wednesday, perhaps getting him ready for the playoffs rather than Week 18 against the Cardinals. Los Angeles has four tight ends that it uses regularly, including Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Terrance Ferguson and Davis Allen.