NFL Player News

Spillane (knee) was a full participant in practice Thursday.

The inside linebacker was limited during Wednesday's session. Spillane played on all 50 defensive snaps and led the Patriots in tackles during the team's Week 1 loss to the Seahawks. He's trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Steelers.

Ponds (calf) was a full participant at practice Thursday.

Ponds started the new week of preparation with a limited practice Wednesday, but it now looks like there's little doubt he'll be available in Week 2. The rookie second-rounder might be eased into the Jets' defensive gameplan slowly to start his pro career.

Ossai (foot) did not participate at practice Thursday.

Ossai sat out Sunday's win at Tennessee due to a foot injury he suffered during the preseason, and he still hasn't been able to return to practice. Unless he can practice in some capacity Friday, he'll likely be sidelined again in Week 2 versus the Packers.

Perine (knee) was listed as a non-participant at the Bengals' practice Thursday.

Perine was added to the injury report with an apparent knee injury after opening the week without a listed practice status Wednesday. The running back turned five carries into 20 yards and reeled in all three of his targets for 30 yards during the team's 33-27 win over the Buccaneers in Week 1, but he may have suffered a knee injury at some point during the contest. Perine will have another chance to practice Friday, but if he can't go Sunday against Houston, Tahj Brooks would stand to operate as the team's primary backup option behind Chase Brown in Cincinnati's backfield.

McDonald (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Thursday.

McDonald was a new addition to the Jets' injury report Thursday, so it looks like he might have gotten hurt during practice Wednesday. He'll probably need to practice in full Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.

Porter (back) was a limited participant in practice for the second day in a row Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Porter's back injury was added to his designation after it appeared that he was past the issue a day earlier, when he was listed as limited due to conditioning. The cornerback expressed dissatisfaction during training camp because he didn't get a contract extension from the team. There's a lot going on with Porter, and if he can't play Sunday, Asante Samuel should again be in line to step in.

Sherwood (knee) was a full participant at practice Thursday.

Sherwood popped up on the Jets' injury report Wednesday with a knee issue, but it appears he's back on track to suit up in Week 2. He projects to start at linebacker next to veteran Demario Davis on Sunday versus the Packers.

Tracy (illness) did not appear on the Giants' injury report Thursday, Dan Salomone of the team's official site reports.

Tracy was dealing with an illness to open the week, but he now appears to be back to full health. The running back logged just two snaps with the offense Week 1 against the Cowboys, losing a fumble on his second and final carry of the contest. Tracy figures to once again operate as the No. 3 option in the backfield behind starter Cam Skattebo and top backup Devin Singletary during Monday night's contest against the Rams.

Brown (back) did not participate at the Panthers' practice Thursday, Darin Gantt of the team's official website reports.

Brown has now missed back-to-back practices with a back injury to open the week, and he will have one more chance to practice Friday ahead of Sunday's matchup with Atlanta. The defensive lineman secured two solo tackles in the team's Week 1 loss to Chicago, and if he is unavailable Week 2, Aaron Hall and TeRah Edwards would be candidates to draw a start in Brown's place.

Gray (concussion) was a full participant at practice Thursday.

Gray is working his way back from a concussion he suffered on Sept. 7 during a UTV accident, and it seems he's close to clearing the league's five-step concussion protocol. If he receives clearance for game action from a neurologist in the next couple days, he should be available Sunday versus the Eagles.