NFL Player News

Johnston (chest) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice.

A chest injury has resulted in back-to-back capped sessions for Johnston to kick off Week 5 prep, giving him just one more opportunity to get back to full Friday before the Chargers potentially tag him with a designation for Sunday's game against the Broncos. With Ladd McConkey (foot) not practicing Wednesday or Thursday and potentially trending toward an absence, an active Johnston likely will be the top pass catcher available to QB Justin Herbert this weekend.

McConkey (foot) didn't practice Thursday.

McConkey dealt with a foot injury last week before attempting to play through it this past Sunday in Seattle. He eventually exited for good in the third quarter and hasn't practiced since then. Coach Jim Harbaugh termed McConkey "week-to-week" Monday, according to Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com, so it won't be a surprise if he's ruled out on the Chargers' final Week 5 injury report Friday.

Elliott (undisclosed) returned to practice Thursday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.

The 21-day practice window opened Thursday. While Elliott was only back on the practice field in a limited capacity, it was still a step in the right direction. However, despite his presence at practice Thursday, the team might need to wait a few more weeks before he's ready to suit up, with Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reporting his return may not happen until the Steelers play the Saints in Paris on Oct. 25.

Brooks (ankle) didn't practice Thursday.

Brooks was held out of practice for a second straight day, and his consecutive absences could put his availability in jeopardy for Sunday's game against the Bears. Perhaps out of concern for Brooks' status heading into the weekend, the Packers signed Pierre Strong off their practice squad Thursday to give the team another healthy option in the backfield behind MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson. If Brooks ends up sitting out Sunday, Strong could end up handling some of Brooks' responsibilities on passing downs.

Fant (abdomen) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

After sitting out Monday's loss to Atlanta, Fant has had his reps capped for the Saints' first two Week 5 practices while he continues to manage the abdominal injury. He'll likely need to upgrade to full participation Friday to avoid taking a designation into Sunday's matchup with the Vikings. When available this season, Fant has been productive as the Saints' No. 2 tight end behind Juwan Johnson, registering eight receptions for 66 yards and three touchdowns on 12 targets over three appearances.

Dell (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Though he didn't take a step forward in terms of activity after being listed as limited Wednesday upon having his 21-day practice window opened, Dell was seen donning full pads Thursday, per DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com. The wideout will likely still need to complete multiple full practices before being activated from injured reserve, so he could face an uphill battle to play in Sunday's game against the Titans. However, so long as Dell's surgically repaired left knee responds well as he ramps up his practice activity, he should be on pace to make his 2026 debut by midseason.

Addison (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

One day removed from missing Wednesday's practice due to a sore hamstring, Addison rejoined his teammates and fellow WR Justin Jefferson, who missed a Week 4 win against the Dolphins due to an ankle injury but so far has been limited this week. Friday's practice report may provide insight regarding the statuses of both players ahead of Sunday's game at New Orleans.

Stevenson (knee) was listed as a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

A limited participant in both of the Patriots' first two Week 5 practices, Stevenson still appears to be managing the knee issue he sustained late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over the Bills. The fact that he hasn't been held out of practice entirely is a strong sign that Stevenson will be available for this Sunday's matchup with the Raiders, though he might need to upgrade to full participation Friday to head into the weekend without an injury designation.

Jefferson (ankle) was limited at practice Thursday.

Jefferson initially injured his ankle in the middle of a Week 3 win at Tampa Bay and missed this past Sunday's game against the Dolphins. So far this week, he's logged back-to-back capped sessions, and Friday's practice report may provide some clarity regarding whether or not a return to action Sunday in New Orleans is possible. For what it's worth, Jefferson told Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com on Wednesday that he wants to play this weekend as a native of Louisiana, but ultimately it'll be a team decision regarding his status.

Jeanty was listed as a limited participant in Thursday's practice due to ankle and foot injuries, Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee reports.

The Raiders listed Jeanty with the ankle issue on their initial Week 5 injury report posted Wednesday, when the running back turned in a full practice. Not only did he take a step back in activity Thursday, but he's also nursing a foot injury in addition to the ankle concern. While the Raiders haven't yet indicated that Jeanty's availability for Sunday's game against the Patriots is in peril, fantasy managers will want to keep close tabs on his practice activity Friday.