NFL Player News

Howell (coach's decision) is inactive but available as Philadelphia's emergency third quarterback Thursday night versus New York.

Howell will once again operate as the No. 3 quarterback in Week 6, and he'll only be eligible to enter the game if both Jalen Hurts and Tanner McKee go down with injuries. Howell has yet to appear in a regular-season game since being traded to Philadelphia in August.

Higbee (hip) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

This marks Higbee's first on-field work since Week 4 prep, a span in which he sat out last Thursday's loss to the 49ers due to a hip injury. He'll have one more opportunity to get back to all activity Friday, or else risk entering the weekend with a designation ahead of Sunday's game at Baltimore. Colby Parkinson (concussion) also was limited Thursday, leaving the Rams with Davis Allen and Terrance Ferguson as their healthy tight ends at the moment.

Carter (heel) has been ruled out for Thursday night's contest against the Giants.

Carter first appeared on the injury report Wednesday with a heel injury, which will now force him to miss at least one game. In his absence, Za'Darius Smith and Byron Young stand to see an increase in workload on the defensive line versus New York.

Flowers (shoulder) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Flowers was also limited Wednesday, but so far there's been nothing to suggest that his availability for Sunday's game against the Rams is in danger. In any case, Friday's final injury report will reveal whether the wideout carries an injury designation into the weekend or is fully cleared to face Los Angeles.

Dean (knee) is active for Thursday night's matchup with the Giants.

Dean will make his season debut after missing the first five games of the year while recovering from a torn left patellar tendon that he suffered in January. The linebacker recorded 128 total tackles (80 solo), including 3.0 sacks, while also adding an interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries over 15 regular-season games last year.

Johnston (hamstring) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Johnston was also limited Wednesday, so he'll probably need to work fully Friday in order to approach Sunday's game against the Dolphins without an injury designation. In five games to date, Johnston has caught 26 of 41 targets for a team-high 377 receiving yards and four TDs, a pace that has the 2023 first-rounder firmly on the fantasy lineup radar ahead of Week 6 action.

Waller (hip/rest) was limited at practice Thursday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Waller was deemed a DNP on Wednesday, but his return to a limited session Thursday has him trending toward being available Sunday against the Chargers, and quite possibly without a Week 6 injury designation, as was the case last week after the tight end logged three straight limited listings. With that in mind, it's worth noting that Furones previously relayed via Dolphins TEs coach Jon Embree that Waller is a candidate to continue to see an uptick in playing time after increasing from 16 to 32 snaps between his first and second game back from being sidelined Weeks 1-3.

Jennings (ankle/rib) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Jennings has been dealing with a rib injury since taking a big hit in the second half of a Week 4 loss to the Jaguars, which held him out of the 49ers' Week 5 win at the Rams and didn't allow him to practice until this Thursday. According to Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News, GM John Lynch noted earlier Thursday that Jennings may return to action Sunday at Tampa Bay. Ultimately, Friday's practice report will reveal whether or not Jennings has a chance to play this weekend.

Tagovailoa (hip/left thumb) practiced fully Thursday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

After being limited Wednesday, Tagovailoa's full participation a day later paves the way for him to be ready for Sunday's game against the Chargers, who have dropped two straight games. In terms of the issue with the left thumb on Tagovailoa's throwing hand, Furones previously noted that the QB didn't appear to be hindered on short/intermediate throws during Thursday's session. With Tyreek Hill (knee) out for the season, Tagovailoa's top playmakers going forward figure to be WR Jaylen Waddle, RB De'Von Achane and TE Darren Waller.

Jones (knee/oblique) officially was limited at Thursday's practice, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Jones emerged from his third start of the season in place of QB Brock Purdy (toe) last Thursday at the Rams with an oblique injury in addition to the existing PCL sprain. On Thursday in particular, Jones didn't attempt many throws in the portion of the session open to the media, per David Lombardi of SFStandard.com. While Purdy appears to be trending toward another absence Sunday at Tampa Bay, Jones himself needs to be monitored as the weekend approaches to ensure he's lined up to be under center yet again.