NFL Player News

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.

Sanders (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

With an uncapped session under his belt, Sanders looks on track to make his return to action Sunday against the Cowboys, after a right high-ankle sprain had kept him out of commission for each of the Panthers' last two contests. Assuming he gets the green light to play this weekend, Sanders should step back in as Carolina's top tight end, which would result in a reduced snap share for Tommy Tremble.

Hubbard (calf) didn't practice Thursday.

Hubbard has now sat out five consecutive Panthers practices due to the calf issue, and unless he's able to end the trend and take part in Friday's session in some capacity, he looks set to miss a second consecutive game this Sunday against the Cowboys. His potential absence would clear the way for Rico Dowdle to get another turn as Carolina's lead back, after Dowdle amassed a career-high 234 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 26 touches in the Panthers' Week 5 win over the Dolphins.

Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Thursday that Vidal and Hassan Haskins will both factor in significantly Sunday against the Dolphins, but neither is viewed as the clear lead back, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

Vidal was signed to the active roster Wednesday off the Chargers' practice squad, taking the roster spot that the team cleared by placing Omarion Hampton (ankle) on IR. Haskins and Vidal each played 14 snaps on offense in the Chargers' 27-10 Week 5 loss to Commanders, during which Hampton was injured. It sounds like both healthy running backs will have opportunities to capitalize on Sunday's favorable matchup against a Dolphins defense that has allowed the most rushing yards in the NFL this season. Amar Johnson and/or Nyheim Hines could also factor into the backfield mix if elevated from the practice squad.

Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Thursday that Haskins and Kimani Vidal will both factor in significantly Sunday against the Dolphins, but neither is viewed as the clear lead back, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

Haskins and Vidal are next in line for backfield touches after Omarion Hampton (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, ensuring Hampton will miss at least four games. Haskins and Vidal played 14 snaps each on offense in the Chargers' 27-10 Week 5 loss to Commanders, during which Hampton got hurt. The Chargers will likely ride the hot hand at running back Sunday in a rotation that could also include Amar Johnson or Nyheim Hines if either are elevated from the practice squad against a Dolphins defense that has allowed the most rushing yards in the league this season.

Vaki (groin) is not participating in Thursday's practice, Ben Raven of MLive reports.

Vaki has missed two consecutive games and hasn't practiced in any capacity since injuring his groin Week 3. He appears to be trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's road matchup against the Chiefs. If Vaki is ruled out again, Craig Reynolds will get another chance to handle the clear RB3 role behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.

Sheffield (undisclosed) signed with the Dolphins' practice squad Wednesday.

This move indicates that Sheffield has recovered from the undisclosed injury he was dealing with in August, when the Dolphins waived the cornerback with an injury settlement. Now healthy, Sheffield will provide organizational depth in the secondary.

McManus (quadriceps) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Before Thursday's session got underway, head coach Matt LaFleur said that McManus was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice after injuring his right quad during the workout, per Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site. LaFleur added that McManus' injury was a "major concern right now," but the Packers aren't yet ruling the 34-year-old out from serving as their kicker Sunday against the Bengals. Though he didn't do any kicking with his injured leg Thursday, McManus was on the field and took part in individual drills, seemingly as a measure to get in some mental reps ahead of the Week 6 contest. He told Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com afterward that he plans to play Sunday, though McManus' activity at Friday's session will likely determine whether or not he heads into the weekend with a designation.

Moton (elbow) didn't practice Thursday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

The veteran offensive tackle from Western Michigan has logged consecutive DNPs to begin the Panthers' week of practice, suggesting he's trending toward not playing in the Week 6 matchup against the Cowboys. Moton likely needs to upgrade to a full practice Friday in order to not carry an injury designation into the weekend.

White (elbow) is not practicing Thursday, Taylor Kyles of CLNSMedia.com reports.

White is missing a second consecutive practice due to the elbow injury he picked up during New England's win over the Bills in Week 5. He'll almost certainly need to resume handling at least limited reps Friday for any chance of being cleared to suit up Sunday on the road against the Saints.