NFL Player News

Spears-Jennings is on track to start Sunday's contest against the Colts, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com reports.

Spears-Jennings was able to notch seven total tackles (six solo) and an interception in the team's Week 4 loss to the Browns. Head coach Mike McCarthy praised the rookie Thursday, outlining that Spears-Jennings has "been productive in every opportunity" that the team has given him. Spears-Jennings out snapped fellow safety Rayshawn Jenkins versus Cleveland, and Spears-Jennings figures to operate as the team's starting strong safety Sunday versus Indianapolis.

Alford (ankle) did not participate at practice Thursday, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.

Per Lysowski, coach Joe Brady said Thursday that the ankle injury Alford sustained in Week 4 versus New England is not expected to be a long-term problem. The Bills' matchup against the Rams in Week 5 won't kick off until Monday, so Alford will have an extra day to potentially get right in anticipation of that contest.

Hall (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday.

Hall suffered an ankle injury in last Thursday's win over Pittsburgh. Though he was able to return to that contest, the third-year defensive tackle has been held out of practice for the first two days of Week 5 prep, giving him a gloomy outlook for Sunday's matchup against the Jets. Mason Graham (knee) is also unlikely to suit up Sunday, so Cleveland could rely on Maliek Collins and Adin Huntington to hold down the fort.

Smith (thumb) is active for Thursday's game against the Buccaneers, Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Smith was removed from injured reserve Thursday, Tommy Yarrish of the Cowboys' official site reports. However, after carrying a questionable tag, Smith will be out there Thursday night, likely resulting in less work for T.J. Bass.

Oliver (knee) did not participate at practice Thursday, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.

Per Lysowski, coach Joe Brady said Thursday that the knee injury Oliver suffered during Sunday's game versus the Patriots is not believed to be a long-term issue. Still, his activity at practice will be worth monitoring as the Bills continue to prepare for a Week 5 matchup against the Rams on Monday.

Black (illness) upgraded to a full practice Thursday, Harrison Rich of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Black was limited Wednesday but appears to be fine ahead of Sunday's Week 5 date with the Seahawks. The rookie running back has plodded to 2.5 yards per carry over the last three weeks and is merely a bench stash in fantasy as Christian McCaffrey's top backup.

Mingo (illness) is active for Thursday's game against Tampa Bay, Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Mingo was in danger of missing this contest. However, the illness won't keep the 25-year-old off the field Thursday night. Mingo has appeared in all four of the Cowboys' games this season, amassing one catch (three targets) for 10 yards.

Stick was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster Thursday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

With Baker Mayfield (thumb) on the shelf, Stick was presumably elevated to serve as the No. 2 signal-caller on the depth chart behind Jalon Daniels. He likely won't see the field Thursday versus the Cowboys. However, that may change if Daniels exits the contest due to injury, illness or ejection.

Love (ankle) stayed limited at Thursday's practice, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Love emerged from a Week 4 loss at the Giants with a new ankle injury that's not related to the high-ankle sprain that he tended to in August. Friday's practice report will reveal whether or not he heads into the weekend with a designation for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Porter has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Buccaneers due to an illness, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Only days after his trade from Pittsburgh to Dallas this past Sunday at Houston, Porter was able to handle a 45 percent snap share but didn't make any marks in the box score in his Cowboys debut. An illness will keep him sidelined in Week 5, though, allowing Ameer Speed and Caelen Carson to work at outside cornerback opposite DaRon Bland.