NFL Player News

Helm (toe) remained a limited participant at Thursday's practice.

Helm has logged consecutive limited sessions due to a toe injury. The rookie fourth-round pick has nudged ahead of Chig Okonkwo among Tennessee's tight ends in recent weeks, and Helm has at least four catches in four of the past five games. Helm would likely need to practice without limitations Friday to avoid taking an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

Pitts was a limited practice participant Thursday due to a knee injury, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Pitts experienced some practice restrictions last week due to a knee issue, but he still was able to suit up Week 15 at Tampa Bay and produce the signature performance of his career with 11 catches (on 12 targets) for 166 yards and three touchdowns. Friday's injury report not only will unveil if Pitts enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's contest at Arizona, but if top WR Drake London has a chance to put an end to a four-game absence due to a PCL injury.

Richardson (orbital) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

After the Colts officially opened his 21-day evaluation window Thursday, Richardson took part in practice for the first time since sustaining a fractured orbital bone in his right eye Oct. 12 while working out on the field prior to a game. Prior to Thursday's session, head coach Shane Steichen noted that Richardson still had some vision limitations in his right eye, prompting the Colts to rule the third-year quarterback out for Monday's game against the 49ers. For his part, Richardson told Stephen Holder of ESPN.com that he feels mostly back to normal, but the Colts aren't yet ready to commit to him being activated from injured reserve this season until he's evaluated more extensively in practice. The Colts will turn to Philip Rivers to make a second straight start in Week 16, but Richardson could be an option to unseat Rivers for the top job or Riley Leonard for No. 2 duties at some point over the final two games of the regular season.

Gould (foot) did not participate in Thursday's practice.

Gould has yet to practice since sustaining a foot injury in the Week 14 loss to the Jaguars. The primary kick and punt returner for the Colts has two more practices to improve his participation level and prove he can suit up for Monday's contest against the 49ers. If the 24-year-old can't go, Ameer Abdullah and Josh Downs will likely continue to handle kickoff- and punt-return duties versus San Francisco.

Pierce was a limited participant at practice Thursday due to an Achilles injury.

Pierce played all 60 of the Colts' offensive snaps in an 18-16 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday, but he may have been battling the Achilles issue during that contest or picked up the injury at some point during Thursday's session. In any case, Pierce has two more chances to upgrade to full participation before the Colts' post their game statuses for Monday's game against the 49ers.

Gardner (calf) did not participate in Thursday's practice.

Gardner has been unable to take the field since sustaining a calf injury early in the Week 13 matchup with the Texans. The outside cornerback starts Week 16 with another DNP, not a good sign for the two-time All-Pro's chances to suit up for Monday's primetime game against the 49ers. Gardner will have two more chances to improve his practice participation and prove he is ready to go for Monday's game.

London (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

London now has strung together back-to-back capped sessions this week as he seeks to put an end to a four-game absence due to a PCL sprain in his left knee. Friday's injury report will reveal if he has a chance to return to action Sunday at Arizona, and if TE Kyle Pitts, who showed up on Thursday's injury report as limited with a knee injury of his own, also has a designation for that contest.

Hall (concussion) did not practice Thursday, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Hall has now missed back-to-back practices to begin Week 16 preparations. He appears to be trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's game against the Falcons. Hall will need to fully clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol before returning to the lineup.

Jacobs (knee/ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game in Chicago, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Jacobs didn't practice this week after aggravating the knee issue this past Sunday at Denver that's been bothering him since he suffered the initial injury in Week 11 at the Giants. He sat out Week 12 against the Vikings, but he's been able to log at least a 50 percent snap share the last three games en route to 54 touches for 275 yards from scrimmage and three total TDs during that span. Coach Matt LaFleur told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic on Thursday that the Packers will take the decision on Jacobs' status for Saturday up until game time, meaning his status will be confirmed, one way or another, about 90 minutes before an 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks (chest, questionable) are the RBs on hand in the event Jacobs is inhibited or sidelined this weekend.

Otton (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Otton missed his first game of the season in last week's loss to the Falcons while he battled the knee injury, but after following up a limited practice Wednesday with a full session Thursday, the fourth-year tight end should be in the clear to play Sunday at Carolina. With the Buccaneers recently getting receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan back from long-term absences due to injury, Otton will likely find himself further down in the passing-game hierarchy now that he's healthy again.