NFL Player News

Gibbs (hamstring) officially didn't practice Thursday.

Gibbs hasn't practiced since he showed up on last Friday's injury report as a limited participant and doubtful to play Week 5 against the Panthers. He subsequently sat out this past Sunday's game, and he told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press on Wednesday that he won't have an idea of his potential to return until after Friday's session. As a result, Gibbs' status will be of keen interest when the Lions post their final Week 6 practice report. If Gibbs is limited or out this weekend, Craig Reynolds likely would be the primary beneficiary out of Detroit's backfield behind No. 1 option David Montgomery.

Brightwell (ankle) did not participate at practice Thursday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Brightwell began the week with a limited practice Wednesday, but his absence Thursday puts his availability for Week 6 in doubt. If he can't practice in at least some capacity Friday, he'll probably be forced to sit out Sunday at Buffalo.

Pollard was a limited participant in Thursday's practice due to a shoulder injury, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Pollard is making his first appearance of the season on the injury report, but unless the Cowboys reveal that he hurt his shoulder during Thursday's session, his limitations to begin Week 6 prep might have been maintenance-related. In any case, Pollard will have two more opportunities to upgrade to full activity in practice before the Cowboys decide whether to give him a designation heading into Monday's game against the Chargers.

Wilson (ribs/finger) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Practicing for the second time in the regular season after being designated for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Wilson once again had his reps capped. The Dolphins may want to see if Wilson can practice fully Friday before activating him from IR ahead of Sunday's game against the Panthers, but offensive coordinator Frank Smith said Thursday that the running back looks ready to play this weekend, according to Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald. If cleared to make his season debut Week 6, Wilson could immediately step in as the Dolphins' No. 2 back behind starter Raheem Mostert after standout rookie De'Von Achane (knee) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.

Barkley (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Barkley appears to be in something of a holding pattern in his recovery from a right high-ankle sprain; he's now been limited in eight consecutive practices. The standout running back still has a chance to put an end to his three-game absence this Sunday against the Bills, but he may need to put in a full practice Friday for the Giants to give him the green light to play. Even if he plays this weekend, Barkley may not make for the slam-dunk lineup option he usually is, particularly in shallower leagues. In addition to the prospect of facing a negative game script in a road matchup against the heavily favored Bills, Barkley will be running behind a struggling offensive line and could be subject to a limited workload and snap count if he suits up.

Homer (hamstring) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.

Homer has taken all but two of his 75 snaps on special teams through Chicago's first five games, but his status for this Sunday's game against the Vikings takes on greater importance while the top two backs on the Bears' depth chart, Khalil Herbert (ankle) and Roschon Johnson (concussion), are both nursing injuries. Unfortunately for Homer, he's joined Herbert and Johnson on the sideline for both of the Bears' first two Week 6 practices, leaving all three backs trending toward sitting out Sunday. If that's the case, D'Onta Foreman would likely be in line to serve as the Bears' lead option on the ground, while Darrynton Evans could fill the change-of-pace/passing-down role that might have otherwise gone to Johnson or Homer.

Johnson (concussion) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice.

Johnson entered concussion protocol after he was removed from this past Thursday's 40-20 win over the Commanders and doesn't appear to have taken a notable step forward in his recovery from the injury just under a week later. With consecutive absences at practice to begin Week 6 prep, Johnson will likely need to mix into drills in some capacity Friday in addition to gaining clearance from an independent neurologist to have any chance at playing Sunday against the Vikings. Khalil Herbert (ankle) and Travis Homer (hamstring) have also been spectators for the Bears' first two Week 6 practices and appear to be trending toward absences Sunday, which likely leaves D'Onta Foreman on track to headline the Chicago backfield against the Vikings.

Herbert (ankle) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.

Herbert has been a spectator for both of the Bears' first two Week 6 practices, a development that hardly comes as a surprise after he reportedly suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Bears' 40-20 win over the Commanders last Thursday. Though the Bears haven't officially ruled Herbert out for Sunday's game against the Vikings, high-ankle sprains typically entail multi-week recoveries. With Herbert unlikely to play Sunday and Roschon Johnson (concussion) and Travis Homer (hamstring) also seemingly trending in the wrong direction after sitting out practices Wednesday and Thursday, D'Onta Foreman could be in line to headline the Chicago backfield this weekend.

Sanders (shoulder) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.

The shoulder issue has kept Sanders off the field for both of the Panthers' first two Week 6 practices, seemingly putting the 26-year-old in danger of missing Sunday's game against the Dolphins. The Panthers will wait and see if Sanders can mix into drills in some capacity Friday before potentially handing him a designation for Sunday. If Sanders is sidelined this weekend, Chuba Hubbard would likely have a clear path to a three-down role out of the Carolina backfield.

Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt noted Thursday that Ford's knee issue isn't a concern ahead of Sunday's game against the 49ers, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Ford was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, but it appears as though his limitations were maintenance related. That said, the Browns' top running back will need to practice fully by Friday in order to avoid a Week 6 injury designation.