NFL Player News

Whittington (shoulder) practiced fully Thursday, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Despite missing a second game in a row this past Sunday at Seattle due to a shoulder injury, Whittington was able to string together three consecutive limited practices last week. This time around, he doesn't have any restrictions, indicating that he's past the health concern. With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back in action, Whittington will find snaps and targets difficult to come by, but if Demarcus Robinson (toe/hip), who didn't practice Thursday, is inhibited or out Monday against the Dolphins, Whittington would be a candidate to step in behind the top WR duo.

Shepard (hamstring/hip) didn't practice Thursday.

With Chris Godwin (IR, ankle) out for the season, Mike Evans (hamstring) sitting at least one more game and Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and Shepard not practicing yet this week, the Buccaneers' receiving corps is particularly compromised at the moment. Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not Shepard has a chance to suit up Sunday versus the 49ers.

McMillan (hamstring) didn't take part in Thursday's practice.

McMillan hasn't logged any on-field work since tweaking his hamstring last Friday, missing Monday's overtime loss at Kansas City as a result. He'll have one more chance to prove his health this week before the Buccaneers potentially make a ruling on his status ahead of Sunday's game against the 49ers.

Jennings (hip) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

Jennings is attempting to put the hip injury that sidelined him Weeks 7 and 8 in the rearview mirror, but he so far has managed a pair of capped sessions coming out of the 49ers' Week 9 bye. Friday's practice thus should be key for how he's listed heading into the weekend, and if he's able to return for Sunday's contest in Tampa Bay, he'll fill a key role in San Francisco's pass game with Brandon Aiyuk (knee) out for the season.

Burton is active for Thursday night's game against the Ravens.

Burton was a healthy scratch for this past Sunday's win over the Raiders, but he'll reenter the lineup Thursday, providing another option behind fellow WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Andrei Iosivas, with Tee Higgins (quad) inactive. Given that Charlie Jones (groin) also is unavailable, Burton, who has recorded two catches (on five targets) for 88 yards in seven games to date, should have an opportunity to mix into the Bengals' Week 10 passing game in his return to action.

Jones (groin) is inactive for Thursday night's game against the Ravens.

Jones has been listed as a DNP all week due to a groin injury, and as a result, the 2023 fourth-round pick will be sidelined for a second straight game. His next chance at suiting up will be Week 11 against the Chargers on Sunday, Nov. 17. With Jones inactive, Chase Brown and Trenton Irwin will likely serve as the kick and punt returners, respectively, for the Bengals on Thursday.

Higgins (quadricep) is inactive for Thursday night's game against the Ravens.

With Higgins logging his third straight absence, Ja'Marr Chase and Andrei Iosivas are in line to continue to lead a Bengals wideout corps Week 10 that also includes Jermaine Burton and Trenton Irwin, while tight end Mike Gesicki should maintain a high-profile role in the team's passing offense after having been targeted 14 times over the past two contests with Higgins sidelined. Higgins' next chance to suit up will arrive Sunday, Nov. 17 against the Chargers.

Samuel (rib/oblique) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

For a second straight session to begin Week 10 prep, Samuel was donning a blue non-contact jersey, per Wagoner. The rib and oblique injuries stem from a Week 8 win against the Cowboys, so the 49ers' ensuing Week 9 bye hasn't allowed Samuel to get back to 100 percent just yet. In the end, though, Friday's practice report may clear up his status ahead of Sunday's game at Tampa Bay.

Lamb (shoulder) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Tommy Yarrish of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Lamb emerged from this past Sunday's loss in Atlanta with an AC joint injury in his right shoulder that clearly impacted him for a significant portion of the second half. Four days removed from suffering the injury, Lamb told Jon Machota of The Athletic on Thursday, "my shoulder is much better than it was on Sunday, I'll tell you that. I feel like I've taken a big step these last 2-to-3 days. I'm good. I was out there running today." Lamb also noted that the issue is one of pain tolerance, so even if he's able to give it a go Sunday against the Eagles, any aggravation could leave him inhibited like he was Week 9.

Coach Sean McVay said Robinson (toe) won't practice Thursday, but the wide receiver should be fine for Monday's game against the Dolphins, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Robinson has been on a scoring binge since Week 5, posting a 12-166-5 line on 20 targets over the last four games. Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua have been back in action for the last two contests, but Nacua's ejection this past Sunday in Seattle may have aided in Robinson's two-TD day. As for his health, Robinson has two more practices remaining this week in which to put himself in a position to play in Week 10, which is something that McVay seemingly expects him to do.