NFL Player News

Chark (groin) practiced fully Thursday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

Chark had been limited since having his 21-day practice window opened, but his return to a full session Thursday suggests that he could come off IR and be available to face the Browns on Sunday. If that ends up being the case, the Chargers would be able to ease Chark back in, with Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer also in the team's wideout mix ahead of Week 9 action.

Rice (shoulder) was listed as a DNP on Thursday's injury report.

Rice was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury, but he was unable to see the field Thursday. It's a trend in the wrong direction, but he'll have one more chance Friday to return to practice and give himself a chance to play against the Browns on Sunday.

McConkey (hip) practiced fully Thursday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

The same goes for Quentin Johnston (ankle), which sets the stage for the Chargers to have their top three wideouts (McConkey, Johnston and Joshua Palmer) available Sunday against the Browns. It also looks like DJ Chark (groin, IR) is trending toward returning to action this weekend, but in any case, McConkey should maintain steady enough volume going forward to yield weekly fantasy lineup utility.

Jones (groin) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Jones was able to practice in full Wednesday, but he was limited during Thursday's session, indicating that he may have picked up a groin injury during practice. The severity of the injury isn't clear, but Friday's practice report should provide clarity on his status heading into Sunday's game against the Raiders. Jones has served as the Bengals' primary return man this season, but if he's unable to play, Chase Brown and Trenton Irwin would be the top candidates to handle kickoff- and punt-return duties Sunday.

Boyd (shoulder) remained sidelined at practice Thursday.

While Boyd maintained his practice level from Wednesday, fellow wideout Calvin Ridley (shoulder) returned to a full practice Thursday. Boyd now has one more chance to practice as Sunday's game against the Patriots approaches, but if he's unavailable this weekend, the Titans would need to summon help from the practice squad to bolster their WR depth behind Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Thornton (ankle) was limited at practice Thursday.

Thornton practiced fully Wednesday, so it's possible that he tweaked his ankle during Thursday's session. If Thornton is available Sunday against the Titans, he'd profile as a low-percentage fantasy option while working in a New England wideout corps that also includes DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne and Ja'Lynn Polk (concussion).

Polk (concussion) practiced fully Thursday.

After being limited Wednesday, Polk upgraded to all activity a day later, which has the 2024 second-rounder trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Titans. If he's cleared for Week 9 action, Polk would profile as a hit-or-miss fantasy option in a New England wideout corps that features DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte and Kendrick Bourne.

Smith-Marsette (ankle) was listed as a limited practice participant on Thursday's injury report, Matt Citak of the Giants' official site reports.

Smith-Marsette opened the week as a DNP on Wednesday due to an ankle injury he may have picked up during the Giants' Week 8 loss to the Steelers. He'll have one more chance Friday to increase his practice participation and avoid an injury designation ahead of Sunday's NFC East showdown against the Commanders. Smith-Marsette has served as the Giants' primary return man on special teams, and if he cannot play Sunday, Darius Slayton and Eric Gray could handle those duties as Tyrone Tracy continues to work his way through the league's concussion protocols.

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

After missing two straight games with the ankle injury, Meyers returned to action in this past Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Chiefs, playing 80 percent of the offensive snaps while finishing with six catches for 52 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. Meyers was limited in practice to kick off Week 9 prep, but his full session Thursday sets the stage for him to join tight end Brock Bowers as the clear top targets in the passing game for quarterback Gardner Minshew in Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Shepard was a non-participant at Thursday's practice due to a hamstring injury.

Shepard has been a regular in the Buccaneers offense since Week 4, accumulating a 11-111-1 line on 17 targets and four carries for 31 yards over the last five contests. With Chris Godwin (ankle) out for the season and Mike Evans (hamstring) in the midst of a likely three-game absence, Shepard was expected to take on an even larger role, but this new health concern may put a wrench in those plans. In the end, Shepard's activity level, or lack thereof, Friday and Saturday may provide insight into his chances to play Monday at Kansas City.