NFL Player News

Downs (toe) was a full practice participant Thursday.

Downs' return to a full practice likely confirms that his absence from Wednesday's session was maintenance-related. The second-year receiver shouldn't face any limitations Sunday at Minnesota, and his fantasy outlook moving forward figures to be trending upward with the Colts electing to move forward with Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback rather than Anthony Richardson. While Flacco was under center for most of the Colts' three games from Weeks 4 through 6, Downs produced a 24-217-2 receiving line on 30 targets.

The Jets are slated to place Lazard (chest) on IR, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Once the anticipated move is official, Lazard will be in line to miss at least four games, with his earliest possible return date being Sunday, Dec. 8 against the Dolphins. In Lazard's looming absence, Garrett Wilson, Davante Adams and Mike Williams will continue to lead the Jets' wideout corps. Prior to sustaining his injury, Lazard caught 30 of his 44 targets for 412 yards and five TDs in seven games.

Legette was limited at Thursday's practice due to a toe injury, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Legette is a midweek addition to Carolina's practice report, so his status bears watching Friday to see if he may be in danger of sitting out (or being inhibited) Sunday versus the Saints. In the wake of the Diontae Johnson trade earlier this week, Legette is in line to pace the Panthers' receiving corps moving forward, but the current health concern may throw a wrench into those expectations in the short term.

Thielen (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

Thielen maintained his activity level from Wednesday's session, and he now has one more chance to get back to full participation Friday before the Panthers potentially make a ruling on whether or not to activate him from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game versus the Saints. He's been sidelined since Week 3 due to a right hamstring injury, and whenever he's able to return, he'll bolster a receiving corps that lost Diontae Johnson via trade to the Ravens earlier this week.

Higgins (quad) isn't practicing Thursday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

The report does note that Higgins, who didn't practice Wednesday, either, was present Thursday for rehab work. The wideout thus has one more chance to practice in advance of Sunday's game against the Raiders, but if Higgins is out this weekend, Jermaine Burton and Trenton Irwin would be in line to see added snaps, as they did Week 8 when Higgins was inactive.

Downs (toe) returned to practice Thursday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Along with receiver Michael Pittman (back), Downs continues to have his practice reps managed, but his return to Thursday's session has him on track to suit up Sunday against the Vikings. So long as Downs upgrades to full practice participation Thursday and/or Friday, he should approach the Week 9 game without a designation.

Pittman (back) returned to practice Thursday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

The same applies to fellow WR Josh Downs (toe), as the Colts continue to manage the duo's practice reps. Thursday's injury report will reveal Pittman's official participation level, but it's worth noting that a week ago he advanced to full participation after missing Wednesday's session.

Smith-Schuster (hamstring) won't practice Thursday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Smith-Schuster, who was inactive for this past Sunday's win over the Raiders, didn't practice ahead of that contest, and his continued absence from Thursday's session clouds his status for Monday night's game against the Buccaneers. If Smith-Schuster remains sidelined in Week 9, Xavier Worthy, DeAndre Hopkins and Justin Watson would be in line to lead the Chiefs' WR corps versus Tampa Bay.

The Bills signed Cain to the practice squad Thursday.

Cain hasn't suited up for NFL regular-season action since 2020 when he played two games with the Steelers, but he's recorded 65 receptions for 787 yards and eight touchdowns in the regular season and postseason across the last two springs with the USFL/UFL's Birmingham Stallions. Now, the 2018 sixth-round pick will compete to carve out a deep depth role with Buffalo.

Chark (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Chark has been regularly listed as limited since having his 21-day practice window opened. The veteran wide receiver hasn't yet played this season, but he should be nearing a return and might even be a candidate to suit up for Sunday's road game against the Browns. Chark will need to be activated from injured reserve before being eligible to make his Chargers debut, however.