NFL Player News

Polk (concussion) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Polk didn't practice in any fashion last week before being ruled out ahead of Sunday's win over the Jets, but he'll take a step forward in his recovery from the concussion by opening Week 9 prep as a limited participant. If the rookie second-round pick clears the five-step concussion protocol and is available Sunday against the Titans, he would be part of a New England wideout group that includes DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte and Kendrick Bourne.

Ridley missed Wednesday's practice with a shoulder injury.

Ridley handled an 80 percent snap share and a 92 percent route share in Sunday's 52-14 loss at Detroit, catching 10 of 15 targets for 143 yards. The Titans have offered no indication that his shoulder injury is serious, but another absence from practice Thursday would create some doubt about Ridley's availability for a home game against the Patriots this Sunday. Out of his 326 receiving yards this season, 36.2 percent came in the first quarter of the blowout loss to Detroit.

Smith-Marsette (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Smith-Marsette played 10 special-teams snaps and returned three kicks for 100 yards in Monday night's loss to the Steelers, but it appears he sustained an ankle injury in the process. The first-year Giant could be in jeopardy of missing Week 9's matchup against the Commanders if he's unable to upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday.

Ford-Wheaton (Achilles) didn't practice Wednesday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Ford-Wheaton played through his Achilles injury in the Giants' Week 8 loss to the Steelers, failing to record a stat across 23 special-teams snaps. Wednesday's DNP is likely precautionary, however, if he can't upgrade to at least limited work Thursday or Friday, he could be in jeopardy of missing the Giants' Week 9 matchup against the Commanders.

Davis (shoulder) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Davis made an early exit from Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Packers, but head coach Doug Pederson said Monday that the wideout avoided a major injury and "should be fine" for this Sunday's game at Philadelphia. Fellow Jaguars wideout Brian Thomas (chest) is also in the day-to-day category, while Christian Kirk (collarbone) wasn't so lucky and will miss the rest of the season. Davis and Thomas both wore non-contact jerseys during Wednesday's practice, per Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. Kirk's absence could push a few more targets toward Davis, although Davis hasn't made much of a case for himself in 2024, failing to live up to a three-year, $39 million contract he signed during the offseason.

Thomas (chest) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Thomas' ability to practice in any fashion is a good sign just three days after he made an early exit from Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Packers. Early reports suggested Thomas may have suffered a multi-week injury in the Week 8 loss, but head coach Doug Pederson called the rookie day-to-day after an MRI revealed nothing more than a contusion. Thomas thus has a chance to play this Sunday at Philadelphia, as does fellow wideout Gabe Davis (shoulder), while Christian Kirk (collarbone) is out for the season.

Lazard (chest) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Texans.

Lazard will miss his second game in a row, with his next chance to suit up arriving Nov. 10 against the Cardinals. In his continued absence, Garrett Wilson, Davante Adams and Mike Williams will continue to lead the Jets' wideout corps in Week 9.

Wilson (hip) didn't practice Wednesday.

The same can be said for fellow wideout Bub Means, who emerged from the Saints' Week 8 loss to the Chargers with a high-ankle sprain. Wilson hasn't practiced since last Wednesday, when he was a limited participant, so he may need to return to the field in at least that capacity to have a chance to return to action Sunday in Carolina. At the moment, Chris Olave, Mason Tipton, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Jermaine Johnson are the healthy options at the position on New Orleans' active roster.

Means (ankle) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice.

Means' absence doesn't come as a surprise after he was removed from this past Sunday's loss to the Chargers with a high-ankle sprain, which typically results in a multi-game absence. The rookie wideout's status will likely receive clarity by week's end, and there's also the prospect of fellow receiver Cedrick Wilson -- who didn't practice Wednesday -- missing time due to a hip injury. Currently, Chris Olave, Mason Tipton, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Jermaine Johnson are the healthy options at the position on the Saints' active roster.

Hill sat out Wednesday's practice for rest purposes, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Hill approached this past Sunday's 28-27 loss to the Cardinals listed as questionable after not practicing Friday due to a foot issue. The wideout ultimately suited up for the contest and played 88 percent of Miami's snaps on offense, finishing with six catches for 72 yards on nine targets. With no injury attached to his name on Wednesday's injury report, Hill is slated to face the Bills on Sunday in quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's second start since returning from a concussion that landed him on injured reserve.