NFL Player News

Nacua (knee) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against Minnesota, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

The Rams designated Nacua for a return from injured reserve Tuesday and apparently have seen enough in practice from him to keep the door open for a Week 8 appearance. If nothing else, his questionable tag is a strong sign he's on track to play in a Week 9 matchup with the Seahawks on Nov. 3. Fellow Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Thursday's game.

Miller was signed to the Buccaneers' 53-man roster from their practice squad Wednesday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Miller suited up Week 6 against the Saints and will now likely see more opportunities in the weeks ahead. With Mike Evans (hamstring) expected to miss at least three games and Chris Godwin (ankle) expected to miss the rest of the season, there are plenty of opportunities up for grabs in Tampa Bay's receiving corps.

Downs didn't practice Wednesday due to groin and toe injuries.

Downs had missed the last two Wednesday practice sessions as he managed a toe issue, and while the wideout is still being listed with the toe injury, he's now also nursing a groin concern as Sunday's game against the Texans approaches. The wideout's status is thus worth tracking closely in the coming days, and his availability for the Week 8 contest could be in jeopardy if he doesn't resume practicing fully by Friday.

Thielen (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Thielen was designated to return from injured reserve earlier Wednesday and can now be activated to the roster at any point. It's unclear if the Panthers expect him to play this Sunday in Denver, but his fantasy outlook won't be especially robust if he's cleared to suit up for the first time since Week 3. In addition to potentially having his snaps managed coming off the injury, Thielen would be working with Bryce Young rather than Andy Dalton (thumb) at quarterback while also facing off against a strong Denver pass defense.

The 49ers placed Aiyuk (knee) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Aiyuk has a long rehab path ahead of him after suffering ACL and MCL tears in his right knee during Sunday's loss to the Chiefs. The 49ers are left with Deebo Samuel (illness) and Jauan Jennings (hip) as their top veteran wide receivers for the rest of the season, and it's unclear if either will be available this Sunday against the Cowboys. Rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing and second-year pro Ronnie Bell are all candidates for significant playing time in the near future, especially if veteran backup Chris Conley (ankle) also is unable to play.

Hollins (shoulder) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

Hollins saw minimal involvement in Amari Cooper's debut with the Bills in Week 7 against the Titans, as the former drew just one target in the 34-10 win. Even if Hollins upgrades to full participation later in the week and avoids an injury designation, he may not play a significant role Sunday in Seattle.

Samuel didn't practice Wednesday due to a pectoral injury.

Samuel left in the first quarter of Buffalo's Week 7 win over the Titans with what was deemed a shoulder injury, but it's his pectoral that kept him off the practice field Wednesday. Even if Samuel returns to practice prior to Sunday's game against the Seahawks, he isn't expected to be a key contributor, as he has only 12 catches for 92 yards this season.

Pittman (back) was present but not participating in Wednesday's practice, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Josh Downs (toe) was also a spectator during practice, though Atkins points out that both Pittman and Downs also missed the last two Wednesday practice sessions for rest purposes. Pittman has two more chances to practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Texans, but the early expectation is that he'll be ready to play.

Olave (concussion) was present at practice Wednesday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Assuming Olave took part in some drills, it would mark his first visible on-field work since sustaining a concussion Oct. 13 against the Buccaneers. The Saints have lost fellow wideout Rashid Shaheed for the season due to meniscus surgery, and quarterback Derek Carr continues to be sidelined with an oblique issue, so getting Olave back will be key for the team's passing game. The Saints will release their first Week 8 injury report later Wednesday, when it will be known how much work Olave was able to handle.

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said Wednesday that Metcalf (knee) will miss Seattle's next two practices and then have his sprained MCL evaluated on Friday before the team makes a decision on his status for Sunday's game against the Bills, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Metcalf's chances of suiting up Week 8 will rest largely on the extent of his participation at Friday's practice, and the Seahawks aren't expected to have any updates on the star wide receiver's health until then. The wideout reportedly suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain during Seattle's win over Atlanta last Sunday, and he could be at risk of missing his first game of the season this weekend versus Buffalo. If Metcalf is sidelined, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will lead Seattle's receiver room, with Jake Bobo seeing more reps in three-receiver sets.