NFL Player News

Jones (hamstring/knee) remained a limited participant at practice Thursday.

After having logged two straight limited sessions, Jones likely needs to practice fully Friday in order to avoid an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Panthers. On the plus side, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com relayed Tuesday that head coach Doug Pederson expressed optimism that Jones -- who was inactive for the Week 16 loss to the Buccaneers -- could return to action this weekend.

Samuel (neck) is taking part in Thursday's practice, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The 49ers will post their second Week 17 injury report later Thursday, when it will be known whether Samuel was a limited or full participant in practice after he was estimated as a limited participant for Wednesday's walkthrough. Either way, Samuel's ability to get on the field in some capacity is a reassuring sign that his sprained neck won't be anything that puts his status for Sunday's game in Washington in jeopardy.

Hill (ankle) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Hill's limited activity represented a step up from Wednesday, when he was listed as a non-participant on Miami's first Week 17 injury report. Though Hill sat out the Dolphins' Week 15 win over the Jets due to the ankle injury, he showed no ill effects in his return to the lineup this past Sunday, finishing the Dolphins' 22-20 win over the Cowboys with nine catches for 99 yards on 14 targets. His lack of full participation so far in practice this week is likely just a case of maintenance, and Hill should be ready to serve as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's (thumb/quadricep) top target in this weekend's game in Baltimore.

Jarrett (quadriceps) was a full practice participant Thursday.

This was the second straight full session to begin Week 17 prep for Jarrett, who was designated to return from injured reserve last Wednesday. The wide receiver also logged a trio of full practices last week but was ultimately held out of Sunday's win over Jacksonville, so his seeming return to full health doesn't necessarily mean he'll be activated ahead of this Sunday's clash against New Orleans. If Jarrett does suit up against the Saints, he'll likely be relegated to a minor role on offense, as the Buccaneers have a mostly healthy wide-receiver room ahead of him. Jarrett didn't play more than 26 percent of the team's offensive snaps or notch more than one catch in any of his 10 games prior to landing on IR.

Mims was a limited participant at practice Thursday due to a hamstring injury, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Mims practiced fully Wednesday, but his status now needs to be monitored ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers, especially with fellow wideout Courtland Sutton (concussion) missing his second straight practice Thursday. If Mims is able to play this weekend, he'll be working with a new quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who has replaced Russell Wilson as the Broncos' starter for the final two games of the season.

Addison (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

After being held out of Wednesday's walkthrough, Addison was able to handle some on-field work one day later as he looks to miss no game action due to the ankle sprain that he suffered this past Sunday against the Lions. Head coach Kevin O'Connell called Addison "day-to-day" Tuesday, per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com, but it remains to be seen if the rookie first-round pick will sidestep a designation ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Packers. Friday's injury report will unveil whether or not that's the case for Addison.

Sutton (concussion) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Sutton thus has one more chance to practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers. If he's unable to gain clearance to play this weekend, Jerry Jeudy, Marvin Mims (hamstring), Brandon Johnson and Lil'Jordan Humphrey would profile as quarterback Jarrett Stidham's top targets at receiver in Week 17.

Reed (toe/chest) was limited at practice Thursday.

Reed received the same listing on Wednesday's estimated practice report due to the pair of injuries that have impacted his on-field reps since Week 12 prep. The toe issue forced the rookie second-round pick to miss this past Sunday's game in Carolina, but he seems to be closing in on active status again, which could be revealed as soon as the Packers post their final injury report of the week Friday. Meanwhile, Christian Watson (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (chest/ankle) have yet to mix into drills this week, so a returning Reed could be in line for a large workload alongside Romeo Doubs if he's able to suit up.

Brown (knee) remained a limited participant at practice Thursday.

Since sitting out Weeks 11 and 12 due to the knee issue, Brown has remained a fixture on Texans injury reports, but he's played in each of the last four games. Even though he's operating with a cap on his reps once again for the first two practices of Week 17, Brown seems to be trending toward playing again this Sunday against the Titans. If Brown is available, he'll be drawing targets from quarterback C.J. Stroud, who has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol and is set to return from a two-game absence.

Brown (heel) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Brown may be trending toward a second absence in a row due to a lingering heel injury that caused early exits from his last two appearances in Weeks 13 and 15. However, he'll have one more chance to get in his first on-field work of Week 17 prep before the Cardinals potentially make a decision on his availability for Sunday's game at Philadelphia. If Brown is out again this weekend, Michael Wilson, Rondale Moore and Zach Pascal will be the top available options at wide receiver for the team's offense.