NFL Player News

Zaccheaus (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Joining Zaccheaus as a limited practice participant was Rome Odunze (foot), who could be in line to return to action this Sunday against the Browns after sitting out a Week 14 loss to the Packers. Odunze's potential return would likely leave fewer reps to go around for Zaccheaus and rookie wideout Luther Burden, both of whom played north of 70 percent of the Bears' offensive snaps against Green Bay.

Odunze (foot) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Chicago had estimated Odunze as a limited participant for Wednesday's walk-through session, but Thursday marked the first time the second-year wideout had actually taken the field for a practice in more than two weeks. Odunze, who is working his way back from a stress fracture in his foot, is a candidate to play Sunday versus the Browns, but he may have to upgrade to full participation in Friday's practice to avoid taking a designation into the weekend. The potential return of Odunze this Sunday would leave fewer reps to go around for rookie Luther Burden, who drew six targets and played a career-high 71 percent of the offensive snaps in a Week 14 loss to the Packers.

Palmer (ankle) was listed as a limited participant at Thursday's practice.

Palmer was also a limited participant during Wednesday's walk-through practice. He has missed Buffalo's last two games but has a chance to return Sunday against the Patriots. Palmer will likely need to upgrade to full participation Friday to avoid taking an injury designation into Sunday's game.

Evans (collarbone) is officially listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Falcons, though he's in line to play and is expected to be on a "pitch count" with his snaps, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Evans' availability won't be confirmed until Tampa Bay releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the game's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but he looks poised to play for the first time since Week 7 after the Buccaneers activated him from injured reserve Wednesday. Though the 32-year-old wideout didn't take full contact at any point since having his 21-day practice window opened last Wednesday, the Buccaneers feel comfortable enough with how he's recovered from a broken clavicle to clear him for game action. As Fowler notes, Evans probably won't play his usual complement of snaps, but Tampa Bay plans to have him on the field for its most important downs. If Evans escapes Thursday's contest without incident, he should be ready to handle a fuller workload Week 16 at Carolina.

Harrison (heel) isn't practicing Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Harrison thus will have just one more chance to mix into drills this week, or else he'll be at risk of missing a second game in a row due to a heel injury. If he sits out again Sunday at Houston, it'll mark his fourth absence in the past five games after he sat out Weeks 11-12 following an appendectomy. Fellow WR Michael Wilson prospered during Harrison's three recent absences, totaling a 36-445-2 line on 49 targets in those contests. Andre Baccellia is the only other healthy wide receiver on Arizona's active roster.

Tillman (concussion/ribs) is not in line to practice Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Tillman is missing a second consecutive practice while nursing a pair of injury sustained during Cleveland's loss to the Titans in Week 14. He'll have one more chance to resume practicing ahead of Sunday's game against Chicago, but at this stage Tillman appears to be trending in the wrong direction. He'll need to gain full clearance from the concussion protocol before returning to the Browns' starting lineup.

Young (quadriceps) logged a full practice Wednesday, Corbin K. Smith of SI.com reports.

Young hasn't suited up since Week 7 but returned to practice last week. He's practiced in full ever since, seemingly setting him up to be activated ahead of Seattle's Week 15 matchup against the Colts.

Bachman (thumb) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Bachman was unable to play against the Broncos in Week 14 due to a thumb injury. His ability to practice in a limited capacity Wednesday indicates that he is progressing in his recovery, and he'll have two more chances to increase his practice participation ahead of Sunday's game against the Eagles.

The Giants cut McCloud from their practice squad Wednesday, Dan Salomone and Matt Citak of the team's official site report.

The Giants also released cornerback Myles Purchase from their practice squad, signing instead veteran punter Cameron Johnston and wide receiver Xavier Gipson. McCloud will become an unrestricted free agent.

The Giants signed Gipson to their practice squad Wednesday, Dan Salomone & Matt Citak of the team's official site reports.

Gipson has had a roller-coaster season. He began the campaign with the Jets before being waived Sept. 10. The wideout subsequently was claimed by the Giants, who then released him nine days later. Gipson ultimately landed with the Eagles and got into five games with them, totaling two catches on two targets for six yards while also contributing as a kick and punt returner before being cut Dec. 7. He'll now get a second look from the Giants, and if he's elevated for Sunday's matchup versus Washington, Gipson could be deployed as the team's lead return man, as Gunner Olszewski is currently in concussion protocol and was unable to practice Wednesday.