NFL Player News

Aiyuk (shoulder) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

In the process of shedding his blue non-contact jersey Thursday, Aiyuk maintained his activity level from one day prior, giving him just one more chance to get back to full before the 49ers potentially give him a designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Cardinals. Meanwhile, fellow wide receivers Deebo Samuel (ribs/knee) and Jauan Jennings (shin) again didn't practice, so the status of San Francisco's top three wide receivers remains in flux.

Samuel (ribs/knee) officially didn't practice Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

There was a brief sighting of Samuel during the portion of the session open to the media, when Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News noted the wide receiver left the early walkthrough and went to the 49ers' weight room. Both Samuel and Jauan Jennings (shin) were non-participants Thursday, while Brandon Aiyuk (shoulder) was limited, so Friday's injury report likely will be key to determining who among the trio may be available Sunday against the Cardinals.

Ali (ankle) will not travel with the Falcons to London for Sunday's Week 4 game against the Jaguars, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Ali was downgraded to DNP Thursday and will stay back in Atlanta as his teammates travel across the Atlantic Ocean. The depth wideout has yet to be active for a game this season.

Brown was limited in practice Thursday due to a thumb injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Brown practiced fully Wednesday, but apparently the wideout injured his thumb during Thursday's session, which makes his status for Sunday's game against the 49ers worth monitoring. Friday's injury report will clarify whether Brown heads into the weekend with an injury designation or cleared to face San Francisco.

Watson (hamstring) is active for Thursday's game against the Lions.

The Packers held Watson out of the first three games of the season due to a lingering hamstring injury, but after being listed as limited twice in back-to-back weeks, the second-year pro is set to make his season debut. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported earlier Thursday that Green Bay is expected to be cautious with Watson, which may mean he earns a workload similar to the one Romeo Doubs handled Week 1 (48 percent) coming off his own hamstring issue. If Watson is capped around 50 percent of the offensive snaps Thursday, he could be tough to trust for fantasy purposes.

Covey (hamstring) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

It's an upgrade after Covey was limited Wednesday. The Eagles' return man, Covey has six punt returns for 113 yards, including a long gain of 52 yards.

Jeudy (knee) remained a limited participant at practice Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Jeudy will presumably need to practice fully Friday in order to avoid taking an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Bears. Through two appearances this season, Jeudy has produced an 8-106-0 receiving line on 12 targets.

Ali (ankle) was a non-participant during practice Thursday, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Ali logged a limited practice Wednesday, but he seems to have taken a step back a day closer to Sunday's London game against the Jaguars. The Kentucky product has been a healthy scratch for all three contests this season, so even if he recovers in time, it's not a certainty he'd suit up.

Toney (toe) remained limited in Thursday's practice.

Toney has played just 37 offensive snaps through three games but has drawn 11 targets, catching seven of them for 35 scoreless yards. Toney is little more than a bench stash in fantasy leagues until he is able to carve out a more prominent role.

Watkins (hamstring) returned to a limited practice Thursday.

Watkins was injured in the Eagles' Week 2 win over the Vikings 14 days ago and missed this past Monday night's win over the Bucs. In Watkins' absence, Olamide Zaccheaus played 55 percent of the offensive snaps and reeled in two of three targets for 58 yards and one touchdown. Watkins would presumably return to third wideout duties upon his return.