NFL Player News

Toney (hamstring) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.

According to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, Toney wasn't even spotted working out off to the side during the media-access portion of Thursday's practice. His absence from the entirety of practice one day after he was a limited participant in the Giants' first Week 5 session doesn't offer much hope that Toney will be ready to put an end to his two-game absence this weekend in London against the Packers. In addition to Toney, Kenny Golladay (knee) is also trending toward sitting out the Week 5 contest, but the Giants could get some reinforcement to their wideout corps in the form of rookie Wan'Dale Robinson (knee), who maintained limited participation in practice Thursday as he aims to put an end to a three-game absence this weekend.

James (ankle) was a limited participant in practice Thursday, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.

James missed the Giants' first session of Week 5 prep Wednesday, but his ability to return to the field a day later offers optimism that he'll be ready to go for Sunday's matchup with the Packers in London. Head coach Brian Daboll seemingly supported that notion earlier Thursday, when he told Dan Duggan of The Athletic that James would be "fine" for Sunday. Whether James approaches the contest with an injury designation could hinge on him returning to full participation in Friday's practice.

Lazard (ankle) remained a limited participant in practice Thursday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

The Packers haven't indicated that Lazard has suffered any setbacks in the three games he's played since missing Week 1 with the ankle injury, so his continued limitations thus far during Week 5 are most likely maintenance-based. He should be able to avoid carrying a designation into Sunday's matchup with the Giants in London so long as he practices again Friday in some fashion.

McKenzie (concussion) was officially listed as a limited practice participant Thursday.

That's a step in the right direction for McKenzie, who didn't practice Wednesday, but the Bills' slot receiver remains in the NFL's concussion protocol as of Thursday, per Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo. Friday's injury report will clarify whether McKenzie approaches Sunday's game against the Steelers with an injury designation or fully cleared for Week 5 action. With Jamison Crowder sidelined by an ankle injury, Khalil Shakir would be in line for added snaps this weekend if McKenzie is out or limited.

Shenault (hamstring) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Shenault has now missed both of the Panthers' first two practices of Week 5 after injuring his right hamstring in last Sunday's loss to the Cardinals. The versatile wideout will likely need to get back on the field in some capacity Friday to have a legitimate chance at suiting up this weekend against the 49ers. If Shenault can't go, Shi Smith would likely be fairly secure as the Panthers' No. 3 receiver behind DJ Moore and Robbie Anderson.

Burks (toe) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Friday's injury report will reveal whether Burks has any chance of playing Sunday against the Commanders, but back-to-back missed practices have him trending in the wrong direction. If the 2022 first-rounder is unavailable this weekend, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Kyle Philips and Cody Hollister would be in line for added Week 5 WR snaps alongside Robert Woods.

The Chiefs signed Conley to their practice squad Wednesday, Charles Goldman of USA Today reports.

Conley was released from the Texans' practice squad Tuesday, after appearing in two games for the team this season. The 29-year-old was drafted by the Chiefs in 2015, so he has some existing familiarity with the organization.

Bateman (foot) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

With Bateman having now missed both of the Ravens' first two Week 5 practices, his status is firmly in question for Sunday's game against the Bengals. If Bateman isn't a full participant in Friday's practice session, he'll most likely carry a designation into the weekend, if the Ravens don't rule him out in advance. Devin Duvernay is the only other Ravens wideout that has drawn at least five targets in a game this season, so a potential Bateman absence in Week 5 could result in more field time for No. 2 tight end Isaiah Likely, who has played between 30 and 45 percent of the snaps through the first four games while occasionally sharing the field with top target Mark Andrews.

Brown (foot) returned to practice Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Brown was a late addition to the Cardinals' injury last Friday, when he was limited in practice by a foot issue and entered the weekend as questionable. He ended up playing Week 4 at Carolina on his way to six catches (on 11 targets) for 88 yards and one touchdown in a 26-16 win. The same injury popped up again this week, as Brown was a non-participant Wednesday. Now that he's back on the field, though, he's setting himself up to be available Sunday against the Eagles.

Cephus (foot) did not practice Thursday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Cephus following up his DNP on Wednesday with another one Thursday leaves his availability for Sunday against the Patriots in serious doubt. The third-year wideout left Week 4's loss to the Seahawks early with the injury after catching two of three targets for 15 yards. The Lions' receiver corps is banged up across the board, with Kalif Raymond and Tom Kennedy the only wideouts not carrying an injury designation at the moment.