NFL Player News

McKenzie (concussion) participated in Thursday's practice in a red non-contact jersey, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

McKenzie was listed as a non-participant Wednesday, but his presence on the field Thursday gives him a chance to suit up Sunday against the Steelers. To do so, however, McKenzie will need to pass all five stages of the NFL's concussion protocol. Given that he sported a non-contact jersey in his return to practice, it's safe to assume McKenzie has a few steps left to clear.

St. Brown (ankle) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Both of the Lions' top skill-position players were absent from the field for the second day in a row to begin Week 5 prep, as running back D'Andre Swift (shoulder/ankle) was also sitting out the session. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com suggested that the Lions are planning to hold Swift out Sunday in New England with the hope of having him back to full strength coming out of a Week 6 bye, but it's unclear if the team intends to follow a similar blueprint with St. Brown. Like Swift, St. Brown sat out last week's 48-45 loss to the Seahawks, but the receiver's sprained right ankle may not be as worrisome of an injury as Swift's sprained shoulder and lingering ankle issue. Whatever the case, St. Brown's activity at Friday's practice -- or lack thereof -- will likely help determine his status for this weekend's matchup with the Patriots.

Waddle (groin) participated in the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Waddle was listed as a non-participant Wednesday, but his presence at Thursday's practice bodes well for his availability for Sunday's game against the Jets. The Dolphins' upcoming injury report will clarify the wideout's official participation level. In Miami's Week 4 loss to the Bengals, Waddle recorded an 86 percent snap share while catching two of his five targets for 39 yards.

Dotson (hamstring) isn't taking part in practice Thursday and is instead working out off to the side with a trainer, Pete Hailey of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Washington likely won't formally rule on Dotson's status for Sunday's game against the Titans until after Friday's practice, but head coach Ron Rivera already said the rookie wideout could miss "a week or two" due to the hamstring injury he sustained in the Week 4 loss to the Cowboys. Meanwhile, Curtis Samuel (illness) was away from practice for the second day in a row, potentially leaving Washington's receiving corps down two key members this weekend. If both Dotson and Samuel aren't available, Dyami Brown would likely be first in line among Washington's depth wideouts to see added snaps alongside No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin.

Samuel (illness) was absent from the Commanders' practice Thursday, Pete Hailey of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Samuel remained home for the second day in a row while he continues to recover from an unspecified ailment. The Commanders will hope that Samuel makes enough progress overnight to return to the field in some capacity Friday, but for the time being, his availability for Sunday's game against the Titans looks to be in flux. Washington is already expected to be down one of its starting wideouts this weekend in rookie Jahan Dotson (hamstring), who was working off to the side at practice Thursday for the second day in a row.

Darden logged six snaps on offense and one on special teams during the Buccaneers' 41-31 loss to the Chiefs in Week 4, but he did not draw a target or return a punt.

It was an extremely quiet night for Darden despite the fact Julio Jones exited the game after one second-half snap due to a knee issue and Breshad Perriman (knee/hamstring) was inactive. Darden's one usually dependable path to touches, punt returns, also failed to materialize, as the prolific Chiefs offense punted only once, which resulted in a fair catch by Darden. The 2021 fourth-round pick has just one reception this season, but the combination of Cole Beasley's retirement and the lingering injuries to both Jones and Perriman could serve to open up opportunity on offense in coming games.

Renfrow (concussion) was on the practice field Wednesday, Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Renfrow, who hasn't played since Week 2, was in a red jersey as he remains in the "non-contact phase" of his progression through the NFL's concussion protocol, per coach Josh McDaniels. At this point, Renfrow's status for Monday night's game against Kansas City remains unclear, with Thursday's practice/injury report slated to provide added context with regard to his chances of returning to action Week 5.

Roberson signed with the Bills' practice squad Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Roberson will join Buffalo after the team was given a practice squad exemption for Tavon Austin, who will no longer count against this unit's 16-man limit. The undrafted wideout previously spent time with Dallas' and Pittsburgh's practice squads, and he'll have a chance to make his NFL debut as a potential game-day elevation this season.

The Colts signed Patmon to the practice squad Wednesday.

Patmon appeared in one game before being waived by the Colts on Tuesday to open up a roster spot for kicker Chase McLaughlin. The 2020 sixth-round pick recorded just two receptions over 64 offensive snaps with Indianapolis last year, and he could serve as a game-day elevation in case any of Indianapolis' wideouts go down with an injury this season.

Cephus (foot) did not participate during the Lions' practice Wednesday.

Cephus caught two of three targets for 15 yards before suffering a foot injury that sidelined him for the remainder of Sunday's loss to the Seahawks. While the exact nature and severity of this injury are still unclear, the wideout's inability to suit up during the first practice of Week 5 is a discouraging sign for his availability. If Cephus' status does not improve Thursday or Friday, then Tom Kennedy, who was signed from the practice squad Wednesday, could see increased usage in Detroit's banged-up wide receiver corps.