NFL Player News

Marshall cleared the concussion protocol Thursday, making him available to return Sunday versus the Patriots, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Marshall missed the last two games after taking a massive hit from Vikings safety Xavier Woods in Week 6. Prior to the early exit, Marshall actually was increasing his share of the Panthers' offensive snaps through the first five games of his career, going from 52 percent in the season opener to 76 percent by Week 5. Marshall only produced a 13-107-0 line on 20 targets during that five-game stretch, but the playing time was an encouraging sign that regular production was possible. He'll slot in behind DJ Moore and Robby Anderson moving forward.

Patmon (foot) was activated from injured reserve Thursday.

Patmon resumed practicing in late October, and he'll be able to suit up for the first time this year Thursday against the Jets. He's unlikely to have a significant fantasy role after he played just two offensive snaps during his rookie season.

Adams (illness) returned to the Packers' facility Thursday, with head coach Matt LaFleur noting that he's "hopeful" that the wideout will be able to play Sunday against Kansas City, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Per the report, there are still some COVID-19 protocols that Adams -- who missed the team's Week 8 win over the Cardinals -- has to pass through before he can be cleared to play this weekend. If that happens, Adams' looming return would be a big boost to the Packers offense, which will be helmed Sunday by quarterback Jordan Love, with starter Aaron Rodgers (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list and unavailable to play.

Reagor (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The Eagles' upcoming injury report will reveal Reagor's participation level, but his return to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday's session has the wideout trending in the right direction as Sunday's game against the Chargers approaches.

Beckham (shoulder/personal) is waiting and willing to rejoin the Browns, though the team excused him from practicing Thursday for the second day in a row, Josina Anderson of USA Today reports.

Though both Beckham and the Browns would seemingly prefer going their separate ways at this point, the wideout at least appears open to sticking around in Cleveland. Per Anderson, Beckham was originally planning to report to the Browns' facility Wednesday for the start of Week 9 prep, only to receive notification from the team that he was excused from practice. Beckham's representation remains in communication with the Cleveland brass about his future with the organization, but even if he isn't granted a release and is welcomed back into the fold, he appears unlikely to be available for at least Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Hopkins (hamstring) wasn't present for the open portion of Thursday's practice and is expected to be listed as a non-participant on Arizona's official report for the second straight day, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Hopkins still doesn't look to be completely past the hamstring issue that limited him last Thursday in the Cardinals' Week 8 loss to the Packers, as he played a season-low 24 percent of the team's offensive snaps while finishing with two receptions for 66 yards on two targets. While the longer turnaround for Sunday's game in San Francisco theoretically helps Hopkins, head coach Kliff Kingsbury told Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com on Wednesday that he was "not sure" if the team's top wideout would be available this weekend. The Cardinals should have a better idea of which direction Hopkins is trending after their final practice of the week Friday, but even if he gains clearance to play, the team will still likely be shorthanded at receiver. Fellow starter A.J. Green was revealed Wednesday to have tested positive for COVID-19, and even he's fully vaccinated, he'll still face an uphill battle to clear all NFL protocols ahead of Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed Lamb is dealing with a sprained ankle and will remain a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

McCarthy noted that Lamb sustained the injury in Wednesday's practice rather than in the Cowboys' Week 8 win over the Vikings, resulting in the second-year wideout opening Week 9 prep as a limited participant. The fact that he's back on the field a day later in some capacity suggests that the sprain is a minor one, but the injury is still something fantasy managers will need to monitor heading into the weekend. If Lamb isn't able to upgrade to full participation by Friday, he'll likely carry a questionable designation into Sunday's matchup with the Broncos.

The Browns have excused Beckham (shoulder/personal) from Thursday's practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Beckham will remain away from the Browns for the second day in a row, with Jake Trotter of ESPN.com noting that the wideout's representation is engaged with general manager Andrew Berry on the next steps for the 28-year-old. At this stage, Beckham may have played his last game with the Browns, and even if the two sides are able to reconcile, he seems unlikely to suit up Sunday against the Bengals, at the very least.

Watkins was signed to the 49ers' practice squad Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Watkins started the season on the 49ers' injured reserve and was later released with an injury settlement. The receiver then had a workout with the Bengals in October but he didn't end up joining Cincinnati. Now back with the 49ers, Watkins will fall back into his depth role at wide receiver.

Arcega-Whiteside (ankle) missed the Eagles' practice Wednesday.

Arcega-Whiteside suffered an ankle injury in the Eagles' Week 8 win over the Lions. The receiver was unable to practice Wednesday, which isn't a good sign for Philadelphia's receiving core as Jalen Reagor is also dealing with an ankle injury. Expect Quez Watkins and Greg Ward to see large roles Sunday against the Chargers if Arcega-Whiteside is unable to suit up for Week 9 action.