NFL Player News

Agnew (ribs) did not practice Thursday.

Agnew has yet to resume practicing since being forced out of Sunday's loss to the Colts with a rib injury. If he can't go Week 9, Danny Amendola will stand to take over a Detroit's primary return man.

Pittman was one of several Colts players who missed practice Thursday because they were in proximity to the team staff member who tested positive for COVID-19, Stephen Holder of The Athletic reports.

Per Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star, the other Indy players in the same situation are Sheldon Day, Tyquan Lewis and Quenton Nelson. All four players can return to practice Friday if they test negative for COVID-19.

Patrick (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Patrick was also listed as limited on Wednesday's estimated practice report, as he continues to nurse the hamstring injury that caused him to sit out Week 8. Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports that the Broncos are optimistic about Patrick's chances of suiting up in Atlanta on Sunday, and he'll get one more chance to prove his health during Friday's practice.

Cobb (illness) returned to practice as a full participant Thursday.

Cobb looks like he'll be good to go for Sunday's game at Jacksonville after the illness sidelined him during Wednesday's practice. The 30-year-old was one of several Houston receivers whose named popped up in trade rumors prior to Tuesday's deadline, but the team's wideout corps ultimately remained intact. So long as he stays healthy, expect Cobb to operate as the Texans' top option out of the slot for the remainder of the season.

The 49ers elevated Cracraft from their practice squad ahead of Thursday's game against the Packers, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Cracraft and Kevin White will be joining San Francisco as designated replacements for fellow receivers Kendrick Bourne, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, all of whom were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list a day earlier. The absences of those three players leave Trent Taylor and Richie James (ankle) as the only other wideouts on the 49ers' 53-man roster, and James, who is listed as questionable, isn't considered a lock to play. Regardless of James' status, both Cracraft and White look poised to see a fair amount of snaps at receiver out of necessity.

Brown (knee) didn't practice Thursday.

We suspect that Brown's absence was maintenance-related, a notion that will be supported by his return to a full practice Friday. If that happens, he'll almost assuredly approach Sunday's game against the Bears minus an injury designation.

Callaway (ankle) practiced in full Thursday.

Callaway was becoming more involved in the Saints offense before an ankle injury sidelined him this past Sunday at Chicago. With a full practice finally under his belt this week, he seems poised to regain his standing, especially if Michael Thomas (ankle/hamstring) continues to miss time. In his previous two appearances Weeks 5 and 7, Callaway combined for 12 catches (on 16 targets) for 109 yards.

Gage (shoulder/knee) was limited at Thursday's practice, Tori McElhaney of The Athletic reports

Gage has contended with a number of injuries this season, including a concussion and the aforementioned shoulder and knee issues. He's still managed to play at least 50 percent of the snaps on offense in six of eight games, and he may be called upon for more this Sunday against the Broncos with Calvin Ridley unable to practice due to a mid-foot sprain. Having said that, Gage will need to get past his own injury first in order to do so.

Ridley (foot) was held out of practice Thursday, Tori McElhaney of The Athletic reports.

Ridley has yet to practice this week due to the mid-foot sprain he suffered last Thursday at Carolina, but interim coach Raheem Morris noted Wednesday that the team received "good news" about the injury, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. That hasn't resulted in any activity on the field, but Ridley does have one more practice to make his presence felt in advance of the weekend.

Thomas (ankle/hamstring) was a limited practice participant Thursday

Thomas now has logged back-to-back capped practices to begin Week 9 prep, but he also did the same last week before being ruled out for a sixth consecutive game. It stands to wonder if the Saints want him to take the field without limitations before clearing him to return from a Grade 1 hamstring strain and left ankle injury. In any case, clarity could arrive on that front as soon as Friday, when New Orleans will post its final injury report of the week.