NFL Player News

The Saints ruled out Thomas (hamstring/ankle) for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Thomas started the week as a limited participant but was then held out of practice Thursday and Friday. The lack of activity the past two days isn't a great sign for his Week 8 status, though the Saints haven't determined anything beyond Sunday. With Emmanuel Sanders landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Tre'Quan Smith is set up as the team's No. 1 receiver for Week 7, while Deonte Harris and Marquez Callaway also could see a few targets. The team likely will call up a wide receiver from the practice squad, with Austin Carr being the favorite.

Miller (hip/groin) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Miller was never able to upgrade from limited participation in practices Wednesday through Friday, but the Buccaneers are apparently convinced that neither the hip nor the groin issue will keep him from taking the field this weekend. With none of the Buccaneers' receivers or tight ends taking injury designations into the weekend, Miller will likely be limited to a supporting role in the passing game.

Godwin (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Godwin returned to the lineup last week and caught five of seven targets for 48 yards while playing 63 percent of offensive snaps. He was a limited practice participant Wednesday through Friday this week, but there isn't any concern about his availability for the game. It is possible Godwin continues to see his workload monitored, rather than handling snap shares in the 85-to-100 percent range the way he did all of last season.

Evans (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Evans even closed out the week as a full practice participant for the first time since Oct. 2. He's seen only 10 targets in the three games where both he and Chris Godwin have been active, but the Bucs shouldn't have too much trouble finding a way to keep both wide receivers regularly involved. The 6-foot-5 Evans has been living off touchdowns this year, scoring on six of his 23 receptions.

Shenault (hamstring) won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Chargers.

The rookie second-round pick never progressed to full practice participation this week, but the limited activity won't affect his availability for the game in Los Angeles. Shenault will look for a rebound performance after catching three passes for only 10 yards during a Week 6 loss to the Lions.

Allen (back) practiced fully Friday and doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Coach Anthony Lynn observed that Allen -- who was limited both Wednesday and Thursday -- got better every day this week, per Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register. "Keenan will be fine," Lynn noted Friday. The Chargers' top pass catcher is thus poised to handle his usual workload Sunday, a context that has yielded a PPR-friendly 34/356/2 stat line for Allen through five contests.

Chark (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

The 24-year-old was listed as a limited practice participant all week. Chark will look to get back on track after an uneven performance in the Jaguars' Week 6 loss to the Lions, during which he caught seven of 14 targets for 45 yards.

Jones (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Atlanta, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Jones started the week as a non-participant before upgrading to limited participation Thursday and a full session Friday. He's played more than 80 percent of offensive snaps each game this season, but he's averaging only 2.8 catches for 29.2 yards, and he's seen just 10 targets in the three games Kenny Golladay has played. A matchup with the feeble Atlanta defense could help, though Jones was shut down by a similarly vulnerable Jacksonville unit last week.

Brown (knee) practiced fully Friday and won't carry a designation into Sunday's game against the Steelers, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports.

Brown popped up on the injury report Thursday when the knee issue prevented him from practicing, but his ability to take every rep at Friday's session suggests his absence a day earlier was likely just maintenance-related. The wideout has quickly emerged as the Titans' top weapon in the passing game in his first two games back from a three-week absence due to a bone bruise in his knee. Between the Titans' wins over the Bills and Texans, Brown has tallied 12 receptions for 138 yards and three touchdowns on 16 targets.

Thomas (hamstring/ankle) missed practice again Friday, putting his status in serious doubt for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports.

After missing three games with a high-ankle sprain and one game for disciplinary reasons, Thomas looks bound for another absence, this time because of a hamstring injury suffered in Wednesday's practice. Even though he missed the Saints' final two practices of the week, Thomas could still be listed as questionable on the final injury report, which will be released later Friday.