NFL Player News

Harris (hamstring) didn't participate in Friday's practice, Rod Walker of The New Orleans Advocate reports.

With a second straight missed practice, Harris is trending in the wrong direction ahead of Monday's matchup against the Chargers. He's handled a decent workload while Michael Thomas (ankle) has been out of the lineup, recording 38 yards on six receptions and rushing three times for 21 yards. Harris makes most of his impact on special teams as a returner, but Alvin Kamara will likely handle those duties if Harris is forced to sit out.

Thomas (ankle) was a limited practice participant Friday, Rod Walker of The Times-Picayune reports.

Thomas was limited in each practice last week and seems to be following the same routine ahead of Monday's matchup with the Chargers. A full practice Saturday would set him up for a likely return, while another limited session could correspond with a questionable tag and a game-time decision. Thomas was ruled out on the Friday injury report last week, so it would be a sign of progress if he's listed as questionable this time around, even if he doesn't end up playing.

Williams (hamstring) returned to practice in a limited fashion Friday, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Williams' return to practice is important, but his activity in Saturday's session will reveal more about his status for Monday's game against the Saints. If he misses a second straight game, Jalen Guyton and Jason Moore will likely see most of the snaps in three-receiver sets alongside Keenan Allen.

Coach Dirk Koetter said he's confident Zaccheaus and other wide receivers will step up if Julio Jones (hamstring) isn't able to play in Sunday's game against the Panthers, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Jones was inactive for Week 3 and unable to make it to halftime in Week 4, thereby allowing Zaccheaus to play 79 and 76 percent of snaps, respectively, which resulted in a combined total of 12 catches for 127 yards on 15 targets. Jones is listed as questionable for Week 5 and being treated as a game-time decision, but his absence from practice throughout the week suggests he's no better than 50-50 to suit up. Zaccheaus could be be looking at a full-time role in a pass-heavy offense, pending Jones's status ahead of the 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

Hightower is one of four healthy wide receivers on the Eagles' roster ahead of Sunday's game in Pittsburgh, Jeff Skervsky of 6 ABC Philadelphia reports.

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside is returning from a chest injury after missing one game, but DeSean Jackson (hamstring) and Alshon Jeffery (calf) will be out for at least one more week. Hightower played 86 and 81 percent of snaps in Philadelphia's past two games, catching four of five targets for 41 yards. It's possible the steady playing time eventually leads to more targets, but Zach Ertz, Greg Ward and Miles Sanders are the safer bets to see passes from Carson Wentz.

Williams (hamstring) returned to practice Friday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

The Chargers won't reveal until after the session whether Williams was a limited or full participant, but his return to practice in any capacity suggests that he could suit up Monday night against the Saints after sitting out the team's Week 4 loss to the Buccaneers.

Perriman (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.

With Perriman likely out Sunday, Chris Hogan (ribs/knee) -- assuming he's active -- and Jeff Smith are expected to handle increased roles in the Jets' Week 5 passing offense alongside slot man Jamison Crowder.

Samuel (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Miami, as he still needs to pass another test to ensure he doesn't have COVID-19, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Samuel was held out of practice Thursday and Friday while recovering from an illness and contending with a fever. Tests apparently came back negative for COVID-19, but he'll need to make it through another round of testing before he's cleared to play in Sunday's game. While it sounds like the wide receiver should be able to suit up, the situation will require some monitoring over the weekend. Samuel is still working his way back into top shape following summer foot surgery, playing only 34 percent of offensive snaps in his season debut last weekend against the Eagles. A Week 5 absence would free up more snaps for Kendrick Bourne and Trent Taylor, while Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle could shoulder more of the target load.

Edwards (ankle/foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

Edwards, who didn't practice Wednesday through Friday, thus remains in the week-to-week category, but perhaps the team's Week 6 bye will afford him enough recovery time to suit up Oct. 25 against the Buccaneers. On the plus side for the Raiders, fellow rookie Henry Ruggs (knee/hamstring) -- who is listed as questionable -- has a good chance to return to action this weekend.

Johnson was promoted to the Chargers' active roster from the practice squad Friday.

The 23-year-old was elevated to the active roster as an extra player for Week 4 and caught a 53-yard touchdown while playing eight offensive snaps, and he'll now rejoin the roster on a longer-term basis with Austin Ekeler (hamstring) heading to injured reserve. The Chargers already have six other wideouts on the roster and only Mike Williams (hamstring) is dealing with an injury, so Johnson seems unlikely to receive consistent opportunities.