NFL Player News

Gage (concussion) was a full participant in Friday's practice, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

The Falcons haven't yet announced that Gage has cleared the league's five-step concussion protocol, but it appears as though he's at least progressed to the later stages. Julio Jones (hamstring) and Calvin Ridley (ankle/calf) were both limited participants in Friday's practice, but it looks as though all three starting wideouts have a fair shot at getting healthy enough to suit up in Green Bay on Monday. Of course, Gage will need to attain full medical clearance before he's able to retake the field.

Hightower (illness) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

The 2020 fifth-round pick was absent from Thursday's practice due to an illness, but it won't impact his availability for Week 4. Hightower played 78 offensive snaps and caught two of three targets for 19 yards during last Sunday's tie with the Bengals, and he should see plenty of playing time again this week with Alshon Jeffery (foot) and DeSean Jackson (hamstring) sidelined and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (calf) doubtful.

Samuel (foot) is slated to play Sunday night against the Eagles, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

That said, it looks like Samuel will be eased back into the mix in his 2020 season debut. With that in mind, coach Kyle Shanahan noted of the wideout Friday, "We've got to be smart with him. I know he'll be out there (Sunday), but it won't be his normal role, that's for sure." Samuel must still be activated off IR by the team by Saturday at 4 p.m. ET in order to suit up Week 4, but that transaction is looming, with either defensive end Dee Ford or tight end Jordan Reed likely to move to IR in a corresponding move.

Adams (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Friday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Listed as limited for a second straight day, Adams was spotted by the media running routes and catching passes. He seems to be on track for a return Monday night against Atlanta, but he did say he wants to be cautious if he has any doubt about his physical condition. It's a tricky position for fantasy managers with the Packers playing in the final game of the week and fellow starting wideout Allen Lazard (core muscle surgery) facing an indefinite absence. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Falcons slot man Russell Gage (concussion) would be the best replacement choices from the MNF game, but both are already rostered in a significant portion of fantasy leagues. Desperation options include Brandon Powell and Olamide Zaccheaus from the Falcons, or Darrius Shepherd and Malik Taylor from the Packers.

Arcega-Whiteside (calf) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's contest at San Francisco.

Arcega-Whiteside followed up back-to-back DNPs with a limited practice Friday, but his calf injury seems to be serious enough to keep him on the sidelines Week 4. If he joins Alshon Jeffery (foot) and DeSean Jackson (hamstring) on the inactive list, the Eagles will have to roll with Greg Ward and John Hightower at wide receiver. Ward and Hightower likely will be joined by some combination of practice-squad callups (Deontay Burnett, Travis Fulgham and Marcus Green).

Ridley (ankle/calf) was a limited participant in Friday's practice, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Ridley didn't practice in any capacity Thursday, so Friday's limited session represents a tangible step in the right direction. It looks as though Julio Jones (hamstring) is trending in the right direction, and Russell Gage (concussion) was a full participant in practice, so the Falcons still have a shot at fielding a full receiving corps during Monday's contest in Green Bay. Ridley will have one more chance to increase his level of practice activity before the Falcons assign him an injury designation for Week 4 .

Renfrow looks in line to lead the Raiders' receiving corps during Sunday's game against the Bills, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Renfrow is the leading candidate to serve as Las Vegas' No. 1 receiver with Henry Ruggs (hamstring) doubtful and Bryan Edwards (ankle) ruled out. Nelson Agholor and Zay Jones also stand to start in three-wide sets, assuming Ruggs sits out, while Josh Jacobs and Darren Waller could take on even more focal roles on offense. Renfrow had a team-high 84 yards and a touchdown against New England in Week 3, and he should get the opportunity to log another productive day versus Buffalo.

Edwards (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bills, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

With Henry Ruggs (knee/hamstring) doubtful for the contest, Hunter Renfrow, Nelson Agholor and Zay Jones are in line to head the Raiders' Week 4 wide receiver corps.

Thomas (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Detroit, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Thomas was a limited practice participant Wednesday through Friday, potentially setting him up for a return Week 5 against the Chargers on Monday Night Football. His Saints will first take on a major challenge, as TE Jared Cook (groin) and four other starters also have been ruled out for Sunday in Detroit. The Saints have been using Tre'Quan Smith, Emmanuel Sanders and Deonte Harris as their main grouping for three-wide formations, with Bennie Fowler also chipping in the occasional snap. Alvin Kamara figures to have another busy Sunday, while rookie tight end Adam Trautman could take on the majority of Cook's vacated snaps.

Hopkins (ankle), a game-time decision, is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Panthers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

The official designation was a foregone conclusion once coach Kliff Kingsbury referred to his star wideout as a game-time call. Kingsbury's statement didn't exactly provide clarity, as he first said "if [Hopkins] can go, he'll go", but he then mentioned that it was still early in the season and the team wouldn't want to put Hopkins on the field "if he isn't feeling his best," per Kyle Odegard of the Cardinals' official site. Whatever the case, Hopkins was held out of practice all week and now appears truly questionable ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Fellow Cardinals wideout Christian Kirk (groin) is also a game-time decision, so it's possible the team ends up relying on Larry Fitzgerald, Andy Isabella, KeeSean Johnson and Trent Sherfield at wide receiver. The team's inactive list will be released about 90 minutes prior to kickoff, per usual.