NFL Player News

Johnson (toe) practiced fully Thursday.

As was the case last week, Johnson sat out practice Wednesday before returning to a full session Thursday. He was on the field for 83 percent of Pittsburgh's snaps on offense in Week 2's win over the Broncos, en route to recording eight catches on 13 targets for 92 yards and a TD. He'll remain busy this Sunday against the Texans, especially if fellow wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) is limited at all.

Brown (knee) missed practice again Thursday, Erik Bacharach of The Tennessean reports.

Back-to-back missed practices for Brown, who's dealing with a bone bruise in his knee, don't bode well for his status for Sunday's game against the Vikings. If the Titans' top wideout is out this weekend, Corey Davis and Adam Humphries would be in line to head the team's Week 3 wide receiver corps, with Cameron Batson and Kalif Raymond candidates to see added snaps.

Smith-Schuster (knee) sat out practice for the second consecutive day Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

With that in mind, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes that Smith-Schuster's situation is "worth monitoring for (Friday), but there's been no indication he's in danger of missing" Sunday's game against the Texans. A return to practice Friday on the wideout's part -- in any capacity -- would no doubt ease concerns about Smith-Schuster's Week 3 status.

Cole could take on a heavier snap count Thursday against the Dolphins with DJ Chark (chest) ruled out for the contest, James Johnson of USA Today reports.

Cole has already started in both of the Jaguars' first two games and ranks second on the team with 105 yards, but he's played less than 70 percent of the offensive snaps. With Jacksonville's top target out of the mix this week, however, more snaps and looks could be funneled Cole's way out of necessity. Along with Cole, Laviska Shenault and Chris Conley are expected to help replace Chark, while tight end Tyler Eifert and depth wideout Dede Westbrook may also take on heightened roles in the team's passing game.

Beasley (hip/thumb) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Beasley was held out of the Bills' first session of Week 3 on Wednesday, but his return to full work a day later implies that neither the hip nor the thumb injury are major concerns for the wideout. He should be cleared to fill his normal role as the Bills' top option out of the slot Sunday against the Rams.

Perriman (ankle) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.

Coach Adam Gase said Wednesday that he isn't optimistic Perriman will be ready to play Sunday against the Colts or in the Jets' Week 4 matchup Thursday versus Broncos, so the wideout's lack of activity in practice comes as little surprise. With Jamison Crowder (hamstring) also looking doubtful for Week 3, the undermanned Jets could roll out a starting wideout trio of Chris Hogan, Braxton Berrios and Josh Malone.

Adams (hamstring) didn't partake in practice Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Instead, Adams spent the session rehabbing his balky hamstring on the side. With two absences under his belt this week, he has just one more chance to prove his health on the field before Sunday night's game at New Orleans. In the end, Adams' Week 3 fate could be known upon the release of Friday's injury report. A DNP on game day would leave the Packers shorthanded at wide receiver, with just three healthy bodies in Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Malik Taylor.

The Jaguars downgraded Chark (chest) to out for Thursday's game against the Dolphins.

Chark initially took a questionable designation into the Week 3 matchup, despite failing to practice Wednesday after being listed as a limited participant on the injury reports Jacksonville released Monday and Tuesday. The Jaguars had some optimism earlier Thursday that Chark might be able to play through the injury on a short week, but he'll ultimately be forced to the sidelines for the first time in 2020. With their top wideout not suiting up, the Jaguars will likely lean on Keelan Cole, Laviska Shenault and Chris Conley as their primary options in three-receiver sets. Dede Westbrook, who has been inactive for the Jaguars' first two games, should also dress for the first time this season, and he could play a role in the passing game.

Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady said Thursday that he wants to get Samuel more involved in Carolina's future game plans, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports. "Good things happen when the ball is in his hands," Brady said of Samuel.

Samuel has taken on offensive snap shares north of 70 percent in both of Carolina's first two games of the season, logging 10 targets and five rushing attempts between the two contests. While Samuel may continue taking a back seat to D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson in the passing game, he could be a candidate to take on more work as a runner as the Panthers look to replace star back Christian McCaffrey (ankle), who is expected to miss the next 4-to-6 weeks. Mike Davis is in line to start at running back Week 3 against the Chargers, but he likely won't be asked to take on as much volume as McCaffrey has handled as a runner and pass catcher over the past couple of seasons. With that in mind, Samuel could emerge as a de facto change-of-pace option behind Davis, as the 24-year-old has proven adept as a ballcarrier in limited opportunities thus far during his career. Over his three-plus seasons in the NFL, Samuel has carried 36 times for 309 yards (8.6 average) and three touchdowns.

Sims (toe) was listed as limited on Thursday's injury report, Rhiannon Walker of The Athletic reports.

Washington held Sims out of Wednesday's practice due to a toe injury, so his elevation to some work Thursday is a step in the right direction as the team prepares for Sunday's game at Cleveland. So far this season, he's a close second in offensive snap share (86.8 percent) behind No. 1 wide receiver Terry McLaurin (93.4). That said, Sims has accounted for just six catches (on seven targets) for 103 yards and no touchdowns through two games.