NFL Player News

Miller (hamstring) upgraded to full practice participation Thursday, Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official website reports.

Held out for the past two weeks, Miller now appears healthy at an opportune time, with Mike Evans (hamstring) in danger of missing the final three weeks of the season. Miller had been working as the No. 4 receiver prior to his own hamstring injury, ahead of Justin Watson but behind Breshad Perriman. With Watson coming off a 5-59-1 receiving line in last week's win over Indianapolis, it isn't quite clear if Miller will have a significant role on offense Week 15.

Kirk (ankle) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Kirk is dealing with an ankle injury this week, which may merely be a maintenance-related decision after he sat out Weeks 5 through 7 with a similar issue. Assuming he gets the all-clear by week's end -- or as late as 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff -- he'll be looking to take advantage of a Browns defense that has given up 7.7 yards per target and 11 touchdowns to wide receivers in 13 games in 2019.

Thielen (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

An upgrade to full participation would've been comforting for fantasy managers, but Thielen nonetheless is trending toward his first game appearance since Week 9, now having practiced on back-to-back days. The wideout was optimistic at the conclusion of Thursday's session, after a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN on Wednesday suggested the Vikings expect to get Thielen back in the lineup. An upgrade to full participation Friday isn't necessary, but it sure would be a great sign. The Vikings have a Week 15 road game against the Chargers on Sunday.

Parker (concussion) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com reports.

Parker has managed two consecutive limited practices to begin the week, indicating that he's making good progress though the early stages of the league's five step concussion protocol. That said, coach Brian Flores said Thursday that Parker will remain in the concussion protocol at least "through the end of the week," according to Safid Deen of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, so he can't be considered a lock to gain clearance in time for Sunday's tilt against the Giants. If Parker, who averaged 128.3 receiving yards per game in the three contests prior to suffering his concussion, does manage to suit up Week 15, he'll be a high-upside fantasy option.

Chark (ankle) didn't practice Thursday.

What Chark is able to do at practice Friday, if anything, will thus be a pivotal with regard to his status for Sunday's game against the Raiders. If he's limited or out this weekend, added Week 15 looks will be available for Dede Westbrook (shoulder), Chris Conley and Keelan Cole.

Smith-Schuster (undisclosed) was limited at practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

That's a downgrade in participation after Smith-Schuster practiced fully Wednesday, but the report notes that "barring any future setbacks, though, (the wideout is) still expected to play Sunday." We'll circle back later Thursday to note the nature of the injury/issue that led to Smith-Schuster's limitations.

Humphries (ankle) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports,

We'll revisit the the slot man's status Friday, but if Humphries is out or limited Sunday against the Texans, added snaps behind A.J. Brown and Corey Davis once again would be available for Tajae Sharpe.

Renfrow (ribs) is practicing Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Renfrow has missed two straight games while nursing a broken rib and a punctured lung, but he appears to be trending toward a return to the field against Jacksonville on Sunday. If the rookie is able to log a full practice session Thursday and/or Friday, he can be expected to reprise his usual role as the No. 2 option in Oakland's wide receiver corps behind Tyrell Williams.

Thielen (hamstring) practiced again Thursday, after which he said the Vikings want to see how he progresses this week before making a decision on his availability for Sunday's road game against the Chargers, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Thielen is as optimistic as he's been at any point in his recovery from a strained right hamstring. His belief is backed up by an Adam Schefter of ESPN report from Wednesday that stated Thielen is in line to play Sunday for the first time since Week 9, barring a setback. It's unclear if Thielen was limited for a second straight session Thursday, or elevated to all activity, but he seems to be trending in the right direction.

Coach Brian Flores said Thursday that Parker will remain in the league's five-step concussion protocol "at least through the end of the week," Safid Deen of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Parker managed to participate in non-contact drills during Wednesday's practice, but he's still facing an uphill battle to fully clear the league's protocol for head injuries in time to suit up Sunday against the Giants. For any chance of being available Week 15, the No. 1 wideout will need to continue making progress in practice and meet with an independent neurologist by the end of the week. With Albert Wilson (concussion) and Allen Hurns (ankle/knee) also battling injuries, it's possible that expanded roles on offense will be handed to the likes of Isaiah Ford, Mack Hollins and Trevor Davis.