NFL Player News

Brown (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

What Brown -- who logged a limited session Wednesday -- is able to do at Friday's practice will be telling with regard to his status for Sunday's game against the Texans, but for now it's unclear if the wideout's absence from Thursday's practice was simply maintenance-related or indicative of a setback.

Coach Mike Zimmer said Thursday that Thielen (hamstring) has "a chance to play" Sunday versus the Broncos, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Considering Thielen hasn't practiced this week, his odds to suit up may be minuscule, but Zimmer hasn't closed the door on having his top wide receiver available just yet. Friday's session and ensuing injury report will give a better sense of Thielen's Week 11 availability, but another absence would improve the prospects of Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith Jr. and Bisi Johnson.

Thielen (hamstring) wasn't on the field for Thursday's practice, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Thielen's inability to practice for the second straight day adds fuel to the notion that the Vikings will withhold him from action through their Week 12 bye. Before Minnesota makes an official call on Thielen's status for Sunday's game against the Broncos, the team will see what the wideout is able to do Friday in the final practice of the week. In any event, Thielen's fantasy managers should already begin preparing to use other options at receiver for their weekly matchups.

Goodwin (wrist) isn't listed on the 49ers' injury report Wednesday.

Goodwin suffered the wrist injury during Monday's loss to the Seahawks, but it apparently isn't a serious issue. The 28-year-old hasn't caught a pass since Week 6 as he's tumbled out of San Francisco's offensive game plans.

Pettis was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a back injury.

Pettis is coming off an uneventful performance in Monday's loss to the Seahawks, during which he went without a catch on three targets. He apparently picked up an injury along the way, adding another complication as he prepares for a Week 11 matchup with the Cardinals. The 24-year-old has been minimally involved in the offense over the last three games, so even if he's available this week, he shouldn't garner much fantasy interest.

Dortch signed with the Panthers' practice squad Wednesday, Max Henson of the Panthers' official site reports.

Dortch was waived by the Panthers on Monday and will remain with the organization after clearing waivers. The 21-year-old exclusively played special teams in his lone game appearance this season.

Davis signed with the Vikings' practice squad Wednesday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Davis cleared waivers Wednesday, and, conveniently, a practice-squad spot opened up when the Titans signed running back Khari Blasingame to their 53-man roster. The former could be brought back to the active roster if Adam Thielen (hamstring) is unable to play Sunday against the Broncos.

Cooks (concussion) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday.

Cooks has logged back-to-back capped sessions, a sign he's progressing through the concussion protocol. Because he's recovering from the fifth known head injury of his playing career, the Rams are treading lightly with his recovery, already ruling him out for Sunday's game against the Bears. Instead, coach Sean McVay is hopeful Cooks is back for a Week 12 showdown with the Ravens. In Cooks' place, the Rams are turning to Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods and Josh Reynolds in three-receiver personnel.

Kirkwood (hamstring) returned to practice Wednesday, opening a three-week window for the Saints to activate him from IR, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Kirkwood suffered a serious hamstring injury Week 1 against the Texans, but he's made the necessary strides in recovery. The Saints have until Dec. 4 to activate Kirkwood from IR. However, the 26-year-old wideout is eligible to be activated as soon as Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, although Kirkwood would need to respond superbly to the practice week for that to happen.

Moore (thumb) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Moore missed Sunday's win over the Bengals due to a thumb issue initially sustained Week 9 against New England. He logged a trio of limited practices last week, so Wednesday's session doesn't represent any tangible progress. Moore serves a depth role in Baltimore's aerial attack.