NFL Player News

Cooper didn't practice Wednesday due to a knee injury, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

During Monday's victory over the Giants, Cooper left the contest for a spell to have his left knee examined, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. After he loosened the knee up and returned to action, Cooper finished with four catches (on seven targets) for a team-high 80 yards and one touchdown. Per Hill, the Cowboys held a jog-through Wednesday, so Cooper will have two additional opportunities to take part in a true practice by week's end.

Davis didn't practice Wednesday due to a hip injury, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Per Erik Bacharach of The Tennessean, Davis rode on a stationary bike off to the side during the session, which offers hope that the wideout could return to the field as soon as Thursday. Davis logged 56 of a possible 72 offensive snaps in the Titans' 30-20 loss to the Panthers in Week 9, hauling in four of five targets for 48 yards.

Samuel (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Samuel was plagued by a hamstring issue during his first offseason program and preseason in 2017, and while he missed 10 combined games due to other injuries during his first two seasons, he hasn't missed any action in the current campaign. He'll have two more sessions this week to prove the health of his hamstring before the Panthers head to Green Bay for a Week 10 matchup.

Coach Mike Zimmer said Wednesday that Thielen's right hamstring strain isn't considered a "long-term" concern, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

After a one-game absence, Thielen was cleared to play in Sunday's loss to the Chiefs, but he only logged seven snaps before Zimmer said the wideout's hamstring "grabbed a bit." Zimmer added that Thielen "was not rushed back too soon" from the injury and isn't dealing with a setback, but the Vikings may nonetheless elect to proceed cautiously with the 29-year-old until the training staff is confident that he's closer to 100 percent. To that end, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that the Vikings will likely hold Thielen out for the Week 10 matchup with the Cowboys, but an official decision on that front probably won't arrive until Friday or possibly even the day of the game.

Shepard (concussion) won't participate in Wednesday's practice, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Shepard had been in line to return from a three-game absence to play in the Giants' eventual loss to the Cowboys on Monday Night Football, but he was ruled out a day in advance of the contest after informing the training staff that he suffered a recurrence of concussion symptoms. In light of the setback along with the fact that Shepard has already been diagnosed with two concussions this season, the wideout's availability for the Week 10 game against the Jets -- and perhaps the rest of the season -- looks to be in peril.

Winfree was on the field for one offensive snap and 16 special-teams snaps during Sunday's 24-19 win over the Browns.

Despite some highlight-reel catches in the preseason, the local product has yet to see a target this season and was not a regular among the game-day actives until Emmanuel Sanders was traded two weeks ago. Winfree may struggle to stay on the field after the Broncos' bye, as Tim Patrick (hand) is expected to return from injured reserve shortly thereafter, at which point the game-day WR5 spot is likely to come down to Winfree and Fred Brown. If special teams is a determining factor, Brown may have the edge in experience.

Hodge made a 10-yard catch during Sunday's 24-19 loss to Denver.

Hodge finally made the stat sheet in the closing moments of the first quarter, catching a quick pass over the middle to convert a third-and-short and help set up a Browns field goal. The former Ram dressed while fellow down-roster options Damion Ratley and Taywan Taylor sat. Even if this is the beginning of a trend for Hodge getting on the field, the eight offensive snaps the sophomore receiver saw Sunday are unlikely to move the needle from a fantasy perspective, especially Sunday against Buffalo's third-ranked pass defense.

Sims caught his only target for a 12-yard gain during Sunday's 24-9 loss to Buffalo.

Coming off a career-high four touches in Week 7, Sims was targeted just once in Dwayne Haskins' debut start. The rookie receiver has made some nifty plays as a runner, particularly his 65-yard touchdown in Week 5, but Sims is only averaging 5.0 yards per catch on nine receptions this season. Fans can probably continue to expect a learning curve down the stretch for Haskins and, to a lesser extent, Sims, as they grow more comfortable in their first season. The good news is that the Jets' 24th-ranked pass defense awaits after Washington's Week 10 bye.

Carter caught his only pass for an eight-yard reception during Sunday's 26-3 win over Jacksonville. He added a 19-yard kick return.

Carter, the only Texan to return a punt or kick this season, looked like he was growing into a bigger role on offense in Week 8 with a 46-yard reception. His workload didn't expand Sunday however, even with Will Fuller (hamstring) out again. The sophomore receiver has been squeezed this season in a crowded receiving corps due in part to the offseason addition of Kenny Stills. Carter recorded at least three targets in four of his last five games of 2018, but has just one such outing in 2019 with more mouths to feed in the Texans offense. A favorable matchup against Baltimore's 26th-ranked pass defense awaits after the Texans' bye, but don't count on Carter getting enough targets to take advantage.

Thompson was waived from Seattle's practice squad, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Thompson joined Seattle less than a week ago, but the team preferred to add practice-squad depth at defensive tackle in Bryan Mone instead.