NFL Player News

Shepard (concussion) was a full practice participant Friday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Full participation on consecutive days ensures active status with most injuries, but that isn't always the case for players in the concussion protocol. Shepard will need clearance from an independent neurologist before he can play in Monday's game against the Cowboys.

Pascal is expected to step in as the Colts' No. 1 wideout Sunday in Pittsburgh after coach Frank Reich said T.Y. Hilton (calf) could be sidelined for three weeks, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports.

Over the six games he's played this season, Hilton averaged 5.3 receptions, 60 yards and 7.6 targets while scoring five times. Pascal shouldn't be expected to match that volume or efficiency, but he'll nonetheless be in store for more consistent involvement in the passing game as the Colts look to replace their top option. Rather than counting on Pascal to act as a one-for-one replacement for Hilton, the Colts likely will turn to multiple pass catchers to step up their production in the next few weeks. Along with Pascal, young receivers Deon Cain and Parris Campbell are expected to benefit from mild bumps in playing time and targets while Hilton is sidelined.

Thielen (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.

A limited practice participant throughout the week, Thielen consistently wore a protective sleeve over his right leg, hinting at some level of concern about the hamstring injury. Coach Mike Zimmer declined to provide any hints, saying he wouldn't use his crystal ball to predict Thielen's availability, per Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The wide receiver thus needs to be treated as a game-time decision ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff in Kansas City. Olabisi Johnson replaced Thielen last week, seeing two targets and 74 percent of snaps in a 19-9 win over Washington, while No. 3 receiver Laquon Treadwell was limited to one target and 22 percent snap share. The Vikings predominantly used power formations, with a fullback and/or a second tight end on the field.

Campbell could have a larger role in the Indianapolis offense with T.Y. Hilton set to miss several weeks with a calf injury, Stephen Holder of The Athletic reports.

Campbell did not have a target and played just eight snaps in last week's win over Denver. However, Campbell may have been eased into action after missing three weeks due to an abdominal injury. He could be moved up into a role where he's the deep threat in an attempt to replace Hilton's speed in the offense.

Adams (toe) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers, with coach Matt LaFleur saying the Packers will wait until 90 minutes before kickoff to announce their decision on the wide receiver, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff thus becomes a source of frustration for fantasy managers, though Adams at least appears to be trending in the right direction after three consecutive limited practices this week. Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com notes that the wide receiver looked good at Friday's session, leap-frogging a staff member during a warmup drill. Of course, a single explosive movement isn't the same thing as doing it snap after snap for three hours, so the Packers presumably will put Adams through a more vigorous workout before they make a decision. The team will release its inactive list around 2:55 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Samuel (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Samuel didn't practice Wednesday or Friday, but he was a full participant Thursday. While the unusual sequence might lead to some concern, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic relays that Samuel is expected to play in Sunday's game. A 1 p.m. ET kickoff is good news for fantasy managers, allowing for plenty of alternatives if Samuel unexpectedly ends up on the inactive list.

Coach John Harbaugh expects Brown (ankle) to play in Sunday's game against the Patriots, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Brown was held out of practice Friday after participating in a limited capacity Wednesday and Thursday. The Ravens have been careful with managing his practice reps all season, initially due to his recovery from January foot surgery and now to avoid any issues with an ankle sprain on the other leg. While Harbaugh is optimistic about Brown, Hensley believes the rookie could have his workload restricted Sunday night. It remains to be seen how the Ravens list the receiver on their final injury report.

Thielen (hamstring) is practicing Friday with a sleeve over his right leg, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Thielen was a limited practice participant Wednesday and Thursday but is still aiming to return for Sunday's game in Kansas City. A full practice session would put him on track to do so, while another limited showing likely would leave him questionable for the contest. Another update will be available once the Vikings release their final injury report later Friday.

Adams (toe) is practicing Friday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

A limited participant the previous two days, Adams seems to have avoided any setbacks but nonetheless appears uncertain to make his return. The Packers' Friday injury report will reveal the extent of his practice participation as well as his official designation for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Brown (ankle) wasn't spotted on the field for the start of Friday's practice, Daniel Oyefusi of The Baltimore Sun reports.

It's not yet clear if Brown was held out Friday because he suffered a setback or if the Ravens are just giving him the final day of practice off like they did several times earlier in the season. Expect coach John Harbaugh to shed some light on the situation after Friday's session comes to a close.