NFL Player News

Hopkins (thumb) practiced fully Thursday.

Hopkins was listed as a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, but his return to a full session puts the Texans' top wideout on track to play Sunday against the Jaguars. Eight games into the 2019 season, Hopkins is fourth in the NFL with 81 targets, which has yielded a PPR-friendly 60 catches (second in the league) for 617 yards and three TDs.

Chark remained limited at practice Thursday, John Oehser of the Jaguars' official site reports.

The same applies to Dede Westbrook (neck/shoulder), which gives both players a solid chance to be available for Sunday's game against the Texans. Friday's injury report will relay whether either or both of the receivers heads into the weekend listed as questionable.

Valdes-Scantling (ankle/knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Valdes-Scantling's practice time in Week 8 was limited on account of the same two injuries, but neither prevented him from suiting up in the Packers' eventual win over the Chiefs. He finished with a season-low four receiving yards in that contest, and may not be in store for much of a bounce back in Week 9 against the Chargers, assuming he once again gains clearance to play. The Packers could get Davante Adams (toe) back from a four-game absence this weekend, leaving fewer targets to go around for secondary passing-game options like Valdes-Scantling.

Adams (toe) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

One day removed from getting an official practice designation that wasn't DNP, Adams maintained his activity level. While he's inching closer to a return to action, it's uncertain whether he'll be able to do enough this week to get clearance for game action. Notably, coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers will evaluate Adams "day by day," telling Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette that the wide receiver has "a significant injury. It's one that most people probably don't understand how painful that injury is." Assuming he isn't ruled out for Sunday's visit to the Chargers by the end of the week, Adams' availability likely will come down to a game-time decision for the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

Allen (hamstring) practiced fully Thursday.

It appears as though Allen's limitations at practice Wednesday were maintenance-related, which sets the stage for the Chargers' top pass catcher to head into the weekend minus an injury designation. Allen was viewed as a game-time decision for this past Sunday's 17-16 win over the Bears, but was able to suit up and see action on 31 of the team's 45 snaps on offense, en route to hauling in seven of his 10 targets (which equals his season average) for 53 yards. Heading into Week 9, he's on pace to match his career-high mark of 102 catches.

Thielen (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

For a second consecutive day, Thielen had a cap on his practice reps. After running routes during individual drills Wednesday, he was spotted with a sleeve on his gimpy hamstring Thursday, likely as a measure to avoid any setbacks. At this stage, there seems to be a chance he'll return Sunday in Kansas City, with Friday's injury report revealing his odds to do so.

Beckham (groin) remained limited at Thursday's practice, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Though Beckham was limited for the second straight day, along with fellow receiver Jarvis Landry (shoulder), Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer relays that coach Freddie Kitchens indicated that the duo looked better Thursday. "They got the reps they needed,'' Kitchens noted after practice. With that in mind, we expect Beckham to be a go Sunday against the Broncos, though an added layer pertaining to his current injury came to light Thursday, when Beckham revealed that the issue stems from a hip injury that hampered him prior to the season.

Brown (ankle) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Back-to-back limited practice sessions offer hope that Brown could return to action in Sunday night's 8:20 ET contest against the Patriots, though an official Week 9 "questionable" injury designation is a likely outcome for the speedy rookie wideout.

Samuel (shoulder) practiced fully Thursday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Samuel's reps were capped at Wednesday's session, the result of the wide receiver laying out for a reception this past Sunday in San Francisco, according to Steve Reed of the Associated Press. With his bump to full participant Thursday, Samuel's injury has proved to be a minor one as the Panthers prepare for Sunday's matchup with the Titans' 16th-ranked pass defense (239.1 yards per game).

Thielen (hamstring) wore a sleeve on his right leg at the part of Thursday's practice open to the media, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Thielen was limited in his return to practice Wednesday, running routes in the process. He'll look to upgrade to full participant by week's end, though Friday's injury report ultimately will provide a sense of his chances to play Sunday at Kansas City.