NFL Player News

Shepard (hip) practiced in full Thursday.

The Giants scaled back Shepard's practice reps Wednesday due to a hip issue, but the third-year pro returned to full capacity one day later. Fellow member of the receiving corps Odell Beckham (quadriceps) is trending toward a fourth consecutive absence, leaving Shepard to act as the No. 1 wideout yet again Sunday against the Cowboys. In his first three opportunities, Shepard posted a 10-167-1 line on 22 targets, with most of that production coming Week 16 at Indianapolis (six catches on seven targets for 113 yards).

Boyd (knee) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Boyd has followed up an absence in his team's Week 16 loss to the Browns with no activity in practices Wednesday and Thursday. At this point, his chances of making it back for Sunday's season finale against the Steelers appear remote, but the Bengals will likely wait and see what he's able to do (or not do) at Friday's practice before making a ruling on his status.

Holmes (ankle) wasn't taking part in the portion of Thursday's practice that was open to the media, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Holmes' inability to practice for the second straight day adds further credence to the report Mike Klis of 9News Denver issued Wednesday, wherein the wideout was revealed to be dealing with a high-ankle sprain that will likely keep him sidelined for the season finale against the Chargers. The Broncos will officially reveal Holmes' odds of playing in that contest or rule him out entirely when the team releases its final practice report Friday.

Cobb was cleared from the concussion protocol Thursday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

After the Packers' Week 15 loss in Chicago, Cobb was diagnosed with a head injury, entered the NFL's protocol and made no on-field appearances through Wednesday's practice. However, he fit in some activity Thursday prior to Demovsky's report, a combo that sets Cobb up to return for the season finale. If Davante Adams plays through a knee injury as expected Sunday against the Lions, the Packers receiving corps may just be down one player, rookie Equanimeous St. Brown, who entered the concussion protocol this past Sunday.

Beckham (quadriceps) was held out of Thursday's practice, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

After back-to-back DNPs to open Week 17 prep, Beckham seems more likely than not to miss a fourth game in a row to wrap up the 2018 campaign. The Giants may confirm as much well before the release of inactives for the season finale, as they've done with Beckham for each of the past three contests. With Russell Shepard (ankle) also trending in the wrong direction, the trio of Sterling Shepard (hip), Evan Engram and Saquon Barkley can prepare for a healthy dose of targets yet again.

Coach Matt Nagy doesn't expect Robinson (ribs) to take part in Thursday's practice, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

If Robinson is indeed absent, it would mark his second DNP in as many days as he tends to a rib injury. His activity level will be disclosed on the Bears' second Week 17 practice report.

St. Brown (concussion) wasn't participating in the portion of Thursday's practice that was available to the media, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

The rookie was at least able to get in some cardio work off to the side on a stationary bike, but he'll go down as a non-participant for the second straight practice. The Packers would likely need to see St. Brown advance to at least limited participation Friday to feel good about his chances to play in their season finale Sunday against the Lions. St. Brown is coming off a strong Week 16 performance in Green Bay's win over the Jets, during which he hauled in all five of his targets for 94 yards. If he suits up in Week 17, St. Brown would likely work ahead of fellow first-year player Marquez Valdes-Scantling in three-receiver formations.

Cobb (concussion) is participating in the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

The Packers will provide an update later Thursday indicating whether Cobb's activity level constituted full or limited participation. Either way, it would represent a positive step forward for the wideout, who sat out the team's Week 16 win over the Jets with the head injury and was unable to practice Wednesday. Cobb has a shot to gain clearance from the concussion protocol and suit up in Sunday's season finale against the Lions.

Adams (knee) didn't practice Thursday and instead worked with Green Bay's training staff on the side, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

The activity is a step up from Wednesday's session, when Adams was seen on a stationary bike in the portion open to the media. It remains to be seen if he'll elevate from DNP to limited, but he seems to be taking a step toward his prediction that he'll be available Sunday versus the Lions.

Head coach Pat Shurmur does not expect Beckham (quad) to participate in Thursday's practice, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Beckham has been absent from the Giants' previous three games while nursing a quad injury, and it's looking more and more unlikely that the star wideout will be able to return for the team's regular-season finale. With the Giants having nothing to play for in the final week of the season, it would make sense if they elected to err on the side of caution with their prized wide receiver, but more information on that should come to light based on whether or not Beckham is able to participate in Friday's session.