NFL Player News

Ridley (knee/elbow) was listed as a non-participant in practice Thursday.

Though Ridley didn't practice for a second straight day, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com notes that the wideout was in uniform Thursday working on a side field. What Ridley is able to do Friday will thus loom large with regard to his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Cardinals. Through four games to date, Ridley has compiled a modest 10-141-0 receiving line on 24 targets.

Brown (shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Brown was limited in a pair of practices last week before he was inactive for Sunday's 26-21 win over the 49ers on Sunday, so he may need to upgrade to full participation in practice by the end of Week 5 prep to guarantee his availability for Monday's matchup with the Chiefs. Through his first three appearances of the season, Brown has accrued a 10-116-1 receiving line on 14 targets while adding 15 yards on three carries.

Pierce (concussion) practiced fully Thursday.

Back-to-back full sessions have Pierce trending toward returning from his one-game absence, though the Colts' final injury report of the week will be released Friday and will reveal whether he carries a designation into Sunday's game against the Raiders. Meanwhile, fellow wideout Michael Pittman (hamstring) was added to the Colts' injury report after logging a limited practice Thursday.

Pittman (hamstring) was limited at practice Thursday.

Pittman, who logged 10 targets last weekend against the Rams, wasn't listed on the Colts' initial Week 5 injury report, so his addition to it Thursday is notable. Friday's final report of the week will reveal whether or not Pittman's hamstring issue will lead to him carrying a designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Raiders. On the plus side, fellow WR Alec Pierce (concussion) has logged back-to-back full sessions and is trending toward being available this weekend.

Samuel (heel) was spotted on the field during the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Tashan Reed of The Washington Post reports.

The Commanders listed Samuel as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice due to a heel injury, but he appears poised to upgrade to at least limited activity Thursday. Samuel accounted for 81 total yards and a touchdown on nine touches (six catches, three carries) in the Commanders' Week 4 loss to the Falcons, but he could see a slight downturn in his usage in Sunday's game against the Chargers if Washington gets Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) back in action.

Evans (hamstring) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Evans hasn't been able to practice in any capacity since exiting the Buccaneers' Sept. 21 win over the Jets with a moderate left hamstring strain and is in line to miss a second straight game this Sunday in Seattle. Initial reports shortly after Evans sustained the injury suggested that he would require a 3-to-4-week recovery period, so the 32-year-old is far from a lock to make it back for the Buccaneers' Week 6 matchup with San Francisco. Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka should continue to operate as the clear top two options in the Tampa Bay passing game while Evans is on the mend.

Johnson returned two kickoffs for 42 yards and ran back six punts for 100 yards during the Buccaneers' 31-25 loss to the Eagles in Week 4.

Johnson logged six snaps from scrimmage without a target, but he made a significant impact in his special-teams role. The second-year wideout has averaged a modest 21.0 yards per kickoff return, but he's now up to 15.9 yards per punt runback after an impressive 46-yard return early in the third quarter. Johnson would likely need multiple injuries at receiver to make an impact on offense, but he has the talent to develop into a consistent weapon on returns.

Shepard didn't participate in Wednesday's walkthrough due to a foot injury, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Shepard has been regularly playing at least 60 percent of the offensive snaps this season, and this past Sunday's loss to the Eagles was no different. While Mike Evans (hamstring) was sidelined, Chris Godwin (foot) made his season debut, and Shepard finished third in snap share (62 percent) behind rookie Emeka Egbuka (89 percent) and Godwin (81 percent). The result, at least for Week 4, was modest for Shepard (2-14-0 on four targets), and he now is dealing with a health concern. Evans still wasn't practicing as of Wednesday and is expected to miss multiple games, so if Shepard is able to prove his health by the end of the week, he should resume his standing as the Buccaneers' No. 3 WR on Sunday in Seattle.

Evans (hamstring) didn't participate in Wednesday's walkthrough, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Evans made an early exit from the Buccaneers' Week 3 win against the Jets with what eventually was termed a moderate hamstring strain. He's expected to be out multiple weeks as a result, and until he steps back on the practice field, he likely won't be a candidate for active status on game days. Friday's injury report may include an official declaration of Evans' availability for Sunday's game at Seattle after he sat out a Week 4 loss to the Eagles.

Fehoko (concussion) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Fehoko suffered a concussion in last Thursday night's loss to the Seahawks and remains in the league's protocol. Fehoko has yet to play an offensive snap this season but has logged 38 on special teams.