NFL Player News

Coutee (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Unless Coutee logs every rep of Friday's practice, it seems likely that he'll carry a questionable designation into the weekend for the second straight contest. Coach Bill O'Brien labeled the rookie a game-time call in Week 13 before Coutee was ultimately inactive for the Texans' 29-13 win over the Browns. It wouldn't be surprising if O'Brien labeled Coutee the same way again ahead of Sunday's tilt with the Colts, which would make the wideout a risky option in Week 14 fantasy lineups.

Ridley (hand/elbow) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Ridley's reps were capped for the second day in a row, but there haven't been any reports suggesting his availability for Sunday's game against the Packers in serious jeopardy. Top wideout Julio Jones (foot) seems to be less healthy than Ridley, though coach Dan Quinn said he expects Jones will also be good to go for the Week 14 matchup. In the event Jones fails to progress as anticipated, Ridley and Mohamed Sanu would both see sizable boosts in their respective fantasy outlooks for the weekend.

Thomas (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Thomas' activity confirms that his lack of participation in Wednesday's session was for maintenance purposes more than anything else. The Saints' top wideout can be locked into fantasy lineups with confidence come Sunday, when he'll face off against the same Tampa Bay squad he torched for 16 receptions for 180 yards and a touchdown in Week 1.

Beasley (foot) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports.

As coach Jason Garrett intimated Wednesday, the sprained right foot Beasley sustained in the Cowboys' Week 13 win over the Saints was never a major concern, a notion validated by the full workout the wideout put in Thursday. Beasley should remain a regular fixture in three-receiver formations Sunday against the Eagles, but his stable role hasn't meant much for fantasy purposes lately. Over the past five contests, Beasley has hauled in 15 of 22 targets for 118 yards and no touchdowns.

Powell (calf) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Powell was limited in practice to begin the week, but he now appears on track to suit up against the Cardinals in Week 14. The undrafted rookie has only caught one pass for six yards this season, but he could be in line for notable targets Week 14 with Kenny Golladay (quadriceps) and Bruce Ellington (back) both nursing injuries.

Parker (shoulder) was limited at practice both Wednesday and Thursday, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Parker's shoulder issue limited at practice last week as well, but he ended up playing in the team's Week 13 win over the Bills, logging 46 of a possible 55 snaps on offense in the process, en route to hauling in four of seven targets for 43 yards and a TD. With no reported setbacks in that contest, he should be fine for this weekend's game against the Patriots, though it remains to be seen if Parker is listed as "questionable" or removed from the Dolphins' injury report altogether come Friday.

Thomas (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, Josh Katzenstein of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

After being held out of Wednesday's session, Thomas at least is managing some reps Thursday, which bodes well for his Week 14 availability. During the previous weeks in which he missed a practice with an injury or ailment -- Weeks 2 and 9 -- he was a full participant the next day and proceeded to dismantle his upcoming opponents (the Browns and Rams, respectively) to the tune of 24 catches (on 28 targets) for 300 yards and three touchdowns.

McKenzie (toe) was listed as limited at practice Thursday.

McKenzie injured his toe during Thursday's session and was unable to finish practice, which clouds his status for Sunday's game against the Jets. If he's unable to go this weekend, added snaps in the Bills' thinned-out receiving corps (behind top options Zay Jones and Robert Foster) would be available for Deonte Thompson and Ray-Ray McCloud.

Smith (knee) was listed as a full participant at Thursday's practice, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.

After missing Weeks 8 through 11 while battling the knee issue, Smith has dressed for the last two contests but hasn't drawn a single target while playing a combined 22 offensive snaps. It would appear that Smith is setback-free coming out of those games, but the veteran seems unlikely to see his role expand much over the final quarter of the season with youngsters D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel proving themselves worthy of increased responsibility in the Carolina passing game.

Coach Sean McDermott confirmed that McKenzie suffered a toe injury during Thursday's practice and was unable to finish the session, Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News reports.

The early departure from the session will likely result in McKenzie being listed as a limited practice participant, but perhaps of greater significance is that the wideout is slated to undergo further evaluation. That hints at the possibility of McKenzie's injury being something that could sideline him for Sunday's game against the Jets, a scenario that would open up more opportunities for lightly used rookie Ray-Ray McCloud.