NFL Player News

Thornton (hamstring) was a full participant at practice Wednesday.

Thornton has now been practicing at full speed for two entire weeks, but he's still waiting to be officially activated from the Raiders' injured reserve list. The team has until the end of this week to move him back onto the active roster before he'd have to spend the rest of the campaign on IR by rule.

Zaccheaus (shoulder) was a limited participant at the Falcons' practice Wednesday, Daniel Flick of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Zaccheaus appears to have picked up a shoulder injury during the team's 31-23 loss to the Bears in Week 6. The fact that he was able to practice in any capacity Wednesday would suggest that it is a minor issue, but the wide receiver will have two more chances to prove his health before Sunday's matchup with the 49ers.

Lane underwent surgery Oct. 9 to repair his fractured and dislocated ankle, and he is expected to be cleared for activities before OTAs, Tashan Reed of The Washington Post reports.

Lane sustained his season-ending ankle injury during the Commanders' Week 4 win against the Colts, and the injury was severe enough for him to stay in London overnight to be monitored and undergo additional tests. His absence has opened the door to more playing time for both Luke McCaffrey and Dyami Brown, and they are both candidates for another bump in playing time after Terry McLaurin tore his patellar tendon during the Commanders' 23-17 loss to the 49ers on Monday.

Skowronek (calf) did not practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Skowronek was unable to play against the Buccaneers in Week 6 due to a calf injury that he sustained during the Steelers' Week 5 win over the Colts. He'll have two more chances to log at least a limited practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Saints in Paris.

Young (knee) was not listed on the Bengals' injury report Wednesday.

Young missed each of the Bengals' two games prior to the Week 6 bye due to a knee injury. The extra rest has paid dividends for the rookie fourth-rounder, who is on track to be available for Sunday's AFC North showdown against the Ravens. He's operated in a minimal role offensively this season, having logged only two catches on as many targets for nine yards across three games.

Melton (back) was a limited participant in Wednesday's walkthrough practice, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Melton may have tweaked his back during the Packers' Week 6 win against the Cowboys, when he played 34 snaps (18 on offense, 16 on special teams) and drew a 37-yard pass interference penalty late in the second quarter before adding a tackle on kickoff coverage. He'll have two more practices to increase his participation to avoid an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Lions.

Dulin (hamstring) was a limited participant at the Colts' practice Wednesday.

Dulin was able to return to practice for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 4. The wide receiver will have two more chances to log a full practice before potentially returning to action Sunday versus the Vikings.

Shaheed (hip) was limited in Wednesday's practice, Corbin K. Smith of EmeraldCitySpectrum.com reports.

It's the first time Shaheed has been listed on the injury report this season. A popular summer breakout candidate, it hasn't yet happened for Shaheed this season, as he has just 14 catches for 162 yards on 27 targets through six games. He's added 39 rushing yards and a touchdown on four carries. Shaheed can't be trusted in fantasy lineups until he shows some sort of reliable floor or even a ceiling performance.

Kirk (calf) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Harrison Rich of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

It's the first time that Kirk has logged a full session since his 21-day practice window opened Thursday. He was not activated from IR before this past Monday's game against the Commanders, but it looks like the veteran wide receiver is trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's road game against the Falcons. Kirk's availability is sorely needed for a 49ers wideout group that will be without Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and could also be without Mike Evans (ribs), the latter of whom aggravated a right Achilles injury during the first half of Monday's win.

Evans (ribs/Achilles) officially didn't practice Wednesday, Harrison Rich of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

As expected, Evans didn't mix into drills just two days removed from exiting Monday's game against the Commanders early due to an Achilles injury. Afterward, coach Kyle Shanahan termed the issue right Achilles soreness, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com, which isn't believed to be a long-term concern. Shanahan also expressed hope that Evans will be able to play Sunday in Atlanta, but in the end the 49ers likely will exercise caution with the top wide receiver on the roster.