NFL Player News

Hampton (ankle) was limited at practice Thursday.

The Chargers opened Hampton's 21-day practice window last Tuesday, but he wasn't activated from IR ahead of Week 13 action. While the running back still is limited at practice as Monday night's game against the Eagles approaches, coach Jim Harbaugh noted Wednesday that more will be known about Hampton's status "as the week unfolds...but what can I tell you, he's on track and looking good," Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

The Saints signed Austin to the practice squad Thursday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Austin appeared on the Saints' active roster for both Weeks 12 and 13, where he recorded a total of 15 snaps on offense and five on special teams. The 25-year-old was waived by the Saints on Tuesday, but he will reprise his role on New Orleans' practice squad.

St. Brown (ankle) is listed as active Thursday against the Cowboys.

Last Thursday against the Packers, St. Brown injured his ankle on the Lions' second possession and wasn't able to return. He was diagnosed with a low left-ankle sprain in the wake of the contest, and he didn't practice Monday through Wednesday this week before the team listed him as questionable for Week 14 action. Along the way, coach Dan Campbell told Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com that "if he can play, he'll play," and that now has been confirmed after St. Brown completed a pregame workout, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com and Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net. It's unclear if St. Brown will have any restrictions, but he at least is available for QB Jared Goff along with fellow WR Jameson Williams and RBs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.

Johnston (shoulder) was limited at practice Thursday.

Per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com, Johnston wore a non-contact jersey during Thursday's session, with the Chargers' ensuing injury report revealing that the wideout is managing a shoulder issue. Johnston now has two more chances to upgrade his participation level ahead of Monday night's game against the Eagles. After recording five catches for 42 yards on 10 targets in Week 10, Johnston has been targeted three times in each of his last two outings, though he did manage to put up a 3-23-1 receiving line in this past Sunday's win over the Raiders.

Herbert (left hand) was limited at practice Thursday.

Herbert, who underwent surgery to stabilize a fracture in his left (non-throwing) hand Monday, sported a cast while tossing passes during Thursday's session, per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com. The QB now has two more chances to practice fully before injury designations for this coming Monday night's contest against the Eagles are posted, but on Wednesday, Herbert told Rhim that "the plan is to prepare as if I'm going to play and see how the next couple of days goes." For his part, coach Jim Harbaugh said the Chargers are optimistic Herbert will play versus Philadelphia, but they are preparing backup Trey Lance to start if necessary.

Anderson (chest) was limited in practice Thursday.

Anderson appeared on the injury report last Thursday with a chest injury. However, it did not seem to impact his snap count in Week 13 versus the Colts. The 24-year-old's limited participation in practice Thursday is a positive sign for his availability in Sunday night's matchup against Kansas City. The third-year pro has 40 tackles (25 solo), including 10.5 sacks, and three pass breakups in 12 games this season.

Smith (foot) practiced fully Thursday.

Smith was limited at practice Wednesday, but his return to a full session Thursday paves the way for the QB to start Sunday's game against the 10-2 Broncos, a tough matchup that limits his lineup utility to deeper formats with four teams on bye this week. In the Raiders' Week 13 loss to the Chargers, Smith completed 18 of his 23 pass attempts for 165 yards with two touchdowns and a pick, while rushing twice for minus-6 yards and a fumble that Las Vegas recovered.

Dortch (chest) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Both Marvin Harrison (heel) and Dortch haven't been able to mix into drills this week, giving them one more chance Friday to do so or else be at risk of being unavailable Sunday against the Rams. Dortch served as the No. 2 WR when Harrison was sidelined Weeks 11 and 12 following an appendectomy, a span in which he hauled in 12 of 15 targets for 119 yards and two touchdowns. If Dortch is able to practice Friday, he could put himself in a position to fill in for Harrison along with Michael Wilson, assuming Harrison is trending toward more missed time.

Demercado (ankle) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Demercado now has cobbled together back-to-back capped session to begin Week 14 prep as he attempts to put the high-ankle sprain that sidelined him the last two games in the rearview mirror. Fellow RB Trey Benson (knee), who remains on injured reserve, has yet to practice this week and has only six days remaining in which to be activated. The Cardinals may make rulings on both players' statuses on Friday's injury report, but if one receives a designation, it seems more likely to be Demercado at this point. If Demercado is able to rejoin the backfield mix Sunday versus the Rams, he'll be an option along with Bam Knight and Michael Carter.

Mayer (ankle) didn't practice Thursday.

Mayer has now missed five straight practices, giving him one more opportunity to get some work in before the Raiders' Week 14 injury designations are assigned. If Mayer remains out Sunday against the Broncos, Ian Thomas and Carter Runyon will be candidates to log added snaps behind Las Vegas' top tight end Brock Bowers.