NFL Player News

Metcalf (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Metcalf injured his ankle during Pittsburgh's loss to the Bears in Week 12 but managed to play through the issue, and after sitting out Wednesday's session, it appears he's now fully on track for Sunday's game against the Bills. The same can be said for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who sat out Week 12 due to a left wrist fracture but is now practicing in full while wearing a cast. Metcalf has drawn at least seven targets in four of his last five regular-season appearances, giving him a solid floor. That said, Metcalf hasn't scored or topped 50 receiving yards in four straight games, and in back-to-back contests he's finished without so much as a target in the red zone. Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports that Metcalf's left ankle remained taped at Thursday's practice.

Rodgers (wrist) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Rodgers' unrestricted practice level effectively confirms Ian Rapoport of NFL Network's report that the veteran quarterback is on track to return to the starting lineup for Sunday's contest against the Bills. Rodgers missed Week 12 due to a non-displaced fracture to his non-throwing wrist, and per Saunders still wore a cast at Thursday's practice. It's possible he'll still have the wrist stabilized during Sunday's game. Top wideout DK Metcalf (ankle) also practiced in full Thursday.

Brown was waived by the Bears on Thursday.

The running back was let go to help make room for the activation of defensive backs Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon from injured reserve. Brown signed with the active roster from the practice squad Nov. 22 and played on 10 special-teams snaps in Week 12 against Pittsburgh. In two games this season, Brown has carried the ball five times for 37 yards and a touchdown.

Rodgers (left wrist) returned to practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Per Pryor, Rodgers' left wrist was stabilized, but after missing Wednesday's session, the QB's return to the field a day later is nonetheless a positive development ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills. The Steelers' upcoming injury report is slated to clarify Rodgers' official participation level Thursday.

The Bears placed Newman (foot) on injured reserve Thursday.

Newman will now need to sit out at least four games while on IR. His placement on IR was part of a series of moves that also included defensive backs Kyler Gordon (calf) and Jaylon Johnson (groin) being activated off IR.

Metcalf practiced with his injured left ankle taped up Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Metcalf didn't practice Wednesday, but he was able to get back on the field Thursday. Metcalf remained in the game after getting hurt last Sunday against Chicago, so he's likely leaning toward suiting up against Buffalo this Sunday. However, he may enter the weekend with an injury designation if he doesn't progress to a full practice session by Friday.

Jones (fibula) was listed as full practice participant Thursday.

After being listed as limited in Wednesday's walkthrough, Jones worked fully a day later, though James Boyd of The Athletic noted that the QB didn't look as fluid as normal during Thursday's session. That's not surprising, given that NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Jones is dealing with a fractured fibula. While Rapoport indicates that it's an injury Jones is not concerned about, it will still be worth circling back Friday to confirm the signal-caller's final game status ahead of Sunday's game against the Texans.

Lindstrom (foot) was a limited participant in practice Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

The starting right guard was a non-participant Wednesday. Lindstrom has been dealing with the foot injury since Week 9 and has yet to miss a game, so his return to practice should be a positive signal ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Jets.

Chicago activated Johnson (groin) off injured reserve Thursday, and he remains questionable for Friday's Week 13 game against the Eagles.

This seems to confirm reports that Johnson will return to action Friday, though he remains officially questionable. His final status may not be clarified until the Packers release their list of inactives about 90 minutes prior to Friday's 3:00 p.m. ET kickoff. If Johnson does indeed get clearance to play, he'll likely reclaim a starting role at cornerback.

The Bears activated Gordon (calf), who remains questionable for Friday's matchup against Philadelphia, off injured reserve Thursday.

All signs point to Gordon returning to action against the Eagles, but that may not be certain until Chicago releases its list of inactives about 90 minutes before Friday's 3:00 p.m. ET kickoff. If Gordon does get cleared to play, he could start at outside cornerback since Tyrique Stevenson has been ruled out for Friday due to a hip injury.