NFL Player News

Moore (hip/groin) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

As was the case in each of the previous three weeks, Moore has began Week 10 prep as a non-participant before upgrading to a limited practice a day later. Assuming the pattern from previous weeks continues to hold, Moore will practice fully Friday and avoid an injury designation for this Sunday's game against the Giants. In the four games since the Bears' Week 5 bye, Moore is averaging 67.3 yards from scrimmage and has scored one touchdown.

Sanders (back) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Sanders remained limited in practice Wednesday, but he appears to have now returned to full health ahead of Sunday's road matchup against the Jets. As such, Sanders looks on track to operate as the No. 2 quarterback behind Dillon Gabriel in Week 10, while Bailey Zappe remains on hand for the No. 3 role. Sanders had been inactive for Cleveland's loss to the Patriots in Week 8 due to back tightness.

Flannigan-Fowles (pectoral) was limited in practice Thursday. Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Flannigan-Fowles wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, so his pectoral issue may have surfaced during practice. If Darius Muasau (ankle) is not able to play Sunday versus the Bears, an opportunity to start at inside linebacker could present itself to Flannigan-Fowles, so both players' activity levels will need to be monitored at Friday's practice.

Croskey-Merritt (tooth) practiced fully Thursday.

Croskey-Merritt underwent a dental procedure between this past Sunday's loss to the Seahawks and Wednesday, leaving him limited at the first session of Week 10 prep. Now that he's been able to handle every practice rep one day later, he's poised to resume leading the Commanders backfield Sunday against the Lions. Croskey-Merritt has tallied double-digit carries in four of the last five games, a stretch in which he's combined for 70 touches for 316 yards from scrimmage and two rushing TDs.

Odunze (ankle/heel) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

One of three Bears receivers on the Week 10 injury report, Odunze joined DJ Moore (hip/groin) in advancing from no activity Wednesday to limited participation Thursday, while Luther Burden (concussion) was a full participant on both days. Assuming Odunze is able to log another limited practice Friday or advance to full activity, he should be in good shape to play this Sunday against the Giants.

Burden (concussion) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Though Bears head coach Ben Johnson hasn't yet confirmed that Burden has cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, all signs point to the rookie wideout being able to play this Sunday against the Giants. After sitting out the Bears' Week 9 win over the Bengals while recovering from the head injury, Burden has turned in two full practices to kick off Week 10 prep. Meanwhile, fellow wideouts DJ Moore (hip/groin) and Rome Odunze (ankle/heel) were limited Thursday, so Burden could have a clear path to a top-three role if either or both of Moore and Odunze aren't available Sunday.

Jones (shoulder/toe) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

According to Emily Leiker of The Minnesota Star Tribune, Jones was seen stretching prior to Thursday's session, and his ensuing listing on the Vikings' second Week 10 injury report indicates that he's progressing through the AC joint sprain in his right shoulder and also a toe issue. Jones will have one more chance to get back to full activity this week, or he's more likely to enter the weekend with a designation for Sunday's game against the Ravens. If he's able to suit up, he likely will continue his relative timeshare out of Minnesota's backfield with Jordan Mason.

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

Bernard already appears back to full health after having been limited in practice Wednesday. Barring any setbacks, the middle linebacker can be considered on track for his usual every-down role on defense during Sunday's road divisional matchup against the Dolphins.

Hill (ankle) was limited in practice Thursday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Hill has now logged back-to-back limited practices, an indication that he's nearing a return to full health after having missed Miami's last two games due to an ankle injury. If cleared for action Sunday versus Buffalo, Hill will stand to operate as the Dolphins' top tight end, though Tanner Conner will also have a role on offense and Greg Dulcich may have earned increased opportunities after impressing as a pass catcher Week 9.

Dowdle (quadriceps) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

After sitting out Wednesday's session, Dowdle took a step forward by practicing in a limited capacity Thursday. In order to avoid carrying a designation into Sunday's game against the Saints, Dowdle will likely need to upgrade to full activity Friday in the Panthers' final practice of the week. If he's cleared to play this weekend, Dowdle should be in line for another turn as Carolina's lead back after handily out-snapping and outproducing Chuba Hubbard in an upset win over the Packers in Week 9. In that contest, Dowdle accounted for 141 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 27 touches while playing 72 percent of the snaps. Hubbard, meanwhile, handled a 22 percent snap share and was limited to 17 yards on five touches.