NFL Player News

Okonkwo (foot) didn't participate in practice Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

This is a downgrade for Okonkwo after he logged a limited practice session Wednesday. The severity of his foot issue isn't clear, but it's concerning that the fourth-year tight end was held out entirely in the penultimate practice of the week. If Okonkwo can't play Sunday versus the Chargers, Gunnar Helm could start at tight end for Tennessee.

Ridley (hamstring) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Ridley hasn't practiced since being forced out of Week 6 action, so his status for Sunday's game against the Chargers remains cloudy. If the wideout ends up missing a third straight game, Chimere Dike, Elic Ayomanor and Van Jefferson would once again be in line to lead Tennessee's WR corps this weekend.

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

A spectator for the Bears' first practice of the week Wednesday, Odunze's ability to increase his activity a day later is an encouraging sign as Sunday's game against the Bengals approaches. The Bears will wait until after Friday's practice before deciding whether Odunze carries a designation into the weekend, but the second-year receiver told Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times after Thursday's session that he expects to be good to go for Sunday's contest.

Johnson (back) remained a non-participant at practice Thursday.

Johnson hasn't practiced or played since Week 7 against the Saints. Even on the off chance he recovers in time to suit up Sunday against the Bengals, Johnson would likely remain in a depth role behind D'Andre Swift (groin) and Kyle Monangai.

Kmet (back) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

After missing the first game of his career in this past Sunday's loss to the Ravens, Kmet has opened Week 9 prep with a pair of limited sessions. If he can upgrade to full participation Friday, Kmet should be in good position to reclaim his usual duties as the Bears' starting tight end. While Kmet was sidelined this past weekend, rookie first-round pick Colston Loveland played a season-high 81 percent of the snaps on offense and finished with three catches for 38 yards on five targets.

Stevenson (shoulder) was a full participant at practice Thursday.

Stevenson sat out Chicago's Week 8 loss to the Ravens and was limited Wednesday but returned to full participation Thursday. The starting cornerback's full participation Thursday puts him on track to return Sunday against the Bengals.

Jones was cut from the Seahawks' practice squad Thursday, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

Jones had just been signed to the practice squad Wednesday, but his tenure on the team didn't last long. Myles Gaskin -- who had been released upon Jones' signing Wednesday -- returned to the practice squad upon Jones' departure Thursday.

Swift (groin) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice.

For the third week in a row, Swift is on the Bears' injury report with a groin issue. He's proceeded to play through the issue in both of the team's last two games, but Swift's availability for this Sunday's game in Cincinnati may be in more peril now that he's failed to practice in any fashion Wednesday and Thursday. What Swift is able to do in Friday's session will go a long way in determining his status heading into the weekend.

Burden (concussion) didn't practice Thursday.

Since exiting this past Sunday's loss to the Ravens with a concussion, Burden hasn't made enough progress through the NFL's five-step protocol to take part in any on-field work. At this stage, Burden appears to be facing an uphill battle to play this weekend in Cincinnati.

Pacheco (knee) won't practice Thursday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

With consecutive DNPs on Wednesday and Thursday due to an MCL sprain in his right knee, Pacheco is trending in the wrong direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills, and it's possible that he'll be ruled out as soon as Friday. If Pacheco is unavailable this weekend, Kareem Hunt would be in line for more carries Week 9, per ESPN.com, with Brashard Smith and Elijah Mitchell backing him up.