NFL Player News

Spears (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports.

This is likely just maintenance for the ankle injury that sent Spears to injured reserve for Weeks 1-4. He returned this past Sunday to play 25 percent of offensive snaps in a 22-21 win at Arizona, taking four carries for 14 yards and finishing without a target on a 26 percent route share. Spears could earn more work as the year progresses, but Tony Pollard has a strong case to remain the lead runner and also get a decent chunk of the pass snaps. The Titans head to Las Vegas this weekend for a matchup between last-place teams.

Wyatt (knee) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

Wyatt suffered a knee injury during the Packers' Week 4 tie against the Cowboys. He was labeled as week-to-week by head coach Matt LaFleur after the game, and the 2022 first-rounder has opened Week 6 prep with a DNP. Wyatt will have two more chances to practice in at least a limited capacity but could enter Sunday's game with the Bengals with an injury designation. Nazir Stackhouse would see a significant increase in snaps at defensive tackle if Wyatt isn't able to play, and rookie sixth-rounder Warren Brinson would be in line to be active for the first regular-season game of his NFL career.

Slye didn't practice Wednesday due to a right calf injury, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Slye made all three of his field-goal attempts and went 1-for-2 on extra-point tries in Sunday's 22-21 win over the Cardinals, but with an absence from practice to start the current week, the kicker's status is worth monitoring ahead of this weekend's game against the Raiders. If Slye is unavailable versus Las Vegas, Matthew Wright is a candidate for a practice-squad elevation.

McManus was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a right quadriceps injury.

McManus was one of 14 players listed on the Packers' first injury report following their Week 5 bye. Green Bay has kicker Mark McNamee on its practice squad as an international pathway player, though it's unclear if the Packers would feel comfortable turning to him as a replacement in the event McManus is unable to play Sunday against the Bengals.

Williams was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a groin injury.

The Packers are coming off a Week 5 bye, so Williams may have picked up the injury during Green Bay's Week 4 tie against Dallas, when the rookie third-rounder logged three catches on as many targets for 22 yards along with 24 yards on one kickoff return. Williams' practice participation over the next two days will provide clarity on his chances of playing against the Bengals on Sunday.

Chaisson (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

A knee injury prevented Chaisson from playing in the Patriots' Week 5 win over the Bills. The 2020 first-rounder is still limited by the injury, but a full practice Thursday or Friday would put him in position to play against the Saints on Sunday. Chaisson's return would likely mean less snaps at outside linebacker for Keion White (elbow) and Elijah Ponder.

Hawkins (hamstring) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

Hawkins was given the green light to play against the Bills on Sunday after working through a hamstring injury during Week 5 prep, and he finished that contest with three tackles (two solo), including 0.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery while playing every defensive snap. The 2020 fourth-rounder is still working through the injury but would likely be cleared to suit up against the Saints on Sunday if he were to practice in full over the next two days.

Jones (Achilles) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Jones was dealing with an Achilles injury heading into the Bengals' Week 5 clash against the Lions. He was cleared to play in that contest and finished the game with 154 yards on six kickoff returns and six yards on one punt return (along with three fair catches) in Sunday's 37-24 loss. The 2023 fourth-rounder is still working through his Achilles injury, but he would avoid an injury designation heading into Week 6 against the Packers if he were to upgrade to a full practice participant over the next two days.

Sample did not participate in Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Sample played 41 snaps (27 on offense, 14 on special teams) and logged one catch for minus-one yard during the Bengals' 37-24 loss to the Lions in Week 5. He has come out of that contest worse for wear with an ankle injury, and he'll have two more opportunities to return to practice and avoid an injury designation heading into Sunday's contest against the Packers at Lambeau Field. Tanner Hudson and Cam Grandy would be in line to step up as the TE3 behind Mike Gesicki and Noah Fant if Sample is not cleared to play against Green Bay.

Jones was limited at Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.

After sitting out Week 4 with a concussion, Jones returned to action this past Sunday against the Titans and gathered in two of three targets for eight yards on a 50 percent snap share. With a new health concern in tow, his status will be watched as the week continues to get a sense of his odds to play Sunday at Indianapolis.