NFL Player News

Smith (thumb) is active for Thursday's game against the Buccaneers, Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Smith was removed from injured reserve Thursday, Tommy Yarrish of the Cowboys' official site reports. However, after carrying a questionable tag, Smith will be out there Thursday night, likely resulting in less work for T.J. Bass.

Oliver (knee) did not participate at practice Thursday, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.

Per Lysowski, coach Joe Brady said Thursday that the knee injury Oliver suffered during Sunday's game versus the Patriots is not believed to be a long-term issue. Still, his activity at practice will be worth monitoring as the Bills continue to prepare for a Week 5 matchup against the Rams on Monday.

Black (illness) upgraded to a full practice Thursday, Harrison Rich of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Black was limited Wednesday but appears to be fine ahead of Sunday's Week 5 date with the Seahawks. The rookie running back has plodded to 2.5 yards per carry over the last three weeks and is merely a bench stash in fantasy as Christian McCaffrey's top backup.

Mingo (illness) is active for Thursday's game against Tampa Bay, Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Mingo was in danger of missing this contest. However, the illness won't keep the 25-year-old off the field Thursday night. Mingo has appeared in all four of the Cowboys' games this season, amassing one catch (three targets) for 10 yards.

Stick was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster Thursday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

With Baker Mayfield (thumb) on the shelf, Stick was presumably elevated to serve as the No. 2 signal-caller on the depth chart behind Jalon Daniels. He likely won't see the field Thursday versus the Cowboys. However, that may change if Daniels exits the contest due to injury, illness or ejection.

Love (ankle) stayed limited at Thursday's practice, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Love emerged from a Week 4 loss at the Giants with a new ankle injury that's not related to the high-ankle sprain that he tended to in August. Friday's practice report will reveal whether or not he heads into the weekend with a designation for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Porter has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Buccaneers due to an illness, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Only days after his trade from Pittsburgh to Dallas this past Sunday at Houston, Porter was able to handle a 45 percent snap share but didn't make any marks in the box score in his Cowboys debut. An illness will keep him sidelined in Week 5, though, allowing Ameer Speed and Caelen Carson to work at outside cornerback opposite DaRon Bland.

Evans (ribs) didn't practice Thursday, but he was able to run on a side field during the open portion of the session, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

While Evans officially downgraded from Wednesday's limited session as he tends to a lingering rib injury, he was upbeat as he talked with reporters at his locker afterward. Friday's practice report will give a sense of his odds to suit up Sunday at Seattle, but his DNP on Thursday should be taken with a grain of salt considering he doesn't need many, if any, on-field reps to be available on game days.

The Panthers signed Tyus to the practice squad Thursday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Tyus was on the Panthers' 53-man roster for two games this season, though he didn't spend a lot of time on the field. He was waived Tuesday to clear a roster spot. However, after clearing waivers, Tyus will rejoin the practice squad.

Johnston (chest) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice.

A chest injury has resulted in back-to-back capped sessions for Johnston to kick off Week 5 prep, giving him just one more opportunity to get back to full Friday before the Chargers potentially tag him with a designation for Sunday's game against the Broncos. With Ladd McConkey (foot) not practicing Wednesday or Thursday and potentially trending toward an absence, an active Johnston likely will be the top pass catcher available to QB Justin Herbert this weekend.