NFL Player News

Dean (hip) did not participate in Thursday's practice.

Dean has opened the week with back-to-back DNPs due to a hip injury, which he sustained during Tampa Bay's Week 4 loss to Philadelphia. The 2019 third-rounder would have to practice in at least a limited capacity Friday in order to have a realistic chance of playing against the Seahawks on Sunday. Josh Hayes would be a candidate to start at outside corner opposite Zyon McCollum if both Dean and Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) were not cleared to play versus Seattle.

Gaines (pectoral) was a full participant at practice Thursday.

Gaines was considered a non-participant at the team's walkthrough Wednesday, but he now appears to be on track to play in Week 5. The 29-year-old will likely operate in a reserve role behind Logan Hall and Elijah Roberts on the defensive line Sunday in Seattle.

Smith (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Smith is nursing an ankle injury that he may have sustained during the Bucs' Week 4 loss to the Eagles. Smith has logged a DNP-LP practice log this week, so Friday's injury report will indicate his chances of playing in Sunday's road game against the Seahawks. Smith has logged 33 tackles (20 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and four pass defenses through the first four games of the regular season.

Wirfs (knee) was a full participant in practice Thursday.

The starting left tackle was estimated as a limited participant in Wednesday's walkthrough. Wirfs played all 72 offensive snaps in Tampa Bay's 31-25 loss to Philadelphia last week, his season debut. His full participation Thursday strongly indicates that he's on track to play this Sunday as well.

Morrison (hamstring) was a non-participant at practice Thursday.

Morrison has opened the week on the sidelines for both the team's walkthrough Wednesday and their first practice of the week due to a hamstring injury. If he can't return to practice Friday, he'll likely be forced to sit Sunday versus the Seahawks.

David (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

David has opened the week with an LP-LP practice report due to a knee injury that he likely picked up during the Buccaneers' Week 4 loss to the Eagles. The veteran linebacker's practice participation Friday will indicate his chances of playing against the Seahawks on Sunday. Deion Jones and John Bullock would be candidates to start at inside linebacker Sunday if David is not cleared to play.

Shepard (foot) practiced in full Thursday.

After missing Wednesday's walkthrough due to a foot injury, Shepard was able to handle every practice rep one day later, clearing him for Week 5 action. With Mike Evans (hamstring) expected to be out again Sunday in Seattle, Shepard is poised to remain the No. 3 wide receiver in the Buccaneers offense behind Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka, a role that's amounted to 13 catches (on 19 targets) for 167 yards and no touchdowns for him in four games this season.

Mayfield (knee/right biceps) was a full practice participant Thursday.

Mayfield sat out Wednesday's walkthrough due to knee and right biceps injuries, but his return to all activity one day later indicates the DNP was merely for maintenance purposes. He's been slinging it around this season, completing 83 of 139 passes (60 percent) for 904 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception through four games. The potential exists for both WR Mike Evans (hamstring) and RB Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) to be sidelined Sunday at Seattle, so Mayfield's primary pass catchers Week 5 may be WRs Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka and Sterling Shepard, TE Cade Otton and RBs Rachaad White and Sean Tucker.

Kittle has had no setbacks while on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury and has a chance to return Week 6 at Tampa Bay, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Prior to hurting his hamstring in the first half of a Week 1 win at Seattle, Kittle was involved early and often, gathering in all four of his targets for 25 yards and one touchdown. Given a prognosis of 3-to-5 weeks to recover, he was placed on IR on Sept. 9, and after Thursday's game at the Rams, he'll have fulfilled the four-game minimum on the reserve list. With WRs Jauan Jennings (ankle) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) sidelined Week 5 and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) still on the reserve/PUP list, Kittle may immediately take the mantle as the 49ers' top pass catcher once he's cleared for game action again.

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

Johnson was limited to open the week due to a shoulder injury he suffered in the team's 31-25 win over the Buccaneers in Week 4. He now appears to be all set to start at right tackle Sunday versus the Broncos.