NFL Player News

Samuel (heel) officially didn't practice Thursday.

Per Tashan Reed of The Washington Post, Samuel was present at Thursday's session, but he didn't end up mixing into drills for a second straight day. On a positive note, Samuel is traveling with the Commanders to Los Angeles, while fellow WRs Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Noah Brown (groin/knee) aren't, ruling them out for Week 5 action. Samuel thus appears to have a chance to play through his current heel issue Sunday against the Chargers, but Washington ultimately could make a decision on his status for Week 5 as soon as the posting of Friday's injury report.

Jones (Achilles) did not participate in Thursday's practice, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Jones has opened the week with back-to-back DNPs due to an Achilles injury, though he was able to work off to the side during Thursday's session. He would likely have to log at least a limited practice Friday in order to have a realistic chance of playing in Sunday's home game against the Lions. Jones has primarily served on special teams as a returner this season, so his absence would open the door for Jermaine Burton and Samaje Perine to take on those duties.

Brown (groin/knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

After his pair of injuries kept him from practicing Wednesday and Thursday, Brown won't travel to Los Angeles this weekend and will wind up missing his third straight game. Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) has also been ruled out for a second consecutive contest, leaving Washington with Deebo Samuel (heel) -- who has yet to practice this week but made the trip to L.A. -- Luke McCaffrey, Chris Moore and Jaylin Lane as its remaining options at receiver. Tay Martin is also a candidate to be elevated from the practice squad to provide the position group with another healthy body.

McLaurin (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at the Chargers.

McLaurin thus will miss a second consecutive contest due to the quad injury that he sustained Week 3 against the Raiders. On a positive note, he made his first appearance at practice Thursday since then, taking part in the team stretch, per Tashan Reed of The Washington Post. Fellow WR Noah Brown (groin/knee) also won't travel with the Commanders to Los Angeles, leaving Deebo Samuel (heel), Luke McCaffrey, Chris Moore and Jaylin Lane as the current available wide receivers on the active roster. McLaurin's next chance to return to action is Monday, Oct. 13 versus the Bears.

Hooker (toe) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jets, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Hooker sustained a toe injury during the Cowboys' 40-40 overtime tie with the Packers in Week 4. He was spotted in a walking boot Wednesday, and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus confirmed Thursday that the veteran safety will not play against the Jets. Juanyeh Thomas played a season-high 51 defensive snaps in Week 4, and he figures to be the leading candidate to start alongside Donovan Wilson at safety due to Hooker's injury.

Jones (concussion) practiced in full Thursday, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Jones was diagnosed with a concussion following a Week 3 loss at San Francisco and sat out last Thursday's game against the Seahawks, but he made clear progress through the protocol for head injuries this week, logging a limited session Wednesday and an uncapped practice one day later. He'll still need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to be available Sunday versus the Titans.

Ridley (knee/elbow) was listed as a non-participant in practice Thursday.

Though Ridley didn't practice for a second straight day, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com notes that the wideout was in uniform Thursday working on a side field. What Ridley is able to do Friday will thus loom large with regard to his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Cardinals. Through four games to date, Ridley has compiled a modest 10-141-0 receiving line on 24 targets.

Tuten (shoulder) was a limited participant at practice Thursday.

Per Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com, Tuten sported a non-contact jersey during Thursday's session as the running back continues to manage a shoulder issue that he's played through over the last two weeks. Tuten now has two more chances to upgrade his participation level ahead of Monday's game against the Chiefs.

Brown (shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Brown was limited in a pair of practices last week before he was inactive for Sunday's 26-21 win over the 49ers on Sunday, so he may need to upgrade to full participation in practice by the end of Week 5 prep to guarantee his availability for Monday's matchup with the Chiefs. Through his first three appearances of the season, Brown has accrued a 10-116-1 receiving line on 14 targets while adding 15 yards on three carries.

Fant (concussion) practiced fully Thursday.

After being listed as limited on Wednesday's practice estimate, Fant's full participation a day later has him trending toward returning to the lineup Sunday against the Lions. Friday's final injury report will determine whether the tight end -- who has 12 catches for 80 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets through three games -- heads into the weekend with a designation.