NFL Player News

Johnson (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

After being held out of drills Wednesday due to an ankle injury, Johnson was back on the practice field one day later, joining fellow TEs Taysom Hill (knee) and Foster Moreau (knee) as limited participants. Both Hill and Moreau had their practice windows opened to return from the reserve/PUP list this week, but there's no guarantee either player will be cleared for Week 5 action. As the active roster currently stands, Johnson is the Saints' clear-cut top option at the position, and his status may receive clarity once the team posts its final practice report of the week Friday.

Taylor (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Thursday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Taylor was also listed as limited on Wednesday's practice estimate, so the tight end will likely need to practice fully Friday in order to avoid an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Cowboys. Following a slow start to his rookie season, Taylor has combined to catch nine of his 13 targets (for 83 yards) over the Jets' last two contests.

Waller (hip/rest) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Though Waller's reps were capped for the second day in a row, the presumption is that his limitations were maintenance-related as the Dolphins ease up on his practice load following his recent return from a hip injury. Despite playing just 16 of the Dolphins' 58 offensive snaps in his team debut in Monday's 27-21 win over the Jets, Waller made his presence felt during his time on the field with three catches for 27 yards and two touchdowns on four targets. With Miami losing star wideout Tyreek Hill (knee) for the season in Week 4, Waller could be in line for increased involvement in the passing attack in the games to come. For his part, Waller told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that he believes he can handle a jump in his snap count in Sunday's game against the Panthers, if the coaching staff feels he's ready for that.

Pierce (concussion) practiced fully Thursday.

Back-to-back full sessions have Pierce trending toward returning from his one-game absence, though the Colts' final injury report of the week will be released Friday and will reveal whether he carries a designation into Sunday's game against the Raiders. Meanwhile, fellow wideout Michael Pittman (hamstring) was added to the Colts' injury report after logging a limited practice Thursday.

Pittman (hamstring) was limited at practice Thursday.

Pittman, who logged 10 targets last weekend against the Rams, wasn't listed on the Colts' initial Week 5 injury report, so his addition to it Thursday is notable. Friday's final report of the week will reveal whether or not Pittman's hamstring issue will lead to him carrying a designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Raiders. On the plus side, fellow WR Alec Pierce (concussion) has logged back-to-back full sessions and is trending toward being available this weekend.

Sanders (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

After sitting out last week's loss to the Patriots due to a right ankle sprain, Sanders may be trending toward a second straight absence this Sunday against the Dolphins. He sat out Wednesday's walk-through session and remained a spectator Thursday, leaving him with just one more opportunity to log some on-field work before the Panthers' Week 5 contest. If Sanders remains out this weekend, Tommy Tremble would be in line for another start at tight end after producing a 5-42-1 receiving line on eight targets in his team's loss to New England.

Garrett (ankle) was estimated as a limited participant on Thursday's practice report, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The Browns held a walkthrough Thursday after Garrett was DNP during Wednesday's session. Garrett has been labeled as day-to-day and should have better than even odds of suiting up Sunday morning in London against the Vikings.

Goedert (knee) returned to practice Thursday, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Since sitting out Week 2 due to a sprained knee, Goedert has been a TD machine, scoring three times while securing five of six targets for 70 yards over the last two games. The Eagles held him out of drills Wednesday due to a knee issue, but his ability to get back on the field one day later bodes well for his status in the midst of Week 5 prep. Thursday's injury report will reveal his activity level.

Hubbard (calf) didn't practice Thursday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Hubbard also tended to a calf injury last week, but he at least was able to be limited in practice Thursday and Friday before taking 13 touches for 69 yards from scrimmage on a season-low 51 percent snap share during a Week 4 loss at New England. With no practice reps to speak of so far this week, he'll have just one more chance to mix into drills Friday before the Panthers potentially provide some insight into his odds to play Sunday against the Dolphins. Rico Dowdle, Trevor Etienne and DeeJay Dallas are the current healthy options in Carolina's backfield.

Njoku (knee) was listed as a full participant on Thursday's practice estimate, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

As was the case last week, Njoku was limited Wednesday as he manages a knee issue. But the tight end's full listing Thursday paves the way for him to be available for Sunday's game against the Vikings in London, a context in which Njoku and fellow TE Harold Fannin should both see their share of targets from rookie QB Dillon Gabriel in his first regular-season start as a pro.