NFL Player News

Smith (hamstring) was spotted running on a side field during Thursday's practice, Tim McManus of ESPN.com reports.

It's a sign of progress as Smith deals with a hamstring injury that already has sidelined him for one game and didn't allow him to practice Wednesday. In any case, Thursday's injury report will unveil if he was able to upgrade to limited or instead remain a DNP for a second consecutive session.

Head coach Joe Brady said Thursday that Moore (shoulder) is "going to be able to do everything he can to be able to rock this week," Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News reports.

Moore aggravated a shoulder injury during Buffalo's Week 4 loss to the Patriots. Brady didn't have a specific update on Moore's status Thursday, but it sounds like the veteran wide receiver at least has a chance to avoid missing Monday's game against the Rams. Moore has a 92-game regular-season ironman streak on the line.

Higgins (groin/neck) was spotted on a side field during the open portion of Thursday's practice, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Higgins emerged from a Week 4 loss to the Jaguars with an adductor injury, and Wednesday's practice report attributed his absence to that and a neck issue. Considering he isn't in pads one day later, he seems destined to be a non-participant for a second session in a row, giving him just one more chance to mix into drills this week. Meanwhile, fellow WR Ja'Marr Chase (concussion) returned to practice Thursday, though his activity level isn't known.

Chase (concussion) was present for the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

In the wake of his rough exit from this past Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Chase has been embedded in the concussion protocol and sat out Wednesday's session, but his return one day later indicates he's making some progress through it. Thursday's injury report will reveal his activity level, as well as that of fellow WR Tee Higgins (groin/neck).

Nabers (knee) was seen practicing during Thursday's media viewing period, Art Stapleton of USA Today reports.

After sitting out Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury, Nabers has taken a step in the right direction by taking part in at least a portion of Thursday's practice. His participation level will be clarified later Thursday as the Giants prepare for Sunday's game against the Commanders. Nabers had six catches for a season-high 112 yards and a touchdown in the Week 4 win over Arizona.

Mitchell (finger) wasn't present for warmups at the start of Thursday's practice, Al Iannazzone of Newsday reports.

Mitchell is headed for a second consecutive practice absence ahead of Sunday's home game against the Browns. Head coach Aaron Glenn recently described Mitchell, who missed the past two games, as week-to-week.

Hall (quadriceps) wasn't present for warmups at the start of Thursday's practice, Al Iannazzone of Newsday reports.

Hall's continued absence isn't surprising after head coach Aaron Glenn recently described the running back as week-to-week. If Hall sits as expected Sunday against the Browns, Braelon Allen would be poised to take on another heavy workload after accounting for all 16 touches by Jets running backs in the Week 4 loss to Chicago.

Jackson (ankle) remained absent from practice Thursday, Sam Cohn of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Jackson is set for a second consecutive absence to begin Week 5 prep, which doesn't bode well for his availability for Sunday night's game in Atlanta. Jackson didn't return for the second half of this past Sunday's win over the Titans and was replaced by Tyler Huntley, who would start against the Falcons if Jackson isn't available.

McLaurin (hamstring) wasn't present for warmups Thursday after missing Wednesday's practice, Tashan Reed of The Washington Post reports.

McLaurin is set for a second consecutive practice absence due to the hamstring injury he suffered ahead of the Commanders' Week 4 loss to the Colts in London, which he sat out. Stefon Diggs also missed practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, but Diggs was back on the practice field Thursday, per Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site.

Diggs (hamstring) returned to practice Thursday, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.

Diggs and Terry McLaurin (hamstring) both sat out practice Wednesday. McLaurin wasn't spotted Thursday after missing this past Sunday's loss to the Colts in London, per Tashan Reed of The Washington Post, but Diggs has made his return to practice. Thursday's injury report will reveal Diggs' participation level.