NFL Player News

Raymond (ankle) was a limited participant Thursday.

Raymond sat out the Lions' last two games due to an ankle injury, but he could be on a path to playing this Sunday versus the Rams after turning in a pair of limited practices to kick off Week 15 prep. If available this weekend, Raymond could take back No. 3 receiver duties from Isaac TeSlaa in addition to serving as Detroit's top punt returner. However, special teams coordinator Dave Fipp told Richard Silva of The Detroit News on Thursday that Tom Kennedy will keep working as Detroit's top kickoff returner after filling in admirably for Raymond in that capacity the past two weeks.

Smartt (concussion) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Smartt entered the league's concussion protocol after sustaining an injury late in the fourth quarter of this past Sunday's loss to the Dolphins. The tight end's upgrade to limited participation means he is progressing through the league's protocol. The 27-year-old will have just one more practice to pass an independent neurological exam and upgrade to full participation in an attempt to play Sunday against the Jaguars.

Andrews (glute) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice.

This is a new injury for Andrews. He's coming off a disappointing one-catch performance against the Steelers and has posted fewer receiving yards than Isaiah Likely in each of Baltimore's last two games. If Andrews is available Sunday, both he and Likely could be heavily involved in the passing game against a Bengals defense that has allowed the most catches, receiving yards and touchdowns in the NFL to tight ends. Andrews would probably avoid an injury designation for Sunday's game if he returns to full participation Friday.

Ferguson (calf) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Ferguson opened Week 15 prep as limited due to a calf injury Wednesday, so his downgrade one day later is somewhat concerning. However, he was seen rehabbing with the Cowboys' training staff on the side Thursday, according to Joe Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News. Friday's injury report may include a ruling on Ferguson's status ahead of Sunday's game versus the Vikings, but if he needs to miss any time, Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford are the next TEs up on Dallas' roster.

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

Bateman wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, but he's now having his on-field reps capped. The veteran wideout also began Week 14 as a full participant before downgrading to limited action mid-week, and he was then able to suit up versus Pittsburgh without being assigned an injury designation. Barring any setbacks, Bateman should manage to gain clearance for Sunday's matchup against the Bengals in similar fashion.

The Buccaneers elevated Gray (hamstring) from the practice squad to the active roster for Thursday night's game against the Falcons, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Gray was also cleared of a hamstring injury that had plagued him throughout the end of his tenure with the Broncos. After being waived by Denver on Nov. 4, the 29-year-old signed with the Buccaneers' practice squad Nov. 21 and will get his first opportunity with the team Thursday night. The safety was likely elevated due to the uncertainty surrounding Tykee Smith's (neck) ability to suit up for the divisional matchup.

Lamb (concussion) practiced fully Thursday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Lamb exited in the third quarter of last Thursday's loss at Detroit due to a concussion, but after following up Wednesday's limited session with an uncapped practice one day later, he seems to be on the precipice of clearing the protocol for head injuries. Speaking of that, coach Brian Schottenheimer told Todd Archer of ESPN.com on Wednesday that Lamb had to "clear two more hurdles." Considering Lamb practiced without restrictions Thursday, he likely only has an evaluation with an independent neurologist to get through in order to make himself available Sunday against the Vikings.

The Falcons elevated Blair from the practice squad to the active roster for Thursday night's game against the Buccaneers, Terrin Waack of the team's official reports.

This will be Blair's first elevation of the season, an opportunity the wide receiver has likely waited for since signing to the practice squad Aug. 27. The Falcons now have a whopping 10 wide receivers on their roster for Thursday's game, meaning Blair was likely elevated to serve in a special-teams capacity. The 28-year-old logged 20 total special-teams snaps for the Falcons through four games last season, and he will likely have similar volume Thursday night.

Cook is likely to start Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports, as Tyrod Taylor (groin) and Justin Fields (knee) both remained sidelined at Thursday's practice.

Cook has handled first-team reps in practice while preparing to make his first NFL start Sunday at Jacksonville. Taylor and Fields both appear likely to sit out Sunday's game. The Jets signed Adrian Martinez, whom Cook beat out for a spot with the team after the preseason, to their practice squad Wednesday. Cook saw his first regular-season NFL action in relief of Taylor in the Jets' Week 14 loss to the Dolphins.

Neal (abdomen) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Neal has filled in for the absent Alvin Kamara (knee) the last two games, racking up 37 touches for 153 yards from scrimmage and one rushing TD during that stretch. The former is operating with practice restrictions this week due to an abdominal injury, while the latter still hasn't practiced since he sustained a sprained MCL in Week 12. If Neal avoids a designation upon the Saints posting their final Week 15 practice report Friday, he likely will remain the team's top option at the position Sunday against the Panthers.