NFL Player News

Pitts (ankle) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Pitts has been operating with a cap on his practice reps this week due to an ankle injury, which also can said for QB Michael Penix (knee) and WR Drake London (hip). With both Penix and London sidelined this past Sunday against the Dolphins, Pitts connected with fill-in signal-caller Kirk Cousins nine times on as many targets for 59 yards and no touchdowns. The statuses of Penix and London will be key for where Pitts stands in Atlanta's passing game Week 9, but if the tight end is available, he again could be the team's top option.

Freiermuth (quadricep) was a full participant at Thursday's practice.

Freiermuth returned Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's practice. He's poised to suit up and play his usual role Sunday against the Colts as part of a crowded Steelers tight end room that also devotes significant playing time to Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington.

Wallace (shoulder) logged a limited practice session Thursday.

Wallace suffered a stinger this past Sunday against Buffalo and wasn't able to practice Wednesday. Though he was able to return to participating one day later, his limited level of involvement casts at least some question about his status for Sunday's matchup against Green Bay. Wallace had played 100 percent of the Panthers' defensive snaps three straight weeks before the stinger reduced him to a 71 percent snap share versus the Bills.

London (hip) was limited at practice Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

London now has been listed as limited on three consecutive injury reports due to a hip issue, which sidelined him this past Sunday versus the Dolphins. He'll have one more opportunity to get back to full this week before Atlanta potentially tags him with a designation ahead of Sunday's game in New England. Assuming London is able to suit up this weekend, it's unclear who between Michael Penix (knee), who also was limited Wednesday and Thursday, and Kirk Cousins will be under center for the Falcons.

Vaki (groin) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice.

Vaki has opened Week 9 prep with a pair of limited practices as he tries to return for his first game action since Week 3. If Vaki gets the green light to play Sunday against the Vikings, he could serve as Detroit's third-string running back, as Craig Reynolds (hamstring) has yet to practice this week.

Bellinger (neck) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

With a pair of absences from practice to begin game Week 9 prep, Bellinger looks to be in danger of missing Sunday's against the 49ers. If Bellinger is unable to play this weekend, Chris Manhertz (illness) and Thomas Fidone would be the available depth options at tight end behind Theo Johnson, who played a season-high 98 percent of the offensive snaps in the Giants' Week 8 loss to the Eagles.

Scott (groin) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

After Scott missed practice entirely Wednesday, his limited participation Thursday was a step in the right direction. The veteran safety may need to log a full session Friday, however, to avoid entering the weekend with an injury designation. Scott has started every game for the Panthers so far this season.

Muhammad (hamstring) was a full participant at Thursday's practice.

Muhammad was a limited participant Wednesday but returned to full participation Thursday, suggesting he'll be available to bolster Detroit's pass rush against the Vikings on Sunday. Muhammad has 5.0 sacks through seven games this season, putting him one shy of his career high, set in 2021 with the Colts.

Penix (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Penix has maintained his activity level in practice for more than a week due to the bone bruise in his knee that he sustained Week 7 at San Francisco and sidelined him this past Sunday against the Dolphins. Coach Raheem Morris told Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com on Wednesday that he feels "really good" about Penix, after which the quarterback himself told McElhaney that he was "trending in the right direction." Penix may need to practice in full Friday to avoid an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game at New England, but it's unclear who between him and Kirk Cousins is destined to be Atlanta's starting QB in Week 9.

Moore (Achilles) participated in full at practice Thursday.

Moore has been managing an Achilles injury since late September, but he was able to play each of the past two weeks. The veteran cornerback also missed the first practice last week before logging a full and then a limited practice to end the week ahead of enjoying a 52 percent defensive snap share Sunday against the Titans. Moore could follow a similar practice progression this week ahead of Sunday's matchup versus Pittsburgh.