NFL Player News

Ridley (hip) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

The veteran is dealing with a hip issue but was able to get some work in during the first practice session of the week. Ridley's status will come into focus in the coming days before the Titans release their final injury report ahead of the Week 7 game against the Browns.

Samuel (hamstring) is not expected to practice Wednesday, Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group reports.

The 49ers are coming off a Monday Night Football win and therefore not holding an official practice Wednesday. That being said, coach Kyle Shanahan said that Samuel would not be practicing. Samuel is working his way back from his hamstring injury and the sense is that a return after the 49ers' Week 8 bye is more realistic at this stage.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Evans (Achilles) isn't expected to practice Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Evans exited late in the first half of Monday's game against the Commanders and was quickly ruled out due to an Achilles injury that initially showed up during Week 6 prep. Shanahan told Wagoner afterward that Evans is dealing with right Achilles tendinitis, and while he doesn't believe it's a long-term concern, he also is hopeful the veteran wide receiver will be able to play Sunday in Atlanta. Evans already has proven he doesn't need much, if any, on-field work in a given week to be available on game day, but this particular occasion appears to be different.

The Titans listed Spears as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice due to rest, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

Spears had made appearances on Titans injury reports in three of the past four weeks due to ankle and knee concerns, but his absence to begin Week 7 prep was just a planned maintenance day. The fourth-year back should be ready to go for the Titans' next game against the Browns on Sunday, when he'll handle a change-of-pace role behind lead runner Tony Pollard.

Mayfield (right thumb) was a full practice participant Wednesday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

After sitting out the last three games due to a dislocated right thumb, Mayfield was expected to practice Wednesday and ended up handling every rep, according to the team. Head coach Todd Bowles told Smith earlier Wednesday that Mayfield "looked pretty good" while throwing, which he did with a glove on the afflicted hand. Bowles also relayed to Jenna Laine of ESPN.com that he likely will make a decision on who will get the Week 7 start between Mayfield and undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels on Friday. At the very least, Mayfield's activity level Wednesday has him in a decent spot ahead of Sunday's contest at Carolina.

Irving (illness) did not practice Wednesday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Irving was among five Buccaneers who did not practice due to illness to begin the week. It's early enough in the week that fantasy managers don't need to be overly concerned, but additional missed practices would change that. Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker would take on more work if Irving is unable to go Sunday.

Egbuka (concussion/foot) was a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Egbuka is being listed with a concussion and foot injury. At least in the short term, he'll be subject to the protocol for head injuries before he'll be able to suit up again, so how he progresses in practice, if at all, as the week goes on may provide a sense of his chances to suit up Sunday at Carolina.

Brown (ankle) does not carry an injury designation going into Thursday's game against the Bears.

Brown turned in a full practice Wednesday, and that was enough to take him off the injury report going into the Week 7 primetime matchup with Chicago. He returned from a four-game absence in Week 6 and played 76 percent of the offensive snaps against the Jets, recording three catches for 27 yards on 10 targets. Brown and the Patriots will face a Bears defense that allows 9.8 yards per target to opposing receivers.

Monangai (thumb/toe) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Patriots.

Monangai thus will miss a third game in a row as he tends to a turf toe injury. Last Friday, head coach Ben Johnson relayed to Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com that the Bears are expecting to place Monangai on injured reserve, so he appears to have a chance to return in Week 8 at Seattle on Monday Night Football, assuming he's able to get back on the practice field next week. In the meantime, though, D'Andre Swift will continue to lead Chicago's backfield, with Roschon Johnson on hand for RB reps that linger.

McCarthy will start at quarterback in Week 7, coach John Harbaugh confirmed Wednesday.

Things had been trending in this direction after McCarthy's impressive performance in relief of Jameis Winston in Week 6. Giants coach John Harbaugh made it official Wednesday afternoon as the team looks to see what it has in the recently acquired McCarthy. He completed 11 of 21 passes for 243 yards with a touchdown and a pick in limited action against the Saints and had a pair of 40-yard completions.