NFL Player News

Spears was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury.

Spears previously appeared on Titans injury reports in Weeks 3 and 4 due to an ankle issue, but he's tending to a different lower-body concern heading into Sunday's matchup with the Colts. So long as he's able to upgrade to full participation by the end of the week, Spears should be ready to handle his usual complementary role behind starting running back Tony Pollard on Sunday.

Cooper (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

After being designated for return from injured reserve earlier Wednesday, Cooper operated with a cap on his reps in his first practice since he exited the Jets' Week 1 win over the Titans due to a high-ankle sprain. The Jets haven't ruled out the possibility of the rookie first-round pick being activated from IR in advance of Sunday's game against the Patriots, but he'll likely need to practice fully Thursday and/or Friday to have a realistic chance at suiting up this weekend.

Mayfield (right thumb) officially didn't practice Wednesday.

However, head coach Todd Bowles said that Mayfield will attempt to throw Wednesday afternoon as he progresses in his recovery from a dislocated right thumb, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports. It remains unclear if Mayfield will be able to mix into any drills Thursday and/or Friday, but if he does, it'll mark his first on-field activity since initially suffering the injury in Week 3 against the Vikings. In Mayfield's stead, undrafted rookie QB Jalon Daniels has directed to Buccaneers to a 1-1 record.

Sadiq (concussion) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Per Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, head coach Aaron Glenn said prior to practice that Sadiq remains in the five-step concussion protocol, but the rookie tight end apparently made enough progress to get in some on-field work during the Jets' first Week 6 session. Sadiq will still need to upgrade to full practice participation by Friday in addition to receiving the green light to play from an independent neurologist in order to clear the protocol prior to Sunday's game against the Patriots. Mason Taylor would be in line to serve as the Jets' top pass-catching option at tight end if Sadiq can't gain clearance.

Waller was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's practice estimate due to a toe injury.

Waller has been a regular part of the Panthers' passing game this season, sitting on a 13-148-2 line on 19 targets through four contests. Coming out of the team's Week 5 bye, though, both Waller and fellow TE Tommy Tremble (ribs, LP) are tending to injuries, leaving some question marks in the position group. Practices Thursday and Friday likely will determine if either of them enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's game at Philadelphia.

Dowdle (toe) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

The Steelers are optimistic that Dowdle will put an end to a three-game absence and suit up Sunday against the Buccaneers, but he may need to upgrade to full practice participation by Friday in order to avoid taking a designation into the weekend. If Dowdle is cleared to play Sunday, he'll be in store for a lesser role than what he had previously handled, as Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy indicated earlier in the week that Jaylen Warren has earned the right to remain in a bell-cow role out of the backfield.

Coker (quadriceps) was listed as a full participant on the Panthers' estimated injury report Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Coker sat out Week 4 against the Lions due to a quadriceps injury that he sustained Week 3 at Cleveland, but after a Week 5 bye, he opened this week with an 'FP' listing, indicating he's put the issue behind him. Through parts of three games this season, he's displayed a strong rapport with QB Bryce Young, putting together an 18-222-2 line on 22 targets.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed Wednesday that Harrison will make his team debut Sunday versus the Jaguars in London, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Harrison was inactive for the Cardinals' Week 5 loss to the Lions before he was officially traded Monday to the Texans along with a 2027 sixth-round pick in exchange for 2027 second- and seventh-round picks. After passing his physical, Harrison took the field Wednesday for his first practice with the Texans. Houston may limit Harrison's snaps to some degree in Week 6, but once he fully absorbs his new playbook, he could make a push for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart at receiver behind Nico Collins.

Nailor (concussion) isn't participating in Wednesday's practice, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.

Per Warren, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said Monday that he expected Nailor to return to practice this week. If that comes to pass, it looks like it won't be until Thursday or Friday that the wideout returns to the field. After sustaining a concussion in an Oct. 4 loss to the Chiefs, Nailor didn't practice at any point last week before being inactive for the Raiders' 45-17 loss to the Patriots on Sunday.

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said McConkey (foot) will practice Wednesday, Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports.

Though he was technically active for this past Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Broncos, McConkey wasn't available after failing to practice in any fashion leading up to the contest. Now that he's poised to get back on the practice field Wednesday, McConkey should be in good position to reclaim his usual role as the team's No. 1 wideout this weekend in Kansas City, provided he has no setbacks in his recovery from the foot injury leading up to Sunday. McConkey's potential return is an important development while the Chargers contend with multiple injuries at receiver, as Tre' Harris (hamstring) exited the Week 5 loss early and Quentin Johnston (chest) and Brenan Thompson (quadriceps) were inactive for the game.