NFL Player News

Smith (hamstring) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

Before he mixed back into drills Thursday, Smith hadn't practiced since logging all 50 offensive snaps during a Week 3 loss at Chicago. On a positive note, he's been working on the side since last Thursday, and his upgrade from DNP this Wednesday to limited one day later gives him a reasonable to chance to return to action Sunday versus the Panthers. Friday's injury report will reveal Smith's odds to play this weekend, and if he's able to do so, he'll be on the receiving end of passes from QB Tanner McKee after Jalen Hurts was ruled out for Week 6 action due to a blood clot.

Concepcion (concussion) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

While Concepcion's ability to practice in some capacity for a second straight day is an encouraging sign, he still has a couple of hurdles to clear in order to play Sunday versus the Ravens. In addition to upgrading to full practice participation Friday, Concepcion will need to be cleared by an independent neurologist no later than Saturday before he's removed from concussion protocol. If the rookie wideout can't play against Baltimore, Jerry Jeudy and Isaiah Bond would be in store for more reps behind Denzel Boston (foot), who was also limited in practice Thursday.

Boston (foot) remained limited at Thursday's practice.

Boston has logged back-to-back limited practices to kick off Week 6 prep. The rookie wideout could still avoid taking an injury designation into Sunday's pivotal home game against the Ravens, especially if he can upgrade to full participation Thursday. Fellow rookie WR KC Concepcion (concussion) was also limited both Wednesday and Thursday. More opportunities could be available for Jerry Jeudy and Isaiah Bond should one or both of Boston and Concepcion sit Sunday.

Bateman (shoulder) didn't practice Thursday.

Head coach Jesse Minter told Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com on Wednesday that Bateman "should be fine" for Sunday's game against the Browns, but it's unclear if the Ravens remain as confident in the wideout's health a day later. After opening Week 6 prep as a limited participant, Bateman took a step back in terms of activity Thursday. As long as he can get back on the field in some capacity Friday, Bateman will be in good shape to play this weekend, but another missed practice will put him at risk of missing his first game of the season.

Flowers (toe) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice.

Flowers has been no stranger to the injury report this season, having missed a game due to a hamstring injury in Week 2 while also dealing with a foot injury. It's unclear if this latest toe injury is related to his previous foot issue, through which Flowers played in the Week 5 win over Atlanta. Flowers caught eight passes for 53 yards from backup QB Tyler Huntley in that game, and Huntley could be under center again for Sunday's game against the Browns, as Lamar Jackson (ankle) has yet to return to practice. Flowers' practice participation will bear monitoring Friday, though he could still avoid an injury designation for Sunday's game, especially if he practices without limitations Friday like he did Wednesday.

Olave (illness) didn't take part in Thursday's practice, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

With no practice so far this week for Olave due to an illness, he has just one more chance to mix into drills Friday, or else he'll be at risk of heading into the weekend with a designation for Sunday's game at the Giants. Through five contests this season, he has three 100-yard efforts to his name en route to cumulative 39-537-1 line on 54 targets.

Brown (ankle) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Mark Daniels of MassLive reports.

Brown has logged a pair of limited practice sessions since being designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday. He said Thursday that his availability for Sunday's game against the Jets is "up in the air." The decision regarding whether to play is out of Brown's hands, as his availability will be determined by head coach Mike Vrabel in consultation with team doctors. Brown has once more chance remaining to upgrade to full participation Friday before New England releases Week 6 injury designations. He would need to be added back onto the active roster before being eligible to play.

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

Cooper had his reps capped for the second day in a row after the Jets designated him for return from injured reserve Wednesday. The Jets will have just under three weeks to reinstate Cooper, so the rookie wideout may need to upgrade to full participation in Friday's session to have a shot at suiting up this weekend versus the Patriots. Cooper recorded a 30-yard reception and played just five snaps before exiting his NFL debut Week 1 against the Titans in the first quarter due to a high-ankle sprain.

Mitchell (finger) didn't practice Thursday.

Mitchell has yet to resume practicing in any capacity since Sept. 25 and is viewed as week-to-week after recently undergoing what head coach Aaron Glenn termed as a small procedure on his hand. Following Friday's practice, the wideout will likely be officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Patriots, which will mark his fourth consecutive absence.

Downs (rest/hamstring) upgraded to full participation at Thursday's practice.

Downs was listed as limited Wednesday due to rest and a hamstring injury. The inclusion of rest in the reason for his limitations suggested the wide receiver wasn't dealing with a significant injury, but it's still encouraging to see that notion confirmed one day later with Downs' return to full participation. Downs is set to maintain a prominent role in Indianapolis' passing game Sunday against the 0-5 Titans.