Injuries: Tyreek Hill a game-time decision vs. Texans

Tyreek Hill is getting close to a return.

The Kansas City Chiefs receiver, who has been out since suffering a clavicle injury in Week 1, has been a limited participant in practice the past two days and will be a game-time decision coach Andy Reid told the media on Friday.

Hill practiced with the scout team and a bit with the offense this week, Reid said.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported earlier Friday on Good Morning Football that there is "optimism" that Hill returns this week.

"Similar to the Sam Darnold situation, feelings are one thing, but tests and scans are another thing," Rapoport said. "They are going to scan the bone, make sure that it has healed properly, make sure it's safe for him to be out there."

Rapoport noted the scan will happen today and if all goes well, Hill should be cleared to play Sunday to face the Houston Texans.

Despite boasting an array of speedsters, the Chiefs have missed Hill's otherworldly haste, and the ability to tilt the field, which opens up teammates.

In recent weeks, defenses have slowed the explosive K.C. offense by playing more man-to-man coverage, which has caused quarterback Patrick Mahomes a modicum of misfires.

Hill's potential return could help bust those coverages.

According to NFL Research, with Hill in the lineup, K.C. has faced man coverage on 29.7 percent of dropbacks, and Mahomes' passer rating is 126.3. Without Hill, they've faced man coverage on 47.6 percent of dropbacks, with a passer rating of 85.9.

While there's hope that Hill will play, defensive tackle Chris Jones (groin), left tackle Eric Fisher (groin) and linebacker Dorian O'Daniel (hamstring) are out. In addition, receiver Sammy Watkins (hamstring) and guard Andrew Wylie (ankle) are doubtful.

Other injuries we're monitoring around the league Friday:

1. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is expected to practice after missing the past two days due to illness. Offensive tackle La'el Collins (knee) is expected to miss his third practice this week, while left tackle Tyron Smith (ankle) will do some work to this side, per coach Jason Garrett.

Jerry Jones expressed optimism during a radio spot on 105.3 The Fan that one of their two starting tackles will be able to play against the Jets.

2. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen is back at practice after missing Thursday due to an illness, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. Thielen has no game status listed on the Vikings injury report, so he is expected to play. Linebacker Kentrell Brothers (hamstring/wrist) is questionable to play.

3. New York Jets defensive lineman Henry Anderson (shoulder), linebacker C.J. Mosley (groin) and guard Kelechi Osemele (shoulder/knee/illness) are all listed as doubtful for Sunday against the Cowboys.

4. Carolina Panthers defender Christian Miller (ankle) will not play Sunday against the Buccaneers. Cornerback Donte Jackson and tackle Dennis Daley were limited in practice today with groin injuries; both are listed as questionable. Safety Eric Reid(ankle), linebacker Shaq Thompson (ankle) and tight end Chris Manhertz (concussion) are all listed as questionable.

5. Houston Texans coach Bill O'Brien told reporters that wide receiver Kenny Stills (hamstring) will be a game-time decision. Stills missed the Texans' win over the Falcons last week after suffering the injury early against the Panthers in Week 4.

6. Cleveland Browns tackle Kendall Lamm (knee), cornerback Denzel Ward (hamstring) and cornerback Greedy Williams (hamstring) are listed as questionable.

7. Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh says both receiver Marquise Brown (ankle) and linebacker Patrick Onwuasor (ankle) will be game-time decisions. Harbaugh hoped they would practice Friday, but they couldn't.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (back) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Saints, per Pelissero. Ramsey sat out the past two games due to the injury.

9. Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carolos Dunlap, defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow (thigh), tackle Cordy Glenn (concussion), receiver A.J. Green (ankle), tackle Andre Smith (ankle) and defensive end Kerry Wynn (concussion) all have been ruled out. Safety Shawn Williams (thigh) is listed as questionable.

10. The Tennessee Titans have ruled out pass rusher Cameron Wake (hamstring) and outside linebacker Sharif Finch (shoulder) for Sunday. Defensive back Chris Milton (calf) is questionable.

11. Despite coming off a bye week, the Miami Dolphins have 11 players listed as questionable on Friday going into Sunday's game against the Redskins. Among the questionable are running back Kalen Ballage (foot), cornerback Xavien Howard (knee) and receiver Albert Wilson (calf/hip).

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers pass rusher Shaquil Barrett, whose nine sacks lead the NFL, is questionable for Sunday's game in London against the Panthers with an oblique injury. Also questionable are safety Mike Edwards (hamstring) and running back T.J. Logan (ankle).

13. Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Also questionable are cornerback Donte Jackson (groin) and safety Eric Reid (ankle).

14. The Philadelphia Eagles will be without running back Corey Clement (shoulder), cornerback Ronald Darby (hamstring), receiver DeSean Jackson (abdomen), defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (foot), cornerbackAvonte Maddox (concussion/neck), and running back Darren Sproles (quadriceps), who were all designated as out against the Vikings.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (concussion), receiver James Washington (shoulder) and linebacker Mark Barron (hamstring) are all out for Sunday. Cornerback Steve Nelson (groin) is listed as questionable.

Quarterback Devlin Hodges, a rookie out of Samford who was an undrafted free agent, will get the start for the Steelers. QB Paxton Lynch was promoted to the main roster to be Hodges' backup for Week 6, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

16. Los Angeles Chargers safety Nasir Adderley (hamstring), kicker Michael Badgley (groin) and running back Justin Jackson (calf) are all listed as doubtful. Defensive end Melvin Ingram (hamstring) and tight end Hunter Henry (knee) are both questionable.

17. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (groin) is listed as questionable on the injury report but coach Kyle Shanahan says he is expected to play Sunday against the Rams.

18. Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn told the media cornerback Desmond Trufant (toe) will be out Sunday.

19. The New York Giants announced that they signed running back Javorius Allen and waived Jon Hilliman. Hilliman started less than 24 hours earlier against the Patriots and was held to 38 yards on 11 carries.

20. The Seattle Seahawks announced that they have placed guard/center Ethan Pocic (back) on injured reserve and waived S Adrian Colbert. In a corresponding move, the 'Hawks promoted guard Jordan Roos and tight end Jacob Hollister to the 53-man roster.