NFL Player News

The Packers have suspended Doubs for Sunday's game against the Rams due to conduct detrimental to the team, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Doubs did not make the trip to Los Angeles, and his absence in Week 5 will loom larger than normal since the Packers are also expected to be without fellow wideout Christian Watson (ankle), who is listed as doubtful. According to Schneidman, Doubs has reportedly had expressed frustration in his role within the offense, despite being tied for the third-most targets and playing 38 more snaps than any Packers wide receiver. General manager Brian Gutekunst suggested that the team is confident that it will be able "to move forward in a positive manner" with Doubs, so for the moment, the expectation is that the 24-year-old will be back in the fold for a Week 6 matchup with the Cardinals. Expect Dontayvion Wicks and Bo Melton to both take on substantial roles alongside Jayden Reed in the expected absences of Doubs and Watson in Week 5.

Beckham (knee), who was activated off the reserve/PUP list Saturday, is listed as questionable but is slated to make his season debut Sunday against the Patriots, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Beckham is more of a big name than a fantasy factor at this point in his career, and even if he does still have some juice left in him, Miami's moribund passing attack without Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) will make it difficult to rely on him to deliver useful numbers. The 31-year-old Beckham recorded 565 receiving yards in 14 games with the Ravens in 2023 and likely represents an upgrade over Malik Washington and practice squad call-ups as a No. 3 option at receiver behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Because he just resumed practicing this week after spending the entirety of training camp and the preseason on the PUP list, Beckham will likely be on a limited snap count Week 5.

Bourne (knee), who was activated off the reserve/PUP list Saturday, is listed as questionable for Sunday's game but is expected to play, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

Bourne was expected to make his season debut Sunday after practicing in limited fashion all week. He'll join a beleaguered Patriots passing attack that has yet to surpass 170 passing yards in any of the four contests this campaign. The veteran receiver quietly had developed into a featured pass catcher last season in a similarly dire passing offense, recording at least two catches in all eight games before going down with a season-ending ACL tear, but it's hard to imagine Bourne significantly turning around a New England offense that ranks dead last in total passing yards in 2024.

Cooks (knee) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

While Cooks' right knee operation earlier this week seemingly came out of nowhere, Saturday's designation is hardly surprising considering the severity of the aforementioned event. Expect Jalen Tolbert to step into a prominent role opposite CeeDee Lamb as a featured pass catcher, with tight end Jake Ferguson also in the mix as a significant target.

Thompson reverted to Tampa Bay's practice squad Friday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Thompson got his first opportunity this season to play Thursday versus Atlanta and tallied three offensive snaps along with three special-teams snaps. He didn't get any targets on offense but returned one kickoff for 21 yards. Thompson's likelihood of being elevated again Week 6 versus New Orleans likely depends upon the health of fellow wideouts Jalen McMillan (hamstring), Trey Palmer (concussion) and Kameron Johnson (ankle).

McAllister (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant in Friday's practice and is questionable to play Sunday versus Denver, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

McAllister injured his shoulder during the Raiders' Week 4 win over the Browns. He logged back-to-back DNPs to start the week, but he was able to draw the questionable tag after practicing in a limited capacity Friday. McAllister logged two carries for 11 yards and added 49 kick return yards and 24 punt return yards before his injury in Week 4.

Conley (oblique) is doubtful to play Sunday vs. Arizona after not practicing Friday.

Conley was labelled as day-to-day with an oblique injury he picked up in Week 4 against the Patriots. However, the injury was severe enough to keep him off the field for all three practices this week, and it appears likely that the 2015 third-round pick will be sidelined for Sunday's NFC West contest. If Conley is indeed inactive, Jacob Cowing (shoulder) would be in line to serve as the WR4 behind Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings.

Cowing (shoulder) was a limited participant in Friday's practice and is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Cowing was a DNP in each of the first two practices of the week, but he's given himself a chance to play Sunday after logging a limited session Friday. If he does suit up and Chris Conley (oblique) does not, Cowing would serve as the No. 4 wideout behind Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings.

Bourne (knee), who remains on the reserve/PUP list, is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Since the Patriots opened his 21-day window to return from the reserve/PUP list Wednesday, Bourne has been limited in practice as he continues his recovery from the right ACL tear that he sustained Week 8 of last season. Coach Jerod Mayo told Mark Daniels of MassLive.com on Friday that Bourne has displayed "that he's healthy" this week, but the Patriots also are determining whether the wide receiver will take one of the three open spots on their active roster, according to Daniels. The team will need to make such a decision by 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday ahead of Sunday's contest, so clarity on that front will become known in due time.

Slayton could get more looks from QB Daniel Jones with Malik Nabers (concussion) ruled out for Week 5 against Seattle, per Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports.

Slayton led New York in targets and receiving yards last season but has taken a backseat to Nabers early in the 2024 campaign. Nabers hasn't cleared the NFL's concussion protocol and has consequently been deemed out for Sunday, likely giving Slayton -- who has 10 catches on 15 targets through four games -- the chance to be a bigger part of the Giants' air attack. Wan'Dale Robinson should continue to work in the slot and get substantial attention from Jones as he has for most of the season, while Jalin Hyatt figures to serve as New York's No. 3 wideout Sunday and will look to log his first catch of the campaign.