NFL Player News

Waddle (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Waddle, who was inactive Week 17 due to a high-ankle sprain, also missed Wednesday's session, with his status for Sunday night's game against the Bills currently cloudy. If Waddle is deemed unavailable for the contest, Cedrick Wilson once again would be in line for an uptick in snaps alongside Tyreek Hill (ankle/personal).

Woods (hip) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Colts.

Woods wasn't able to practice in any capacity this week, but the Texans aren't closing the door on the veteran wideout being available for Saturday's contest. Noah Brown (back), meanwhile, has already been ruled out for Week 18, so if Woods joins him on the inactive list, Houston would likely turn to youngsters John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson to take on more reps alongside No. 1 receiver Nico Collins. Even if Woods is available to play without any limitations, he hasn't shown the ability to produce fantasy-friendly stat lines this season. Woods has maxed out at six catches and 74 receiving yards over his 14 appearances thus far in 2023.

Brown (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Colts.

With a wild-card berth and possibly even the AFC South title at stake for the Texans this weekend, Brown won't be available after he was unable to practice in any fashion this week due to the the back injury he sustained in this past Sunday's win over the Titans. Fellow wideout Robert Woods, meanwhile, also failed to practice this week, but he'll take a questionable tag into Saturday. If Houston is without both Brown and Woods, the team would be left with Nico Collins, John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson as its likely starting receiving trio in Week 18.

Reed (chest) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Though Reed wasn't able to return to this past Sunday's 33-10 win over the Vikings after suffering a chest injury in the second quarter, his limited listings on the Packers' first two Week 18 injury reports inspires hope that he'll be back on the field for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Bears. Whether Reed approaches that contest with a designation will likely hinge on him upgrading to full activity at Friday's practice. If Reed remains limited Friday, he'll most likely be listed as questionable for Sunday's contest.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Watson (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Watson isn't yet in the clear for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Bears, but he's put himself in a good position to end his four-game absence this weekend after practicing in a limited fashion Wednesday and Thursday. With a wild-card spot on the line in Week 18, quarterback Jordan Love could have close to his full complement of offensive weapons available. In addition to Watson, fellow wideouts Jayden Reed (chest) and Dontayvion Wicks (chest), tight end Luke Musgrave (kidney) and running back Aaron Jones (knee/finger) have also opened the week by practicing as either limited or full participants and seem to be trending toward playing Sunday.

Palmer (hip) was limited at Thursday's practice.

Palmer maintained his activity level from Wednesday's walkthrough as he tends to a hip injury, giving him just one more chance to get back to full participation before the Buccaneers potentially give him a designation ahead of Sunday's game in Carolina. If he's able to suit up this weekend, he'll look to build about his most productive two-game stretch of the season (8-126-1 on 11 targets between Weeks 16 and 17).

Mooney (concussion) didn't practice Thursday.

Mooney emerged from a Week 16 win against the Cardinals with a concussion, which hasn't allowed him to practice in the meantime. He's already missed one game as a result of the injury, and coach Matt Eberflus confirmed Wednesday that Mooney still was in the protocol, per Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com. With only one more chance to mix into drills this week, Mooney may be in danger of sitting out Sunday's contest at Green Bay.

Moore (ankle) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

Moore was forced out of a Week 16 win against the Cardinals for a handful of snaps after his right ankle was rolled up on, but he avoided the Bears' Week 17 practice report entirely. He then had a field day versus the Falcons this past Sunday, reeling off nine catches (on 13 targets) for 159 yards and one touchdown. Nearly two weeks removed from the initial injury, Moore is experiencing restrictions on his on-field work, likely as a precautionary measure, and there's a chance Chicago clears up his status for Sunday's game in Green Bay as soon as it posts its final injury report of the week Friday.

Flowers (calf) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

The Ravens won't release their final injury report of the regular season until later Thursday, but after failing to practice in any fashion this week, Flowers appears to be trending toward sitting out Saturday's game against the Steelers. With Baltimore having already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs, the team can afford to take a cautious approach with banged-up players like Flowers, who will presumably be closer to 100 percent by the time the Ravens play their first postseason game in the divisional round. Even if Baltimore chooses to make Flowers active against the Steelers, the rookie wideout may play only limited snaps, if any.

Smith (ankle) wasn't spotted at the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Brooks Kubena of The Athletic reports.

One day removed from not taking part in Wednesday's walkthrough, Smith appears as if he'll log a second consecutive absence, which will be confirmed when the Eagles post their second injury report of Week 18 prep later Thursday. He's tending to a right ankle sprain that forced him to use crutches and wear a walking boot after this past Sunday's loss to the Cardinals, clouding his availability for Sunday's regular-season finale at the Giants.