NFL Player News

Palmer (concussion) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Palmer sat out the Chargers' Week 17 loss to Denver with a concussion, but his ability to open Week 18 prep with a limited practice suggests he's made some incremental progress through the five-step protocol for head injuries. He'll likely need to put in a full practice by the end of the week in addition to gaining clearance from an independent neurologist in order to have a chance at playing in Sunday's season finale versus Kansas City. If he clears the protocol, Palmer could serve as the No. 1 wideout for quarterback Easton Stick, as Keenan Allen (heel) has missed the Chargers' last three games and doesn't appear to be trending toward a return in Week 18 after he was sidelined for Wednesday's practice.

Allen (heel) didn't practice Wednesday.

Allen has missed the last three games, and the Chargers wouldn't seem to have much incentive to rush him back into action for Sunday's season finale against the Chiefs if he's anything less than 100 percent healthy. Though Allen remained sidelined Wednesday, the Chargers' receiving corps got a boost with Joshua Palmer (concussion) practicing in a limited fashion after sitting out the Week 17 loss to the Broncos.

Waddle (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

Waddle, who has been dealing with a high-ankle sprain, was sidelined for the Dolphins' Week 17 loss to the Ravens after not practicing at all last week. With another missed practice Wednesday, the wideout's status for Sunday's game against the Bills is cloudy, at best.

Smith (ankle) didn't participate in Wednesday's walkthrough.

Smith got rolled up on in the fourth quarter of this past Sunday's loss to the Cardinals when he served as a lead blocker on a screen pass to Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell. Afterward, Smith was seen with a walking boot on his right foot while using crutches, which continued into Monday. It's thus no surprise that he's focusing on rehab versus practice to kick off Week 18 prep, especially with two more opportunities to mix into drills to come. The Eagles still have a chance to win the NFC East, so Smith likely will do everything in his power to be available Sunday at the Giants.

Olave (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Since sitting out Week 15 due to the ankle injury, Olave has had mixed results on game days, producing a 9-123-0 receiving line on 13 targets Week 16 versus the Rams and a 3-26-0 line on six targets this past Sunday in Tampa Bay. His practice restrictions this week likely are precautionary, but his status nonetheless should be monitored to ensure he'll be on the field Sunday against the Falcons, who he torched for seven catches (on nine targets) for 119 yards back in Week 12.

Jones (hamstring/knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Jones got in limited reps last week at practice but was eventually deemed inactive ahead of the Jaguars' 26-0 win over the Perhaps. He likely has a better chance to suit up this Sunday versus Tennessee with an AFC South title on the line for the Jaguars. Jones has already missed eight games to various lower-body injuries.

Lazard (illness) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Lazard was inactive for the Jets' Week 17 loss to the Browns while he was under the weather, but he looks like he'll be ready to play in the season finale Sunday versus the Patriots. It's been a forgettable first season with the Jets for the veteran wideout, who has produced a meager 23-311-1 receiving line on 49 targets after signing with New York to be Garrett Wilson's top running mate out wide.

Parker (ribs) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Parker sustained the injury in Sunday's loss to the Bills, finishing with just one catch for 15 yards on two targets over his 15 snaps before exiting the contest. His ability to practice in some fashion to begin Week 18 prep suggests his injury isn't too severe, but he may need to upgrade to full participation Thursday or Friday to gain clearance for this weekend's season finale versus the Jets.

Moore (concussion) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Moore suffered the concussion in last Thursday's win over the Jets and spent the evening in the hospital for evaluation. His ability to get back on the practice field in any capacity Wednesday represents a sign of progress as he navigates the five-step concussion protocol, but even if he clears the protocol ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals, he may not be guaranteed to play this weekend with the Browns having already secured a wild-card spot.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Jennings (concussion) will be a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.

Jennings has missed the past two games while making his way through the concussion protocol. With his first on-field work since suffering the injury on the horizon, he's putting himself in a position to return to action Sunday against the Rams. So far, Shanahan has ruled out quarterback Brock Purdy (coach's decision) and running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) for the regular-season finale, but no other skill-position players have been deemed unavailable. In the end, Jennings will need to be cleared by an independent neurologist in order to have a chance to play this weekend.