NFL Player News

Gray (shoulder) has been downgraded to out ahead of Sunday's game against the Commanders.

Despite a full week of practice, Gray will remain on injured reserve through Week 17 as he continues to nurse a shoulder issue. The 24-year-old has spent the entire year on injured reserve, and he'll now look to make his return in Week 18 against the Rams.

The Patriots have placed Smith-Schuster (ankle) on injured reserve.

With Smith-Schuster on IR and slated to miss the Patriots' final two games this season, DeVante Parker, Demario Douglas, Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton and Kayshon Boutte (illness, out this week) are in line to handle the team's WR duties in Weeks 17 and 18. Smith-Schuster thus finishes the 2023 campaign with a 29-260-1 line on 47 targets in 11 games.

The Seahawks placed Eskridge (ribs) on injured reserve Saturday, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

Eskridge has been nursing a ribs injury for over a month now, and he most recently appeared in Seattle's Week 12 loss to the 49ers. The 26-year-old wideout has played in just four games this season, failing to catch his lone target and returning eight kickoffs for 66 yards. Zach Charbonnet is likely next in line to assume the Seahawks' kick return responsibilities going forward.

The Ravens signed Treadwell to their active roster Saturday.

The last of Treadwell's three practice squad elevations were used by Baltimore in Week 16, so he's been signed to the team's 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's affair. The 2016 first-round pick played all 17 of his snaps as a special-teamer on Christmas Day, and he'll likely assume the same role in Week 17.

The Chargers signed Doss from their practice squad to their active roster Saturday.

Doss had already been elevated by Los Angeles three times this season, so it was necessary for the team to sign him to the active roster in order for the wideout to suit up this week. He's played just 17 offensive snaps over his three appearances this season and has yet to draw a target or record any stats. Doss could see a slight uptick in opportunity Sunday in Denver, with Keenan Allen (heel) and Joshua Palmer (concussion) both ruled out, but he's not likely to be a major factor in the Chargers' passing game.

The Packers elevated Melton to their active roster Saturday.

The 24-year-old wideout made the most of his opportunities in Week 16 after getting elevated to the Packers' active roster, catching four of his six targets for 44 yards. Green Bay has a chance to be without both Christian Watson (hamstring, doubtful) and Dontayvion Wicks (chest/ankle, questionable) in Week 17, meaning Melton could very well see lots of snaps in the team's wide receiver corps for the second consecutive game.

The Colts elevated Fernea to the active roster Saturday.

This marks Fernea's third elevation in as many weeks. He has played just two offensive snaps compared to 19 on special teams over the previous two games, so he will presumably again be more involved in the latter camp. However, if both Michael Pittman (concussion) and D.J. Montgomery (groin) are unable to go, Fernea could see some extra snaps on offense.

Boutte has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bills due to an illness, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

With Boutte unavailable, DeVante Parker, Demario Douglas, Jalen Reagor and Tyquan Thornton are in line to handle the Patriots' WR duties Sunday. Boutte's next chance to see game action will arrive in the team's season finale next weekend against the Jets.

Hardman (thumb) has been activated off IR in advance of Sunday's game against the Bengals.

In conjunction with the transaction, the Chiefs removed Hardman's 'questionable' designation for the contest, which sets the stage for the wideout to see his first game action since Week 11. He'll give the team some added WR depth in Week 17, with Kadarius Toney out with a hip injury, but with eight catches on 10 targets for 41 yards in four games with Kansas City thus far, Hardman profiles as a fantasy dart in his looming return to action.

The Chiefs plan to activate Hardman (thumb) off IR ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Hardman, who last suited up in Week 11, was a full participant in practice this past week, but if he does come off IR on Saturday, he'll approach Sunday's contest listed as questionable. In four games since arriving from the Jets in a trade, Hardman has caught eight of his 10 targets for 41 yards.