NFL Player News

Hill (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Hill, who was inactive for the Dolphins' Week 15 win over the Jets, didn't practice Wednesday, but the star wideout's return to the field one day later has him trending toward a potential return to action Sunday against the Cowboys. Even after missing last week's game, Hill still holds a 228-yard lead over the Eagles' A.J. Brown for the NFL's receiving crown.

Head coach Zac Taylor has ruled Chase (shoulder) out for Saturday's game against the Steelers, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

Per Hobson, Taylor noted Thursday that Chase will be viewed as week-to-week, which clouds the wideout's status for the Bengals' Dec. 31 contest against the Chiefs. In Chase's absence for Week 16, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd will serve as the Bengals' top two options at receiver, while Andrei Iosivas, Trenton Irwin and Charlie Jones serve as depth options behind them.

Godwin (knee) wasn't spotted on the field Thursday and appears set to be listed as a non-participant for the Buccaneers' second Week 16 practice, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Godwin was listed as questionable heading into the Buccaneers' Week 15 game against the Packers with the same injury, but he proceeded to suit up for that contest and turned in his best performance of the season in Tampa Bay's 34-20 win, finishing with a 10-155-0 receiving line on 12 targets. The wideout opened Week 16 prep Wednesday as a limited practice participant, but it's unclear if his absence Thursday is maintenance-related or the result of a setback with the knee injury. More clarity on Godwin's status heading into Sunday's game against the Jaguars should come following the Buccaneers' final practice of the week Friday.

Chase (shoulder) wasn't in uniform for Thursday's practice, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Conway notes that Chase -- who didn't practice Tuesday or Wednesday -- was present for Thursday's session. However, with the wideout not in uniform Thursday, he appears set to go down as a non-participant on a third consecutive practice report, making him unlikely to suit up Saturday versus the Steelers. The Bengals will post their final Week 16 injury report later Thursday, when it will be known whether Chase has any chance to face Pittsburgh or is ruled out ahead of the game.

Eskridge (ribs) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Eskridge has missed Seattle's past three games due to an injury to his ribs, and he's not trending in a positive direction as Sunday's game in Tennessee approaches. Even if he's able to get in some on-field work Thursday and/or Friday and is cleared to play Sunday, Eskridge will have a muted role on offense as a depth receiver for Seattle.

Gathings was signed to the Chiefs' practice squad Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Gathings had a workout with Kansas City and was subsequently signed by the team Wednesday. The tight end was let go by the Chiefs in August, but he now has a second chance with the team.

Nailor (concussion) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

The wide receiver entered concussion protocol Dec. 10 and missed this past Saturday's 27-24 overtime loss to Cincinnati as a result. Nailor will need to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol before he's eligible for game action, and the fact that he's not practicing to begin Week 16 prep doesn't bode well for his chances of gaining clearance for this Sunday's game against Detroit.

Jarrett (quadriceps) was a full participant at practice Wednesday.

Jarrett remains on injured reserve, but after having his 21-day evaluation window opened up Wednesday and returning to practice as a full participant, he could have a chance at playing Sunday against the Jaguars. The Buccaneers will likely see how Jarrett checks out during practices Thursday and Friday before deciding whether to activate him ahead of Saturday's 4 p.m. ET deadline for Week 16 roster moves.

Dortch didn't take part in Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Dortch joined fellow wide receiver Marquise Brown as a non-participant due to a new health concern. The two wideouts will thus have two more chances this week to put themselves in positions to play Sunday at Chicago. At the moment, Michael Wilson, Rondale Moore and Zach Pascal are the healthy receivers for the Cardinals.

Smith-Schuster (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Smith-Schuster turned in a trio of limited practices last week as well but was inactive for Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Chiefs. With that in mind, the veteran wideout will presumably need to upgrade to full activity by Friday in order to avoid an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Broncos.