NFL Player News

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.

Metchie didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness.

Metchie was one of three Houston receivers to appear on Houston's initial Week 16 injury report, joining Nico Collins (calf) and Noah Brown (knee). However, the second-year wideout is a step behind Collins and Brown, both of whom opened the week as limited participants. Metchie will still have two more chances to log some practice reps and put himself in position to play this weekend against the Browns.

Brown (knee) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday.

In this past Sunday's 19-16 overtime win over the Titans, Brown logged 66 of 77 snaps on offense and finished with eight catches for 82 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets. After missing games in Weeks 11 and 12 due to a knee injury, Brown has continued to make regular appearances on Houston injury reports, but the team hasn't offered any indication that he's dealing with a setback. Brown's listed limitations Wednesday were most likely maintenance-related, and the expectation remains that he'll be good to go for this Sunday's matchup with Cleveland.

Collins (calf) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston relayed earlier Wednesday that Collins appeared unlikely to practice, but the wideout was apparently able to log some on-field reps during the Texans' first Week 16 session. The wideout didn't practice in any fashion last week before sitting out the Texans' 19-16 overtime win over the Titans, but he should have a better chance at being available this Sunday against the Browns. The Texans will continue to monitor Collins' activity in practices Thursday and Friday before determining his status for the Week 16 contest.

Philips (hamstring) did not participate at practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Philips sat out of Sunday's loss versus the Texans due to a hamstring issue, and he's now missing Tennessee's first practice of the new week. He'll likely need to practice in some capacity Thursday or Friday to have a chance to play in Week 16.

Brownlee (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Brownlee's role on offense had been expanding before he sustained an ankle injury during the Jets' Week 13 loss to the Falcons. He's been out of action for the past two games, but he's taking a step forward by beginning Week 16 prep as a limited participant. Brownlee may still need to upgrade to full activity by Friday to avoid taking a designation into Sunday's matchup with the Commanders.

Burks didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Burks -- who caught all three of his targets for 62 yards in Sunday's 19-16 overtime loss to the Texans -- still has two more chances to practice ahead of this weekend's game against the Seahawks. Assuming he's available for the contest, the 2022 first-round pick will be in line to maintain a key role in the Titans' wideout corps, especially after Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (hand) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.

Wicks (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday.

Wicks had the busiest day of his brief career to date this past Sunday against the Buccaneers with Christian Watson (hamstring) missing his second game in a row. Overall, Wicks earned 47 of the Packers' 60 offensive snaps and reeled in six of seven targets for 97 yards, connecting with quarterback Jordan Love for three plays of 20-plus yards. Having said that, the ankle issue that resulted in Wicks being a limited participant in two sessions last week has followed him into Week 16 prep. Wicks is healthier than Watson and Jayden Reed (toe/chest), both of whom didn't practice Wednesday. If one or both of Watson and Reed aren't able to suit up Sunday in Carolina, Wicks likely would join Romeo Doubs as the Packers' top options at wide receiver.

Tennessee placed Westbrook-Ikhine on injured reserve Wednesday due to a hand injury, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

With the Titans eliminated from playoff contention, Westbrook-Ikhine's 2023 season has come to a close due to the injury. The wideout will finish the campaign with a 28-370-3 receiving line on 45 targets through 14 games. The 26-year-old is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. In his absence down the stretch, Treylon Burks and Chris Moore could see added snaps at receiver behind No. 1 option DeAndre Hopkins.