NFL Player News
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Tom Kennedy WR | DET
Lions' Tom Kennedy: Limited offensive workload in win
Kennedy did not garner a target while recording 120 yards on kickoff returns and 21 yards on punt returns in Thursday's 44-30 win over Dallas.
Kennedy was set to operate in a more significant role on offense due to Amon-Ra St. Brown trending toward sitting with an ankle injury, but St. Brown was ultimately able to play. As a result, Kennedy's offensive snaps dropped to five total in Week 14, a significantly smaller figure than the 41 snaps on offense he logged Thanksgiving against Green Bay. The wide receiver has filled in admirably for Kalif Raymond (ankle) as a return specialist for Detroit over the last two weeks, compiling 201 kickoff return yards and 42 yards on punt returns. Whenever Raymond is able to return, Kennedy, who was signed to the active roster prior to Week 13 action, may become a healthy scratch on game days.
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Chris Godwin WR | TB
Buccaneers' Chris Godwin: Clear for Sunday's contest
Godwin (fibula) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game versus the Saints, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Godwin followed up Wednesday's limited walkthrough with a full session Thursday and another limited practice Friday, but his lingering fibula injury won't impact his availability for Week 14. Meanwhile, fellow WRs Mike Evans (collarbone) and Jalen McMillan (neck), both of whom were designated for return from injured reserve this week, were ruled out, meaning Godwin's competition for targets Sunday will include WRs Emeka Egbuka, Tez Johnson and Sterling Shepard, TE Cade Otton and RBs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White.
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Olamide Zaccheaus WR | CHI
Bears' Olamide Zaccheaus: Could have bigger role Week 14
Zaccheaus may be in line for more targets Sunday versus Green Bay with Rome Odunze (foot) ruled out, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
Zaccheaus began the season promisingly with four catches for 42 yards against Minnesota in Week 1, but he's surpassed that yardage total just once since. Over his past four games, he's been almost entirely a non-factor with just four total catches (on eight targets) for 30 yards. However, Odunze's absence should open up more opportunities for multiple Bears pass catchers, including wideouts Zaccheaus, Luther Burden and DJ Moore as well as tight ends Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet. With that being said, the Packers rank in the top half league-wide in most categories versus wide receivers, so Chicago's struggling passing game could be challenged to produce.
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Malik Cunningham WR | DET
Malik Cunningham: Goes back to practice squad
Cunningham reverted to Detroit's practice squad Friday, per the NFL's transactions log.
Cunningham played just one of the Lions' 62 offensive snaps during Thursday's 44-30 win versus the Cowboys, taking a direct snap for one yard in the middle of the third quarter. The Lions can still elevate him from the practice squad to the active roster two more times this season.
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Alex Bachman WR | LV
Raiders' Alex Bachman: Won't suit up against Denver
Bachman (thumb) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Bachman has contributed primarily on special teams, and he will miss his third game of the campaign. While he's served only as pass-catching depth, the Raiders will be shorthanded at wide receiver with Dont'e Thornton (concussion) also sidelined.
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Jack Bech WR | LV
Raiders' Jack Bech: Chance to step up
Head coach Pete Carroll said Bech will have the chance to earn an increased role in Sunday's game against the Broncos due to the absence of Dont'e Thornton (concussion), Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Bech has had a quiet rookie season, logging only 192 offensive snaps and 15 targets across 12 games. However, with both Thornton and Alex Bachman (thumb) ruled out, the Raiders currently have only three healthy wide receivers heading into Sunday's divisional matchup. Bech should log his highest snap count of the season, though that's no guarantee of production given the state of the Raiders offense.
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CeeDee Lamb WR | DAL
Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb: Optimism for Week 15
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer relayed to reporters Friday that Lamb "had a good day" one day after sustaining a concussion during the Cowboys' 44-30 loss to the Lions on Thursday, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Lamb was in the midst of his most productive game of the season Thursday before exiting in the third quarter due to a concussion. He and the Cowboys have additional time to rest and recover ahead of their Week 15 clash against the Vikings on Sunday, Dec. 14, but the sixth-year wideout will have to pass an evaluation administered by an independent neurologist in order to clear the league's concussion protocol. If Lamb were to miss time, George Pickens would assume the WR1 spot and Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Tolbert and Jake Ferguson all would be in line for more work in the passing game.
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Dont'e Thornton Jr. WR | LV
Raiders' Dont'e Thornton: Ruled out for Week 14
Thornton (concussion) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Thornton suffered a concussion in the Raiders' Week 13 loss to the Chargers and couldn't practice at all during the week. That suggests he hasn't made much progress through the league's concussion protocol. Jack Bech is expected to have a chance to step up in Thornton's absence.
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Xavier Gipson WR | NYG
Eagles' Xavier Gipson: Manages full practice Friday
Gipson (shoulder) was a full participant at practice Friday, Andrew DiCecco of InsideTheBirds.com reports.
Gipson was still limited by the shoulder injury he suffered in Week 12 at Dallas to start the Eagles' preparations for Week 14, but he now appears to be back to full strength. He is on track to reclaim his return duties come Monday's game against the Chargers.
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Jahan Dotson WR | PHI
Eagles' Jahan Dotson: Limited in practice again
Dotson (toe) remained limited at Friday's practice, Andrew DiCecco of InsideTheBirds.com reports.
Dotson has one more chance to upgrade to full participation ahead of Monday's matchup with the Chargers. He was listed as a limited participant both Thursday and Friday.