NFL Player News

Waddle (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills after practicing in a limited fashion Friday.

Per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, Waddle has shown notable progress in his recovery from a high-ankle sprain since last week and did a lot more Friday than he's done in a couple weeks in terms of running intermediate routes and cutting. At this stage, the wideout's availability for Week 18 has yet to be fully determined. Given that Sunday's contest begins at 8:20 p.m. ET, official word on Waddle's status won't arrive until Miami posts its inactive list 90 minutes prior to kickoff, though reports leading up to game day could help clarify whether or not he'll be able to return from a one-game absence.

Thornton (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Thornton and fellow wide receiver DeVante Parker (ribs) are both questionable for Sunday's season finale. Thornton had a season-high 24 receiving yards after Parker exited early in the Week 17 loss to Buffalo, but the second-year speedster's ceiling will be capped regardless of his teammate's status, especially against the stingy Jets secondary.

Palmer has cleared concussion protocol and will play Sunday against the Chiefs, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

Palmer's absence due to a concussion was limited to one game. He was a limited participant in all three of the Chargers' practices during the week, but that was enough to gain clearance for the season finale. With Keenan Allen (heel) ruled out, Palmer will be one of the top targets for Easton Stick against a Kansas City secondary that could be resting some of its top players.

Allen (heel) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

Allen will miss a fourth consecutive game to end the season. It's an unfortunate finish to an otherwise excellent campaign from the veteran wide receiver, who finishes with 108 catches on 150 targets for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns in just 13 games. Allen has one more year remaining on his contract, but there is a potential out in his deal this offseason, so it's possible that his tenure with the Chargers will come to an end after 11 seasons.

Hill (ankle/personal) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bills, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Hill was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice and didn't practice Thursday, but the lack of practice participation was likely due more to the fallout from learning about a fire that occurred at his residence than the ankle injury that he played through in the previous two games. He returned to full participation Friday, clearing up any lingering concern about his availability heading into Sunday. Even though the Dolphins have already clinched a playoff spot, they'll have plenty of motivation Sunday against the Bills, as the AFC East crown along with the No. 2 seed in the playoffs will be up for grabs between the two teams. With that in mind, Hill is likely to handle his usual heavy workload in the regular-season finale.

Smith (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at the Giants, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Smith came out of the Week 17 loss to Arizona with an ankle injury and now will miss a game for the first time in his career. He didn't practice this week, and the Eagles didn't have much incentive to push him with their Week 18 result only mattering for playoff position if the Commanders upset the Cowboys while playing at the same time (4:25 p.m. ET kickoff). Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia "guessed" Friday that the Eagles will play their healthy starters, or at least most of them, but there is some chance of key players being replaced as the game unfolds if Dallas builds a comfortable lead over Washington in the other NFC East contest.

Parker (ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Parker was a limited participant in all three of New England's practices after exiting the Week 17 loss to Buffalo due to a rib injury. If he suits up, Parker will likely occupy a starting role on the outside, though a matchup with a Jets secondary that has allowed the fewest catches, yards and touchdowns to wide receivers coupled with snow in the forecast suggest his opportunities could be limited Sunday.

Williams (ankle/illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Minnesota.

Williams suffered an ankle injury early in the fourth quarter of last Saturday's 20-19 loss to Dallas and never returned to the game. He didn't practice this week, and the Lions never figured to push things given that their Week 18 result is highly unlikely to have an impact on their playoff seed (currently No. 3). It's possible some of the teams healthy players are held out or rested, and that combined with Williams being absent should lead to at least one of the team's depth receivers (Kalif Raymond, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Antoine Green) playing a lot of snaps. Williams, meanwhile, will hope to make it back for a home game in the wild-card round.

The Jaguars list Kirk (groin) as questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans.

After missing four consecutive games while recovering from core-muscle surgery, Kirk was designated for return from injured reserve Wednesday and was a limited participant in each of the Jaguars' three practices this week. While the Jaguars haven't ruled Kirk out from playing in Sunday's regular-season finale, the team will need to add him back to the 53-man roster before 4 p.m. ET on Saturday in order for him to be eligible. If he's not activated ahead of Sunday's contest, the Jaguars would still have the option of bringing Kirk back in advance of the wild-card round of the playoffs, should the team clinch a postseason berth.

Perry (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Perry was a full participant Friday in his return to practice, suggesting he'll likely play in the Saints' crucial Week 18 matchup. He's seen a lot of playing time but not many targets filling in for Michael Thomas (knee) the past month and a half, mostly serving as the fourth or fifth option in a passing game that also features WR Chris Olave, RB Alvin Kamara (ankle), WR Rashid Shaheed and TE Juwan Johnson (chest) as pass catchers for QB Derek Carr. For their regular-season finale, the Saints have three of those players listed as questionable, with Kamara seemingly in more danger than Perry and Johnson.