NFL Player News

Olave is still recovering from the flu and didn't practice Friday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Olave was off the field for a second straight day Friday after being added to the injury report Thursday. Players typically don't miss games due to illnesses, but a seasonal flu can be difficult to overcome, given the symptoms of fatigue and muscle/joint pain that often accompany it. Until the Saints provide another update, Olave is seemingly in genuine danger of sitting out Sunday's matchup with the Panthers.

Reed (chest) was a limited practice participant Friday, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Reed likely will play through the injury for a third straight week, and this time he may do so without Christian Watson (hamstring) in the lineup commanding targets. There's still some cause for concern -- even in a friendly matchup against a porous Giants secondary -- as Reed played fewer snaps than usual last week (47 percent) and wouldn't automatically garner a dramatic increase in playing time in Watson's absence. Reed has taken 65 percent of his snaps from the slot this season, whereas Watson has worked the perimeter 63 percent of the time. Fellow rookie wideout Dontayvion Wicks could end up picking up most of the slack if Watson is inactive Monday, though Reed might be more emphasized in the gameplan from a targets standpoint even if he's still only getting regular snaps in three-wideout formations.

Jefferson (hamstring) has been removed from the Vikings' injury report and will face no restrictions in his return to game action Sunday versus the Raiders, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

After practicing in a limited fashion for three straight weeks, Jefferson was activated from injured reserve during the Vikings' Week 13 bye, so the standout receiver was fully expected to return to the lineup in Week 14. Jefferson cleared up any lingering concern about the health of his hamstring by turning in a trio of full practices this week, setting him up to play his usual 90-plus-percent snap share this Sunday. For just the second game in his career, however, Jefferson will be catching passes from someone other Kirk Cousins, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 8. The Vikings are electing to stick with Joshua Dobbs as their starting quarterback coming out of their bye week, though the trade-deadline pickup may be on a short leash after throwing four interceptions in Minnesota's 12-10 loss to the Bears in Week 12.

Boyd (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts after logging a limited practice Friday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

While Boyd was deemed questionable for the contest, head coach Zac Taylor relayed Friday that he feels good about the wideout's chances of suiting up this weekend, according to Ben Baby of ESPN.com. Fortunately for those considering Boyd in Week 14 fantasy lineups, the Bengals kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. Assuming he's available versus Indianapolis, Boyd will be in line to maintain a key role in his team's passing offense alongside fellow wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Watson (hamstring) isn't practicing Friday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Watson left Sunday's win over the Chiefs in the fourth quarter and never returned, and he's now missed consecutive practices heading into a Monday matchup with the Giants. He appears to be a long shot to play this week, though he noted Thursday that his current hamstring injury doesn't look to be a severe as the one that kept him out for the Packers' first three games of the season.

Hollins (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, despite being a full practice participant Wednesday through Friday.

Hollins is on track to play for the first time since Week 9, though he may not take a lot of snaps and probably won't see many targets even if he does. The Falcons have rotated wide receivers behind Drake London in recent weeks, with Van Jefferson typically getting the most snaps but having minimal impact on the box scores.

Cooper (concussion/ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Cooper sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday but has a chance to play after returning to the practice field Friday as a limited participant. According to Zac Jackson of The Athletic, Cooper has yet to pass through the five-step concussion protocol, but the Browns are holding out hope that the receiver will be able to gain clearance from an independent neurologist Saturday. If Cooper clears the protocol and is able to play through the rib issue Sunday, he'll be returning to an uncertain situation at quarterback. Following Friday's practice, head coach Kevin Stefanski was unwilling to name either Joe Flacco or Dorian Thompson-Robinson as the team's Week 14 starting quarterback, and official word on that front may not arrive until gameday.

Boyd (ankle) had a lot of reps at practice Friday, and Bengals head coach Zac Taylor expects the wide receiver to play Sunday against the Colts, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Boyd was added to the injury report after a limited practice Thursday, but it's possible the slot receiver could avoid a Week 14 designation if he logs a full practice Friday. Even if Boyd carries a designation into Sunday's game, Friday's activity coupled with the coach's optimism suggest that the receiver is likely to suit up against Indianapolis, barring a setback.

Cooper (concussion/ribs) was present for practice Friday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

After missing practice Wednesday and Thursday, Cooper's presence on the field Friday suggests that the wideout has a chance to play this weekend against the Jaguars. For that happen, however, Cooper will need to be fully cleared per the NFL's concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's 1:00 ET kickoff.

The Jaguars placed Kirk (groin) on injured reserve Friday.

Per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, Kirk will undergo surgery to address a core muscle/groin injury and will miss at least four games following his placement on IR. While Kirk is out of the lineup, rookie Parker Washington should step into a steady role in three-receiver sets alongside Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones.