NFL Player News

Boutte (shoulder) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Boutte was a limited participant Wednesday in the Patriots' first Week 13 practice while sporting a non-contact jersey, but he took a step back in terms of activity a day later. At this stage, the rookie out of LSU's availability for this Sunday's game against the Chargers is looking uncertain. Boutte was active for just the third time this season in this past Sunday's 10-7 loss to the Giants, logging 11 snaps on offense while finishing with one catch for eight yards on two targets.

Brown (heel) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Brown was able to play through a heel injury this past Sunday against the Rams, but he also hasn't practiced since last Wednesday. Perhaps Brown doesn't need to get any on-field work in order to be available for game day, but he now has just one more opportunity to practice before the Cardinals potentially tag him with a designation for Sunday's contest in Pittsburgh.

Hill (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

After missing Wednesday's session, Hill's return to the field a day later has him trending in the right direction as Sunday's game against the Commanders approaches. Thursday's injury report will reveal whether Hill was limited or worked fully as he rejoined practice.

Reed (chest) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Reed missed Wednesday's session, so what he's able to do Friday will be pivotal with regard to his chances of suiting up Sunday night against the Chiefs. If Reed is unavailable this weekend, Dontayvion Wicks (knee), Malik Heath and Samori Toure would be candidates for added Week 13 WR snaps.

Dell (calf) returned to practice Thursday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

Dell wasn't on the field for the early part of practice that was open to the media, but the rookie wideout was eventually able to take the field. The Texans will release their second Week 13 injury report later Thursday, when it will be known whether Dell was a full or limited participant. Houston listed Dell as a non-participant on Wednesday's report, but head coach DeMeco Ryans is optimistic about the receiver's chances of playing through the calf issue this Sunday versus Denver, per James Palmer of NFL Network.

Sims signed with the Eagles' practice squad Thursday.

Sims joined the Raiders in the offseason after spending the first five years of his career in Washington. However, the Alabama product was unable to make the 53-man roster there and ultimately ended up with the Giants' practice squad for a short stint earlier this season. Sims will now provide positional depth for Philadelphia.

Dell (calf) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

Dell didn't practice Wednesday, so what he's able to do Friday, if anything, at practice will be telling with regard to his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Broncos. If Dell ends up out or limited this weekend, the potential return of Noah Brown (knee) could provide the Texans with added wide receiver depth for Week 13.

Carolina placed Shenault (ankle) on injured reserve Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Shenault suffered a high-ankle sprain in Carolina's Week 6 loss to the Miami, and though he was never placed on IR, he missed three consecutive games before returning to action Week 11. However, while playing his second straight game this past Sunday against the Titans, Shenault sustained a new ankle injury after playing just two snaps on offense before being ruled out for the rest of the contest. The Panthers haven't clarified the extent of Shenault's new injury, but as a result of landing on IR, he'll be sidelined for at least the next four games. Given Carolina's league-worst 1-10 record, Shenault could be a candidate to get shut down for the season rather than preparing for a potential return from IR when first eligible to return Week 17.

Melton signed with the Packers' practice squad Wednesday.

Melton will rejoin Green Bay's practice squad after being waived from the active roster Monday. The 24-year-old has appeared in one game this season but failed to record any stats.

The Broncos designated Johnson (hamstring) for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Johnson hasn't played since Week 7 due to the hamstring injury, but he at least looks as though he'll be ready to practice this week. The Broncos will have 21 days to evaluate Johnson before either adding him back to the 53-man roster or keeping him on IR for the remainder of the season. Johnson recorded eight receptions for 122 yards and three touchdowns on 13 targets through Denver's first seven games of the season.