NFL Player News

Watson (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals after not practicing Friday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Watson's status will thus be worth monitoring as Sunday's 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff approaches, but on the heels of recording a 15-315-2 stat line on 34 targets in 17 games this past season, the wideout is only a fantasy option in deeper formats.

Hardman (pelvis) is listed as questionable for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals after practicing in a limited fashion this week, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Hardman, who last suited up for game action in Week 9, appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's 6:30 ET kickoff, and If he's available versus Cincinnati, the 2019 second-rounder would add valuable speed and depth to a wideout corps that also includes JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore and Justin Watson (illness, questionable). Prior to being sidelined, Hardman had recorded 25 catches on 34 targets for 297 yards and four touchdowns in eight games.

Samuel (ankle) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's NFC Championship Game at Philadelphia, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The 49ers capped Samuel's reps both Wednesday and Thursday due to an ankle issue, but after a full session Friday, he'll available to the offense this weekend. The team's top running back, Christian McCaffrey (calf), also was cleared ahead of Sunday's contest, while backfield mate Elijah Mitchell (groin) is questionable after getting in some minimal work Friday. If Mitchell is limited or out Sunday, Samuel could mix in at RB a bit more than usual, but he still should be good for his recent workload, which has resulted in 10 catches and seven carries in San Francisco's two playoff victories to date.

The Saints signed Baker to a reserve/future contract Thursday, per the team's official site.

Baker has been through the wringer since entering the NFL in 2021, as he was let go by New Orleans, handed a six-game suspension for violating the league's PED policy, waived by the Seahawks, cut by the Packers, discharged from the Eagles' practice squad and finally recalled to the Saints' practice squad in that span. The 215-pound wide receiver is now in a position to compete for one of New Orleans' roster spots throughout the summer and into training camp.

Hardman (pelvis) remained limited at practice Thursday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Coach Andy Reid told McMullen on Thursday that the team is "going to take it day-by-day" with Hardman as Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals approaches. Friday's final injury report will reveal whether the wideout heads into the weekend with an official injury designation or cleared to face Cincinnati.

Sills signed a reserve/future contract with the Giants on Thursday.

Sills opened the 2022 season as a member of the Giants' starting wide-receiver corps, playing at least 63 percent of offensive snaps in all but one of the first four games. However, the 26-year-old logged more than two receptions just once, and he saw a significant drop in playing time before being ruled a healthy scratch six times between Weeks 10 to 16. Sills was then waived Dec. 31 and finished the season on the practice squad. He'll now work to earn his way back onto the Giants' 53-man roster ahead of the 2023 campaign.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Samuel (ankle) will be limited at Thursday's practice, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Shanahan said prior to Wednesday's session that Samuel and running backs Christian McCaffrey (calf) and Elijah Mitchell (groin) wouldn't take part in drills. Samuel eventually did so and was listed as limited, which he'll maintain one day later, while both McCaffrey and Mitchell will remain sidelined. There's an expectation that all three players will be available for Sunday's NFC Championship Game at Philadelphia, but Samuel could be poised for a bit more work out of the 49ers backfield if McCaffrey and/or Mitchell are at all limited.

Samuel (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan told Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com earlier Wednesday that the 49ers' primary backfield options -- Christian McCaffrey (calf), Elijah Mitchell (groin) and Samuel -- wouldn't mix into drills to kick off prep for Sunday's NFC Championship Game at Philadelphia. While McCaffrey and Mitchell weren't seen during the open portion of Wednesday's session, Samuel was present and took part in some individual work, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. There's a chance Samuel maintains practice limitations Thursday and Friday as a precautionary measure, but his ankle issue doesn't appear as if it'll affect his availability this weekend.

The Raiders signed Johnson to a reserve/future contract Wednesday.

Johnson was drafted by Tampa Bay in the fifth round in 2020 and appeared in 31 games during his first two NFL seasons, totaling 48 receptions on 72 targets for 529 yards and two scores. He was claimed off waivers by the Texans at the beginning of the 2022 campaign, but he made just two appearances with Houston and didn't garner any targets across 28 offensive snaps. He rejoined Tampa Bay's practice squad after the Texans waived him in late October, but he was never elevated and ultimately became a free agent after the Buccaneers were eliminated from the playoffs. With his new contract, Johnson will join his third NFL organization and will have a chance to compete for a roster spot during the offseason.

Hardman (pelvis) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Hardman was unable to practice last week ahead of the Chiefs' divisional-round win over the Jaguars, but his ability to work Wednesday in any capacity has the wideout trending in the right direction in advance of Sunday's AFC Championship Game versus the Bengals. If he's available this weekend, Hardman will add speed and experience to a Kansas City wideout corps that also includes JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney and Justin Watson.