NFL Player News

Pascal (concussion) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Cowboys.

Pascal sustained a concussion during the Eagles' win over the Bears on Sunday, and he was a non-participant during practice Tuesday and Wednesday. While it's unclear if he's managed to clear protocols yet, the 28-year-old should have a chance to play on Christmas Eve after logging a limited practice Thursday. Pascal has yet to play more than 50 percent of offensive snaps or attract more than three targets in a game so far this season, though his potential absence would leave Philadelphia without its No. 4 wideout while Gardner Minshew makes his first start of the season in place of quarterback Jalen Hurts (shoulder).

The Saints have signed Merritt from their practice squad ahead of Saturday's game against the Browns.

Merritt was promoted to the active roster for each of the last two games, though he did not record a catch while playing just nine of his 35 snaps on offense during this span. The 25-year-old could be in line for increased playing time versus Atlanta after veteran wideout Jarvis Landry (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Thursday. With Chris Olave (hamstring) also ruled out for Week 16, expect Merritt to slot in as New Orleans' No. 4 wideout behind Rashid Shaheed, Tre'Quan Smith and Marquez Callaway on Saturday.

Meyers (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Bengals after practicing in a limited fashion Tuesday through Thursday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

We'd be surprised if Meyers isn't available this weekend, but his status is nonetheless worth verifying as Saturday's 1:00 kickoff approaches. Assuming he suits up, Meyers should see enough snaps and targets to merit lineup consideration in PPR formats, but his Week 16 upside hinges on QB Mac Jones bouncing back from a 112-yard passing effort in this past Sunday's 30-24 loss to the Raiders.

Thornton (knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Bengals after practicing in a limited fashion Wednesday and Thursday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

If active Saturday, Thornton could see added Week 16 snaps with DeVante Parker (concussion) still out. However, having logged a total of 17 catches for 166 yards and a TD on 33 targets through 10 games overall, the 2022 second-rounder remains a speculative fantasy lineup option as the Patriots' stretch run approaches.

The Titans list Burks (concussion) as questionable for Saturday's game against the Texans.

Even though he was listed as a full participant in practices from Tuesday through Thursday, Burks will still carry a designation into the weekend. The fact that he's not officially cleared to suit up Saturday suggests Burks may need to receive the green light from an independent neurologist to play, something that could happen later Thursday or Friday. If Burks is able to return from a two-game absence this weekend, he would likely reclaim a starting role at receiver. However, Burks' fantasy outlook won't be as promising moving forward with the Tennessee offense expect to skew even more run-heavy while rookie Malik Willis steps in at quarterback for the injured Ryan Tannehill (ankle), who is out Week 16 and appears likely to miss the rest of the season.

The Texans list Moore (foot) as questionable for Saturday's game against the Titans.

Moore will take a designation into the weekend after the foot injury rendered him a limited participant in practices Tuesday through Thursday. Though the Texans will be down a starting wideout in Nico Collins (foot) for the third game in a row, they should get another back from a three-game absence in Brandin Cooks (calf), who is listed as questionable but appears good to go for Saturday after putting in full practices Thursday and Friday. Cooks' return could result in Moore losing out on some looks, after he drew a combined 19 targets over the past two games while both Collins and Cooks were out of the lineup.

Cooks (calf) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game in Tennessee, but he's expected to be available to play, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Cooks has been sidelined for the Texans' last three games with the calf injury, but after returning to practice in a limited fashion Tuesday before logging full workouts Wednesday and Thursday, he should be ready to play Saturday without any major restrictions. With Houston ruling out Nico Collins (foot) for the Week 16 contest, Cooks should slot back in as the Texans' clear No. 1 wideout, rejoining a position group that also includes Chris Moore (foot), Phillip Dorsett and Amari Rodgers. Prior to his three-game absence, Cooks compiled a 44-520-1 receiving line on 71 targets through 10 appearances.

Johnson, who didn't practice Thursday and is listed as questionable for Saturday night's game against the Raiders, expects to be back on the field Friday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports. "It was just a little toe, nothing major. I am good," Johnson noted Thursday. "I am going to be out there tomorrow. They just gave me a little two days off to let it rest. It's nothing major."

Per Chris Halicke of DKPittsburghSports.com, the Steelers are slated to get some more work in Friday, at which point, there should be added context with regard to Johnson's Week 16 status. Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com, Johnson indicated that he should be good to go versus Las Vegas.

Parker (concussion) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Bengals, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

With Parker out for the second consecutive week, Jakobi Meyers (shoulder, questionable), Nelson Agholor, Tyquan Thornton (knee, questionable), and Kendrick Bourne are in line to lead the team's Week 16 wideout corps, provided Meyers and Tyquan Thornton (both limited at practice Wednesday and Thursday) are active Saturday. Parker will target a potential return to action in Week 17 against the Dolphins.

Brown (foot) doesn't have a designation for Saturday's game versus the Eagles, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

After being listed as limited on the Cowboys' first two practice reports of the week due to a foot injury, Brown managed to log every rep at Thursday's session, paving the way for him to make his 14th appearance of the season in 15 chances. He's hit a bit of a hot streak of late, gathering in 10 of 15 targets for 134 yards and two touchdowns over the last two contests. Brown may find the going tough, though, Saturday against Philadelphia's No. 1 ranked pass defense (172.4 yards per game).