NFL Player News

Adams didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.

A bug may be working its way around the Las Vegas locker room, as Adams was one of four Raiders who were listed as non-participants Wednesday on account of an illness. The wideout's status is thus worth tracking in advance of Sunday's game against the Saints. In the Raiders' 38-20 win over the Texans in Week 7, Adams hauled in eight of his nine targets for 95 yards.

Dorsett is likely to step into a starting role at receiver Sunday against the Titans if Nico Collins (groin) is unable to play, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Following Collins' early exit in the Week 7 loss to the Raiders, Dorsett stepped in as the primary replacement and caught two of three targets for 45 yards -- including a 25-yard touchdown -- over a season-high 35 snaps. The two receivers are notably different in stature and frame, so the 5-foot-10, 192-pound Dorsett wouldn't be used in the same fashion as Collins (6-foot-4, 215 pounds). That means instead of having a matchup advantage based on size, Dorsett will have to use his speed and sense of defensive coverages to get open.

Houston head coach Lovie Smith said Wednesday that Collins' groin injury is not season ending and hopes to have wide receiver back "sooner than later," Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Collins missed the Texans' first Week 8 practice Wednesday in preparation for Sunday's tilt with the Titans. While Collins may miss some time with his groin injury, the Texans aren't yet ruling him out for Week 8. If Collins can't go this weekend, Phillip Dorsett will likely step in as Houston's No. 2 wideout.

Agholor (hamstring) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Agholor was on the field for just three of a possible 52 snaps on offense in Monday's 33-14 loss to the Bears, allowing rookie Tyquan Thornton to see added opportunities. While Agholor is expected to play this Sunday against the Jets, he may not be a lock to reclaim the snap counts he was regularly seeing before injuring his hamstring back in Week 5.

Bourne (toe) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

After playing just four snaps Week 6 due to a toe injury, Bourne was inactive for Monday's loss to the Bears. The fact that Bourne continues to practice in a limited fashion suggests that he could play this weekend against the Jets, but until he's next able to get a full and productive game under his belt, Bourne isn't an appealing fantasy option.

Jennings didn't practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Deebo Samuel (hamstring) also missed practice, leaving Brandon Aiyuk and Ray-Ray McCloud as San Francisco's top healthy wide receivers at the moment. Jennings has caught two or fewer passes in every game since Week 1, but he could see a bit more work if he plays and Samuel sits out Sunday's game against the Rams.

Pittsburgh announced Wednesday that Austin (foot) will remain on injured reserve for the rest of the season, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Austin is ineligible to play in 2022 after his 21-day practice evaluation window came to a close without Pittsburgh activating him from IR and adding him to the 53-man roster. The rookie fourth-round pick returned to practice in early October after missing August and September with a foot injury, but the Steelers apparently decided that Austin won't help them this season. He should have plenty of time to get back to full strength before the offseason program next spring.

Brown didn't practice Wednesday due to a foot injury, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Brown has been a regular in the Cowboys' passing game all season, logging between 77 and 91 percent of the offensive snaps weekly and producing five outings of 50-plus yards in seven contests. With no activity whatsoever to begin Week 8 prep, Brown's status will be one to watch Thursday and Friday to get a sense of his availability (or lack thereof) for Sunday's contest against the Bears.

Davis (knee) didn't practice Wednesday and is considered day-to-day, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Head coach Robert Saleh acknowledged Monday that Davis was uncertain to play this Sunday against the Patriots after suffering an MCL sprain during the Jets' Week 7 win over Denver. Davis missed the entire second half, allowing Denzel Mims and Jeff Smith to take on more perimeter snaps with Elijah Moore (personal) inactive for the contest. The Jets expect Moore back in the lineup this week, regardless of what happens with Davis.

Sims (hamstring) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official website reports.

Sims was sidelined for the team's Week 7 loss to Miami due to a hamstring injury he picked up a week prior. The return specialist didn't practice at all last week, so his return Wednesday, albeit in a limited fashion, is certainly encouraging. Sims will have two more opportunities to upgrade to a full participant before the team needs to make a decision on his status for Sunday's matchup against the Eagles.