NFL Player News

Hinton (hamstring) won't play Sunday against the Cardinals, Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports reports.

With both Hinton and Courtland Sutton sidelined by hamstring injuries, backup Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien -- who's filling in for Russell Wilson (concussion) -- will be working with a limited receiving corps outside of Jerry Jeudy. Hinton will try to heal up before the Broncos face the Rams on the road in Week 16.

Claypool (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup with Philadelphia.

Claypool didn't practice at all this week and thus seems in at least some danger of missing a second game next Saturday (Dec. 24) against Buffalo. The Bears are left with Equanimeous St. Brown, Dante Pettis and Byron Pringle as their likely top three wide receivers, in some order, for Sunday's bout with a defense that has arguably the best secondary in the NFL. Velus Jones and N'Keal Harry could also get snaps at WR, and there's no doubt the Bears will want to run the ball as much as they can.

Goodwin will be Seattle's No. 2 receiver while Tyler Lockett recovers from a finger/hand injury, ESPN's Brady Henderson reports.

Lockett will miss at least one game and possibly more, likely setting up DK Metcalf for a high-volume outing Week 16 in Kansas City. The Seahawks also figure to get their TEs more involved while Lockett is out, but Goodwin is perhaps the most obvious beneficiary, with potential to move into an every-down role. He's handled 50.8 percent snap share as the No. 3 receiver this year, averaging 2.3 catches for 32.3 yards on 3.2 targets per game.

Johnson (hip) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Panthers, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Johnson returned to a limited practice Friday after sitting out Thursday, and that was enough to convince Steelers brass that he'll be available come Sunday. Which quarterback will be throwing Johnson the ball remains to be seen. Kenny Pickett (concussion) is doubtful, and head coach Mike Tomlin wouldn't name a starter between Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph. Earlier in the week, Johnson advocated for Rudolph to start if Pickett can't play.

Cowboys president Jerry Jones said Friday that discussions with Beckham (knee) are "very alive," Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Recent reports suggest Beckham wants to sign beyond 2022 and play for the same team in 2023. It also seems he may not be ready to play until the playoffs, though he's been medically cleared to do so. Any team that signs him likely will want him to practice for at least a week or two before he's activated, which at this point makes Beckham unlikely to play in the 2022 regular season. The Cowboys, of course, will be in the playoffs, and among the favorites to make a deep run.

Taylor (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against Tampa Bay, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Taylor was limited by a hamstring injury throughout Week 15 prep, but he'll still have a chance to suit up Sunday. Fellow wideouts Tyler Boyd (finger) and Tee Higgins (hamstring) are also listed as questionable, but they both submitted full practices Friday after being limited Wednesday and Thursday, which suggests they have a better chance than Taylor to play against the Buccaneers.

Hodge was a full practice participant Friday and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's matchup against the Saints, Scott Bair of the Falcons' official site reports.

Hodge missed Thursday's practice due to an illness, but he wasn't limited by the aliment Friday and is good to go for Sunday's divisional matchup versus New Orleans. The fifth-year wideout has appeared in all 13 of Atlanta's contests this season, totaling 12 receptions on 19 targets for 197 yards and one touchdown, but he hasn't recorded a catch since Week 11.

Burks (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

With Burks and C.J. Board (ribs) both out this weekend, Chris Conley and Racey McMath are candidates to log added Week 15 wideout reps behind Robert Woods and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Burks, who was also sidelined in Week 14, will now look to gain clearance to play ahead of the Titans' Dec. 24 contest against the Texans.

James (concussion) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Commanders, Matt Citak of the Giants' official site reports.

James will need to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol to suit up. He's making progress in that regard, as evidenced by his ability to participate in practice after sitting out Wednesday. James was injured in the Week 14 loss to the Eagles after scoring his third touchdown in four games.

Boyd (finger) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against Tampa Bay after being listed as a full practice participant Friday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

As is Tee Higgins (hamstring), which makes the status of the two wideouts worth confirming in advance of Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. That said, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site relays that coach Zac Taylor, as well as both players, have expressed optimism that the duo will be active this weekend.