NFL Player News

Higgins (ankle) was present for Friday's practice, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

After not practicing both Wednesday and Thursday, Higgins' return to the field Friday is a step in the right direction. The Bengals' upcoming injury report will clarify the wideout's participation level and injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Saints.

Brown played only three snaps on offense in Thursday's 12-7 win over Chicago, finishing with one incomplete target.

Brown was the star for Washington four days earlier, catching two of four targets for 105 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-17 loss to Tennessee. Even then he played only 32 percent of snaps with Jahan Dotson (hamstring) out of the lineup, while Cam Sims took 59 percent. Brown then showed up on the Week 6 injury report with a quad injury, which likely was a factor in his playing time being scaled back Thursday. Sims caught just one pass for six yards while playing 72 percent of snaps, so Brown could have a larger role Week 7 against Green Bay if his groin injury improves and if Dotson remains out of the lineup.

Samuel caught two of five targets for six yards in a 12-7 win over the Bears on Thursday.

Samuel led the Commanders in targets for a sixth consecutive game to start the season, but this was his third in a row without a carry and fourth in a row without a touchdown and fewer than 65 total yards. Thursday's performance was his worst of the season from both a fantasy and real-life standpoint, with Samuel dropping what would've been a 40-yard touchdown late in the second quarter and then dropping a short pass shortly thereafter. He'll face a tough Green Bay secondary in Week 7, though it should at least be a better matchup for volume after the Thursday night game saw Carson Wentz throw for just 99 yards on 22 attempts.

Smith-Marsette lost one yard on one rushing attempt and failed to catch his only target in the Bears' 12-7 loss to the Commanders on Thursday.

Smith-Marsette was targeted on a key fourth down while the Bears were trying to drive for a go-ahead score, but the pass went through his hands. He was on the field for 35 percent of the snaps, so his role in the offense is growing, but unless his targets increase significantly, he'll be a non-factor in fantasy.

St. Brown rushed once for one yard in the Bears' 12-7 loss to the Commanders on Thursday.

Despite Justin Fields throwing 27 passes and St. Brown playing on 64 percent of the snaps, this was the first game this season in which he failed to see at least two targets. He's averaging one catch for 18 yards while not reaching 40 receiving yards in any game. He'll likely remain a non-factor in fantasy unless his role in the offense changes.

Jones rushed once for eight yards, caught one pass for 10 yards and lost a fumble on a punt return in the Bears' 12-7 loss to the Commanders on Thursday.

Jones played 12 snaps and had a minor role in the Bears offense. However, his lost fumble on a punt in the fourth quarter gave the Commanders the ball deep in the red zone, which led to Washington scoring the game-winning touchdown. On the season, Jones has been targeted five times, which puts a limit on his upside until his role increases.

Pettis secured four of seven targets for 84 yards and a touchdown in the Bears' 12-7 loss to the Commanders on Thursday night.

Pettis made the Bears' only touchdown of the night memorable with a pretty over-the-shoulder 40-yard catch midway through the third quarter. The 26-year-old led the team in receiving yards as well while checking in second to Darnell Mooney in targets. Pettis hadn't recorded any statistics over 93 snaps and 51 routes run since scoring a 51-yard touchdown on his only catch in Week 1, so it remains to be seen if Thursday's semi-breakout effort has any carryover into a Week 7 Monday night road interconference matchup against the Patriots on Oct. 24.

Mooney secured seven of 12 targets for 68 yards in the Bears' 12-7 loss to the Commanders on Thursday night.

The third-year speedster led the Bears in receptions and targets while checking in second in receiving yards, but his final catch of the night is what will draw the most attention. Mooney hauled in a pass from Justin Fields that initially hit him in the chest mid-air as his body crossed the plane of the goal line, but he bobbled it and didn't secure it until coming down about a half-yard short of the end zone. The fact the play unfolded on fourth down with 30 seconds remaining and the Bears down five naturally magnifies the failure to score in what was otherwise his best all-around performance following a forgettable start to the season. Mooney will aim to atone when the Bears visit the Patriots for a Week 7 Monday night showdown Oct. 24.

McLaurin brought in three of four targets for 41 yards in the Commanders' 12-7 win over the Bears on Thursday night. He also fumbled once but recovered.

The speedster recorded solid gains on each of his three catches while pacing the Commanders in receiving yards and sharing the lead in receptions. McLaurin was responsible for nearly half of Carson Wentz's 99 passing yards, and the fact he was able to muster even a serviceable line on such a meager night for the air attack is a testament to his talent and role in the passing game. McLaurin saw his touchdown-less streak extend to four games, however, a matter he'll aim to rectify at the expense of the Packers in a Week 7 home matchup on Sunday, Oct. 23.

Kupp (foot) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

After getting the day off Wednesday, Kupp was back on the field one day later with a cap on his practice reps, which comes as no surprise following coach Sean McVay saying the Rams would "be smart" with the wide receiver this week. Kupp touched on his foot injury Thursday, telling Rodrigue that he felt it spring up a few plays before his 75-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown this past Sunday against the Cowboys. Friday's practice report will unveil whether or not Kupp enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's contest versus the Panthers.