NFL Player News

Smith was a limited participant at Wednesday's walk-through practice due to a groin injury.

Smith has tended to back and knee issues this season, the latter of which has affected his practice reps the previous two weeks. Now, a new health concern has arisen, placing a cloud over his status prior to Sunday's contest against the Titans. Smith hasn't missed a game on the campaign and has earned an 86 percent snap share or better in 10 of 11 outings, so assuming he's out there this weekend, he'll remain a regular target of quarterback Jalen Hurts.

The Cowboys designated Washington (foot) for return from injured reserve Wednesday.

Just as Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported would be the case earlier Wednesday, the Cowboys have cleared Washington to practice for the first time since he fractured his right foot in an Aug. 1 training camp workout. Because he's spent the past four months recovering from surgery, Washington may need more than a trio of practices before gaining clearance to play, so he's far from a safe bet to be activated from IR ahead of this Sunday's game against the Colts. The Cowboys will have a 21-day window to evaluate Washington for a return to the 53-man roster, so a Week 14 or Week 15 debut may be more realistic for the 26-year-old receiver.

Raiders head coach. Josh McDaniel said Wednesday that Renfrow (oblique) is getting "close" but won't necessarily be available when first eligible to return from injured reserve Week 14 against the Rams, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

It's perhaps unfortunate for the Raiders that they play on a Thursday the same week that Renfrow and tight end Darren Waller (hamstring) both are eligible to return from IR. On a brighter note, the Raiders seem to expect both players to return at some point in December, if not for the matchup with Los Angeles in Week 14.

Jones was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a chest injury, Mark Long of the Associated Press reports.

His ability to practice at all to begin Week 13 prep likely puts Jones in good shape to play this Sunday in Detroit, coming off a career-best performance in which he recorded 11 catches for 145 yards and a game-winning two-point conversion against the Ravens. While a repeat performance isn't likely, Jones has four games with double-digit targets this season and will be playing in a dome against a shaky defense this weekend, assuming the chest injury isn't serious.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Samuel will be a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a quadriceps injury, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Last week, Samuel's practice reps were capped by a hamstring issue, and he appeared to aggravate the injury in the third quarter this past Sunday against the Saints. That said, he was able to return to the field while logging a typical 79 percent of the snaps en route to three catches (on seven targets) for 43 yards and two carries for zero yards. With Shanahan noting that a quad concern is the cause of Samuel's current health woes, the wideout's status will be one to watch as the week goes on, especially with Elijah Mitchell (knee) sidelined again due to an MCL sprain and with Christian McCaffrey dealing with a knee injury of his own. If McCaffrey ends up being unavailable Sunday against the Dolphins, Samuel may be the best option available out of the 49ers backfield, whose healthy members currently include Jordan Mason, Tyrion Davis-Price and practice-squad member Tevin Coleman.

Pettis didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness.

Pettis will have two more chances to get back on the practice field before the Bears decide whether he'll carry a designation into Sunday's game against the Packers. While working with second-string quarterback Trevor Siemian -- who sat out Wednesday's practice with an oblique injury -- in the Bears' Week 12 loss to the Jets, Pettis played 22 snaps on offense and finished with one reception for 12 yards on two targets. Pettis and the Chicago offense could get Justin Fields (shoulder) back from a one-game absence this weekend, as the Bears' starting signal-caller opened Week 13 prep as a limited participant.

Claypool was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury.

Claypool has been relatively quiet during his four games with the Bears, compiling a cumulative 7-83-0 receiving line on 16 targets. He's coming off a 66 percent snap share this past Sunday at the Jets, his highest with his new squad. While a health concern is affecting Claypool's practice reps to kick off Week 13 prep, he'll have two chances to get back to full ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Packers.

Meyers (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Bills.

Meyers, who was listed as a limited participant on practice reports issued Monday through Wednesday, said that he expects to play Thursday, per Chris Mason of The Springfield Republican. Official confirmation on Meyers' status will arrive when the team's inactive list is posted approximately 90 minutes before Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. Assuming he's active this week, Meyers, who leads New England with 47 receptions and 571 receiving yards through nine games, should log enough snaps to maintain fantasy relevance.

Boykin (oblique) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.

Boykin missed the Steelers' win over the Colts on Monday night due to an oblique injury that knocked him out of the team's Week 12 loss. However, he appears to have moved past the issue and should be full go heading into Sunday's showdown with the Falcons. The fourth-year wideout has caught just one of two targets for 11 yards across 10 appearances this season and has mostly operated on special teams.

Taylor (undisclosed) tried out for Atlanta on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Taylor was waived from injured reserve by the Packers in mid-September, but he appears to have put the undisclosed injury behind him and is looking for another NFL opportunity. The 26-year-old wideout played primarily on special teams during the 2020 and 2021 campaigns with Green Bay, but he does have seven career receptions for 80 yards and a score.