NFL Player News

St. Brown (ankle) was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.

St. Brown suffered a right ankle sprain Week 3 and will need to miss at least one game while he recovers, making his next chance to return Sunday, Oct. 9 at New England. Meanwhile, DJ Chark (ankle) is expected to suit up Sunday, while D'Andre Swift (shoulder) likely is out, per Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site. In St. Brown's stead, both Josh Reynolds (ankle) and tight end T.J. Hockenson (foot) could benefit from increased target volume, as long as they're also cleared to play.

Shenault (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Shenault returned to limited practice activity Friday after having missed Thursday's session, but his status still will need to be monitored as Sunday's 4:05 p.m. E.T. kickoff draws closer. He flashed big-play ability Week 3 while securing both of his targets for 90 yards and a score, so Shenault may have made a convincing enough case to see more than 19 percent of offensive snaps as long as he's cleared to play. Per Joe Person of The Athletic, coach Matt Rhule said Shenault is "probably" a game-time decision.

Smith (concussion) was a full participant in Friday's practice and doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's matchup against the Vikings, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Smith made his season debut last week against Carolina and secured four of five targets for 105 yards before sustaining a concussion. Although he was limited at Wednesday's practice, he was a full participant Thursday and Friday and has cleared the league's concussion protocol. He'll likely have a chance to handle an increased role Sunday against Minnesota because Michael Thomas (foot) has been ruled out.

Harty (foot) was a limited participant in Friday's practice session and doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Vikings, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Harty was limited for all three of the Saints' practice sessions this week, but he'll be able to play through his foot injury for Sunday's matchup in London. Over his first two appearances this season, he's secured both of his targets for 13 yards.

Coach Dennis Allen said Friday that Thomas (foot) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Vikings, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Thomas has missed three straight practice since suffering a foot injury Week 3, and the Saints will focus on his health with the hope of having the veteran standout back in action Week 5 against the Seahawks. Quarterback Jameis Winston (back/ankle/hip) is considered doubtful, according to Allen, so it looks as though New Orleans will go with Andy Dalton under center Sunday, with Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry (ankle) acting as his top wideouts.

Thomas (foot) wasn't present at the start of Friday's practice, Rod Walker of The Times-Picayune reports.

Thomas and quarterback Jameis Winston (back/hip/ankle) both appear to be missing their third consecutive practice and thus are trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's game against Minnesota. The Saints' official Friday injury report will provide Thomas and Winston with game designations, but if both are unavailable it will fall to Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry (ankle) to operate as the top wideouts for Andy Dalton.

Sherfield secured four of six targets for 55 yards during Thursday's 27-15 loss to the Bengals.

Sherfield handled a significant role behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle with Cedrick Wilson (ribs) inactive Thursday, recording the third-highest receiving total of his career. If Wilson gets back on the field Week 5 versus the Jets, though, Sherfield will stand to revert to a depth spot. When Sherfield does get opportunities on offense in Miami, his familiarity with coach Mike McDaniel's offense makes him worthy of fantasy consideration in leagues with deep starting requirements.

Boyd secured two of five targets for 47 yards and completed his only pass attempt for 23 yards in the Bengals' 27-15 win over the Dolphins on Thursday night.

Boyd recorded a 43-yard reception that served as his second longest of the season and also made his mark on a trick play as a passer, hitting Ja'Marr Chase for a 23-yard gain down the right side of the field in the first half. The veteran slot man finished third behind fellow wideouts Tee Higgins and Chase in receptions, receiving yards and targets, which is likely to be the case more often than not as the season unfolds, with an occasional exception. Boyd should see some solid volume in what could be an all-hands-on-deck game for the Bengals' air attack a week from Sunday against the division-rival Ravens on the road.

Waddle secured two of five targets for 39 yards in the Dolphins' 27-15 loss to the Bengals on Thursday night.

Waddle uncharacteristically checked in third in receptions, receiving yards and targets for the Dolphins on the night, with Teddy Bridgewater focusing more on Tyreek Hill and even Trent Sherfield after he entered the game for an injured Tua Tagovailoa (head/neck) in the second quarter. Waddle had produced a stellar 19-342-3 line on 30 targets through his first three games, so there's reason to believe he'll bounce back with stronger numbers irrespective of who's under center during a Week 5 road battle against the Jets a week from Sunday.

Hill secured 10 of 14 targets for 160 yards and rushed once for minus-1 yard in the Dolphins' 27-15 loss to the Bengals on Thursday night.

Hill generated game-high reception, receiving yardage and target totals in a resurgent performance after producing just a 2-33 line on four targets in Week 3 against the Bills. However, the head and neck injuries that knocked Tua Tagovailoa out of Thursday's game naturally could have an impact on the overall outlook for the air attack, although Hill and backup Teddy Bridgewater displayed good chemistry during their time together on the field, most prominently on a 64-yard pass in the latter portion of the third quarter that helped set up a Jason Sanders go-ahead field goal. In coming days, Hill should get further clarity on which quarterback he'll work during the Dolphins' next game, which will be an AFC East road showdown against the Jets a week from Sunday.