NFL Player News

Watson (quadriceps) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jets, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

The reserve wideout was able to log 19 snaps on special teams in Week 16 against the Panthers, an appearance that represented his season debut after overcoming a knee injury. However, Watson picked up a quadriceps issue in that contest that will put him right back on the shelf Sunday. He'll have one more chance to tune up for postseason play in the Week 18 regular-season finale versus the Panthers.

Harry is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Given that Harry is not suiting up Sunday, the Patriots' Week 17 wideout corps will be headed by Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne, with Gunner Olszewski and Kristian Wilkerson candidates to mix in as well.

Brown (illness) is active for Sunday's game against the Rams.

The Ravens tagged Brown as questionable for the Week 17 contest after he was unable to practice Thursday and Friday while battling a non-COVID-19-related illness, but the wideout made enough progress leading into Sunday's game to avoid inactive status. Though he's not expected to face any limitations against Los Angeles, Brown will likely draw shadow coverage from star Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey for most of the contest. In addition to being followed by Ramsey, Brown will have to make do without Lamar Jackson (ankle) for the third week in a row. In each of the previous three games with either Tyler Huntley or Josh Johnson under center, Brown has produced a 20-128-0 receiving line on 31 targets.

Crowder (calf) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Crowder carried a doubtful tag into the weekend after failing to practice all week, so his inactive status is of little surprise. In the veteran's Week 16 absence versus the Jaguars, Braxton Berrios (5-37) and tight end Tyler Kroft (3-29) were the top two targets for Zach Wilson, but the absences of both Kroft and Ryan Griffin due to COVID-19 could lead to more targets for the likes of Crowder's fellow wideouts Keelan Cole and Denzel Mims.

Meyers (thigh) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

With Nelson Agholor (concussion) having previously been ruled out for the contest and N'Keal Harry (hip) inactive, Meyers should be in line to head the Patriots' Week 17 wideout corps along with Kendrick Bourne, with Gunner Olszewski and Kristian Wilkerson candidates to mix in as well. Meyers has carved out a degree of utility in PPR formats this season by logging a 71-723-1 receiving line (on 110 targets) over the course of 15 games.

Samuel (hamstring) is listed as inactive Sunday against the Eagles.

For a second week in a row, Samuel was listed as questionable after logging limited practices Wednesday through Friday. And for a second straight contest, he's unavailable to Washington's offense. Samuel thus will focus on getting healthy enough for a Week 18 road matchup with the Giants. In the meantime, Terry McLaurin, Cam Sims and Adam Humphries will continue to serve as the Football Team's top options at wide receiver.

Evans (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against the Jets, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Evans will make his return from a one-game absence as expected after also overcoming a COVID-19 designation earlier in the week. He only managed one limited practice, which occurred Friday, over the last two weeks, leading to reports he could have his snap count somewhat limited Sunday. The multi-time Pro Bowler, who has 17 receptions of greater than 20 yards this season, will face a Jets team that's struggled with preventing downfield plays, allowing a co-NFL-high 12 percent explosive pass play rate.

The Saints elevated Baker from their practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

After making his season debut in Week 16, Baker will be elevated for a second straight game. In his first contest, the rookie seventh-round pick recorded one tackle while playing 16 snaps on special teams. He's expected to have a similar role in Week 17.

The Dolphins elevated Merritt from their practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Merritt will be active for the first time since Week 9. During that contest, he played 11 offensive snaps and caught one of three targets for 13 yards. The 24-year-old is expected to have a similar role against the Titans in Week 17.

Slayton (illness) won't be available for Sunday's game in Chicago after the Giants didn't activate him from the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to Saturday's deadline for week 17 roster moves, Patricia Traina of SI.com reports.

The Giants elevated wide receiver Alex Bachman from the practice squad as a COVID-19 replacement for Slayton, who tested positive for the virus Wednesday. In addition to Slayton, New York will be without Kadarius Toney (shoulder), Sterling Shepard (Achilles), John Ross (knee) and Collin Johnson (hamstring), leaving the team woefully thin at receiver beyond No. 1 option Kenny Golladay. Bachman, Pharoh Cooper and David Sills will be called upon to fill snaps alongside Golladay.