NFL Player News

Houston activated Cooks (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Cooks was spotted on the field at practice earlier Wednesday, which foreshadowed his return from the list. Now that he's officially back on the 53-man roster, Cooks is poised to serve as Houston's No. 1 receiver Sunday against the 49ers. Between his previous two games working with quarterback Davis Mills, Cooks put together a 15-203-2 receiving line on 21 targets.

Patrick (illness) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday and isn't expected to play this Sunday against the Chargers, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official website reports.

Assuming Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy make it through the week healthy, the Broncos have Diontae Spencer and Kendall Hinton as options for the No. 3 receiver role. The possibility also exists that Denver hands more playing time to talented backup tight end Albert Okwuegbunam behind starter Noah Fant. Patrick might technically have a shot to return by Sunday, but Broncos head coach Vic Fangio doesn't expect that to happen.

Mickens (undisclosed) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.

It's not clear at this time whether Mickens tested positive for COVID-19. He has suited up in five games for Jacksonville since being claimed off Tampa Bay's practice squad, totaling 10 yards on two catches while working as the return man on kickoffs and punts. If Mickens doesn't return in time to face the Patriots on Sunday, Tavon Austin will likely fill in as the return man on special teams.

Hollins secured one of two targets for 40 yards during Monday's 20-3 win over the Saints.

Hollins made the most of his limited opportunities on offense, recording his second play of more than 35 yards this season. That said, Hollins has played less than 20 percent of offensive snaps in three straight games, drawing only four targets in that span.

Ford wasn't targeted while playing 17 of the Dolphins' snaps on offense during Monday's 20-3 win over the Saints.

Ford saw a typical snap share (26 percent), but he couldn't garner any looks from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who directed most of his attention to Jaylen Waddle (12 targets). Though Will Fuller (finger) is looking increasingly unlikely to play again this season, Ford won't have much of a role in Miami's weekly game plans while all of Waddle, DeVante Parker and Albert Wilson are healthy and available.

Smith (illness) was restored to the practice squad from the Cowboys' practice squad COVID-19 list Wednesday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Smith spent just two days in protocols after testing positive for the virus. The 23-year-old wideout has yet to make his NFL debut.

Smith (chest) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

One week removed from dealing with a shoulder injury, Smith is tending to a chest issue that knocked him from Monday's loss to the Dolphins. While logging 14 snaps on offense before his departure, he wasn't targeted in a game for the first time all season. Working on a short week, the Saints may not hold much more than a walk-through session or two before Sunday's contest against the Panthers, after which Smith's availability for Week 17 could receive some clarity.

The Cowboys plan to designate Brown (groin) to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Brown missed the last three games with a groin injury, but he's slated to return to practice Wednesday. Whether he's available for Sunday's game against Arizona isn't clear, as the Cowboys will have a full 21-day window to evaluate the wideout for a return to the 53-man roster.

Guyton (illness) is in line to come off the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

The move is slated to become official later Wednesday, setting the stage for Guyton to return to action in Week 17. Meanwhile, under the NFL's updated COVID protocols, fellow wideout Mike Williams (illness) has a chance to come off the reserve-COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos as well.

Osborn is expected to serve as Minnesota's No. 2 receiver from the remainder of the season after the Vikings placed Adam Thielen (ankle) on injured reserve Wednesday, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Osborn had already held the No. 2 role for most of the past four games with Thielen either out or exiting early due to the left ankle sprain. The second-year wideout has a four-game streak with at least three catches and a 79 percent snap share, averaging 3.8 receptions for 54.8 yards on 6.5 targets in that time while scoring three times. He also put up decent numbers in September as Minnesota's No. 3 receiver, but Osborn was unable to sustain the volume when Thielen and Jefferson were both simultaneously healthy. While he may be a distant second to Jefferson now, Osborn appears solidly ahead of Dede Westbrook, Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Dan Chisena as the Vikings prepare to close out their season against the Packers (Week 17) and Bears (Week 18).