NFL Player News

The Lions didn't reinstate Benson from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, making him ineligible to play Sunday against the Falcons.

After being deactivated Thursday, Benson is one of four members of the Lions' roster who will remain on the list ahead of the team's Week 16 game. The wideout hasn't suited up for a game since Week 10, as he's either been out with a knee injury or a healthy inactive.

Johnson is expected to serve as the primary replacement for Chris Godwin (knee) in Sunday's game against the Panthers, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Tampa Bay will get Antonio Brown back from a lengthy absence due to an ankle sprain and a suspension, but the losses of Godwin for the season and Mike Evans (hamstring) for at least Week 16 should open up more snaps at receiver for the likes of Johnson, Scotty Miller and Justin Watson. Considering Johnson had already been playing 60-plus percent of the Bucs' offensive snaps in all but one of the team's last eight games, he's likely a better bet than Miller and Watson to absorb the larger portion of Godwin's and Evans' vacated targets. Johnson had already stepped up when the two starting wideouts exited early in last week's 9-0 loss to the Saints, finishing with four receptions for 41 yards on seven targets.

Toney (oblique/quadriceps) remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Eagles but is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Toney's availability should be confirmed when the Giants release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Considering Toney hasn't played since Week 11 and has managed only one limited practice in the last five weeks, the Giants may be inclined to ease him back in with a lighter snap count than usual, making him a shaky fantasy option.

Shenault remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's game against the Jets.

Until Shenault -- who was dealing with shoulder and foot issues prior to landing on the list -- clears the NFL's COVID protocols, Tavon Austin is a candidate to see added snaps alongside Marvin Jones and Laquon Treadwell. To add wideout depth ahead of Week 16 action, the Jaguars elevated Josh Hammond from their practice squad.

Robinson remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's game against the Seahawks, per Alyssa Barbieri of usatoday.com and Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic.

Until Robinson clears the NFL's COVID protocols, Darnell Mooney, Marquise Goodwin (foot, questionable) and Damiere Byrd should lead the Bears' wideout corps. To add depth at the position in advance of Week 16 action, Chicago elevated WRs Nsimba Webster and Dazz Newsome from the practice squad Saturday, Larry Mayer of the team's official site reports.

Moore (hamstring) is expected to play Sunday against the Buccaneers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Moore was listed as questionable for the contest after returning to a limited practice Friday, but Rapoport indicates that the wideout is trending toward active status versus Tampa Bay. Fortunately for those considering Moore in Week 16 lineups, the Panthers kick off at 1:00 ET on Sunday.

The Giants have some hope that Toney (oblique/quadriceps), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Eagles, will be able to play, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Toney hasn't played since Week 11 due to the pair of injuries, and he was also unavailable for Week 15 after landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list. After being reinstated to the roster Thursday, Toney closed the week as a limited participant in practice, perhaps implying that he's not fully healthy and/or conditioned. If Toney is able to avoid the inactive list and put an end to a four-game absence, he could be eased back into the mix with a lighter snap count than usual.

Samuel (hamstring) is a game-time decision for Sunday night's game against the Cowboys,Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Samuel is listed as questionable after logging limited practices this past week, with Rapoport suggesting that there's not a high level of optimism the wideout will be able to go. Considering Washington's 8:20 ET kickoff and Samuel's limited role of late, he's a risky Week 16 lineup option.

Kirk caught seven of nine passes for 48 yards during Saturday's 22-16 defeat to the Colts.

With DeAndre Hopkins (knee) beginning a lengthy absence following Week 14, Kirk has benefitted on the target front, seeing his biggest counts in the category of the campaign over the last two contests. Overall, Kirk put up a 16-142-1 line on 21 targets in that span, while tight end Zach Ertz managed 14-145-0 on 24 targets. The pair appears to be Kyler Murray's top options at the moment, so Kirk again should be poised for significant volume in the Cardinals' next game Sunday, Jan. 2 in Dallas.

Pittman posted eight catches (on 12 targets) for 82 yards and took one carry for three yards during Saturday's 22-16 victory at Arizona.

Pittman bounced back from a Week 15 performance against the Patriots in which he hauled in just one of five targets for seven yards before getting ejected for an altercation with opposing safety Kyle Dugger. In his fifth outing of the season with double-digit targets Saturday, Pittman racked up his most receiving yards since Week 8, but his TD-free streak now has reached six games. He'll look to put together a more complete performance in the Colts' next contest Sunday, Jan. 2 versus the Raiders.