NFL Player News

The Cardinals are bracing for the possibility of Hopkins (knee) missing "2-to-4 months" once he undergoes surgery Friday in Los Angeles to address a torn MCL, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports.

Anderson adds that at least for the time being, the Cardinals aren't expecting Hopkins to play again in the regular season or postseason. The report differs slightly from one provided earlier Thursday by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, who relayed that Hopkins will likely be in store for a six-week recovery period, a timeline that would give him a shot to play if the Cardinals make a deep postseason run. More consensus on a timeline for Hopkins could come once surgery is completed Friday and the Cardinals are familiar with the extent of his operation, but in any case, the star receiver can safely be ruled out for Arizona's remaining four games of the regular season. With Hopkins out of the mix, wideouts A.J. Green, Christian Kirk, Rondale Moore and Antoine Wesley, tight end Zach Ertz and running backs James Conner (ankle) and Chase Edmonds (ankle) will represent quarterback Kyler Murray's top targets in the passing game for the foreseeable future.

The Dolphins have placed Waddle on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

With Waddle headed to this list, the wideout's status for Sunday's game against the Jets now is uncertain. In that context, the Dolphins' top available options at wide receiver currently are DeVante Parker, Albert Wilson, Mack Hollins, Isaiah Ford and Preston Williams.

Hopkins (knee) will meet with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Thursday and is expected to undergo surgery soon after to address a badly torn MCL, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. He's expected to face a six-week recovery period, with a goal of returning to action in late January.

After he was diagnosed with a sprained knee following an MRI on Tuesday, Hopkins sought a second opinion on his injury Wednesday, at which time surgery was recommended for the star wideout. He'll heed the advice of doctors and have the procedure, which will knock him out for the remainder of the regular season, and quite likely, the at least the first two rounds of the playoffs. The 10-3 Cardinals will clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Lions in Week 15 and are still in good position to get a bye for the wild-card round, but Hopkins would likely remain out through the divisional round, if the six-week estimated timeline holds. Expect Arizona to formally place Hopkins on injured reserve no later than Saturday, but fantasy managers in redraft leagues can already comfortably drop the receiver from active rosters. He'll finish his second regular season in Arizona with 42 receptions for 572 yards and eight touchdowns across 10 games.

Minnesota signed Shepherd to the practice squad Wednesday, Craig Peters of the team's official site reports.

The Vikings also inked wideout Damion Ratley to the scout team. Shepherd spent time with the Cardinals' practice squad earlier this year, and he got to develop with Kansas City during the offseason.

Eskridge (foot) did not practice Wednesday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Eskridge out-snapped Freddie Swain (ankle) in Week 14, but neither wideout was able to practice Wednesday. Seattle will host two more practice sessions before making decisions about availability for Sunday's road divisional matchup in Los Angeles.

The Saints activated Montgomery (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Montgomery tested positive for the virus last Thursday, causing him to miss this past Sunday's win at the Jets. The Saints will now get another healthy body behind top running back Alvin Kamara, with Montgomery rejoining a group that also includes Tony Jones, Dwayne Washington and Adam Prentice. Meanwhile, Mark Ingram (illness) remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list as of Wednesday.

Sims' placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday was the result of a positive test of the virus, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Washington didn't officially provide an explanation beyond Sims' placement on the list, but Yates notes that 30 of the 31 of NFL players that landed on the list Wednesday tested positive for the virus, with Jordan Ranaan of ESPN.com relaying that Giants safety Xavier McKinney was placed on the list as an unvaccinated high-risk close contact. Because Sims is vaccinated, he'll be eligible to report back to the Football Team facility so long as he's asymptomatic for a 48-hour period and tests negative for the virus on two consecutive occasions at least 24 hours apart. He'll still face an uphill battle to gain clearance for Sunday's game against the Eagles, and at the very least, he won't be able to take part in any of the Football Team's practices this week.

Metcalf didn't practice Wednesday due to foot and back injuries, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Metcalf has been dealing with a lingering foot injury since Week 4, and a back issue now has paired with it to keep the wide receiver out of drills to begin Week 15 prep. Despite his health being compromised, he's been able to suit up on game days, but his production has waned since the Seahawks' Week 9 bye. In the five games that have followed, Metcalf has reeled in just 17 of 36 targets for 173 yards and no touchdowns, which followed a 39-580-8 receiving line on 56 targets through the first eight contests of the season. Per usual, his status will be one to watch to make sure he's trending toward active status Sunday against the Rams.

Davis (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Davis was ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a fractured left ankle in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks. He'll undergo surgery to address the injury, and it's unclear if he'll be back to full strength by the spring. The 25-year-old receiver appeared in two games for Houston this season, recording one reception for 17 yards on three targets across 20 snaps on offense.

Higgins (ankle) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice.

Higgins was limited last Thursday and Friday with the same injury before heading into the Bengals' Week 14 game against the 49ers listed as questionable. He was active for the team's overtime loss, playing 50 of the Bengals' 67 snaps on offense and finishing with 100-plus receiving yards for the third straight contest. With no reported setbacks coming out of that game, Higgins' limitations in practice to begin Week 15 are likely maintenance-related.