NFL Player News

Samuel (groin) is active for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Samuel was a limited participant in practices Wednesday through Friday and was listed as questionable heading into the weekend, but with Washington not indicating that he suffered any sort of setback in his two games since returning to action, there was little doubt the wideout would suit up Sunday. In fact, Samuel looks like he could be in store for his largest workload of the season this week, as Ben Standig of The Athletic relays that the 25-year-old is on track to see increased reps after taking the field for no more than 35 percent of the Football Team's offensive plays in any of his four appearances. Look for some of Samuel's snaps to come out of the backfield, as Washington lacks an obvious replacement for pass-catching specialist J.D. McKissic (concussion), who will be sidelined for a second straight game.

Fitzpatrick (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Fitzpatrick has been active for each of the Titans' last three games, and he was on the field for 78 percent of offensive snaps in Week 11. However, he's slipped down the depth chart due to the return of both Julio Jones (hamstring) and Racey McMath (quadriceps). While it was expected that Fitzpatrick would lose his significant role due to the return of Jones, McMath jumping him on the depth chart comes as a surprise.

Cooks (back) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

After logging a full practice Thursday, Cooks was deemed questionable for the contest following a limited session Friday. He'll give it a go Sunday, and barring any setbacks, should remain a key passing target for the Texans, which will once again be turning to QB Davis Mills, who has taken over starting duties from Tyrod Taylor. Through 12 games to date, Cooks easily tops the team with 65 catches (on 98 targets) for 742 yards and three TDs.

Humphrey (hamstring) is listed as inactive Sunday at the Jets, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Humphrey logged progressively fewer practice reps as Week 14 prep ensued, showing up on Thursday's injury report as limited before sitting out Friday's session entirely due to a hamstring issue. The Saints' receiving corps is down Michael Thomas (ankle), Deonte Harris (suspension), Ty Montgomery (COVID-19) and Humphrey on Sunday, leaving Tre'Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway, Kenny Stills, Kevin White and Easop Winston as wideouts available to quarterback Taysom Hill.

Samuel (groin), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, is expected to suit up and see increased reps Week 14, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Washington has eased Samuel along slowly in his return from a groin injury, which sidelined him from Weeks 6 through 11. In his first two games back in action, Samuel has played 20 and 19 snaps, respectively, workloads that have equated to less than one-third of Washington's offensive plays in both contests. Though Standig didn't provide a projection for what kind of snap share Samuel will take on Sunday, expect him to have some involvement while lining up at receiver and out of the backfield. With J.D. McKissic (concussion) trending toward a second straight absence and Wendell Smallwood not getting promoted from the practice squad while he tends to an undisclosed injury, Washington is without a true pass-catching running back behind starter Antonio Gibson, so Samuel could see some use in that capacity. Even so, Samuel appears unlikely to pick up enough touches to make for a reliable option in the majority of fantasy leagues.

Higgins (ankle) is expected to play Sunday against the 49ers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The same applies to running back Joe Mixon (illness) and with QB Joe Burrow (finger/knee) already cleared to play, it looks like the Bengals will have their core skill players available for Week 14 action. Official confirmation of Higgins' status is slated to arrive when the team's inactives are posted prior to Sunday's 4:25 ET kickoff.

Shepard (quadriceps) is expected to play in Sunday's game against the Chargers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Shepard has been sidelined by the injury for the last four games, though he appears in line to take the field Sunday after logging three limited practices. If he is active, Shepard will likely share the field with Kenny Golladay (ribs) and Darius Slayton in three-wide receiver sets. Prior to suffering the injury, Shepard occupied a major role in the Giants' offense, racking up 32 receptions across five contests. Though reports are positive regarding Shepard's status, be sure to check in when official inactives are announced prior to the team's 4:05 P.M. ET kickoff.

Samuel (groin) is expected to play in Sunday's game against the Bengals, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Samuel missed the 49ers' Week 13 matchup against Seattle, though he'll have the chance to limit his absence to one game. He logged a limited practice Friday officially, though coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Samuel did everything in the session. It's unclear if Samuel will return to his full workload as both a receiver and rusher if he is active, though the absence of Elijah Mitchell (knee/concussion) should help that cause. Finally, be sure to check Samuel's official status prior to kickoff at 4:25 P.M. ET.

Samuel (groin), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, is considered likely to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Samuel has played in both of Washington's last two games, albeit while taking on limited snaps. After he was able to practice on a limited basis throughout the week, Samuel's expected availability for Sunday comes as little surprise. Even so, Samuel won't be officially cleared until he avoids the inactive list, which will be released 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

Cole is set to see an expanded role in the Jets' offense in Sunday's matchup against the Saints after Elijah Moore (quadriceps) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Moore will be sidelined for at least three next three games, while the Jets' No. 1 receiver to open 2021, Corey Davis (groin), will remain on injured reserve for the rest of the season. The absences of Moore and Davis leaves Jamison Crowder as the only healthy starting receiver, so both he and Cole should be in store for elevated profiles in the passing attack. In 10 games this season, Cole has reached five targets only three times and topped 50 yards in a game only twice.