NFL Player News

Cooks is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks after being limited at practice Friday due to a back issue, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Cooks practiced fully Wednesday and Thursday, but his addition to Houston's Week 14 injury report Friday now makes his status worth tracking. Fortunately for those considering the Texans' top wideout in fantasy lineups, his team kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. If he's limited or out this weekend, Nico Collins and Chris Conley would be candidates for added targets from QB Davis Mills.

Shepard (quadriceps) is listed as questionable for Sunday's road contest versus the Chargers, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

The Giants also deemed Kenny Golladay (ribs) as questionable, but Dan Duggan of The Athletic is of the belief that both Golladay and Shepard are in line to suit up this weekend. With Kadarius Toney (oblique) sidelined again, Shepard would serve as one of the team's top wide receivers in his first game action since Week 8, if he's considered active. Such a decision will become known about 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff.

Humphrey (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's road game against the Jets, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Humphrey made a sudden appearance on the Saints' practice report Thursday as limited with a hamstring injury, which didn't allow him to practice at all Friday. Still, the team is leaving open the possibility for Humphrey to play Sunday, likely due to Deonte Harris serving a three-game suspension and Ty Montgomery residing on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Assuming he gets cleared when New Orleans releases its inactive list about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, Humphrey will join Tre'Quan Smith and Marquez Callaway, at least, as wide receivers available to the offense.

Toney (oblique) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

His return to a limited practice Thursday sparked some optimism, but it's died down rather quickly with Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com suggesting Toney didn't look comfortable at Friday's session. The rookie will miss at least one more game, while Sterling Shepard (quad) and Kenny Golladay (ribs) are listed as questionable. Toney's next chance to play will be Sunday, Dec. 19 against the Cowboys.

Samuel (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Samuel did everything at Friday's practice, but given that it was a half-speed session the wideout was listed as a limited participant. A game-time decision is one of the possibilities ahead of Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, though it's also possible additional updates provide clarity before then. With RB Elijah Mitchell (knee/concussion) already ruled out, Samuel should get both carries and targets if he's able to play.

Metcalf (foot/illness) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game in Houston, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Metcalf actually missed practice twice this week, but his absence Thursday likely was attributed to an illness versus the foot injury that has lingered for most of the campaign. Now that he's cleared for game action, he'll look to get back on track versus a Texans defense that has given up 8.8 yards per target (seventh most in the NFL) and 11 TDs (18th most) to wide receivers in 12 contests this season.

Coach Brandon Staley indicated Friday that Williams, who was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday after being deemed a close contact of teammate Keenan Allen, should play Sunday against the Giants, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The report notes that Allen, who also is on the reserve/COVID-19 list, is not in line to play in the contest. As long as Williams gains clearance as hoped, he should be busy Sunday while heading a Week 14 wideout corps that will include Jalen Guyton and Josh Palmer. In any case, the Chargers have until Saturday afternoon to activate Williams from the COVID list.

Higgins (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

Higgins managed a pair of limited showings in practice this week as he tends to an ankle injury. Per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, there's an expectation from coach Zac Taylor that Higgins will be available this weekend, which will be confirmed about 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. Higgins is coming off back-to-back 100-yard, one-touchdown performances, and he'll look to continue that momentum, if active, versus a San Francisco defense that has allowed 8.1 yards per target and 11 TDs to wide receivers in 12 contests this season.

Moore (quadriceps) missed a third consecutive practice Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, Rich Cimini of ESPN reports.

Cimini notes that no Jets player has suited up this season after missing all three practices during the week, so Moore will have to beat the odds in order to play. The standout rookie has come on in recent weeks, and his absence would be a devastating blow to a Jets passing game that's already without Corey Davis (groin) for the remainder of the season. Slot receiver Jamison Crowder would be the top target for rookie quarterback Zach Wilson, with veteran retread Keelan Cole and unproven youngster Denzel Mims occupying the starting spots on the outside.

Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said Allen (illness) won't be activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's game against the Giants, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

While Allen didn't make enough progress in his recovery from COVID-19 to suit up this weekend, the Chargers anticipate fellow wideout Mike Williams coming off the list Saturday, after he was deemed a close contact of Allen. Without Allen, the Chargers will likely rely more on Jalen Guyton and Josh Palmer to pick up snaps at receiver alongside Williams.