NFL Player News

Crowder missed Wednesday's practice with a calf injury, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

It's a new issue for the veteran slot receiver, who has dealt with more than his fair share of lower-body injuries over the year. Crowder has been healthy of late, however, with his poor numbers at least partially caused by New York's dreadful QB play. An absence from this Sunday's game against Jacksonville would leave more snaps and targets for backup slot Braxton Berrios.

Samuel (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Samuel didn't practice at all last week and was inactive for Tuesday's loss to the Eagles. He'll likely have a limited role even if he does make it back this Sunday in Dallas, having struggled with a groin injury for most of the season and now bothered by his hamstring.

Reynolds was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to a thigh injury.

Reynolds capped last week with back-to-back limited sessions and was handed a questionable designation for this past Sunday's game against Arizona. He proceeded to suit up and handle a slightly reduced workload (63 percent of offensive snaps) on his way to hauling in all six of his targets for 68 yards and one touchdown in the 30-12 win. Reynolds will have two more chances this week to bump up to full activity, or else he'll risk entering another weekend with a game-day designation.

Duvernay (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

The slot receiver played a season-low 27 snaps in Sunday's 31-30 loss to Green Bay, with coach John Harbaugh revealing afterward that Duvernay would be considered day-to-day with an ankle injury. An absence this upcoming Sunday in Cincinnati likely would leave more snaps for Rashod Bateman, along with Sammy Watkins (reserve/COVID-19) if he's available or James Proche if not.

Cooks (illness) has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Cooks joins a lengthy list of Texans on the list in advance of Sunday's game against the Chargers. If the team's top wideout doesn't clear protocols in advance of the contest, Nico Collins, Chris Conley and Phillip Dorsett would be in line for added Week 16 snaps and targets.

The Jets signed Zuber to their practice squad Wednesday, Ethan Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.

Zuber was released from Cleveland's practice squad in mid-November, but he'll land a spot on the Jets' practice squad just over a month later. He appeared in four games with the Patriots last year and secured both of his targets for 29 yards while rushing twice for 21 yards.

Evans (hamstring) is listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice report, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

The Buccaneers only held a walk-through session, but Evans wouldn't have been available for a real practice. He hasn't been ruled out for the upcoming game against Carolina, but his chances of suiting up don't look great after his early exit from Sunday's 9-0 loss to the Saints. With teammate Chris Godwin (knee) out for the season, Antonio Brown (ankle) could be the Bucs' No. 1 receiver this week in his first game back from a prolonged absence.

Thielen (ankle) didn't take part in Wednesday's walk-through practice, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Thielen has yet to practice since sustaining a left high-ankle sprain Dec. 5 in Detroit, missing two contests as a result. In the Vikings' last game Monday at Chicago, he actually was considered a game-time decision, but after putting in a brief pregame workout he was included on the team's inactive list. Thielen still has a couple more chances to mix into practice this week, but he told Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Wednesday that he may not have to get any on-field work to make himself available to Minnesota's offense Sunday versus the Rams.

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Moore (hamstring) likely will be a game-time call for Sunday's tilt with the Buccaneers, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Moore's practice reps were capped all of last week before he handled 90 percent of the offensive snaps this past Sunday at Buffalo en route to six catches (on 11 targets) for 48 yards. He was held out of practice entirely Wednesday, after which Rhule touched on Moore's status. Getting back on the field Thursday and/or Friday may put Moore in a better position to be available this weekend, so his activity level will be something to monitor as the week goes on.

Bourne still has a chance to play in Sunday's game against the Bills after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list this Wednesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Bourne is vaccinated, and the timing of his placement on the COVID list gives him several days to test negative on back-to-back days. It's still probably no better than 50/50, and the Pats also have other issues at wide receiver with Nelson Agholor (head) and N'Keal Harry (head) both getting banged up during Saturday's loss to Indianapolis.