NFL Player News

Metcalf (foot) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bears, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

As expected, with Metcalf limited by the injury in practice but still handling full workloads each Sunday. While his weekly ceiling remains sky-high, Metcalf now is at six consecutive games with no touchdown and 60 yards or less.

Smith (shoulder) was a limited participant in Friday's practice, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Smith may be able to play, but between his recent lack of production and the Saints' COVID-19 outbreak, he doesn't hold a ton of fantasy appeal ahead of the Monday night matchup with Miami. Even if his shoulder turns out to be a non-issue, Smith may have to catch passes from third-string quarterback Ian Book.

Hodgins was elevated from the Bills' practice squad Friday.

Hodgins has yet to play a pro offensive snap after being drafted by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2020 Draft. That could change Sunday in New England, as the Bills are depleted on offense due to a heavy COVID-19 impact -- notably, receivers Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis are in the protocols and will miss the game -- so the team will have to dial up some plays for folks like Hodgins who normally woudn't be out there. We'll see if he's made active with Sunday's roster announcement, but that seems like a likely path right now even if it's just to put Hodgins on special teams.

McKenzie figures to replace Cole Beasley (illness) as Buffalo's primary slot receiver Sunday against the Patriots, Chris Brown of the team's official website reports.

Gabriel Davis (illness) will also miss the contest, while Emmanuel Sanders is returning from a one-week absence due to a knee injury. McKenzie was impressive in a limited role last season with a 30-282-5 receiving line on 34 targets, but he's been much quieter this year with just 11 targets and 38 receiving yards in 12 games, limiting the fantasy appeal in a difficult matchup with New England. Other candidates for added playing time without Beasley/Davis include WR Jake Kumerow, No. 2 Tommy Sweeney and H-back Reggie Gilliam.

Samuel (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

Samuel missed his ninth game of the season Tuesday against the Eagles after failing to practice in any capacity leading up to the contest, but he should have a better chance of making it back in action Week 16. He managed limited activity in all three of Washington's practices this week, potentially making him a game-day decision leading up to Sunday's 8:20 p.m. ET. If Samuel is cleared to play, Washington likely wouldn't trust him with anything more than a part-time role, given that he's been struggling with lower-body soft-tissue injuries dating back to the summer. He hasn't played more than 35 percent of Washington's offensive snaps in any of his five appearances to date.

Berrios likely will replace Jamison Crowder (doubtful/calf) as the Jets' primary slot receiver this Sunday against Jacksonville, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Berrios has mostly been the Jets' fourth/fifth receiver this year but did top 50 percent snap share in each of the first three games of the season. During that stretch, he averaged 4.7 catches for 50.0 yards on 7.0 targets, in addition to returning kicks and punts. He'll have a big role for the Jets this Sunday but still doesn't have great odds to pile up yardage or score a TD.

Detroit lists Raymond (shoulder) as questionable for Sunday's game in Atlanta.

Raymond was able to practice in a limited capacity all week, which seemingly bodes well for his chances of getting the green light to play Sunday, despite his designation. Since raising eyebrows with a six-catch, 115-yard outing Week 7 against the Rams, Raymond has failed to come anywhere close to reaching those marks in any of his subsequent seven outings, combining to produce a 15-129-1 receiving line over 22 targets. With backup quarterback Tim Boyle stepping in at quarterback this week with regular starter Jared Goff (illness) not expected to be activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to Sunday, Raymond is unlikely to reverse his trend of underwhelming stat lines.

Crowder (calf) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.

Crowder didn't practice all week and isn't likely to play, though coach Robert Saleh said Friday that he viewed the slot receiver as a game-time decision, Eric Allen of the Jets' official site. Braxton Berrios figures to step up as the primary slot man, and while he's done well with his limited opportunities the past two years, he still faces the same problems as Crowder when it comes to team context and QB play.

The Lions list Reynolds (thigh) as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Reynolds was able to practice in a limited capacity all week, which seemingly bodes well for his chances of getting the green light to play Sunday, despite his designation. Rather than the thigh issue, the more troubling development for Reynolds' Week 16 outlook is the likelihood that Tim Boyle will be stepping in at quarterback for regular starter Jared Goff (illness), who isn't expected to be activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to game day. Boyle managed only 77 passing yards on 23 attempts in his first career NFL start Week 11 against the Browns, a wretched performance that makes it difficult to feel optimistic about any of the Lions' pass catchers' odds of producing fantasy-friendly lines versus Atlanta.

Fehoko was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, per Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News.

Fehoko was a healthy scratch in each of the previous two weeks, so his probable absence this Sunday isn't likely to disrupt Dallas' game plan. The rookie receiver will need to clear league protocols before he is able to rejoin the team.