NFL Player News

The Seahawks activated Lockett from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus reports.

Lockett spent exactly a week on the COVID-19 list, missing Tuesday's loss to the Rams in the process. Now that he's back with the Seahawks, he'll turn his focus to Sunday's game against the Bears, who have given up the second-most touchdowns (19) to wide receivers this season.

Smith was listed as a limited participant on Thursday's estimated practice report due to a shoulder injury, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Due to a team-wide COVID-19 outbreak that resulted in nine players landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, New Orleans opted not to hold a traditional practice as it begins Week 16 prep. If the team had held a workout, Smith's reps would have been capped due to the shoulder issue, but the Saints haven't provided any indication that the injury will jeopardize his availability for Monday's game against the Dolphins. Assuming he's cleared to play this week, Smith won't have a rosy fantasy outlook. In addition to potentially being shadowed by three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard, Smith will likely be working with third-string quarterback Ian Book, who is expected to make his NFL debut Monday with both Taysom Hill (illness) and Trevor Siemian (illness) unlikely to be activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Darden (illness) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Darden isn't expected to test his way out of COVID-19 protocols in time to face the Panthers on Sunday. The Buccaneers are banged up at wide receiver, but the rookie fourth-round pick's impact has been limited primarily to special teams up to this point, anyway. Tyler Johnson and Scotty Miller are expected to return kickoffs and punts, respectively, for the duration of Darden's absence.

Raymond (shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

For the second day in a row, Raymond and fellow wideout Josh Reynolds (thigh) had their reps capped in practice. So long as the two receivers are able to practice again in some fashion Friday, Raymond and Reynolds should be on track to play Sunday in Atlanta, though one or both could carry a questionable tag into the contest. Raymond has played 60-plus percent of the Lions' offensive snaps in all but one of his 14 appearances this season, putting together a 41-463-3 receiving line on 61 targets.

Crowder (calf) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Al Iannazzone of Newsday Sports reports.

As if the Jets weren't already missing enough players due to injury and illness, Crowder's availability for Sunday's game against Jacksonville is in doubt after consecutive missed practices to open the week. The slot receiver will likely need to practice in some capacity Friday to have a shot at suiting up against the Jaguars.

Reynolds (thigh) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Reynolds was limited for the second straight day and the fourth consecutive practice overall, but the Lions have yet to suggest the thigh issue will put him at risk of sitting out Sunday in Atlanta. He concluded last week with a pair of limited practices and was listed as questionable ahead of the Lions' game against the Cardinals, but he suited up and finished with six receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown in Detroit's upset victory. So long as he continues to practice in some fashion Friday, Reynolds should be in good shape to play against the Falcons, even if he's listed as questionable again.

Tennessee activated Brown (chest) from injured reserve ahead of Thursday's game against the 49ers, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Brown will put an end to a three-game absence as he suits up for the first time Thursday since Week 11. Meanwhile, Julio Jones (hamstring) is free of a Week 16 injury designation, meaning that the Titans -- who head into the contest with a depleted offensive line -- will at least have their top two wideouts available. The presence of Brown and Jones bolsters the offense as a whole, as well as the fantasy prospects of quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Jones (toe) was listed as a limited practice participant Thursday, George Stoia of The Denver Gazette reports.

This is a step in the right direction for Jones, who sat out Wednesday's walkthrough due to this injury. If Jones is able to upgrade to full participation Friday, the starting wide receiver could avoid Friday's injury report altogether ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos.

The Giants activated Toney (oblique/quadriceps) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Toney spent a week and a half on the reserve list after testing positive for the virus. Prior to the diagnosis, he missed three games in a row due to a pair of injuries, and it's unclear where he stands with his conditioning now that he's allowed back at the Giants' facilities. In any case, Toney will have Friday's practice to prove his health before the team potentially tags him with a game-day designation ahead of Sunday's visit to Philadelphia.

Samuel (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's walk-through practice, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

The wideout has taken the first tangible step forward in his recovery from the hamstring injury, which he likely suffered in Washington's Week 14 loss to Dallas. The injury prevented him from practicing in any fashion last week before he was ruled out in advance of Washington's 27-17 loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday. He remained listed as a non-participant on the Football Team's initial Week 16 injury report released Wednesday, but his upgrade to limited participation a day later seemingly gives him a chance to suit up in Sunday's rematch with Dallas. Washington will wait and see what Samuel is able to do at Friday's practice before potentially giving him an injury designation heading into the weekend.