NFL Player News

Shepard (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

The same goes for Darius Slayton, who injured his hamstring in the same game (Week 3) and more or less seems to be on the same timeline. Both wideouts were spotted around practice this week, but neither actually participated, instead remaining limited to side work. With Shepard and Slayton out again, the Giants figure to lean on Kadarius Toney and John Ross alongside Kenny Golladay in three-wide sets, though C.J. Board and Collin Johnson could also get some snaps. Shepard's next chance to play will be a Sunday game (Oct. 17) against the Rams in Week 6.

Mooney (groin) was a full practice participant Friday and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Quarterback play is now the biggest concern for both Mooney and Allen Robinson, though the second-year pro did catch five of seven targets for 125 yards last week in a 24-14 win over the Lions. Rookie Justin Fields, while erratic, has at least sent 15 of his 52 targets (28.9 percent) in Mooney's direction so far, while Robinson (13, 25.0 percent) is the only other player who has seen more than eight passes from the rookie QB. Injuries could improve Mooney's matchup this week, with the Raiders missing No. 2 CB Trayvon Mullen (foot) and No. 4 CB Damon Arnette (groin).

Smith-Marsette (toe) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Smith-Marsette will sit out for a second consecutive game due to this toe injury. The rookie fifth-round pick will set his sights on healing up in time to rejoin his teammates on the field against the Panthers in Week 6.

Conley (personal) returned to practice Friday, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.

Conley missed practice Wednesday and Thursday for reasons unrelated to an injury, but he was back at the Texans' facility Friday. His return paves the way for Conley to play his usual role Sunday against the Patriots as a starting wide receiver who plays plenty of snaps but sees few targets.

Samuel (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against New Orleans, with head coach Ron Rivera saying Friday that the wideout is trending in the right direction, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Samuel made his Washington debut last week after struggling with the groin injury since the beginning of June. He was limited to four targets and a 35-percent snap share in the 34-30 win over Atlanta, but he could see more work this week even if he isn't 100 percent, as depth wideouts Dyami Brown (knee) and Cam Sims (hamstring) both have been ruled out for Week 5. Rivera mentioned that DeAndre Carter will get some work, though the extent of his role likely depends in part on Samuel's health. To that end, Washington will release its inactive list 90 minutes ahead of the 1 p.m. ET kickoff this Sunday.

Brown (knee) won't suit up against the Saints on Sunday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Brown injured his knee in the Week 4 win over Atlanta and will miss at least one game as a result of the injury. The rookie third-round pick will look to heal up before a Week 6 showdown with the Chiefs, at which time he'll have an opportunity to add to his season totals of five catches (on 14 targets) for 51 yards.

Sims (hamstring) won't play in Sunday's contest against the Saints, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Sims hasn't practiced this week, so his status for Sunday comes as no surprise. Dyami Brown (knee) was also ruled out, so DeAndre Carter could see an increased role against New Orleans.

Samuel (groin) is taking part in position drills at Friday's practice, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Samuel sat out practice the past two days with the same groin injury that had kept him on injured reserve for the first three games of the season, so it's good to see him back on the field Friday, even if he's only a limited participant. The 25-year-old played just 35 percent of the team's offensive snaps during his season debut last weekend against the Falcons, as his groin issue obviously remains a factor.

Cooper (hamstring/rib) had no issues during Thursday's practice and is expected to play Sunday versus the Giants, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Cooper worked as a limited participant at Thursday's practice after sitting out Wednesday's session with hamstring and rib issues. The veteran wideout was limited to playing 46 percent of the offensive snaps Week 4 due to the injuries, though he still caught three passes for 69 yards and a touchdown. Cooper doesn't appear to be in danger of sitting out this weekend, but he could still end up with a slightly reduced snap share if he's playing at less than 100 percent.

Parker (shoulder) is also dealing with soreness in his hamstring and may be a game-time decision Sunday against the Buccaneers, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Parker was limited at practice the past two days due to the shoulder injury, but he's now also dealing with a hamstring issue. It's unclear if the the 28-year-old will be able to practice in any capacity Friday, but even if he does take some reps, he's likely to take an injury designation into the weekend. The Dolphins are already shorthanded at wide receiver with Will Fuller (finger) landing on injured reserve this week, and Jaylen Waddle and Albert Wilson would likely be thrust into starting roles should Parker sit out the Week 5 contest.