NFL Player News

Watkins (ribs) was limited in Thursday's practice.

Watkins couldn't practice Wednesday, so it's encouraging to see him now taking limited reps. The rookie sixth-round pick is coming off two solid efforts in which he amassed 97 total receiving yards against the Cardinals and Cowboys, but his status will need to be monitored as Sunday's tilt against the Football Team approaches.

The Browns reinstated Peoples-Jones from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

Along with Peoples-Jones, the Browns also activated Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge, Jarvis Landry and Jacob Phillips after all five players sat out last week's loss to the Jets following their respective placements on the list. Before sitting out the Week 16 game, Peoples-Jones had seemingly usurped Hodge as the Browns' No. 3 receiver. With that in mind, expect Cleveland to deploy Landry, Higgins and Peoples-Jones as their starting receivers in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Steelers.

The Browns reinstated Hodge from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

Along with Hodge, the Browns also activated Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Jarvis Landry and Jacob Phillips after all five players sat out last week's loss to the Jets following their respective placements on the list. Before sitting out the Week 16 game, Hodge had seemingly been usurped by Peoples-Jones as the Browns' No. 3 receiver, so the former may not be in line for much work on offense in Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Robinson (hamstring) didn't practice Thursday.

Robinson again is logging a surprise DNP in the middle of the week, but he also followed a FP/DNP/LP practice regimen last week before suiting up this past Sunday at Jacksonville. While his offensive snap share (68 percent) in that game was a season low, he matched his campaign best with 10 catches en route to 103 yards on 13 targets. If he enters this weekend as questionable to play, too, Robinson's availability won't be confirmed until 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff against the Packers.

Pittman (concussion) practiced fully Thursday.

Pittman was limited Wednesday, so his full participation Thursday would appear to give him a good chance of clearing the NFL's concussion protocol in advance of Sunday's game against the Jaguars. Friday's final injury report of the week will confirm whether or not Pittman heads into the weekend with any questions regarding his Week 17 playing status.

Higgins (hamstring) remained limited at practice Thursday, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

What Higgins is able to do at practice Friday should determine whether he approaches Sunday's game against the Ravens with an injury designation or cleared for Week 17 action. The same applies to fellow wide receiver Tyler Boyd (concussion), with Alex Erickson next up for extra snaps if either Higgins or Boyd are out or limited this weekend.

Boyd (concussion) was limited at practice Thursday, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

As was fellow receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring), which sets the stage for Friday's practice to determine whether each of the duo approach Sunday's game against the Ravens with injury designations or cleared to play. If one or both end up out or limited this weekend, Alex Erickson would be in line for added work Week 17.

Grant (ankle) logged a limited practice Thursday, Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post reports.

Prior reports suggested that Grant's high-ankle sprain would prevent him from playing Sunday against the Bills, but his limited session Thursday suddenly brightens his odds of suiting up in the regular-season finale. According to Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com, Grant was spotted catching passes during individual drills Thursday, suggesting he was able to move around decently well.

Powell (foot) did not practice Thursday, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

Powell played through his foot issue during last weekend's loss to the Chiefs, but he's now missed back-to-back practices. The Falcons would need to delegate another option in the return game if Powell can't suit up Week 17 versus the Buccaneers.

Chark (shin) remained sidelined at practice Thursday.

With Chark now having logged consecutive DNPs, his status for Sunday's game against the Colts is cloudy. If he ends up missing Jacksonville's season finale, added snaps and targets will be available for Laviska Shenault, Keelan Cole and Chris Conley.