NFL Player News

Chark (shin) didn't practice Wednesday, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Mark Long of the Associated Press reports previously relayed that Jaguars coach Doug Marrone was unsure about Chark's Week 17 status, so the wideout's absence from practice Wednesday would appear to be more than just a maintenance day. If Chark is out or limited Sunday against the Colts, added targets would be available for Laviska Shenault, Keelan Cole and Chris Conley.

Pittman (concussion) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

Pittman will need to fully clear the league's five-step concussion protocol in order to participate in Sunday's must-win season finale against Jacksonville, but it's good to see him practicing in some capacity after sustaining the head injury in last week's loss to the Steelers. The rookie second-round pick appeared to be breaking out in November with three consecutive games over 50 yards, but he hasn't reached that mark in his five appearances since.

Parker (hamstring) logged a limited practice Wednesday, Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post reports.

Parker has missed Miami's last two games with his hamstring injury, but his ability to practice Wednesday -- albeit in a limited capacity -- offers hope that he could return to action Sunday against the Bills. That said, Parker was also listed as a limited practice participant the last two weeks before ultimately being inactive once game day arrived. As such, he'll likely need to upgrade to full participation by Friday for his fantasy managers to feel good about his chances of suiting up Week 17.

Shepard was limited participant in practice Wednesday due to a rib injury, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Shepard paced the Giants in last week's loss to the Ravens, catching nine of 12 targets for 77 yards and a touchdown. New York requires a win over Dallas on Sunday to have any chance of making the playoffs, so it wouldn't be surprising if Shepard's practice reps are being capped to better ensure he avoids a setback with the ribs heading into the weekend.

Boyd (concussion) is participating in Wednesday's practice, Tyler Dragon of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Boyd didn't practice in any capacity before being ruled out for last weekend's win over the Texans, so if he's back to handling even limited reps at practice, it represents a step in the right direction. He'll need full clearance from the five-step concussion protocol in order to suit up Week 17 against the Ravens.

Hill (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

Hill also had his practice reps limited last week, but he nonetheless managed to suit up for the Chiefs' win over the Falcons and secured four of six targets for 65 yards. Coach Andy Reid has already announced that Patrick Mahomes will sit out Week 17, and the Chiefs will almost certainly give Hill the extra week of rest as well, especially if there are any lingering concerns about his health. Kansas City has already secured the AFC's No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

McLaurin (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice report, Kyle Stackpole of Washington's official site reports.

During the media-access portion of the session, McLaurin was spotted doing some work with the training staff on a side field while his healthy teammates were practicing. The Washington rehab group has been extensive recently, with Wednesday's list of non-participants including three other starters on offense in quarterback Alex Smith (calf), running back Antonio Gibson (toe) and left guard Wes Schweitzer (hip). McLaurin has been dealing with some form of ankle injury since late November, but his current problem -- a high-ankle sprain -- reportedly happened in the Week 15 loss to Seattle. After sitting out Week 16, the star wideout appears in danger of missing the regular-season finale Sunday against the Eagles.

Mickens was promoted back onto Tampa Bay's 53-man roster Wednesday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Mickens had been demoted to the practice squad after the Buccaneers switched to Kenjon Barner as their primary return man for kickoffs and punts, but Barner was placed on IR due to a groin injury, creating the opening Mickens needed to get promoted from the practice squad. The receiver's role on offense will likely remain nearly nonexistent, as was the case earlier in the season.

Sills (foot) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Sills has spent the entire season on injured reserve due to a fractured right foot, and there was no indication that the Giants planned on activating him at any point this season prior to his placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Once he clears the NFL's COVID-19 protocols, the second-year wideout will revert to IR.

Snead (ankle) isn't practicing Wednesday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Snead picked up an ankle injury during last weekend's win over the Giants, finishing the day with two receptions for 24 yards. If the veteran wideout is unable to suit up at Cincinnati in Week 17, Dez Bryant and Devin Duvernay would both be candidates for increased roles.