NFL Player News

Callaway (knee) was designated to return from injured reserve Tuesday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Callaway will return to practice this week, opening a 21-day evaluation window for his activation from IR. The undrafted rookie out of Tennessee is eligible to play in Friday's game against the Vikings. With Michael Thomas (ankle) out for the rest of the regular season, Callaway could secure a starting job, especially with Tre'Quan Smith (ankle) not 100 percent.

Sims secured one of two targets for 11 yards during Sunday's 20-15 loss to the Seahawks.

The Kansas product has collected exactly one reception in three of his past four outings. Sims' only multi-catch performance in that span, Week 13 against Pittsburgh, yielded just 17 yards. Terry McLaurin (12 targets) and Cam Sims (eight) were the wideouts most involved in Washington's passing game against Seattle, while Steven (no relation) finished tied in a distant third in targets alongside Isaiah Wright. With nearly as many punt returns (21) as receptions (22) this season, Sims has a single touchdown and only one performance of more than 20 receiving yards since Week 2.

The Dolphins elevated Ford to the active roster Tuesday.

The Dolphins are preemptively calling up the fourth-year wideout for Saturday's game against the Raiders. Ford played 54 snaps on offense (74 percent) in last week's win over the Patroits, and he caught all three targets for 18 yards. He could handle a similar workload if both DeVante Parker (hamstring) and Jakeem Grant (hamstring) sit out again.

Taylor registered a 14-yard punt return while going without an offensive snap during Sunday's 41-33 loss to the Cowboys.

Taylor made his return to the lineup Sunday after being deemed a healthy scratch for San Francisco's Week 13 and 14 matchups. Against Dallas, the Louisiana Tech product was held without an offensive snap for just the second time this season, though he was capable of building upon a strong 12.4 yards-per-punt return average. The 26-year-old remains on the active roster as the 49ers prepare for a Week 16 road trip to Arizona.

Carter was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.

Carter will return to the lineup in Sunday's game against the Jaguars. He's not expected to play much on offense, but he should be the Bears' primary punt returner. The 27-year-old has averaged 8.7 yards per punt return this season.

James (ankle) was a limited participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice.

James was absent from the 49ers' final drive of this past Sunday's loss to the Cowboys after tweaking his ankle. Although it was just a walkthrough, his presence at Tuesday's practice is an encouraging sign for his Week 16 status. The third-year receiver will aim to upgrade to full participation by the end of the week as he prepares for Saturday's game against the Cardinals. If he's able to play, he'll catch passes from C.J. Beathard because Nick Mullens (elbow) is done for the year.

Pittman caught two of three targets for 19 yards in Sunday's 27-20 win over the Texans.

Pittman finished third among wide receivers in targets and receiving yards, as Zach Pascal and T.Y. Hilton both garnered six targets and recorded more than 70 yards. The rookie out of USC is in a bit of a cold spell, as he has caught more than two passes just once over the past four games, failing to surpass 50 receiving yards or score a touchdown in any of those outings.

Smith (ankle) didn't participate in Tuesday's practice, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

The Saints haven't offered much clarity on the severity of the ankle injury Smith sustained in Sunday's loss to the Chiefs, but his absence from practice two days later hints that the wideout may be dealing with more than a mild concern. Smith will have two more days to try and increase his activity on practice before the Saints rule on his status for Friday's game against the Vikings. With Michael Thomas (ankle) on injured reserve, Emmanuel Sanders could take on an even larger role if Smith is forced to miss the Week 16 contest.

Raiders head coach Jon Gruden said Renfrow (concussion) was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Renfrow was diagnosed with a concussion after exiting in the second half of the Raiders' Week 15 loss to the Chargers, but his ability to practice in some fashion to begin Week 16 implies progress as he navigates the NFL's five-step protocol for head injuries. The wideout will look to upgrade to full activity and gain clearance from an independent neurologist ahead of Saturday's game against the Dolphins.

Wilson didn't receive a target in Sunday's 41-33 win over the 49ers.

Wilson didn't command a target for a fourth straight week. The third-year wide receiver's 5-107-2 performance in Week 3 against the Seahawks seems like ages ago.