NFL Player News

The Saints elevated Humphrey to the active roster Saturday, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Humphrey hasn't yet appeared in a game for the Saints this season, but it looks like he could get some work against the Chiefs on Sunday. With Michael Thomas (ankle) on IR, Drew Brees could have to lean on his depth receivers a bit more than usual.

Harris (neck) has been placed on IR by the Saints.

With Michael Thomas (ankle) also placed on IR on Saturday, the Saints promoted Juwan Johnson and Tommylee Lewis from their practice squad to provide depth behind top wideouts Emmanuel Sanders and Tre'Quan Smith.

Thomas (ankle) has been officially placed on IR by the Saints.

Deonte Harris (neck) also landed on IR on Saturday, which prompted the Saints to promote wideouts Juwan Johnson and Tommylee Lewis from the team's practice squad. With Thomas now confirmed to be done for the rest of the regular season, Emmanuel Sanders and Tre'Quan Smith will serve as New Orleans' top two wide receiver options down the stretch.

The Dolphins elevated Ford from the practice squad for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post reports.

Ford will bring an ounce of familiarity with New England's scheme into the mix Sunday, as he briefly spent time there after being traded by the Dolphins for a late-round pick back in November. The young receiver then came full circle after being cut by the Patriots, as the Dolphins picked him back up. If DeVante Parker (hamstring) and/or Jakeem Grant (hamstring) are limited or forced to miss time Sunday, Ford could play a notable role on offense.

The Chiefs activated Pringle (ankle) from IR on Saturday.

Pringle's ankle injury caused him to miss three contests, but he'll be back in action for Sunday's game against the Saints. He'll resume working as a depth receiver, a role which Pringle has translated into nine catches for 108 yards on the season.

Smith looks set for expanded opportunities on offense with Michael Thomas (ankle) slated to be placed on IR, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Smith was already primed for a starting role in New Orleans' receiving corps, but it will be significant if the team's top target threat is indeed placed on IR for the rest of the regular season. Smith and Emmanuel Sanders served as the Saints' top two receivers from Weeks 2-5, when Thomas was sidelined with a high-ankle sprain. Smith averaged five targets per game in that span, and he put up a two-touchdown performance against the Lions. He and Sanders are the Saints' top healthy wideouts heading into Sunday's game against the Chiefs, with Deonte Harris (neck) questionable.

Thomas (ankle) is in line to be placed on injured reserve by the Saints, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

That ends a dreadful 2020 regular-season campaign for Thomas, who missed nine games in large part due to a high-ankle sprain suffered in Week 1 against the Bucs. The Saints haven't officially announced the IR move, but should the inevitable occur, the 27-year-old will be eligible to return for the opening round of the NFL playoffs toward the beginning of January.

Merrit was restored from the practice squad COVID-19 list Friday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Merritt's now eligible to return to team activities. The Arkansas State standout has played one game this season, sticking almost exclusively to special teams.

Woods (thigh) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Jets, Kevin Modesti of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Absent from practice to begin the week, Woods returned to the field Thursday as a limited participant Thursday before taking every rep at Friday's session. Woods shouldn't face any restrictions come Sunday, when he'll be taking on a suspect Jets pass defense that has allowed 12 touchdowns through the air over the past four weeks.

Harris (neck) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Chiefs.

Harris returned to practice Thursday, working in a limited capacity over the final two sessions of the week. If he returns to the lineup, Harris is expected to take over as the Saints' punt returner. He ranks second in the league with 12.2 yards per punt return. Harris could also handle more reps on offense with Michael Thomas (ankle) ruled out.