NFL Player News

McLaurin (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's practice estimate, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

McLaurin has been dealing with an ankle injury since Thanksgiving week, but he's suited up in back-to-back contests on his way to a 9-106-0 line on 15 targets. However, the nadir of his season occurred this past Monday at Pittsburgh, when he was held to two catches (on six targets) for 14 yards. Assuming he can get past the health concern yet again this week, McLaurin will seek a bounce-back effort Sunday in San Francisco.

Samuel (foot) didn't practice Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Samuel's absence is the result of a foot contusion, with coach Kyle Shanahan telling Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee that the wide receiver's injury isn't related to the Jones fracture he suffered in his left foot back in June. The 49ers are coming off a loss to the Bills on Monday Night Football, so Shanahan is treating Wednesday as if it's a typical Tuesday. As a result, with maintenance the likely root cause of Samuel sitting out to start Week 14 prep, he'll have chances Thursday and Friday to get in some work on the field ahead of Sunday's game against Washington.

Grant was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice due to a back injury, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Grant's injury likely stems from the flagrant hit he took while attempting to return to a punt during last weekend's win over the Bengals. He'll have two more chances to increase his level of practice activity as he looks to gain clearance for Sunday's contest against the Chiefs. Grant has drawn five or more targets in four of the last five weeks.

Higgins (hamstring) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

The wideout tweaked his hamstring while jumping over a player at the end of the Bengals' Week 13 loss to the Dolphins, but the report notes that Higgins was at least able to take part in individual drills at Wednesday's practice. His status will be revisited again Thursday, when the Bengals' will hold their second practice of the week in advance of Sunday's game versus the Cowboys.

Godwin (finger) didn't practice Wednesday.

Godwin wasn't seen at the portion of the session open to the media, and he didn't get in any reps before its conclusion. Both Godwin and Mike Evans (hamstring) are tending to injuries following the Buccaneers' Week 13 bye, so their statuses should be watched closely as the weekend approaches to get a sense of their availability for Sunday's game versus the Vikings.

Evans was a limited participant at practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury.

Evans was plagued by injuries earlier this season, but he avoided any limitations on his practice reps since Week 7, a span of five weeks of prep before the Buccaneers' recent bye. On the heels of that respite, he's dealing with a hamstring issue, while fellow wide receiver Chris Godwin (finger) didn't take part in Wednesday's session at all. The pair will look to ditch their designations ahead of Sunday's contest against the Vikings.

Thomas (ankle) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

The Saints opened their first session of Week 14 without Thomas on the field, but he must have made an appearance at some point to emerge as a limited participant. Though the ankle issue continues to result in Thomas' practice reps being managed, he's been in top form in three games with Taysom Hill under center, racking up 22 catches (on 29 targets) for 259 yards and no touchdowns.

Shenault was limited at practice Wednesday due to a thumb injury, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports.

During Sunday's overtime loss to the Vikings, Shenault caught all three of his targets for 38 yards and a touchdown while adding 30 yards on two rushing attempts. Though the rookie sustained a thumb injury in the game, his ability to practice Wednesday has him trending in the right direction as this weekend's game against the Titans approaches.

Robinson (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Robinson managed to play through the knee injury during last Sunday's loss to the Lions, leading the Bears with seven targets on the afternoon. Since Robinson is on the field in some capacity to begin Week 14, fantasy managers don't have real reason yet to worry about his status. The 27-year-old has a trio of favorable matchups to close out December, as he'll face the vulnerable pass defenses of the Texans, Vikings and Jaguars in Weeks 14 through 16.

Thomas wasn't spotted at the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

Since Thomas returned from injured reserve Week 9, the Saints have regularly been listing him on their practice reports with an ankle issue. The Saints will release their first Week 14 report later Wednesday, which should provide more clarity whether Thomas is still getting maintenance for the ankle or if he's dealing with a new concern.