NFL Player News

Hodge (hamstring) was activated off injured reserve Saturday, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

More importantly, Hodge is expected to play and step immediately into the No. 3 WR role after the injury to Odell Beckham (knee). Hodge only has three receptions on six targets this season, but he's played at least 50 percent of the offensive snaps in each of the three games he's been active, and that could rise even further Sunday against the Raiders.

The 49ers have ruled Samuel (hamstring) out for Sunday's game at Seattle, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

As expected, Samuel will miss at least one contest due to the strained hamstring that he suffered this past Sunday in New England. His next chance to suit up will be Thursday against the Packers, but a more realistic expectation is the 49ers' Week 10 outing at New Orleans on Sunday, Nov. 15. With Samuel sidelined again, San Francisco will turn to Brandon Aiyuk, Kendrick Bourne, Trent Taylor and Dante Pettis at wide receiver.

Harris and Tre'Quan Smith are the only healthy wide receivers on the Saints' active roster, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

The Saints had Smith, Harris and Marquez Callaway (ankle) as their lead trio last week, but Callaway is now ruled out alongside Michael Thomas (hamstring) and Emmanuel Sanders (COVID-19). The 5-foot-6 Harris may still be largely limited to slot work, but he had his best game of the season last week (4-46-1 receiving line) and could see a handful or so of targets again. The Saints also will need to call up a couple WRs from the practice squad, likely Austin Carr and Juwan Johnson again.

Smith and Deonte Harris are the only healthy wide receivers on the Saints' active roster, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Smith was expected to be the No. 1 guy last week with Michael Thomas (hamstring) and Emmanuel Sanders (COVID-19) both out, but instead it was Marquez Callaway who led the team in targets (10) and receiving yards (75). An ankle injury now has Callaway ruled out, leaving only Smith, Harris and whoever gets called up from the practice squad. Smith should see more than the four targets he had last week, but he'll be facing a tough Chicago defense in a game that likely will be impacted by strong winds.

Lazard (core) practiced again Friday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

The Packers designated Lazard to return from injured reserve earlier this week, and they'll now need to place him on the active roster by Saturday afternoon in order to have him eligible for Sunday's game against the Vikings. A third consecutive day of practice participation suggests Lazard has a shot to play, perhaps even reclaiming his starting spot across from Davante Adams. Fellow wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling hasn't done much in Lazard's absence, averaging 2.3 catches for 25.7 yards on 5.7 targets over the past three games. Lazard averaged 4.3 catches for 84.7 yards and 0.67 TDs on 5.7 targets in Weeks 1-3.

Ridley has been diagnosed with a mid-foot sprain, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Ridley went down Thursday at Carolina, holding his left foot at the end of a catch. While he was able to walk off the field under his own power, he didn't return to the contest. An ensuing X-ray was returned negative, and an MRI also didn't "show much," so the wide receiver is considered day-to-day. With more time than normal to prepare for the Falcons' next game Nov. 8 against the Broncos, Ridley has a good chance to miss no more time due to injury.

James (ankle) is considered doubtful for Sunday's game versus the Seahawks, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

James sat out practice this week and is expected to miss his fifth game of the season. Through the three games the third-year wide receiver has played, he hasn't been targeted, contributing most of his efforts as a kick and punt returner. James could have had an expanded role if he suited up because Deebo Samuel (hamstring) has been ruled out, but now Dante Pettis could handle some offensive reps behind presumptive starters Brandon Aiyuk, Kendrick Bourne and Trent Taylor.

St. Brown (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Vikings, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

St. Brown practiced on a limited basis three times this week, but that level of participation was enough to get his name off the final injury report. He'll provide receiving depth for the high-powered Packers passing attack against the vulnerable Vikings secondary.

Harry (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bills, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

With Julian Edelman (knee) also out, the Patriots' top available wide receivers are Damiere Byrd, Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski, while the team also figures to dip into its practice squad for added depth. The options on that front are Isaiah Zuber, Mason Kinsey and Kristian Wilkerson.

Crowder (groin) is listed as doubtful on the final injury report before Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Crowder sandwiched a limited practice session Thursday between missed practices Wednesday and Friday, and he looks primed to sit out for a second consecutive week. Braxton Berrios should take over in the slot against the Chiefs and play a prominent role in a game that should feature plenty of garbage time for the low-octane Jets offense to capitalize on.