NFL Player News

Godwin (hamstring) is listed as limited on Wednesday's injury report.

In his first appearance since Week 3 this past Sunday against the Packers, Godwin logged a 62 percent share of offensive snaps en route to finishing with five catches (on seven targets) for 48 yards in the Buccaneers' 38-10 win. Assuming he escapes the week of practice with no further setbacks with the hamstring, Godwin should take on a larger snap share this weekend in Las Vegas.

Evans (ankle) was listed as limited on Wednesday's injury report.

Evans sat out the Buccaneers' first practice of Week 6 before advancing to limited work the following two days, so kicking off Week 7 preparations with a limited session implies he's made some progress in his recovery from the right ankle sprain he sustained Week 4. Still, his status will be watched closely to ensure he's available for Sunday's game in Las Vegas.

Samuel (knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Jonathan M. Alexander of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Samuel's practice reps were capped last week before he was deemed inactive ahead of Sunday's loss to the Bears. He seems to be in a similar spot this week, but he has two more chances to prove his health to the Panthers' training staff. Another absence from Samuel this weekend at New Orleans would mean more offensive snaps for Seth Roberts and Pharoh Cooper.

Crowder was limited in practice Wednesday due to a groin injury, Rich CImini of ESPN.com reports.

Coach Adam Gase didn't mention any injury to the wideout before Wednesday's session, leading Cimini to believe that Crowder hurt his groin during practice. The slot man's practice participation will thus be worth monitoring as the week unfolds, as Crowder was shaping up to be a solid fantasy option Sunday against the Bills with quarterback Sam Darnold (shoulder) angling to return from a two-game absence. Back in the Jets' Week 1 loss to Buffalo, Crowder hauled in seven of 13 targets for 115 yards and a touchdown.

Ridley practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday due to an elbow issue, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

Ridley has played through a variety of injuries this season, but the elbow concern is a new one for the wideout. The injuries haven't stopped him from producing, as he ranks top five in the NFL in both receiving yards and touchdowns. He'll aim to get in a full session by week's end, at which point the Falcons may clarify his availability for Sunday's game versus the Lions.

Jones didn't practice Wednesday due to a knee injury.

Jones is appearing on the injury report for the first time this season. The veteran wideout will have two more chances to increase his level of activity in practice ahead of Sunday's game in Atlanta, so there's seemingly not yet reason for fantasy managers to worry about his availability. Jones has been held below 10 receiving yards in back-to-back games, but if healthy, he'll have a good opportunity to get right against a suspect Falcons secondary.

Smith-Schuster (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site reports.

Smith-Schuster has regularly received Wednesday practices off this season, so it appears safe to conclude that he's once again getting some maintenance for his lingering knee injury. Diontae Johnson (back) returned to practice as a full participant Wednesday, so as long as Smith-Schuster is also cleared to participate without any restrictions by the end of the week, Pittsburgh's receiving corps should enter Sunday's game against the undefeated Titans at full strength.

Johnson (back) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site reports.

Johnson's back injury caused him to miss Sunday's win over the Browns, but he now appears fully on track to return for the Steelers' Week 7 contest against the undefeated Titans. Assuming Johnson is good to go this weekend, he stands to handle his usual role in three-receiver sets alongside JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) and Chase Claypool, while James Washington would seemingly become the odd man out.

Thomas (ankle) didn't participate in the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Underhill noted Thomas was present at the start of the session, but he eventually left the field with a member of the Saints' training staff. Earlier Wednesday, coach Sean Payton told Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune that the Saints are no longer disciplining Thomas, but the coach was unsure whether the wide receiver will be available for Sunday's game against the Panthers. It appears Thomas' left ankle still may be bothering him, but confirmation likely won't come until the release of Wednesday's injury report.

Coach Anthony Lynn said that Allen (back) will participate in Wednesday's practice, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Lynn added that Allen, who was forced out of the Chargers' Week 5 loss to the Saints due to back spasms, isn't "100 percent" healthy, a hint that the wideout could begin the week as a limited practice participant. Allen should at least benefit from having the Chargers' Week 6 bye to heal up, but a final decision on his status for Sunday's game against the Jaguars will ultimately come down to how much he's able to progress in practice from Wednesday through Friday.