NFL Player News

Watson (chest) practiced fully Wednesday.

Watson has missed two of the past three games, but his most recent respite appears to have done the charm as he tends to a chest injury. As for his injured position mates, Mikes Evans (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, while Chris Godwin (hamstring) and Scotty Miller (hip/groin) were limited participants. Considering how the respective situations play out this week, Watson could be in line for a decent snap share Sunday versus the Packers.

Coach Anthony Lynn said Wednesday that Allen, who dealt with back spasms during Monday's loss to the Saints, will be "fine," Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

The Chargers don't play again until Oct. 25, which should afford Allen ample time to move past the back injury. Even after departing early Monday, Allen still leads the team with 34 catches on 50 targets for 356 yards to go along with two touchdowns through five games.

Miller (hip/groin) was limited at Wednesday's practice.

Despite missing Chris Godwin (hamstring) and Justin Watson (chest) in last Thursday's loss to the Bears, Miller wasn't targeted while ranking third in offensive snap share (63 percent) behind Mike Evans (85) and rookie Tyler Johnson (79). The development was an interesting one, as Miller was expected to fill in as Godwin's replacement in the slot, an assignment that proved fruitful Week 4 (5-83-1 line on seven targets). On Wednesday, Evans (ankle) didn't practice, Godwin also was limited, and Justin Watson (chest) practiced fully, so the Bucs' receiving corps again has some moving parts as they prepare for Sunday's game against the Packers.

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

Smith-Schuster has often received Wednesdays off of late while he manages a lingering knee issue. Look for him to return to practice Thursday, likely as a full participant.

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

After missing the past two games due to a strained right hamstring, Godwin is putting himself in a position to return to action Sunday versus the Packers. He'll have two more chances to increase his level of participation in practice before the Bucs give him a designation for Week 6. Meanwhile, Mike Evans (ankle) was listed as a non-participant, Scotty Miller (hip/groin) was limited and Justin Watson (chest) was full, indicating the varying levels of health in Tampa Bay's receiving corps.

Johnson (back) didn't practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Per coach Mike Tomlin, Johnson took a direct blow to his back during Sunday's 38-29 win against the Eagles. That said, the Steelers have optimism that the wideout -- who's been getting routine days off at practice this season -- will be fit to play this weekend against the Browns. A return to the practice field in any capacity Thursday would support that notion.

Evans (ankle) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice.

Evans was noticeably hindered by his right ankle sprain in last Thursday's loss to the Bears, but he still played 85 percent of the offensive snaps on his way to five catches (on nine targets) for 41 yards and one touchdown. He also didn't practice in advance of that game, so he doesn't necessarily have to do so this week either to be available for Sunday's game against the Packers. Elsewhere in the receiving corps, both Chris Godwin (hamstring) and Scotty Miller (hip/groin) were limited Wednesday, while Justin Watson (chest) was a full participant. Aside from Evans, the Bucs' wideout group seems to be getting healthier.

Adams (hamstring) was a full participant in practice Wednesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Adams may have been able to return for a Week 4 showdown against the Falcons, but the Packers ultimately kept him on the sideline with the hope he would be healthy following the team's bye week. Indeed, Adams handled every practice rep Wednesday, clearing him to rejoin Green Bay's offense. Adams will look to produce Sunday versus a Bucs unit that has allowed 8.1 yards per target and a 71.1 percent catch rate to wide receivers this season.

The Giants may not designate Shepard (toe) to return from injured reserve this week, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

If the Giants aren't sure that Shepard will be ready to return ahead of a Thursday night contest against the Eagles in Week 7, Stapleton posits that it could make sense for the team to wait until Oct. 22 to officially open the wideout's 21-day window for being evaluated in practice. By designating Shepard to return after the Week 7 contest, the Giants would have a longer timeframe to evaluate the 27-year-old, who has missed the last three games while dealing with turf toe.

Coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday that he intends to see how St. Brown (knee) holds up in practice this week before making a decision about his availability for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

The Packers officially designated St. Brown to return from injured reserve Monday, opening a 21-day window for him to be evaluated at practice. The third-year receiver is thus eligible to return to action Week 6, though Green Bay could also wait until as late as Week 8 to activate him.