NFL Player News

Arcega-Whiteside (calf) won't participate in Thursday's practice, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The second-year receiver is looking iffy for Sunday's game in San Francisco, as his calf injury has prevented him from participating in both of the Eagles' first two practices of the week. With Jalen Reagor (thumb) on injured reserve and Alshon Jeffery (foot) and DeSean Jackson (hamstring) far from safe bets to play this weekend, Arcega-Whiteside initially appeared well position to fill a starting role Week 4, but that no longer looks like a guarantee.

Sims (toe) won't participate in Thursday's practice, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

With back-to-back absences at practice to begin Week 4, Sims looks to be trending in the wrong direction as Sunday's game against the Ravens nears. He'll likely need to turn in at least a limited showing in Friday's practice to take a questionable designation into the weekend. Sims' production has been relatively muted through Washington's first three games, with the wideout hauling in six of seven targets for 103 yards.

Hopkins (ankle) isn't participating in the open portion of Thursday's practice, Kyle Odegard of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Hopkins is thus slated to be listed as "DNP" on the Cardinals' practice report for the second straight day, creating more uncertainty about his status for Sunday's game in Carolina. During his seven years with the Texans, Hopkins often showed an ability to play through injuries at a high level while logging little to no practice time in advance, which should give fantasy managers some reassurance about his Week 4 prospects. The Cardinals will decide whether Hopkins will carry an injury designation into the weekend based on what he's able to do at Friday's practice.

Miller (hip/groin) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With both Miller and Chris Godwin (hamstring) sidelined for the second practice in a row, the Buccaneers may be shorthanded at receiver during the team's Week 4 game versus the Chargers. At this point, Godwin appears likelier of the two to sit out this weekend, but Miller will need to get back on the practice field in some capacity Friday for the Buccaneers to feel good about his chances of suiting up. If both Miller and Godwin are held out Sunday, added reps would be available at receiver for Justin Watson and Tyler Johnson, but both may still rank behind top wideout Mike Evans and tight end Rob Gronkowski in terms of target share.

Godwin (hamstring) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Jenna Laine and Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reported a day earlier that Godwin is likely to be sidelined for the Buccaneers' next two games, so his lack of practice activity Wednesday and Thursday doesn't come as a major surprise. Scotty Miller (hip/groin) is also missing his second practice in a row, so the Buccaneers could be shorthanded at receiver if neither he nor Godwin are cleared to play Sunday against the Chargers. Justin Watson and Tyler Johnson would be the top candidates to join Mike Evans in three-receiver sets if both Godwin and Miller are out.

Brown (knee) is expected to be ready to play in the Titans' next game Week 5 versus the Bills on Oct. 11, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Rapoport notes that Brown -- who had missed the last two games with a bone bruise in his knee -- had a shot at being ready to play this weekend versus the Steelers, but that became a moot point after the NFL postponed the Tennessee-Pittsburgh game to a later date following a COVID-19 outbreak among Titans players and staff. As a result, Tennessee will essentially have a bye Week 4, giving Brown more time to move past the injury. Assuming he's ready to get back on the field if the NFL allows the Titans to resume practicing next week, Brown should immediately step back into a starting role at receiver alongside Corey Davis and Adam Humphries.

Smith-Schuster and the Steelers will not take the field Week 4 against the Titans following additional positive COVID-19 tests within the Tennessee organization, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The initial plan was to move the game from Sunday to either Monday or Tuesday, but with reports of additional positive tests from another Titans player and personnel member surfacing, the league ultimately decided it would be best to postpone the contest. The Steelers were originally in line for a Week 8 bye, but it remains to be seen if that will stay intact with a new Week 4 bye now on the calendar.

Crowder (hamstring) is expected to play Thursday night against Denver, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Crowder's official status will still need to be confirmed prior to the Jets' 8:20 p.m. EST kickoff, as the report admits the wideout still isn't quite 100 percent. His prospective return would be a major boost to the position group, as Breshad Perriman (ankle) has already been ruled out, and Chris Hogan (ribs/knee) carries a "questionable" tag into the contest. Despite the injury risk, as well as being part of what's been an abysmal offense this year, Crowder's matchup otherwise plays well on paper. He'll likely be given as many targets as he can handle and will be going up against a secondary allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers in standard formats.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said the promotion of Dontrell Hilliard to the active roster doesn't mean Peoples-Jones will be inactive Week 4 against Dallas, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

When JoJo Natson (knee) left last week's win over Washington, the Browns lost their returner on punts and kickoffs, leaving a void for Week 4. Peoples-Jones, who has been inactive the first three weeks, has return experience in college, but it's not yet known if he'll be given a chance to make his NFL debut this week against the Cowboys. D'Ernest Johnson filled in during the game last week, and the promotion of Hilliard gives them another veteran returner.

Reynolds didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness, Kevin Modesti of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Among players not named Cam Akers (ribs) on the Rams' Week 4 injury report, coach Sean McVay expects everyone to play Sunday versus the Giants. Reynolds has been afforded a significant workload -- including 90 percent of the plays on offense Week 3 in Buffalo -- en route to seven catches (on eight targets) for 110 yards through three games. Look for his status to be clarified by week's end.