NFL Player News

Coach Bruce Arians ruled Godwin (hamstring) out for Saturday's game against the Texans, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

The news comes as no real surprise after Arians indicated after last week's win over the Lions that Godwin's hamstring injury was similar to the one suffered the prior week by Mike Evans, who was ultimately moved to injured reserve Wednesday. For now, the Buccaneers will take a wait-and-see approach with Godwin for the Dec. 29 regular-season finale against the Falcons, but the third-year wideout's absence for Week 16 will loom large. Along with Godwin and Evans, the Buccaneers' receiving corps will also be missing rookie Scott Miller (hamstring), who was placed on IR earlier this week. Expect wideouts Breshad Perriman and Justin Watson, tight ends O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate and running backs Dare Ogunbowale and Ronald Jones to operate as Jameis Winston's main weapons in the passing game.

Godwin (hamstring) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

With Godwin having failed to practice in any fashion Tuesday through Thursday, he'll carry an injury designation into Saturday's matchup with the Texans if coach Bruce Arians doesn't officially rule the receiver out when he meets with the media at the conclusion of practice. In addition to Godwin's expected absence Saturday, the Buccaneers will be missing Mike Evans (hamstring) and Scott Miller (hamstring), who were moved to injured reserve earlier this week. That leaves Breshad Perriman and Justin Watson as the top options in a depleted wideout corps, while tight ends O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate should also be tasked with picking up some of the vacated targets.

The Buccaneers signed Mickens to the practice squad Thursday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Mickens offers upside as a depth receiver and return man. If he's able to impress while on Tampa Bay's practice squad, he could be a candidate to bump to the 53-man roster if a role on special teams opens up.

Anderson didn't practice Thursday due to an illness, Ethan B. Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.

The wideout, who was sent home Thursday, will thus look to return to work Friday for the Jets' final practice in advance of Sunday's game against the Steelers. Anderson is coming off a Week 15 effort that saw him haul in four of his six targets for 66 yards and a two-point conversion in the Jets' 42-21 loss to the Ravens.

Kirk (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Kirk can't seem to shake the ankle issue that he sustained Week 4 and then cost him three games before he was cleared to play again. He reappeared on the injury report last week, practicing on a limited basis on two occasions before progressing to full work for the final session. His lack of activity to begin Week 16 thus represents a step backward, though Kirk has two more opportunities to stem the tide before the Cardinals potentially tab him with an injury designation for Sunday's game at Seattle.

Custis signed with the Steelers' practice squad Wednesday.

Custis originally signed with the Chiefs in May after going undrafted and received more than $100,000 in guaranteed money, but he was unable to carve out a role with the team. The 24-year-old could be promoted to the 53-man roster if any more injuries befall Pittsburgh's wideouts.

Wesley signed with the Bears' practice squad Wednesday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The undrafted rookie out of Northern Colorado spent the preseason on the PUP list with an undisclosed injury, but he's been healthy and searching for a new team since September. Wesley was productive in college with consecutive seasons of more than 1,000 receiving yards. The Bears will get an early look at Wesley as a player to possibly take a chance on in 2020.

Raymond was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports.

Raymond appears to have picked up a knee injury during Week 15's loss to the Texans, during which he caught one of two targets for two yards. If he were forced to miss any time, Dion Lewis would likely take over as Tennessee's top kick returner.

Renfrow (ribs) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Renfrow concluded last week as a limited participant in practice, but he ultimately missed a third consecutive game in the Raiders' loss to the Jaguars. The rookie fifth-round pick said Monday that he expects he'll be ready for this weekend's tilt with the Chargers, though he'll likely need to advance to full participant by Friday to ensure his availability.

Hopkins didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness.

Hopkins should have ample time to recover before Saturday's game against the Buccaneers. A return to practice Thursday in any capacity would be the first step toward clearing up any doubt about the wideout's Week 16 status.