NFL Player News

Smith-Schuster (knee) didn't practice Friday, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The report adds that Smith-Schuster -- who aggravated his knee injury at practice Thursday -- isn't sure when he'll be able to return to action. With that in mind, there's a good chance Smith-Schuster will be ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills.

Evans (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Detroit, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Evans wasn't able to practice in any capacity this week and is also in danger of missing the final two games of the season. Coach Bruce Arians said the team hasn't considered moving him to injured reserve at this stage, but the discussion should come up soon if Evans doesn't display tangible progress in his recovery from his pulled hamstring. Breshad Perriman, Justin Watson, Scott Miller and Cameron Brate are viable candidates to pick up some of Evans' vacated snaps, while Chris Godwin and O.J. Howard already have full plates from a playing-time perspective but could still pick up a few extra targets. Fantasy mangers shouldn't bank on having Evans back in the lineup for Week 16 or 17.

The Bengals signed Lodge to the practice squad Friday, according to the league's official transactions log.

Lodge spent the offseason in Tampa Bay, and he'll now work to make the most of his opportunity on Cincinnati's practice squad. The undrafted rookie out of Ole Miss caught 65 passes for 877 yards and four touchdowns in his final collegiate season.

Agholor (knee) didn't take part in Friday's practice, Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Agholor missed another week of practice, making it rather unlikely that he'll be able to play Sunday against Washington. The Eagles will reveal Agholor's official status for Week 15 shortly after Friday's session comes to a close.

Parker (concussion) practiced Friday without a non-contact jersey, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com reports.

Parker hasn't cleared the league's concussion protocol just yet, but ditching the non-contact jersey is a step in the right direction. His status for the Week 15 game against the Giants will be announced after Friday's practice comes to a close, but unless he's fully cleared of the protocol, a final call on his availability may not be made until game day.

Thielen (hamstring) remains on track to play Sunday against the Chargers, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.

Thielen played just 16 snaps over the last seven games as a result of his right hamstring injury, but barring a setback at practice Friday, his absence looks like it'll come to an end this weekend. The wideout's official status for Week 15 will be revealed later Friday, when the Vikings issue their final injury report of the week following practice.

Smith-Schuster aggravated his left knee injury at Thursday's practice and isn't expected to play Sunday against the Bills, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The 23-year-old appeared on track to return from the three-game absence after practicing as a full participant Wednesday, but he was downgraded to limited participation Thursday after suffering the setback. Smith-Schuster's status will receive additional clarity when the Steelers release their final injury report of Week 15 on Friday. James Washington and Diontae Johnson would be in store for boosts in targets in the event the team's top wideout remains out.

Smith secured three of five targets for 40 yards and returned three kickoffs for 86 yards in the Jets' 42-21 loss to the Ravens on Thursday.

Smith did a solid job as the No. 3 receiver with Demaryius Thomas (hamstring) out of action, as the speedy wideout generated his second multi-catch tally of the last three games. Smith also was impressive on kickoff returns and could continue enjoying an expanded role in the offense over the final two games with the Jets in evaluation mode for next season. Smith's penultimate opportunity to make an impression in 2019 will come in a Week 16 matchup against the Steelers, a week from Sunday.

Crowder secured six of 11 targets for 90 yards and two touchdowns in the Jets' 42-21 loss to the Ravens on Thursday.

Crowder paced the Jets in receptions, receiving yardage and touchdown catches, putting together a very timely fantasy-friendly performance after a disappointing three-game stretch during which he logged just seven receptions for 55 yards and no touchdowns. Crowder will look to continue his resurgence against the Steelers' tough secondary in a Week 16 matchup, a week from Sunday.

Anderson secured four of six targets for 66 yards and caught a two-point conversion pass in the Jets' 42-21 loss to the Ravens on Thursday.

Anderson was second only to Jamison Crowder in receptions and receiving yardage for the Jets on the night. Even though he failed to notch a touchdown grab for only the second time in the last five games, Anderson did find the end zone on a two-point conversion catch following a fourth-quarter Crowder scoring reception. Anderson will look to boost his numbers back up across the board in a Week 16 battle against the Steelers a week from Sunday.