NFL Player News

Gallup (knee) expects to face some obstacles while working his way back from arthroscopic surgery, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. "It's all a process," Gallup said Friday. "You can't jump back into a starting role catching nine, 10 balls. It don't work like that. When you have surgery, you gotta bounce back some other way.

This isn't what fantasy owners want to hear, but we can at least give Gallup credit for being honest about the challenges that lay ahead. The Cowboys estimated his recovery timeline at two-to-four weeks, and it sounds like the second-year wideout could be eased back into the lineup once he receives medical clearance. Gallup came out of the gate strong, catching 13 of 15 targets for 226 yards between Weeks 1 and 2. He won't be available for Sunday's game against the Saints and doesn't seem to have much shot at making it back for Week 5.

Williams (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest in Miami.

Williams gutted through a knee injury the first three games of the season, averaging nearly 10.5 yards per target but failing to reach the end zone on his eight catches. He came out of Sunday's loss to the Texans with a back injury that didn't allow him to take the practice field this week, hence the reason for his first absence of 2019. With fellow wide receiver Travis Benjamin (hip) doubtful to play, Keenan Allen is again on track for outsized volume in the Chargers' passing attack.

McLaurin (hamstring) is listed as questionable on the final injury report, setting up a game-time decision for Sunday's road contest against the Giants, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

McLaurin was held out of practice Friday after he hurt his hamstring during Thursday's session. The timing of the injury presents a challenge for the rookie wideout, while the timing of Sunday's kickoff (1:00 p.m. ET) at least gives fantasy owners a fair chance to respond. An absence would leave more targets for Paul Richardson and Trey Quinn, with either Kelvin Harmon, Robert Davis or Steven Sims taking on McLaurin's vacated snaps.

Williams (back) was not seen during the early portion of Friday's practice, Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com reports.

The same applies to Travis Benjamin (hip), so with that in mind, the Chargers' healthiest wideouts are currently Keenan Allen and Dontrelle Inman. We'll circle back on Williams' status later Friday to see if he's deemed questionable or out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Shepherd played 15 snaps on offense in Thursday's loss to the Eagles.

Shepherd played just two snaps on offense in his Week 3 debut, but he saw a noticeable increase in Week 4 with fellow wideouts Jake Kumerow (shoulder) inactive again and Davante Adams leaving Thursday's game with a toe injury. Shepherd was not targeted in either game he played, but he may be needed for more work if Adams' injury forces him to miss more action.

Lazard played 14 snaps on offense in Thursday's loss to the Eagles.

Lazard's snap count has steadily increased, and his 14 snaps Week 4 mark a new high for the season. While he wasn't officially targeted Thursday, he did receive a pass in his direction in the end zone in the fourth quarter, a play that was nullified by a pass interference penalty. Lazard has played a bit role up to this point, but he would be a candidate for more work should fellow wideout Davante Adams miss time with the toe injury he suffered in Thursday's contest.

McLaurin (hamstring) isn't participating in the media-access portion of Friday's practice, Kareem Copeland of The Washington Post reports.

McLaurin was listed as a limited participant Thursday after he injured his hamstring in practice. A Friday absence puts him in serious doubt for Sunday's game against the Giants, with Paul Richardson and Trey Quinn next in line to take on the vacated targets, while Kelvin Harmon, Robert Davis or Steven Sims would replace McLaurin in three-wide formations. Another update will be available Friday afternoon when Washington releases its final injury report.

Godwin (hip) looked good Friday in his return to practice, but he'll be treated as a game-time decision for Sunday's matchup with the Rams, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Held out of practice the previous two days, Godwin apparently closed out the week with limited participation, setting him up for a 'questionable' designation on the final injury report. Coach Bruce Arians sounded optimistic after Friday's practice, but he wasn't quite willing to commit to Godwin playing in the game. The Buccaneers and Rams are scheduled for a 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.

Brown took part in Friday's practice, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Brown has practiced all week, so his status for Week 4 remains unchanged. However, his participation Friday represents an upgrade in his long-term health and maintenance, as the Ravens held him out Friday in advance of their first three games to ease the wear and tear on his surgically-repaired foot. Barring a surprise inclusion on the Ravens' final injury report or some type of setback in the coming days, consider Brown good to go for Week 4 and beyond.

Head coach Jason Garrett said Cooper (ankle) felt fine after Thursday's practice, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports. Cooper is expected to practice Friday and play Sunday against the Saints, according to Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Cooper underwent an MRI on his injured ankle earlier in the week and was limited at the Cowboys' last two practice sessions, which cast a bit of doubt on his availability for Week 4. However, Friday's report provide both good news and reason to believe Cooper will play Sunday. Cooper's official Week 4 status will be revealed when the Cowboys release their final injury report of the week following Friday's practice.