NFL Player News

Coutee (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Browns.

After aggravating the hamstring injury in Monday's 34-17 win over the Titans, Coutee wasn't able to advance beyond limited practice participation this week, prompting Houston to hold him out for the sixth time this season. With Coutee in street clothes, DeAndre Carter could benefit from more opportunities to play alongside DeAndre Hopkins and Demaryius Thomas in three-receiver formations.

Parker (shoulder) is active for Sunday's Week 13 tilt against the Bills.

Parker wasn't able to surpass limited practice participation all week, but he'll nevertheless take the field against a Bills defense that's been the stingiest in the NFL in terms of passing yards allowed per game (193.7). With fellow wideout Danny Amendola (knee) inactive, Parker should see an increase in target share.

Cobb (hamstring) is listed as active Sunday against the Cardinals, Michael Cohen of The Athletic reports.

Cobb is upholding his comments from early in the week, when he told Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com that he's "excited to get back out there." After tending to a lingering hamstring injury for more than two months, Cobb will be making just his third appearance since Week 3. In his return, he'll face an Arizona defense that has allowed 155.8 receiving yards per game and 11 touchdowns to wideouts in 11 contests this season.

Cobb (hamstring), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, is on track to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The wideout noted earlier in the week that he was confident he would be ready to return from a three-game absence Sunday and the Packers apparently agree with Cobb's assessment. Because the hamstring injury has prevented Cobb from playing in six of the Packers' last eight games, it's possible his reps could be limited to some extent in his return, rendering him a shaky fantasy option. Cobb opened the season with a nine-reception, 142-yard performance against the Bears but has underwhelmed in his other four appearances, logging a combined 17 catches for just 116 yards on 28 targets.

Diggs (knee), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Diggs missed the first two days of practice before getting on the field Friday, albeit on a limited basis. It would be prudent to check back on Diggs' status when the Vikings release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 4:25 p.m. EST kickoff, but the wideout shouldn't face any restrictions if he is in fact cleared to play.

Crowder (ankle) is questionable on the Redskins' preliminary injury report for Monday's game against the Eagles.

The Redskins are holding practice Saturday night, so it remains to be seen whether Crowder progresses beyond his limited participation the rest of the week. The 25-year-old struggled with only 13 receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown in four games prior to suffering the ankle injury in early October. Crowder's chances for returning from a seven-game absence continue to be up in the air.

Bourne and Austin Pettis will serve as the 49ers' starting receivers in Sunday's game in Seattle, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

It will be the second straight start for both players, who will benefit from the continued absences of Marquise Goodwin (not-injury related) and Pierre Garcon (knee). Pettis, a rookie second-round pick who set career highs across the board in Week 12 against the Buccaneers (four catches for 77 yards and one touchdown on seven targets) ranks as the more appealing fantasy option of the two. With a pedestrian 6.4 yards per target over nine games this season, Bourne hasn't shown much of a knack for big plays, but at 6-foot-1, he at least offers some decent size in the red zone.

Pettis will retain a spot in the starting lineup Sunday against the Seahawks with Marquise Goodwin (not-injury related) and Pierre Garcon (knee) ruled out for the contest, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The absences of Goodwin and Garcon should translate to full-time roles for both Pettis and Kendrick Bourne, while Richie James enters the mix in three-receiver formations. Pettis was by far the most productive of the healthy wideouts when Goodwin and Garcon were sidelined for the Week 12 loss to the Buccaneers, as the rookie notched four receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. He could struggle to reach those marks while matching up against a tougher Seattle secondary, making Pettis an ideal lineup option only in deeper weekly leagues or as a dart throw in DFS tournaments.

Crowder (ankle) remained a limited participant at practice Friday.

Crowder is hopeful he can return from a seven-game absence Monday against the Eagles, but he acknowledged Thursday that it's no sure thing. A full practice session Saturday would provide real reason for confidence, though there isn't much upside in saving a spot in fantasy lineups for Crowder even if he's cleared to play. He posted 13 receptions for 134 and a touchdown across four games prior to suffering the ankle injury Oct. 8.

Conley is expected to be a fixture in both two- and three-receiver formations Sunday against the Raiders with the Chiefs ruling out Sammy Watkins (foot) for the contest, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

With his foot injury still hindering him coming out of a Week 12 bye, Watkins will essentially sit out a third game in a row, as he only managed to play five snaps in the 54-51 loss to the Rams on Nov. 19. Watkins' limitations in that contest facilitated Conley's coming-out party, with the 26-year-old parlaying an elevated snap count into seven receptions for 74 yards and two scores on eight targets. The shootout nature of that contest resulted in big numbers from multiple skill-position players on both squads, so expect Conley's statistical output to be more muted in Week 13 with the Chiefs taking on a 2-9 Raiders squad that enters the game as double-digit home underdogs. Conley should still draw favorable matchups on most of the routes he runs against Oakland's porous secondary, but his overall volume may suffer if the Chiefs get out to an early lead that prompts them to favor a run-heavy game script.