NFL Player News

Moore should maintain a significant role in the Carolina offense with Torrey Smith (knee) ruled out for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Moore took full advantage of Smith's absence last week against a tough Ravens defense, catching five of six targets for 90 yards and adding 39 yards on two carries as his snap share spiked to a season-high 71 percent. The rookie gets a much softer matchup Sunday, giving him a nice opportunity to continue making a case for a key role in the offense even after Smith returns. In any event, Smith could have a tough time making it back in Week 10 with the Panthers traveling to Pittsburgh for a Thursday night game.

Lasley (hamstring) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Lasley popped up on the Ravens' injury report Thursday, when a hamstring issue limited his involvement in practice. Whatever the rookie was able to do in Friday's session was apparently enough for him to avoid a questionable status heading into the weekend. Lasley hasn't been active at any point this season and that seems unlikely to change Sunday with all four of the receivers above him on the depth chart currently healthy.

Robinson is preparing for a larger role with Stefon Diggs (ribs) in danger of missing Sunday's game against the Lions, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Robinson dropped a hint that Diggs isn't expected to suit up, likely leaving the Vikings without a player who has accounted for 10.6 targets and 60.8 snaps per game for the season. No. 3 wide receiver Laquon Treadwell is an obvious candidate to take on some of the volume, but the Vikings would also need Robinson to step into a role in three-wideout formations if Diggs is sidelined. The 30-year-old has caught just 46.8 percent of his 158 career targets, making up for it with 12 touchdowns and an average of 17.4 yards on 74 receptions, including three scores among five catches in 2018. If nothing else, Robinson makes for a passable boom-or-bust option in deep fantasy leagues.

Treadwell said he's ready to handle a larger role if Stefon Diggs (ribs) can't play Sunday against the Lions, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Most signs point to a Week 9 absence after Diggs, who is listed as questionable, was a non-participant throughout the week of practice. Treadwell has landed between three and seven targets each week this season, managing just 8.6 yards per catch and 5.8 per target in what has otherwise been a highly efficient passing attack. Aldrick Robinson might actually be the greater beneficiary in terms of snap count, while Adam Thielen and Kyle Rudolph are the safe bets to draw targets. The Vikings might also look to their backfield to help replace Diggs' 10.6 targets per game, especially if Dalvin Cook (hamstring) is finally healthy. Putting it all together, Treadwell is best viewed as a deep-league dart throw and not much more.

St. Brown (knee) practiced fully Friday and doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Patriots, Michael Cohen of The Athletic reports.

The knee issue never seemed to be a major concern, as St. Brown was able to practice throughout the week, albeit in a limited capacity Thursday and Friday. The rookie was limited to just six offensive snaps in the Week 7 loss to the Rams while Green Bay had all its key receivers at full strength, but the team could be down a member Sunday with Geronimo Allison (hamstring/groin) listed as doubtful for the contest. Marquez Valdes-Scantling would likely move into the starting lineup and benefit the most if Allison is in fact out, but St. Brown would presumably see his snap count pick up as well as part of an expanded wideout rotation.

Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan confirmed Friday that Cooper would receive significant snaps in Monday's game against the Titans, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports. "We're not really easing him in," Linehan said of the newly acquired wideout.

The Cowboys traded for Cooper on Oct. 22 while the team was on its Week 8 bye, giving him some extra time to get familiar with a new offensive system. Cooper has taken part in both of the Cowboys' first two practices of Week 9 and seems to have made a positive impression on the coaching staff, setting him up to fill a starting role right away with his new squad. He could quickly establish himself as the go-to downfield and intermediate option for quarterback Dak Prescott, as the Cowboys have struggled to wring production from any of their receivers this season aside from slot man and short-yardage target Cole Beasley (33 catches for 350 yards and two touchdowns).

Cobb (hamstring) was a full practice participant Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at New England, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Cobb followed the same practice schedule last week, logging two limited practices and one full session prior to catching four of five targets for 40 yards in a 29-27 loss to the Rams. He only played 46 percent of snaps on offense in that contest, but he should get more playing time Week 9 with Geronimo Allison (hamstring) listed as doubtful.

Kupp (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game at New Orleans, Josh Katzenstein of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Kupp followed limited practices Wednesday and Thursday with a full session Friday, erasing any doubt about his ability to return from a two-game absence. He'll re-enter the lineup with a favorable matchup against slot cornerback P.J. Williams, who was utterly overmatched against Minnesota's Adam Thielen last week. The Saints defense has given up 10.4 yards per target on passes to wide receivers, yielding 13 touchdowns and 1,650 yards in seven games this season.

Coach Sean McVay reiterated Friday that Kupp (knee) will return to game action Sunday in New Orleans, Rich Hammond of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Kupp got an endorsement from McVay earlier in the week and then managed limited practice participation Wednesday and Thursday. Another update on Kupp will come later Friday when the Rams release their final injury report.

Hill (groin) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Browns after logging a full practice Friday, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

At the halfway mark of the Chiefs' schedule, Hill ranks sixth in the NFL with 705 receiving yards on 44 catches while reaching the end zone eight times. After proving his health by ending the week without any restrictions, the dynamic playmaker will take aim at a Cleveland defense that has surrendered an average of 275.6 passing yards per game this season. Only six teams have given up more passing yardage to date.