NFL Player News

Matthews is a candidate to earn snaps Sunday in Chicago with Quincy Enunwa (ankle) sidelined and Robby Anderson (ankle) doubtful to play, Matt Stypulkoski of NJ.com reports.

With the aforementioned duo expected to be out of commission this weekend, the Jets are particularly thin at wideout. Aside from Jermaine Kearse, only Andre Roberts (eight targets) and Deontay Burnett (two) have been on the receiving end of passes from Sam Darnold. Among the rest of the skill positions, Chris Herndon (16), Isaiah Crowell (13) and Eric Tomlinson (10) are the only healthy options that sit in the double-digits in terms of targets. While Matthews has only been with the team since Tuesday, he may be forced to run routes due to the lack of available options. Prior to his release from the Titans last month, he had just three catches (on six targets) for 11 yards. However, Matthews is just two years removed from a 65-945-9 line on 108 targets.

Kupp (knee) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Green Bay, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

Kupp was spotted doing some work on a side field Thursday, but he still hasn't returned to practice and doesn't seem to have any shot at avoiding a second straight absence. Josh Reynolds will take over in three-wide formations, with Robert Woods likely spending much of his afternoon working from the slot. The Rams will hope to get Kupp back for Week 9 against the Saints or Week 10 against the Seahawks.

Pettis (knee) was a full practice participant Friday and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at Arizona, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

The rookie's return comes at a convenient time with fellow wideout Pierre Garcon (knee/shoulder) listed as doubtful. Kendrick Bourne is also a candidate to take on some of Garcon's snaps, but it won't come as much of a surprise if Pettis has a key role in the offense for his first appearance since Week 4.

Coach Todd Bowles said the Jets are expected to take a look at Pryor (groin) following Sunday's contest at Chicago, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

When the Jets released Pryor on Saturday, he was believed to need 2-to-3 weeks off to tend to a minor groin tear. However, he has since informed teams that he's approaching 100 percent health (per Adam Schefter of ESPN) and posted a video of himself running and catching a pass on his personal Twitter account. With teams wrapping up Week 8 prep, Pryor isn't a candidate to be signed in time to play Sunday or Monday, but Bowles' comment seems to indicate he'll be a member of an organization at some point next week.

St. Brown (knee) carries the questionable tag ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Rams, Michael Cohen of The Athletic reports.

St. Brown logged limited practices all three days this week. The rookie is one of three wide receivers on the Packers' injury report, with the other two being Geronimo Allison (hamstring) and Randall Cobb (hamstring). If St. Brown were to miss time, fellow receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling or J'Mon Moore could step up in the injured receiving corps.

Robinson (groin) returned to practice Friday as a limited participant and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Robinson followed the same routine last week, missing practice Wednesday and Thursday before logging a limited session Friday. He ended up catching just one of five targets for four yards in a 38-31 loss to New England, handling his lowest snap share (74 percent) in a Bears uniform. Robinson should be able to gut it out again, but we'll need to keep an eye on the situation when the Bears release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1:00 PM ET kickoff. Robinson did mention after Friday's practice that he's feeling a bit better, per Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune.

Coach Ron Rivera said Samuel "should see an increased number" of offensive snaps Sunday versus the Ravens in the absence of Torrey Smith (knee), Max Henson of the Panthers' official site reports.

Samuel had a delayed start to the season due to a procedure to address an irregular heartbeat. Since his return Week 5 against the Giants, he's been a minimal part of the Panthers offense, receiving five touches in three contests. Because he's produced two touchdowns and 17.7 YPC, though, Samuel is a decent bet to take advantage of Smith's available volume (4.5 targets per game).

Coach Ron Rivera said Moore "should see an increased number" of offensive snaps Sunday against the Ravens in the absence of Torrey Smith (knee), Max Henson of the Panthers' official site reports.

Moore slowly but surely has increased his target count as his rookie season has progressed, settling at five both of the last two games. His peripheral numbers suggest he's due for a breakout if Cam Newton (shoulder) looks his way more often -- 14.7 YPC and 10.6 YPT -- but until that happens it's tough to rely on him on a weekly basis. Fortunately for Moore, Smith's 4.5 targets per game are up for grabs this weekend.

Cobb (hamstring) was a full practice participant Friday but is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, Michael Cohen of The Athletic reports.

Despite the official designation, Cobb's ability to make it through a full practice supports coach Mike McCarthy's stated expectation that the veteran slot receiver will return. With Geronimo Allison cleared from the final injury report, Aaron Rodgers will have his full complement of pass-catching weapons for the first time since Week 3. Cobb draws a tricky matchup against Rams slot corner Nickell Robey-Coleman.

Crowder (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Giants.

As expected, Crowder didn't practice at all this week and has now been ruled out for a third straight game. It does seem the Redskins stand a decent chance to get Paul Richardson (shoulder/knee) and Chris Thompson (rib/knee) back in the lineup, potentially giving Alex Smith the closest thing he's had to a healthy supporting cast since Week 5. Maurice Harris should replace Crowder in three-wide formations.