NFL Player News

The 49ers released Bell from their practice squad Tuesday.

The 2023 seventh-round pick earned a spot on the 49ers' 53-man roster coming out of the preseason and appeared in nine of of the first 11 games of the regular season, recording two catches (on six targets) for 22 yards. He was waived by San Francisco on Nov. 30, and while he was brought back to the 49ers' practice squad three days later, he wasn't elevated to the active roster for the remainder of the season. Bell will explore his options on the open market and could look to catch on with another team on a reserve/future contract.

Shepard was a limited participant in practice Wednesday due to foot and knee injuries.

Shepard returned from a one-game absence due to a hamstring injury in Tampa Bay's Week 18 win over the Saints. He played 66 percent of offensive snaps and secured one of two targets for 11 yards in the win, but he's now dealing with a new pair of health concerns heading into Sunday's wild-card game against the Commanders. Shepard may need to put in a full practice by Friday to avoid taking a designation into the postseason opener.

Osborn (illness) is not listed on Wednesday's injury report.

Osborn missed Washington's Week 18 win over the Cowboys due to an illness, but he's returned to full health as the Commanders begin prepping for Sunday's wild-card matchup at Tampa Bay. The veteran wideout joined the Commanders in mid-December but has made just one appearance, which came in Week 17 versus Atlanta. He played 18 offensive snaps and wasn't targeted in that contest.

Crowder was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice with a groin injury.

Crowder played just 20 offensive snaps during Washington's win over the Cowboys in Week 18, his lowest total since returning to action Week 15 following a stint on injured reserve. The groin issue may have been a factor in his downturn in playing time, though Crowder is still unlikely to be anything more than Washington's third or fourth receiver if he's able to move past the injury ahead of Sunday's wild-card matchup with the Buccaneers.

Palmer (foot) wasn't spotted at practice Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Palmer was listed as a non-participant Tuesday as well, so what the wideout is able to do Thursday will be critical in determining his chances of playing in Saturday's playoff opener against the Texans. If Palmer -- who was inactive for the Chargers' Week 18 win over the Raiders -- remains out this weekend, DJ Chark and Derius Davis would be in line to see added snaps alongside fellow wideouts Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston (thigh/illness).

Crowder played 20 snaps without getting a target in Sunday's 23-19 win at Dallas.

Crowder had multiple catches in each of his previous three games since returning from a lengthy stint on injured reserve. He'll continue to be a part-time option at receiver during the playoffs, with his role as the Commanders' punt returner likely being his main contribution. He muffed a punt in the Week 18 victory, but it wasn't entirely his fault, as fellow wide receiver Luke McCaffrey ran into Crowder while he was trying to catch the ball.

Cooper (personal/back) was a full participant in Wednesday's walk-through practice.

Cooper missed the Bills' loss to the Patriots in Week 18 due to a personal family matter and is now listed with a back injury on this week's injury report, but his ability to take every rep at Wednesday's practice nonetheless has him on track to play in Sunday's wild-card game against the Broncos. After being acquired from the Browns on Oct. 15, Cooper appeared in eight games with Buffalo to close out the regular season, accruing a 20-297-2 line on 32 targets across those contests.

Flowers (knee) is not participating in the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media, Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Flowers is reportedly trending in the wrong direction for Saturday's wild-card game against the Steelers due to a right knee sprain sustained during Baltimore's regular-season finale last weekend, a 35-10 win over the Browns. Head coach John Harbaugh labeled Flowers as day-to-day Monday, but the wideout has proceeded to sit out both of the Ravens' first two practices of the week. Thursday's practice will thus be a pivotal one for Flowers, who will likely need to get in at least limited on-field reps to have a chance at being cleared to play this weekend.

Doubs (illness) was present at Wednesday's practice, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Doubs was tacked on to the Packers' Week 18 injury this past Saturday as questionable due to an illness and eventually was sidelined for Sunday's loss to the Bears. Head coach Matt LaFleur told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic afterward that Doubs was "in no shape" to play in the regular-season finale due to a "bug," but with the benefit of three days to rest and recover, the wide receiver appears to be mostly past the ailment. Wednesday's report will unveil how much work Doubs was able to handle.

Shakir didn't play any snaps during Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Patriots.

Shakir, alongside a handful of other key players, didn't see any action in Week 18 with Buffalo having already secured the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs heading into the day. He'll resume handling his usual starting role at wideout during Sunday's wild-card round matchup at home against the Broncos. Shakir concluded the regular season having tallied career-high marks across the board, despite appearing in just 15 games. He compiled 76 catches for 821 yards and four scores on 100 targets.