NFL Player News

Brown (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Brown upgraded to full practice participation Friday to avoid an injury designation after being a non-participant Wednesday and limited Thursday. He's set to return after a one-game absence and figures to reprise a starting role on the outside in Washington's final regular-season action before the playoffs.

Burton (coach's decision) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Steelers, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Burton won't even travel with the team to Pittsburgh, and it seems as if he's being punished for some sort of off-the-field incident. It's the third time this season that the third-round rookie will be a healthy inactive. Burton will close out the regular season having caught just four of 14 targets for 107 scoreless yards. He also returned 13 kickoffs for 378 yards. Perhaps Burton can get back on the field next week if the Bengals sneak into the playoffs.

Raymond (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Vikings, Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network reports.

Raymond practiced without limitations all week, but he'll need to be removed from injured reserve and added back to the roster in order to make his return from a foot injury that has sidelined him since Week 12. Even if Raymond gets clearance to play, he'll likely work behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Tim Patrick on Detroit's wide receiver depth chart in a game that will determine the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Brown (knee/rest) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Brown's absence will be for rest and injury avoidance more so than anything to do with his minor knee injury. He should be ready for a full workload in the wild-card round of the playoffs against Washington or Green Bay.

Smith (rest/wrist) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Giants.

The Eagles have a slew of starters listed as either out or doubtful. There's been no indication that Smith's wrist injury is a concern for the playoffs.

Dowell (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Texans, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Dowell will remain on the reserve/PUP list to close out the campaign after he tore his ACL and meniscus in Week 17 of last season. The 2023 seventh-round pick will look to have a healthy offseason and compete for a roster spot next summer.

Shepard (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints.

Shepard's hoping to suit up after being limited in all three of Tampa Bay's practices during the week. If the veteran wideout takes the field, he'll likely work as the third option in Tampa Bay's receiving corps behind Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan. The Buccaneers would secure a playoff berth with a win.

Olave (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, Jeff Nowak of WWL Louisiana reports.

Long-time Saints beat reporter Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football says he'll be "pretty surprised" if Olave plays. Olave has been a full practice participant for the past two weeks and wants to play, but the Saints have concerns about both his concussion history and conditioning level. They'll need to active him from injured reserve Saturday if he's going to play Sunday.

Polk (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bills, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

Polk was the No. 37 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and posted a miserable rookie season, finishing the year with 12 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns on 33 targets. After opening the season as a starter, Polk fell behind Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne on the depth chart. At 0.35 yards per route run as a rookie, Polk was dead last among 111 qualifying wide receivers.

Ford-Wheaton (shoulder) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Eagles, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

The 24-year-old wideout began the Giants' week of practice with back-to-back limited sessions due to a shoulder injury sustained in early December. Ford-Wheaton then upgraded to full participation Friday, suggesting he's recovered from the issue enough to suit up in Week 18. The West Virginia product has played almost strictly on special teams this season and is expected to reprise that role in Sunday's divisional matchup.