NFL Player News

Valdes-Scantling (chest) practiced fully Thursday.

After sitting out Week 16 at Green Bay due to a chest injury and an illness, Valdes-Scantling was able to suit up this past Sunday versus the Raiders, but his 78 percent snap share didn't amount to much in the box score (no catches on two targets). He since has followed up a limited session Wednesday with full participation one day later, thereby paving the way for active status Sunday at Tampa Bay. With no practice reps to speak of for No. 1 QB Derek Carr (left hand) this week, Valdes-Scantling appears as if he'll be on the receiving end of passes from rookie Spencer Rattler yet again.

Jones (groin) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Steelers.

Jones has been sidelined since Week 8 due to a groin injury, but he has a chance to return for Saturday's AFC North clash after logging limited practices all week. Given the playoff implications, Jones might suit up for the Bengals' regular-season finale even if he isn't at 100 percent health. Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Williams would continue to serve as Cincinnati's kickoff and punt returners, respectively, if Jones is not cleared to play.

Smith (wrist/rest) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice.

Smith has kicked off Week 18 prep with back-to-back DNPs due to wrist and rest, but even if those absences are related to maintenance, he likely is among the list of Philadelphia starters that aren't expected to play Sunday against the Giants along with QB Jalen Hurts (concussion) and RB Saquon Barkley. The Eagles could make a ruling on Smith's availability for their regular-season finale as soon as they post their final injury report of the week Friday.

Hill (wrist/rest) was a full practice participant Thursday, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Hill was listed as a limited participant at practice Wednesday while he continues to manage a wrist issue, but his full participation Thursday paves the way for him to be available for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Jets. The star wideout is likely to be on the receiving end of passes from Tyler Huntley, who appears to be trending toward a second straight start in place of Tua Tagovailoa (hip).

Brown (knee/rest) didn't practice Thursday.

During both Week 16 and 17 prep, Brown showed up on the Eagles' injury report Thursday as limited due to knee and rest before getting cleared ahead of the last two contests. This week, he's been a non-participant with the same listings, but the team isn't expected to play QB Jalen Hurts (concussion), RB Saquon Barkley and a number of other starters Sunday versus the Giants, so Brown very likely is among that group of players. Philadelphia may make a ruling on Brown's Week 18 status as soon as it posts it final report of the regular season Friday.

Waddle (knee) remained limited at practice Thursday, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Per Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post, Waddle, who has missed two straight games, appeared to be moving pretty well at practice Thursday. However, Waddle probably will need to practice fully Friday -- as fellow WR Tyreek Hill (wrist/rest) did Thursday -- in order to approach Sunday's must-win regular-season finale against the Jets without an injury designation.

Woods (knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game at Baltimore.

Woods was a limited practice participant throughout the week after he emerged from this past Sunday's 20-3 loss to the Dolphins with the knee injury. If Woods is cleared to play Saturday, he would likely operate as the Browns' No. 3 wideout behind Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore.

Dowell (knee) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

After being designated for return from the PUP list Dec. 16 and having his 21-day evaluation window opened, Dowell was a limited participant in six straight practices before upgrading to full participation Wednesday. He was unable to repeat full participation a day later, however, which could hurt his chances of being available to play in Sunday's season finale versus the Texans. The Titans will have to activate Dowell from the PUP list by Saturday in order for him to be eligible to suit up in Week 18.

Brown (hamstring) was limited at Thursday's practice.

This marks Brown's first notable on-field work since injuring his hamstring Week 16 against the Eagles. He thus will have one more session this week Friday to prove his health, at which point the Commanders could make a decision on his availability, or lack thereof, ahead of Sunday's game at Dallas. Washington can clinch the No. 6 seed in the NFC with a win this weekend, so having all skill-position players available would increase its odds to do so.

Boyd (foot) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice.

Boyd has played in each of the Titans' first 16 games of the season, but he could be at risk of missing Sunday's finale against the Texans after kicking off Week 18 prep with a pair of absences from practice. At the very least, Boyd will likely need to practice in a limited fashion Friday to take a questionable designation into the weekend.