NFL Player News

Olave (concussion) was a full practice participant Thursday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

It's unclear if Olave is putting himself in a position for his first game action since Week 9, when he sustained a concussion, but he now has been listed as full on five straight injury reports. The Saints could make a ruling on his status as soon as they post their final Week 18 report Friday, but they also may keep the door open for him to suit up Sunday in Tampa Bay.

Boutte (illness) was a full participant in practice Thursday.

Boutte was held out of Wednesday's practice after coming down with an illness, but his ability to take every rep a day later has him on track to play in Sunday's season finale versus the Bills. The second-year wideout has played at least three quarters of the Patriots' offensive snaps in 11 consecutive games and is averaging 2.9 receptions for 38.6 yards and 0.18 touchdowns on 5.1 targets during that stretch.

Mooney practiced on a limited basis Thursday due to a shoulder injury, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Both Mooney and Drake London (knee, LP) were added to Atlanta's injury report Thursday, leaving a cloud over the state of the receiving corps in the middle of Week 18 prep. Friday's report will provide a sense of both player's availability ahead of Sunday's game against the Panthers.

London was limited at Thursday's practice due to a knee injury, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

London also had some practice restrictions last week due to the same health concern, but he practiced fully to end Week 17 prep and didn't have a designation ahead of this past Sunday's game against Washington, when he hauled in seven of 13 targets for 106 yards. Friday's injury report will unveil whether or not he follows a similar pattern for Week 18 action.

McConkey (toe) was present for practice Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

After being listed as a non-participant Wednesday, McConkey's presence for Thursday's session bodes well for his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Raiders.

Nabers was listed as a limited participant in Thursday's practice due to a toe injury, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Nabers' name wasn't included Wednesday on the Giants' initial Week 18 injury report, but he had his reps capped Thursday on account of the same toe issue that kept him off the field for two practices a week ago and limited him in another. The rookie wideout ended up carrying a questionable tag into last weekend's 45-33 win over the Colts, but he suited up and finished with seven catches for a career-high 171 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets. The Giants haven't clarified whether Nabers' addition to the injury report Thursday was the result of an aggravation of the toe injury or a matter of maintenance, but either way, his status now bears watching heading into Sunday's season finale at Philadelphia.

Samuel (rib) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Samuel had his reps capped during Wednesday's walk-through session, and he continued to operate with some restrictions when the Bills held a more traditional practice a day later. Though Buffalo is secure as the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs, head coach Sean McDermott expressed hope that Samuel would be able to take the field Sunday against the Patriots, even though no postseason implications are at stake. The Bills may just want to see Samuel get some live reps heading into the playoffs after he was sidelined for both of the team's previous two games due to the injury.

Odunze (illness) didn't practice Thursday.

With no activity to speak of yet during Week 18 prep due to an illness, Odunze has only one more opportunity Friday to mix into drills before the Bears potentially tag him with a designation ahead of Sunday's contest at Green Bay. In his first matchup with the Packers back in Week 11, Odunze gathered in six of 10 targets for 65 yards, which is his fourth-highest yardage total of his rookie campaign.

Head coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged Thursday that Watson (knee) likely "would have to get some work in" at Friday's practice in order to have a chance to play Sunday against the Bears, Bill Huber of SI.com reports.

Watson hasn't practiced since sustaining a bruised left knee Week 16 against the Saints, but he at least warmed up with his teammates Thursday for the first time since then, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Friday's session thus will be key for Watson's odds to return to action this weekend. During this past Sunday's loss at Minnesota, Dontayvion Wicks was the clear beneficiary among Packers wide receivers with Watson sidelined, ranking second at the position in snap share (73 percent) behind Romeo Doubs (86 percent) and ahead of Jayden Reed (71 percent), Bo Melton (25 percent) and Malik Heath (24 percent).

Higgins (ankle/knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Steelers.

The Bengals listed Higgins as questionable ahead of their Week 17 matchup with the Broncos due to the same pair of injuries, but the wideout suited up and turned in perhaps the finest performance of his career. He finished with 11 catches for 131 yards and three touchdowns on 12 targets, including the game-winning three-yard scoring grab in overtime. Higgins will once again carry a designation into the weekend after he was a limited participant in practices Tuesday through Thursday, but it would be a major surprise if he wasn't able to play Saturday, especially with the Bengals fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive.