NFL Player News

Polk (shoulder) did not participate at practice Thursday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

For the second straight day, Polk was unable to practice due to a shoulder issue he presumably picked up in Week 17 versus the Chargers. He'll probably have to practice Friday to have any chance to play in Week 18 versus the Bills.

Legette (hip/wrist) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

One day removed from logging a full practice Wednesday, Legette took a step back in activity level, but it may be maintenance related, as he's tending to a hip issue for a third consecutive week. After sitting out Week 16 against the Cardinals, he returned to action this past Sunday at Tampa Bay, hauling in five of nine targets for 28 yards on a 68 percent snap share. Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not Legette carries a designation into the weekend ahead of Sunday's game in Atlanta.

Watson (knee) isn't practicing Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

On a positive note, though, Watson warmed up with his teammates for the first time since suffering a bruised left knee Week 16 against the Saints. He'll have one more chance to get in some on-field work this week before the Packers potentially make a ruling on his status ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Bears.

Boutte (illness) was on the field for practice Thursday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

After missing Wednesday's session, Boutte's return to the field a day later has him trending toward being available for Sunday's season finale against the Bills. The Patriots will release their second injury report of the week later Thursday, when it will be known whether Boutte was a limited or full practice participant.

Heath played 15 of the Packers' 63 snaps on offense and reeled in his lone target for a three-yard touchdown reception in Sunday's 27-25 loss to the Vikings.

Heath had been a healthy inactive for the Packers' previous two contests, but he suited up as the team's No. 5 receiver in Week 17 while Christian Watson (knee) was sidelined. The 24-year-old cashed in on his lone target with his second touchdown of the season, but Heath is still likely to see his snap count take a hit in Week 18 versus the Bears if Watson is able to return to action.

Pearsall was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to an illness and a chest injury, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Since getting held without a reception in three consecutive contests from Weeks 11 through 13, Pearsall's involvement in the 49ers' passing game has increased in four straight games, culminating with career highs across the board (8-141-1 on 10 targets) during Monday's 40-34 loss to the Lions. With his health now compromised, however, Pearsall's status will be one to monitor as the week rolls along to get a sense of his odds to suit up Sunday at Arizona.

Watson (knee) didn't practice Wednesday.

Watson hasn't practiced since suffering a left knee bruise in the Packers' Week 16 win over the Saints, but he was listed as questionable ahead of this past Sunday's eventual loss to Minnesota before ending up on the inactive list. A return to practice Thursday or Friday would give Watson a much better shot to play this Sunday against the Bears.

McConkey missed Wednesday's practice with a toe injury.

McConkey showed no sign of being slowed by an injury in the Chargers' 40-7 win over the Patriots this past Saturday, as he played into the fourth quarter of the blowout and finished with a 8-94-2 receiving line on 10 targets. In addition to the health of his toe, McConkey's Week 18 playing time will depend on how head coach Jim Harbaugh approaches Sunday's game against the Raiders. If the Bengals beat the Steelers on Saturday, the Chargers can then move up to the No. 5 seed in the AFC with a win Sunday. If the Steelers win Saturday, the Chargers will know that they're the No. 6 seed and thus will be more likely to rest key players, including McConkey.

Higgins (ankle/knee) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

Higgins was deemed a limited participant in Tuesday's walk-through session, so he'll likely need to practice fully Thursday in order to avoid taking an injury designation into Saturday's game against the Steelers. That said, Higgins was listed as questionable due to the same pair of injuries ahead of the Bengals' Week 17 game against the Broncos, then proceeded to suit up and turned in an 11-131-3 receiving line on 12 targets in Cincinnati's 30-24 overtime win.

Raymond (foot) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's practice estimation.

Raymond has missed the Lions' last five games due to a foot injury sustained in a Week 12 win over the Colts. However, he was designated to return from injured reserve Dec. 26 and practiced in full Wednesday, suggesting he's nearing a return to the field. Raymond must still be added to Detroit's active roster in order to play in Week 18, when the Lions face the Vikings.