NFL Player News

Samuel (rib) was limited at practice Thursday.

Samuel was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report, so he'll presumably need to practice fully Friday in order to approach Sunday's contest against the Jets without an injury designation. If he's cleared for Week 17 action, Samuel would carry modest fantasy upside while working in a wideout corps that also includes Khalil Shakir, Amari Cooper, Keon Coleman and Mack Hollins.

Williams failed to secure either of his two targets during Wednesday's 29-10 loss to Kansas City.

Williams had racked up double-digit yards in each of the last three games, but his production took a step back on Christmas Day since George Pickens (hamstring) was back in action. Williams hasn't been a reliable contributor over his eight appearances with the Steelers this year, securing eight of 12 targets for 107 yards and a touchdown. Now that Pickens is healthy, Williams' upside for next week's regular-season finale against the Bengals is limited.

Nabers (toe) said after Thursday's practice that he views himself as a "gameday decision" for Sunday's tilt with the Colts, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Nabers has yet to practice this week while he manages a toe injury, but he said that he's aiming to get back on the field Friday for the Giants' final session of the week. If he's able to do so, it would alleviate some of the concern about his availability for Sunday, though Nabers would likely need to put in a full practice to avoid carrying a designation into the weekend. Despite being on the receiving end of subpar quarterback play for much of the season and also missing two games due to a concussion, Nabers has already recorded 97 catches, putting him and the Raiders' Brock Bowers (101 catches) in striking distance of besting the NFL rookie record of 105 receptions established by Puka Nacua in 2023.

Jefferson failed to secure his lone target during Wednesday's 29-10 loss to Kansas City.

Jefferson has been inconsistent over the past few weeks, and he was held without any receiving yards for the second time in the last three games Wednesday. Now that George Pickens (hamstring) is back on the field, it seems unlikely that Jefferson will have a significant role in next week's regular-season finale against Cincinnati.

Austin secured four of five targets for 31 yards during Wednesday's 29-10 loss to Kansas City.

Austin led the Steelers in receiving yards in each of the last two games since George Pickens (hamstring) was sidelined. However, Pickens was back in action Wednesday, and Austin wasn't as productive in a game in which the Steelers' offense struggled to generate much production through the air. Austin has secured 19 of 24 targets for 272 yards and two touchdowns over his last six appearances, but his fantasy potential for the Steelers' regular-season finale against the Bengals next week will likely be limited as long as Pickens is available once again.

Legette (hip/wrist) was limited at Thursday's practice.

After opening the week listed as a full participant Wednesday, Legette experienced a downgrade in his activity level one day later. Fellow wide receiver Adam Thielen also logged a limited practice Thursday due to a hamstring issue, placing a cloud over the status of the Panthers' top two wide receivers. Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not the pair enter the weekend with designations for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay.

Thielen was limited at practice Thursday due to a hamstring injury, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

After not being included on Carolina's first practice report of the week Wednesday, Thielen was added to it one day later. His practice restrictions may be maintenance-related, but the health concern is a new one for the veteran wide receiver. As such, Thielen's status will be monitored as the weekend draws closer to get a sense of his potential to play Sunday at Tampa Bay.

The Lions designated Raymond (foot) to return from injured reserve Thursday, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports.

Raymond was placed on injured reserve in late November due to a foot injury he suffered in Week 12 against the Colts. Head coach Dan Campbell relayed Thursday that he doesn't expect Raymond to play against the 49ers on Monday, but the 30-year-old wide receiver could be activated off IR ahead of Detroit's regular-season finale against Minnesota in Week 18. Prior to his injury, Raymond caught 16 passes (on 21 targets) for 204 yards and two touchdowns while adding 26 kick-return yards and 390 punt-return yards and a touchdown across 11 games.

The Commanders signed Moore to the practice squad Thursday, Zach Selby of the team's official site reports.

Moore spent the first five weeks of the regular season with the Cardinals but did not record a target over that span, and he was cut from Arizona's practice squad in early November. He's had stints with the Cardinals, Titans, Texans and Ravens since being selected by Baltimore in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, and over that span he has accumulated 138 catches (on 215 targets) for 1,710 yards and eight touchdowns across 111 regular-season games. Moore could be elevated to the Commanders' active roster for Sunday's game against the Falcons if either or both of Terry McLaurin (ankle) and Dyami Brown (hamstring) are unable to play.

Waddle (knee) was present for Thursday's practice, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Waddle, who was inactive for Week 16 action, was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice estimate, but the wideout's presence on the field a day later offers hope that he will return to action Sunday against the Browns. The Dolphins' upcoming injury report is slated to reveal Waddle's official participation level Thursday.