NFL Player News

Coach Todd Bowles said Friday that Shepard (hamstring/foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus the Panthers, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Shepard exited in the third quarter of this past Sunday's contest at Dallas due to a hamstring injury, which, combined with the foot issue that he dealt with last week, will keep him sidelined Week 17. The Buccaneers' receiving corps Sunday will be composed of Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan, Ryan Miller, Trey Palmer and Rakim Jarrett. As for Shepard, he'll focus on getting healthy for a Week 18 matchup with the Saints.

Higgins (ankle/knee) has improved throughout the week, and there is optimism he'll be able to play Saturday against the Broncos, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Higgins has dealt with a multitude of nagging injuries this season, but it seems to be trending toward him not missing any time with this latest issue. He had his ankle tweaked underneath him last Sunday against the Browns, but he was able to return and got in a round of limited practices this week. Saturday's matchup with the Broncos is as close to a must-win game as possible for both teams, so there's a lot riding on Higgins' availability.

Head coach Brian Daboll noted that Nabers (toe) is in line to practice Friday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Per the report, Daboll is "hopeful" regarding the status of both Nabers (toe) and running back Tyrone Tracy (ankle) for Sunday's game against the Colts. Friday's final injury report will reveal the duo's official game designations, but Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com relayed Thursday that the wideout considers himself a "game-day decision" for the Giants' 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Samuel (ribs) will be limited in Friday's practice and listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets, Alec White of the Bills' official site reports.

Samuel, who was inactive for the Bills' Week 16 win over the Patriots, also was deemed limited Wednesday and Thursday. If he's able to return to action this weekend, he'll carry modest fantasy lineup upside, however, given that Khalil Shakir, Amari Cooper, Keon Coleman and Mack Hollins are on hand to absorb wideout targets versus New York.

Bobo wasn't targeted in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Bears.

Bobo hasn't been targeted more than once in a game nor has he played more than 18 snaps since Week 6. His fantasy value remains minimal heading into the regular-season finale versus the Rams.

Lockett caught three of four targets for 20 yards in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Bears.

Geno Smith threw for a season-low 160 yards in the tight win while Lockett failed to produce more than 22 receiving yards for the seventh straight game. DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are the focal points of this passing offense, so Lockett's upside will remain limited even in a favorable Week 18 matchup against the Rams.

Woods caught both of his targets for 21 yards in Wednesday's 31-2 loss to Baltimore in Week 17.

Woods had the fourth-most snaps (21) among wide receivers, as the return of John Metchie from a shoulder injury pushed the 12-year veteran further down the depth chart. The Texans will operate without both Tank Dell (knee) and Stefon Diggs (knee) for the regular-season finale and through the postseason, when Woods' experience could be useful.

Hutchinson caught two of four targets in Wednesday's 31-2 loss to the Ravens in Week 17.

Hutchinson, who was given his most targets in five games, experienced an uptick in snap count (39) due to Tank Dell (knee) joining Stefon Diggs (knee) on injured reserve. Hutchinson, John Metchie, Jared Wayne and Robert Woods filled out the depth chart behind No. 1 wideout Nico Collins.

Odunze brought in one of four targets for 15 yards in the Bears' 6-3 loss to the Seahawks on Thursday night.

Odunze and Caleb Williams had trouble connecting for the most part, although the rookie receiver did have a 17-yard touchdown catch late in the second quarter nullified by an offensive holding penalty. Odunze's reception and yardage totals were his lowest since Week 4, but he'll have an opportunity to head into his first NFL offseason with some momentum when he faces the Packers secondary in a Week 18 road matchup.

Smith-Njigba brought in three of six targets for 32 yards in the Seahawks' 6-3 win over the Bears on Thursday night.

After several noteworthy performances in recent weeks, Smith-Njigba finished with his lowest reception and yardage totals since Week 7, although the former tally tied him for second on the night in catches with several teammates. Smith-Njigba also set the pace in targets for Seattle as he continued to garner plenty of Geno Smith's trust, and he should be due for a bump in production during a critical Week 18 road matchup against the Rams that could decide the NFC West.