NFL Player News

Means (ankle) remained sidelined for Friday's practice, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Means hasn't played since Week 8 and was designated for return from injured reserve on Dec. 4, so the Saints have less than seven days before they need to make a decision on whether or not to activate the rookie wideout. The Saints go on the road for a Monday night matchup with the Packers this week.

Valdes-Scantling (chest) isn't practicing Friday, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Back-to-back absences hint at legitimate concern regarding his availability against the Packers on Monday. The short-handed Saints also have been practicing without QB Derek Carr (hand), RB Alvin Kamara (ankle) and WR Bub Means (ankle, IR), potentially leaving the offensive burden on unproven players like QB Spencer Rattler, RB Kendre Miller and WR Kevin Austin. Their healthy wide receivers besides Austin are Dante Pettis, Cedrick Wilson and Mason Tipton.

Moore (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Xavier Legette (hip) is out, and Jalen Coker (quadriceps) is questionable, so Moore could be looking at every-down wideout snaps if he gains clearance for Sunday. Moore was able to practice fully Friday, suggesting Moore has a good chance to suit up versus Arizona. Moore has posted a 28-286-1 line on 50 targets this season.

Baker (concussion) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's matchup against the Bills.

Baker was a full participant in practice Thursday and Friday, and he's now cleared to return for the Patriots' Week 16 away game. The rookie wide receiver and kick returner likely will keep operating as part of the special teams unit for New England as he did before he suffered his concussion.

Coker (quadriceps) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Cardinals.

Coker made a midweek appearance on the Panthers' injury report, logging limited sessions Thursday and Friday due to a quad issue. Fellow WR Xavier Legette (hip) has been ruled out for Week 16, while David Moore (concussion) also is questionable to suit up. The statuses of Coker and Moore won't be confirmed until about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, but if either or both join Legette as inactive, Carolina may have to roll with a WR corps featuring Adam Thielen, with Deven Thompkins and Dan Chisena also in the mix.

Legette (hip) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus the Cardinals, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Legette departed last Sunday's loss to the Cowboys in the middle of the third quarter due to what was termed a groin injury at the time. However, the Panthers reclassified it to a hip issue on their first practice report of the week Wednesday, and he proceeded to miss all three Week 16 sessions. With Legette sidelined this weekend, Adam Thielen will be the clear-cut No. 1 WR for QB Bryce Young, while the next two options at the position -- Jalen Coker (quadriceps) and David Moore (concussion) -- both are questionable to suit up, which leaves Deven Thompkins and Dan Chisena as the other healthy receivers on the active roster.

Washington (concussion) is out for Sunday's outing against the Giants, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Washington will log his third straight inactive game as the Falcons take on the Giants at home. The rookie wide receiver's next chance to see the field will be in Week 17 against the Commanders, though he'll likely be a special teams contributor if he sees the field then.

DuBose (head) has returned home after spending multiple days in a Houston-area hospital following last Sunday's injury against the Texans, Dan Rorabaugh of The Palm Beach Post reports.

DuBose was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season unless Miami makes the postseason and also goes on a run in the playoffs. In all likelihood, DuBose has played his final snaps of the campaign and will finish the year with two catches for 11 yards. He should be ready for a mostly normal offseason ahead of the 2025 campaign, when he'll likely once again compete for a job in Miami's wideout room.

Hodge (ribs) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Hodge sees substantial offensive snaps only if one of Drake London, Darnell Mooney or Ray-Ray McCloud is injured, and that's not the case this week. Over the last three weeks, Hodge has played a combined 12 offensive snaps. If he's unable to go against the Giants, his absence would mainly be felt on special teams.

Tillman (concussion) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Tillman remains in concussion protocol, but the Browns are hopeful he'll be able to play this weekend, per Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Tillman has missed three straight games after being concussed Week 12 against the Steelers. If he's cleared to play Sunday, he steps right back into a prominent role and plus matchup versus Cincinnati. However, the quarterback switch from Jameis Winston to Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a significant downgrade.