NFL Player News

Jones (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Jones' groin injury has kept him out since Week 8, and he's now at risk of missing yet another outing. The second-year pro likely will remain the Bengals' kick and punt returner if he's able to return versus Cleveland, but if he's unable to play, Khalil Herbert and Isaiah Williams are primed to be Cincinnati's top kick and punt returners, respectively.

Brown (knee) said Friday that he'll play Sunday at Washington, Andrew DiCecco of InsideTheBirds.com reports.

As expected, given that the Eagles listed his injury as knee/rest after a limited practice Thursday. Brown wasn't on Wednesday's report and doesn't sound worried about his knee.

With Alec Pierce (concussion) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Titans, Mitchell is expected to see an expanded offensive role, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.

Sunday will mark Pierce's first absence of the season, though he did miss nearly half of last week's loss to the Broncos after being concussed. After Pierce was sidelined last week, Josh Downs and Mitchell were the biggest beneficiaries behind Michael Pittman in terms of playing time. It should be much of the same versus Tennessee, with Ashton Dulin mixing in for his blocking prowess. Mitchell and Anthony Richardson have yet to be on the same page -- or chapter -- this season, as Mitchell has failed to catch a single pass on six targets over the last two weeks despite increased reps. It's difficult to trust Mitchell for Week 16 fantasy lineups.

Higgins (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns.

After being listed as limited Wednesday, Higgins logged a DNP on Thursday before closing out the week with a capped session Friday. With reference to both Higgins and QB Joe Burrow (right wrist/knee), whose practice reps were managed this week, head coach Zac Taylor relayed Friday that there is no concern about the duo's workload versus Cleveland, per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, a comment that should reassure those planning to utilize Higgins, who caught five of his eight targets for 88 yards and a TD last weekend against the Titans, in Week 16 fantasy lineups.

Head coach Shane Steichen noted Friday that Pierce (concussion) won't play Sunday against the Titans, Amanda Foster of the Colts' official site reports.

Pierce, who sustained a concussion during Week 15 action, didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday but participated in Friday's session, wearing a non-contact jersey, per Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star. However, with the wideout having been ruled out and targeting a potential return to action Sunday, Dec. 29 at the Giants, Adonai Mitchell figures to see added opportunities this weekend alongside fellow WRs Michael Pittman and Josh Downs.

With both Jaylen Waddle (knee) and Dee Eskridge (knee) listed as doubtful and Tyreek Hill (wrist/personal) questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Washington is likely to see an expanded role on offense, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Washington and River Cracraft are the Dolphins' lone healthy wide receivers currently on the 53-man roster. Miami does have a trio of wideouts on the practice squad, which includes Erik Ezukanma, Tarik Black and Isaiah McKenzie. After Waddle got hurt last week versus Houston, Washington stepped in and played a season-high 59 percent of the offensive snaps while leading the team in receiving with a 5-52-0 line on six targets.

Head coach Mike McDaniel relayed Friday that Waddle (knee) will be listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

With Waddle trending toward being unavailable for Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, it appears as though Malik Washington is poised to see an expanded workload alongside top wideout Tyreek Hill (wrist/personal, questionable) in Week 16. Waddle was forced out of the Dolphins' loss to the Texans last Sunday after logging 26 snaps and zero catches on two targets.

Eskridge (knee) will be listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Eskridge injured his knee Week 14 against the Jets, and he hasn't seen the practice field since. The return specialist likely will miss his second straight matchup after being inactive for last week's loss to the Texans. The final decision for the 27-year-old's status probably will be decided on Sunday before kickoff.

Waddle (knee) wasn't spotted during the brief media-access portion of Friday's practice, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Waddle didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, so at this stage his status for Sunday's game against the 49ers is cloudy. If Waddle is unavailable Week 16, Malik Washington would be in line to see an expanded role in Miami's passing offense alongside top WR Tyreek Hill.

Agholor (concussion) was downgraded to out for Saturday's game against the Steelers.

Agholor initially was listed as questionable to play versus Pittsburgh, but his next chance to suit up will be next Wednesday against the Texans on Christmas Day. Rashod Bateman (foot) remains questionable for Baltimore's Saturday contest. Tylan Wallace and fourth-round rookie Devontez Walker are next in line for snaps behind Zay Flowers. Meanwhile, Diontae Johnson was waived Friday following a tumultuous two months in Baltimore.