NFL Player News

Westbrook-Ikhine recorded two receptions (on four targets) for 17 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 38-30 loss to the Colts.

Westbrook-Ikhine was briefly on the injury report during the week with an ankle issue but was on the field for 91 percent of offensive snaps. He still saw only four targets and has nine opportunities combined across his last three games. Westbrook-Ikhine did find the end zone from six yards away midway through the fourth quarter with the Titans in the midst of a comeback.

Valdes-Scantling (chest/illness) is listed as inactive Monday at Green Bay.

Valdes-Scantling kicked off Week 16 prep with a DNP last Thursday due to a chest injury, but he remained out of practice as of Friday due to an illness and eventually was listed as questionable for Monday's game. With Valdes-Scantling unavailable, the Saints will be rolling with Kevin Austin, Dante Pettis, Cedrick Wilson and Mason Tipton at wide receiver.

Metchie (shoulder) was listed as a full participant on Monday's injury report.

Metchie didn't practice last week before being ruled out ahead of this past Saturday's game at Kansas City. Since then, he followed Sunday's limited listing with an upgrade to full activity one day later, indicating he's past the shoulder injury that sidelined him in Week 16. Prior to the recent absence, Metchie had recorded at least one catch in five consecutive contests en route to a 13-146-1 line on 18 targets.

Agholor (concussion) was a non-participant at Monday's practice.

Agholor has been in the concussion protocol for nearly a week, but with no on-field work to speak of yet, he appears to be trending toward a second straight absence Wednesday in Houston. Tuesday's injury report could provide some clarity in that regard, but with Zay Flowers also not practicing this week due to a shoulder issue, Rashod Bateman, Tylan Wallace, Devontez Walker and Steven Sims are the healthy wide receivers on the Ravens' active roster.

The Texans placed Dell (knee) on injured reserve Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans noted Monday that Dell suffered a torn ACL and dislocated kneecap in Saturday's loss to the Chiefs, per DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com. The report also relays that Ryans added that there are "other things" Dell will need to get repaired when he undergoes surgery to address his significant injury. The 2023 third-rounder thus faces a lengthy recovery period, and in Dell's absence, Nico Collins, John Metchie, Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson and newcomer Diontae Johnson are in line to lead the Texans wideout corps going forward.

The Ravens claimed Sims off waivers from Houston on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Sims has found a new home just three days after being waived by the Texans. The sixth-year pass catcher served in more of a special-teams role with Houston across his seven games this season. He may assume a similar role with the Ravens, but the fact wide receivers Zay Flowers (shoulder) and Nelson Agholor (concussion) are both questionable ahead of Wednesday's game against the Texans could clear the path for Sims to be active against his old squad.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Monday that Legette (hip) is day-to-day but added that the wideout will need "significant" improvement this week in order to suit up Sunday against Tampa Bay, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Legette may be showing improvement given Canales' description of his timeframe, as the wideout was deemed week-to-week back on Dec. 16. However, the rookie's status for Sunday remains in flux, given the coach's additional comments. With Legette out this past Sunday versus Arizona, Jalen Coker served as Carolina's No. 2 wideout behind Adam Thielen while David Moore logged 89 percent of the team's offensive snaps and notched a receiving touchdown.

Houston has claimed Johnson off waivers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Johnson was waived by Baltimore on Friday after a tumultuous tenure with the club. The veteran wideout logged only one catch over four games with the Ravens and was suspended for Week 15 against the Giants for conduct detrimental to the team. Johnson did have some productive games earlier in the campaign, including Week 3 versus Las Vegas when he tallied eight catches for 122 yards and a touchdown while he was with the Panthers. The Texans' decision to claim Johnson comes after the announcement that Tank Dell (knee) will be out for the remainder of the season.

Pearsall had four receptions on as many targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 29-17 loss to Miami.

Pearsall experienced more success against the Dolphins than he did against the Rams last week (1-16-0) on the same amount of targets. The first-round rookie wound up logging 43 snaps on offense (70 percent) Sunday, his highest total since making his pro debut against the Chiefs in Week 7. With the 49ers officially being eliminated from playoff contention, perhaps the coaching staff will want to take a harder look at Pearsall over the club's final two games, starting with a home tilt against the Lions next Monday.

Pickens (hamstring) was estimated as a full participant in a walkthrough practice Monday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Pickens stated earlier Monday that he hasn't yet been cleared to return to action Wednesday against Kansas City, but his full participation in practice Monday suggests that he's certainly leaning toward that outcome. The star wideout has missed each of Pittsburgh's past three games while dealing with a hamstring issue. If he's able to return Christmas Day, it would be a big boost to the Steelers' passing game and could result in less looks for Calvin Austin.