NFL Player News

Means (ankle) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Means is in the midst of his second week of practice since the Saints opened his 21-day evaluation window Dec. 4. The rookie wideout hasn't played since Week 8 with an ankle sprain, but if he's able to upgrade to full participation in practice by Friday, he could have a decent chance at getting cleared to suit up this Sunday against the Commanders. Through his first seven NFL games, Means produced a 9-118-1 receiving line on 15 targets.

Covey (neck) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

Covey hurt his neck Week 13 against Baltimore and missed this past Sunday's victory versus Carolina. By beginning this week with a limited practice session, Covey could potentially return to action Sunday against Pittsburgh. If Covey can play, his impact would likely be felt mostly on special teams, as he has worked as Philadelphia's lead punt returner while seeing limited snaps on offense.

Whittington (shoulder) is listed questionable for Thursday's game against the 49ers, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Whittington popped up on the Rams' injury report with a shoulder issue Monday and was also listed as a non-participant for Tuesday's walk-through session. However, he logged a limited practice Wednesday and has a chance of suiting up Thursday. If Whittington can't play against San Francisco, however, Blake Corum could handle kick-return duties for Los Angeles.

Hutchinson (shoulder) practiced in full Wednesday.

Hutchinson missed Week 13 with the injury, but Houston is now coming off its bye week, and he appears ready to play Sunday against the Dolphins. With Nico Collins back healthy alongside Tank Dell, Hutchinson will vie for wideout snaps with John Metchie and Robert Woods.

Carter (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

It effectively ends Carter's 2024 season, as he'll be required to miss the team's final four contests after he was injured in Chicago's Week 14 loss to the 49ers. Carter finishes the year with nine catches for 72 yards on 14 targets. His main contributions came on special teams, where Carter returned 15 kickoffs for 479 yards and 17 punts for 158 yards. Carter also lost one fumble. Josh Blackwell took over punt-return duties following Carter's injury.

The Jets placed Charles (knee) on injured reserve Wednesday, Ethan Greenberg of the team's official site reports.

The move was a foregone conclusion, as Charles suffered an ACL injury Sunday against Miami and won't return to action this season. He finishes the campaign with no catches on one target over nine offensive snaps. Charles' absence will be primarily felt on special teams, as he was a key part of that unit for New York this season.

Jones (groin) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

Jones has missed five consecutive games and doesn't appear particularly close to a return. Isaiah Williams has handled punt-return duties in Jones' absence.

Baker didn't practice Wednesday due to a concussion, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Baker played two offensive snaps in the Patriots' Week 13 loss to the Colts and may have sustained the concussion at some point during the contest. Even with the benefit of a Week 14 bye, Baker hasn't progressed enough to the point of being ready to practice. The rookie fourth-round pick out of UCF has endured a disappointing rookie season, as he's played just 30 snaps on offense in total over eight appearances and has yet to record a reception.

Shepard didn't practice Wednesday due to a foot injury, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Shepard joined No. 1 wideout Mike Evans (hamstring) as a non-participant to kick off Week 15 prep. Evans doesn't require much, if any, practice reps in order to be ready for game day, but the same can't be said for Shepard in his first full season with the team. Shepard's activity level Thursday and Friday will be key for determining his potential to suit up Sunday at the Chargers.

McConkey (knee/shoulder) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

After he was limited in practice throughout Week 14 while tending to an AC joint sprain in his shoulder as well as a sprained knee, McConkey was inactive for this past Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Chiefs. While he didn't take a step forward in terms of activity to begin Week 15 prep, he'll still have two more chances to practice fully before the Chargers release their final injury report Friday. If the rookie wideout isn't cleared to play Sunday against the Buccaneers, more opportunities in the passing game would open up for fellow receivers Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer.