NFL Player News

Pittman didn't practice Wednesday due to a back injury.

Pittman handled a 96 percent snap share in Sunday's 31-13 loss to the Broncos, finishing with six catches for 58 yards on nine targets while also losing a fumble. The wideout had managed a back issue earlier this season and sat out a Week 10 loss to the Bills because of it, but he had been a full practice participant ahead of each of the past four games. His absence Wednesday is thus somewhat unexpected, but Pittman would put to rest most of the concern about his health heading into Sunday's game against the Titans by practicing in some fashion Thursday.

Higgins was a limited participant in practice Wednesday due to a knee injury and rest, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Higgins doesn't seem to be in danger of missing Sunday's game against the Browns, though a return to full participation Thursday or Friday would help put his fantasy managers at ease. He has played in four consecutive games after missing three due to a quadricep injury, posting 328 receiving yards and three touchdowns since his return.

Legette (hip) didn't practice Wednesday.

Legette made an early exit from this past Sunday's loss to the Cowboys due to a groin injury, but his injury has been reclassified as a hip issue on the Panthers' first Week 16 injury report. Head coach Dave Canales told Steve Reed of the Associated Press on Monday that the Panthers consider Legette week-to-week and unlikely to play Sunday against the Cardinals, so the wideout's lack of on-field work Wednesday isn't a surprise. Considering Canales' comments, the Panthers seem likely to rule out Legette for the Week 16 contest on Friday.

Westbrook-Ikhine didn't practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Westbrook-Ikhine played 91 percent of Tennessee's offensive snaps in the Week 15 loss to Cincinnati, so he didn't appear to be hampered by an injury. He was held to just two catches for nine yards and has failed to find the end zone in consecutive games following a stretch of eight touchdowns in eight weeks. The wideout will have two chances to resume practicing before Sunday's game in Indianapolis.

Dulin (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

Dulin has been sidelined for the Colts' last two games due to an ankle injury sustained in a Week 12 loss to the Lions, and Wednesday's DNP suggests he's in jeopardy of missing additional time. The Malone product almost certainly needs to practice in a limited fashion Thursday or Friday in order to play Sunday, when the Colts take on the Titans.

Boyd (foot) didn't practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Boyd also opened Week 15 prep with an absence due to the same injury before upgrading to full participation Thursday logging 39 receiving yards in a loss to the Bengals this past Sunday. The slot receiver could follow a similar pattern ahead of Sunday's game against the Colts, but Boyd won't be a recommended fantasy option either way, considering he has reached 40 receiving yards only twice all season and hasn't scored a touchdown.

Pickens (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant in practice Wednesday, Dale Lolley of the Steelers' official site reports.

For the second consecutive day, Pickens took part in position drills on the side of practice but went down as a non-participant on the official injury report. Pittsburgh's No. 1 wide receiver seems to be tracking toward a third consecutive absence Saturday against the Ravens, but the team's final injury report of the week will be released Thursday and will provide clarity on his chances of suiting up.

Nabers was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to knee and foot injuries, Patricia Traina of SI.com reports.

Nabers has dealt with numerous health concerns during his rookie campaign, but the combination of knee and foot issues are new injuries for the wideout. Even with four different quarterbacks taking snaps for the Giants this season, he's reeled off a 90-901-4 receiving line on 140 targets through 12 games. Nabers' status thus will be one to monitor as the week goes on to ensure he'll continue to be available for Sunday's game in Atlanta.

Robinson was a limited participant in practice Wednesday due to a shoulder injury, Patricia Traina of SI.com reports.

Robinson has drawn 20 targets over the last two games but recorded only eight receptions for 76 yards. The shifty wide receiver has two opportunities left to increase his practice participation, and if he does, he'll likely avoid an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Metchie (shoulder) remained sidelined at practice Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Metchie remains a non-participant after he also sat out Tuesday's walk-through practice. He'll have one more opportunity to practice before the Texans release game designations Thursday for Saturday's matchup with the Chiefs. Robert Woods would be the top candidate to step into three-receiver sets alongside Nico Collins and Tank Dell if Metchie is unavailable.