NFL Player News

Cooper (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at New England.

Cooper was a full practice participant Friday, upgrading from limited participation the previous two days. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll play, though the Jets definitely could use the help with Adonai Mitchell (finger) out for another week. They'll need to activate Cooper from injured reserve Friday or Saturday to have him available for Sunday's game against the Patriots at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Metcalf is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers after missing Friday's practice due to an illness.

Metcalf wasn't listed on the injury report Wednesday or Thursday, which suggests he started feeling sick Thursday evening or Friday morning. He'll have 48-plus hours to recover before a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday, and the Steelers might want him active even if he isn't at full strength, given their myriad of injury problems at wide receiver. Roman Wilson (finger) and Ben Skowronek (calf) are out this week, leaving Germie Bernard and return specialist Kaden Wetjen as the only healthy WRs on the active roster. Brandon Johnson was called up from the practice squad last week.

Johnston (chest) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Noah Furtado of The Athletic reports.

Ladd McConkey (foot) has also been cleared to play, while Tre' Harris (hamstring) has been ruled out. Harris seemed to be threatening Johnston for the No. 2 receiver job, but for now it'll likely be Johnston's role.

McConkey (foot) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Noah Furtado of The Athletic reports.

Quentin Johnston (chest) has also been cleared to play, while Tre' Harris (hamstring) has been ruled out. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh declined to comment on playing-time expectations for Sunday, simply telling reporters, "I don't know," and "we'll see how it goes," when asked about McConkey and Johnston on Friday, per Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com. McConkey has been the No. 1 target when available, but Justin Herbert may not have time to look downfield behind an injury-ravaged offensive line.

Smith (hamstring) said Friday that he is "good" and that his availability for Week 6 is "up to the doctors," Tim McManus of ESPN.com reports.

Smith returned to practice Thursday and per reporters also got some work in Friday, so it seems he will have a chance to return to action in Week 6. His status for Sunday's matchup with the Panthers will officially be revealed when the Eagles release their final injury report of the week later Friday.

Concepcion has cleared concussion protocol and will play Sunday against the Ravens, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Concepcion sustained a concussion last Sunday when he took a big hit from Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, with his helmet slamming into the turf afterward. However, Concepcion was able to make quick work of the protocol for head injuries this week and will be available to the Browns offense Sunday. Prior to his abbreviated outing in Week 5, the rookie first-rounder had a 17-144-0 line on 28 targets through the first four games of his career.

Rice (hamstring/knee) will not play Sunday against the Chargers, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

It was thought that Rice could avoid missing time after injuring his hamstring in Week 4, but he was not ready to practice coming out of Kansas City's Week 5 bye, and he will wind up sidelined for Sunday's contest. With Rice unavailable, Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals and Cyrus Allen will be the top options at the receiver spot for Patrick Mahomes in Week 6.

Olave (illness) was limited at Friday's practice and will be listed as questionable for Week 6.

An illness cost Olave the first two practices of the week, but he was able to take the field Friday and get some work in. He is not in the clear for Sunday's matchup with the Giants just yet, but his participation alone Friday suggests it's more likely than not he will be available.

Head coach Mike Vrabel said Friday that the Patriots won't make a call on Brown's (ankle) status for Sunday's game against the Jets until Saturday, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

Since the Patriots designated Brown for return from injured reserve Wednesday, he logged back-to-back limited sessions to begin Week 6 prep, but the team won't make a decision to activate him until it's absolutely required to do so (by 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday). If he's given the green light to play for the first time since Week 1, when he sustained a right high-ankle sprain, he'll rejoin a New England receiving corps currently populated by Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism and Kyle Williams.

Diggs (hamstring) was going through stretching at Friday's practice, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

After sitting out Thursday's practice, Diggs is showing at least modest signs of progress ahead of a Monday matchup with the 49ers. He missed last week's game against the Giants, while Terry McLaurin returned from a hamstring injury of his own.