NFL Player News

Austin (hamstring) did not practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Austin has now missed back-to-back practices to begin Week 17 prep, making it safe to say that he's trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's road matchup against the Browns. The starting wideout is dealing with a hamstring injury sustained Week 16 against the Lions. With DK Metcalf (suspension) already out for Pittsburgh's final two games of the regular season, it's possible that Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek and Roman Wilson will have to serve as the Steelers' top wideouts versus Cleveland in Week 17.

Pearsall (knee/ankle) was listed as limited on Thursday's practice report, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

In the wake of Pearsall sitting out Monday's eventual win at Indianapolis, he's received a limited listing on back-to-back injury reports as he recovers from a sprained ankle and also an aggravation of the sprained MCL that kept him out Weeks 5-10. Friday's report will unveil whether or not he has a chance to return to action Sunday versus the Bears, but if Pearsall is inhibited or sidelined for that contest, Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson again would take on increased roles behind No. 1 WR Jauan Jennings.

Price, who injured his ankle on the opening kickoff of Thursday's game against Detroit, is questionable to return, Andrew Kramer of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

With Price injured, Jalen Nailor is handling punt returns. Price collapsed while running back a kickoff and was untouched.

The Broncos have elevated Bandy from the practice squad for Thursday's game against the Chiefs.

Bandy was also elevated for Denver's win over the Packers in Week 15, in which he secured his only target for a 20-yard touchdown while playing just two total offensive snaps. He'll figure to handle a depth role again versus Kansas City on Christmas Day.

Turpin caught his only target for an 86-yard touchdown in the Cowboys' 30-23 win over the Commanders on Christmas Day. He added 115 yards on five kickoff returns.

The one touch on offense tied his season low, but Turpin made it count by settling under a deep toss by Dak Prescott in the second quarter and taking it to the house. It was Turpin's second receiving TD of the season, but his primary value to the Cowboys still comes from his return ability, and his 1,599 kickoff return yards on the year are by far a career high. He'll look to pad those totals a little more in Week 18 against the Giants.

Tolbert caught four of eight targets for 31 yards in the Cowboys' 30-23 win over the Commanders on Christmas Day.

With Ryan Flournoy (knee) inactive and tight end Jake Ferguson (calf) leaving the game early, Tolbert wound up seeing a season high in targets and tying his season high in receptions, although he didn't do much with the volume. The fourth-year wideout has managed an 18-203-1 line on 33 targets for the year, and with his rookie contract set to expire, he could be set to play his final game with Dallas in Week 18 against the Giants.

Pickens caught four of five targets for 78 yards in the Cowboys' 30-23 win over the Commanders on Christmas Day.

Despite the limited looks, the star wideout finished second on Dallas in receiving yards, topped only by KaVontae Turpin, who turned his only catch into an 86-yard touchdown. The five targets represented Pickens' lowest volume since Week 5, but Thursday's production did put him over 90 catches and 1,400 yards on the season -- the first time he's reached either mark in his career. He'll look to finish the year on a high note ahead of his potential free agency this offseason in a Week 18 clash with the Giants.

Tipton (groin) was listed as limited on Thursday's estimated injury report.

Tipton was able to maintain his listing from Wednesday, but Friday's injury report ultimately will reveal if the second-year pro enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's game at Tennessee. He's coming off four catches (on five targets) for 29 yards and one carry for 12 yards this past Sunday versus the Jets while working as the Saints' No. 3 WR behind Chris Olave and Kevin Austin.

Lamb caught five of 10 targets for 46 yards in the Cowboys' 30-23 win over the Commanders on Christmas Day.

The Pro Bowl wideout led Dallas in targets and catches on the day, but Lamb wound up third on the team in receiving yards and didn't haul in either of Dak Prescott's two TD passes. Lamb has caught at least five passes in five straight games, posting a 30-441-1 line on 44 targets over that stretch, and he'll look to finish the season on a high note in Week 18 against the Giants.

The Chiefs have elevated Brownlee from the practice squad to the active roster for Thursday's contest against the Broncos.

Brownlee will get a chance to handle a depth role in a Kansas City wide receiver corps that saw all of Rashee Rice (concussion), Tyquan Thornton (concussion) and Nikko Remigio (knee) placed on injured reserve leading up to Thursday's contest. He figures to contribute as the No. 5 WR behind Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Jalen Royals versus Denver.