NFL Player News

Kinchens (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Kinchens opened Week 13 prep with back-to-back DNPs before ending with a limited practice Friday while working through a shoulder injury. However, the second-year safety has done enough over the weekend and through pregame warmups to be given the green light to suit up Sunday. In the four games since the Rams' Week 8 bye, Kinchens has accumulated 19 tackles (14 solo), three pass defenses (two interceptions) and two fumble recoveries.

Watkins (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's matchup with the Browns, Briana Jeannel of the 49ers' official site reports.

The wide receiver and punt returner will be a healthy scratch for the third consecutive week. That stretch has coincided with the return of Ricky Pearsall in Week 11. Watkins also remains behind Skyy Moore on the team's punt returner depth chart.

Brown (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Titans.

Brown has faded from relevance in the Jacksonville offense, recording one or fewer targets in three straight games. However, in a surprising move, Brown is now the odd man out with Brian Thomas active for the first time since Week 9. Austin Trammell will serve as the Jaguars' fifth wide receiver.

Bazelak (coach's decision) is inactive but will serve as the Buccaneers' emergency quarterback against the Cardinals on Sunday.

The Bucs signed Bazelak from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday to give the team depth at quarterback in case Baker Mayfield (left shoulder) was inactive for Week 13. Mayfield has been cleared to play Sunday, and with Teddy Bridgewater serving as the backup, Bazelak will serve as the Buccaneers' emergency QB3. That means Bazelak is prohibited from playing unless both Mayfield and Bridgewater leave the game due to injury, illness or ejection.

Thrash (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 13 battle against San Francisco.

Thrash's inactive status last week was attributed to a foot injury, and he continued to deal with the issue in practice this week. However, he wasn't given an injury designation for Sunday's matchup, suggesting that he's past the issue. However, Thrash isn't going to suit up against the 49ers, marking the second time he's been a healthy scratch over the past three weeks. It appears the second-year wideout is the odd man out in the Browns WR pecking order despite logging at least a 40 percent offensive snap share in every game from Week 4 to Week 8.

Hodge (coach's decision) is a healthy inactive for Sunday's game against the Jets, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Though top wideout Drake London (knee) will miss a second straight game, Hodge won't be among Atlanta's five active receivers for Week 13. Hodge had suited up for each of the Falcons' last seven games but held a minimal role on offense, playing single-digit snaps in six of those contests while accruing a 3-31-0 receiving line on nine targets.

Lazard (neck) is active for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Lazard popped up on the injury report Saturday after practicing without issue earlier in the week. He'll be active for the second consecutive week, though he has yet to see more than three targets in any game this season.

Melton (heel) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

The cornerback was limited in practice Wednesday, missed Thursday's session and was limited again Friday. In his absence, Denzel Burke should get the start.

Nelson (ribs) is active for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Nelson ended Week 13 prep with a full practice Friday, and he has done enough over the weekend and in pregame warmups to be given the green light to play Sunday. He saw his snap count on defense increase over the Bucs' last four games, but his playing time will likely take a hit due to the return of Haason Reddick (ankle/knee).

Dean (hip) is active for Sunday's game against Arizona.

Dean missed the Buccaneers' last two games due to a hip injury. He has been cleared to return Sunday after ending the week with back-to-back full practices, which means Kindle Vildor will likely revert to a rotational role at corner in Week 13. Dean has posted 28 tackles (24 solo), six pass defenses (two interceptions and a pick-six) and two forced fumbles through nine regular-season games.