NFL Player News

Kirk (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Kirk popped up on Friday's injury report as a DNP due to an illness. The team will monitor his recovery over the weekend to determine whether he can play, but his official status may not be known until the Texans announce their list of inactive players approximately 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. Kirk played just 16 snaps on offense Week 15 against the Cardinals while not recording a target, so a potential absence from him would lead to a small number of snaps being available for absorption for Xavier Hutchinson, Braxton Berrios (who has been a healthy scratch since Week 11) and rookie wideouts Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins.

Carson (shoulder/hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Carson was limited in practice all week due to shoulder and hamstring injuries, and his status for Sunday's game may not be officially known until the Cowboys announce their list of inactive players approximately 90 minutes before the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. DaRon Bland (foot) has already been ruled out, and if Carson joins the former on the sidelines for Week 16, then Trikweze Bridges, C.J. Goodwin and rookie third-rounder Shavon Revel would be slated to see more defensive snaps at outside corner.

The Falcons moved Hodge (shoulder) to injured reserve Friday, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.

Hodge was ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Cardinals and was promptly moved to IR. This move will end the wide receiver's season, as the mandatory four-week reserve period will extend through Week 18. Hodge finishes the season with three receptions for 31 yards on 10 targets through 12 games. In a corresponding move, the Falcons signed safety Jammie Robinson to stabilize an injured defensive back room.

Brooks (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Bengals, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Brooks participated in practice for the first time this week, Friday, in a limited fashion. He will have a chance to suit up for Sunday's matchup against the Bengals. The 28-year-old has 155 tackles (88 solo), including 3.5 sacks, one pass breakup and one forced fumble in 14 games this season. Willie Gay will likely get more reps behind Tyrel Dodson if Brooks is unable to play.

Bland (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Bland's absence for Sunday's game comes as no surprise after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones relayed Friday that the fourth-year corner may undergo season-ending surgery to repair a foot injury he sustained against the Vikings in Week 15. Rookie third-rounder Shavon Revel (knee) would likely start opposite Caelen Carson (shoulder/hamstring) for the rest of the season if Bland goes under the knife.

Skowronek (illness/hand) doesn't have an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Lions, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Similar to last week, Skowronek managed to log a full practice on the final day of the week to be cleared of any injury designation heading into gameday. This marks consecutive weeks that the wide receiver will play through a hand injury. The 28-year-old played just four offensive snaps last week with no targets, making his living on 65 percent of special teams snaps. This week will likely be no different for Skowronek, who sits behind DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin, Adam Thielen, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the wide receiver depth chart.

Herbig (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Lions, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Herbig managed to log a limited practice Friday, but his hamstring injury appears to be severe enough that he'll likely be sidelined for Sunday's contest. With T.J. Watt (calf) already ruled out, rookie fourth-rounder Jack Sawyer would be the top candidate to start at edge rusher opposite Alex Highsmith if Herbig is sidelined for Week 16.

Rams coach Sean McVay said Friday that Adams is unlikely to return for Week 17 against the Falcons on Monday, Dec. 29, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

While unlikely to contribute during the most important part of the fantasy season, Adams may be back in time for the crucial portion of his own team's campaign (the playoffs). Thursday's loss at Seattle may end up decreasing the incentive to rush Adams back for Week 18, depending on the outcome of various games for the Seahawks/Rams/49ers over the next couple of weeks.

Pierre (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Lions, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Pierre will end up missing a second straight game due to a calf injury that he likely picked up during the Steelers' Week 14 win over the Ravens. Asante Samuel -- who intercepted Tua Tagovailoa during Pittsburgh's Week 15 victory over Miami -- will likely start at outside corner opposite Joey Porter on Sunday in Pierre's absence.

Nelson (wrist) was limited in practice Friday.

Nelson popped up on the injury report Friday. The wrist injury doesn't appear to be related to anything suffered in last Sunday's loss to Seattle, as he played all 60 snaps on offense in Week 15. The 29-year-old still has another practice opportunity Saturday ahead of Monday night's matchup against the 49ers.