NFL Player News

Smith (knee) did not practice Wednesday.

Smith racked up 14 tackles and played 100 percent of snaps in Baltimore's Week 15 win over the Bengals, though he apparently came away with a knee injury as well. The severity of the issue should become clearer as the week of practice progresses.

Skowronek (illness/hand) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Skowronek dealt with the hand issue last week in practice, but the illness is new for the special-teams standout and wide receiver. Skowronek has posted a career-high 19 tackles (nine solo) in kick coverage for Pittsburgh.

Watt (lung) did not practice Wednesday.

Watt is still recovering from surgery to address a collapsed lung last week. With Watt missing this past Monday night's win over the Dolphins, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig (hamstring) and Jack Sawyer paced the edge rushers in playing time for the Steelers.

Hooker (illness) did not practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Hooker has started all 14 games this season, logging 76 tackles (55 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and eight pass breakups on 91 percent of the Titans' defensive snaps.

Gray (concussion) did not practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Gray was concussed in the fourth quarter of last Sunday's loss to the 49ers and is in danger of missing his first game of the season. The 23-year-old linebacker has started all 14 games, posting a whopping 144 tackles (85 solo), including 1.0 sacks, four pass breakups and a pair of fumble recoveries on 90 percent of the defensive snaps. James Williams would likely be in line for increased reps if Gray is unable to face the Chiefs on Sunday.

The Packers activated Lloyd (calf/hamstring) from injured reserve Wednesday, per the NFL's transaction log.

According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, this move is merely procedural so Green Bay can place him back on IR with the aim to get him back in the playoffs at some point. If said transaction occurs before Saturday's contest at Chicago, Lloyd would be eligible to return as soon as the divisional round. For the time being, though, the Packers will roll with the combination of Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks (chest) behind No. 1 RB Josh Jacobs (knee/ankle).

Delpit (groin) was limited in Wednesday's practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Delpit was limited in practice last week but didn't carry an injury designation into last Sunday's loss to the Bears. The 27-year-old has appeared in all 14 games this season (13 starts) and has logged 67 tackles (34 solo), including 1.0 sacks, four pass breakups, including one interception, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble on 95 percent of the defensive snaps.

Lockett (knee) was limited at practice Wednesday.

Lockett sustained a wrist injury in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Eagles, but Wednesday's injury report instead lists the wideout as dealing with a knee issue. In any case, Lockett has two more opportunities to practice fully before the Raiders assign injury designations ahead of this weekend's game against the Texans. Assuming he's available, Lockett's only a lineup option in deeper fantasy formats, with the Raiders having dropped eight straight games and set to face a stingy Houston defense in Week 16.

Schwesinger (ankle) was limited in Wednesday's practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Schwesinger has been limited in practice with the ankle injury for the last few weeks but has continued to play through the ailment. The second-round rookie linebacker has started all 14 games this season, producing 133 tackles (59 solo), including 1.5 sacks, and three pass breakups, including a pair of interceptions.

Johnston (groin) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

Rookie wideout Tre' Harris took on an 84 percent snap share with Johnston absent for Sunday's 16-13 win over the Chargers. Johnston was a late addition to last week's injury report, and while the issue doesn't seem serious, he may need a full practice Thursday/Friday to enter this weekend in good shape for Sunday's favorable matchup with Dallas.