NFL Player News

Jennings (concussion) wasn't spotted at Wednesday's practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Jennings thus has two more opportunities to practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills. If he ends up sidelined this weekend, D'Ernest Johnson and Craig Reynolds would be candidates to be elevated from the Patriots' practice squad to work behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson in Week 15.

Hodge (shoulder) does not carry an injury designation for Thursday's game against the Buccaneers, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Hodge began Week 15 preparations as a limited participant at practice but upgraded to full reps Wednesday. The depth wide receiver didn't handle any offensive snaps during Atlanta's loss to Seattle in Week 14, though he did play 23 snaps on special teams. Prior to that, Hodge was a healthy scratch Week 13.

Bishop (calf) was a full participant in Wednesday's walk-through practice, Bills Radio Broadcaster Chris Brown reports.

Bishop experienced cramps in his calf during this past Sunday's win over the Bengals, but he has since recovered. The starting free safety should be available Sunday against the Patriots.

Johnson signed with Houston's practice squad Wednesday.

Johnson had been on Houston's active roster prior to being waived Monday. After going unclaimed on waivers, the fullback is back in the organization. The Texans could opt to elevate Johnson on game days, leaving his role functionally the same as it was when he was on the active roster.

The Buccaneers activated Evans (collarbone) from injured reserve Wednesday, but he remains questionable for Thursday's game against the Falcons, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.

Since Tampa Bay designated him for return from injured reserve last Wednesday, Evans has been listed as limited on six consecutive injury reports, and coach Todd Bowles told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times this Wednesday that the veteran wide receiver had yet to take any contact but remained a possibility to play Thursday. Evans' status will be confirmed about 90 minutes before the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but even if he's able to suit up, he may be operating with restrictions considering Bowles' comment. Jalen McMillan (neck) also was activated from IR on Wednesday, so the Buccaneers very well could have their full complement of wide receivers available for the first time this season.

The Buccaneers have activated McMillan (neck), who is officially listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Falcons, from IR.

McMillan and Mike Evans (collarbone) have both been activated from IR and are listed as questionable for Thursday Night Football after having been limited in three consecutive practices. Final word on McMillan's status for Week 15 will arrive no later than 90 minutes prior to Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but it's a positive sign to see him activated from IR in time to be eligible to suit up against Atlanta.

Thornton has cleared concussion protocol, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.

Thornton will be available for Sunday's game at Philadelphia, but the extent of his role is unclear, especially after fellow rookie Jack Bech stepped up with six catches in Thornton's absence during a loss to the Broncos this past Sunday.

Branch (Achilles) has a recovery timetable of eight to 12 months after undergoing a successful surgery to address the torn Achilles he suffered Dec. 4 against the Cowboys, coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday, Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network reports.

Branch has a high likelihood of missing at least some of the 2026 season due to this injury. Daniel Thomas likely will assume the starting strong safety role for the remainder of the 2025 season in Branch's absence.

McMillan (neck) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice and is officially listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Falcons, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

McMillan and Mike Evans (collarbone) are both officially listed as questionable after having logged a trio of limited practices, and they will each need to be activated from IR in advance of Thursday's matchup in order to be eligible to take the field. A 2024 third-round pick, McMillan is working to make his 2025 regular-season debut after having suffered a significant neck injury during an Aug. 16 preseason clash against the Steelers.

Stewart (knee) will have his 21-day practice window opened Wednesday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Head coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday that Stewart has a chance to play Sunday against the Ravens. Stewart would first have to be added back to the active roster from injured reserve, which the Bengals can do at any point in the next 21 days. In the meantime, the 2025 first-round pick is eligible to practice.