NFL Player News

Smith (neck/shoulder) is listed as doubtful for Thursday's game against the Falcons, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Smith is likely headed for his first absence of the season after getting hurt in this past Sunday's loss to the Saints. In the likely event that Smith's ruled out Thursday, Kaevon Merriweather would be in line to start at free safety.

Evans (collarbone) was limited in practice Wednesday and is officially listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Falcons.

Evans has officially been listed as limited across all three of Tampa Bay's practice reports for Week 15, though head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that the veteran wideout still hasn't had any contact, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. The 32-year-old has missed each of the Buccaneers' last six games due to a broken collarbone, and it appears his status for Thursday's contest could come down to the wire. Per Scott Smith of the team's official site, Bowles said Evans and Jalen McMillan (neck) both "looked like they never left [...] in practice." Both wideouts will have to be brought off IR in advance of Thursday's contest in order to be eligible to suit up.

Lamb (concussion) is participating in drills at Wednesday's practice, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Lamb appears to be taking part in Wednesday's practice in at least a limited capacity, a positive sign after he sustained a concussion during the Cowboys' loss to the Lions on Thursday, Dec. 4. The star wideout will need to gain full clearance from the concussion protocol, including from an independent neurologist, before returning to Dallas' starting lineup, so his availability for Sunday's game against the Vikings remains uncertain. Lamb's progress so far has nonetheless been encouraging.

Dennis (hip) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Falcons, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Deion Jones, John Bullock and Nick Jackson are candidates for increased playing time at inside linebacker alongside Lavonte David. Dennis will have 10 days to recover before the Buccaneers' next game, Dec. 21 against the Panthers.

Kincaid isn't listed on the Bills' injury report Wednesday, Alex Brasky of SB Nation reports.

After missing three games with a hamstring injury, Kincaid caught four of five targets for 41 yards and a TD in Sunday's 39-34 win over the Bengals. His role was about the same as pre-injury, with modest snap/route shares but standout efficiency numbers on a per-route and per-snap basis.

Bernard (elbow) will be listed as limited at Wednesday's walk-through practice, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Bernard seems to be making incremental progress, as he hadn't practiced or played since sustaining an elbow injury in Buffalo's Week 12 loss to the Texans. How he fares Thursday when the Bills hold an actual practice could be a key indicator regarding Bernard's potential availability for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Chubb (ribs) didn't practice Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Wilson notes that Chubb is the only Texan absent from Wednesday's practice who actually seems to be in danger of missing Sunday's game against the Cardinals. The group includes fellow running back Woody Marks, who briefly left Sunday's win over the Chiefs with an ankle injury but then quickly returned and took a series of carries without incident. Dare Ogunbowale filled in and scored a TD during Marks' temporary absence.

Bosa (hamstring) will be listed as limited at Wednesday's walkthrough practice, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Bosa sat out Buffalo's Week 14 win over the Bengals due to a hamstring injury. He didn't practice in any capacity leading up to that absence, so Bosa's limited listing Wednesday is an encouraging sign, though it remains to be seen what his participation level will be when the Bills hold an actual practice Thursday in preparation for Sunday's showdown with the Patriots.

Lovett went without a target while playing two of the Lions' 62 snaps on offense in Thursday's 44-30 win over the Cowboys.

The rookie wideout has been active for all but one of Detroit's 13 games this season, but he's been used almost exclusively on special teams. He's played 14 offensive snaps in total and has yet to draw a target.

Pickett likely will replace Geno Smith (shoulder) as the starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Smith isn't practicing Wednesday and reportedly isn't expected to be ready by Sunday. The Raiders might've gone in this direction at some point in December even without the impetus of an injury given the consistently poor performance of their offense this season.