NFL Player News

Watts (concussion) was estimated to be a non-participant at the Jets' walkthrough practice Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Watts suffered a concussion in the team's loss to the Jaguars in Week 15, and his inability to participate to open the week comes as no surprise. The defensive end will have to clear concussion protocol to play in Week 16, and that seems like quite the uphill battle at the moment.

Reid (hamstring) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

Reid has been sidelined since early November while nursing a hamstring injury, but he now appears to be approaching his return to action. The team has now opened a 21-day practice window for the linebacker, and if he's not activated from IR in that time frame, he will remain sidelined for the rest of the year.

The Dolphins cut Conner from the practice squad Wednesday.

Conner was brought back by Miami on the practice squad in early November after being waived from the team's active roster, but he'll now be on the lookout for a team in need of depth at tight end. He appeared in each of the Dolphins' first nine games of the regular season, splitting his time between special teams and offense and accumulating nine catches (on 15 targets) for 91 yards.

Gordon (ankle) was a full participant in Wednesday's walkthrough, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Gordon sustained an ankle injury midway through the second quarter of Monday's loss to the Steelers. His full practice Wednesday indicates that the injury isn't a concern for the rookie sixth-rounder, which puts him on track to play Sunday against the Bengals. Gordon has turned 60 carries into 191 yards and three touchdowns and six catches (one eight targets) for 30 yards and one score through 14 regular-season games.

Wagner (knee) did not participate at practice Wednesday.

Wagner has now missed back-to-back practices to open the week as he continues to nurse a knee injury. The linebacker has been able to play through the issue the last two weeks, but he'll look to return to practice in some capacity at Thursday's final session prior to Saturday's matchup with the Eagles.

Fitzpatrick (calf) did not participate in Wednesday's walkthrough, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Fitzpatrick left Monday's game at Pittsburgh in the fourth quarter after suffering a calf injury, and now his availability for Week 16 is in jeopardy. Coach Mike McDaniel said Tuesday that Fitzpatrick was week-to-week, and Miami has already been eliminated from playoff contention, so the five-time Pro Bowler probably won't be rushed back into game action before he's fully healthy.

Moore (elbow) logged a full practice Wednesday.

Moore has been sidelined since Week 5 with an elbow injury and was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday. The fact that he logged a full session suggests he has a chance to return in Week 16 against Tampa Bay, though he'll need to be activated from IR by Saturday evening.

Dennis (hip) logged a full practice Wednesday.

Dennis was sidelined for Tampa Bay's Week 15 matchup against Atlanta, but he looks to be in line to return for a key NFC South matchup against the Panthers. He should play nearly every defensive snap while posting a significant number of tackles.

Smith (neck/shoulder) practiced in full Wednesday.

Smith was sidelined for Tampa Bay's Week 15 loss to Atlanta, though he looks to be in line to return for Sunday's pivotal divisional matchup with the Panthers. He should continue to occupy a key role in Tampa Bay's secondary while posting solid IDP numbers.

Brooks (foot) did not participate at practice Wednesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Brooks recorded 13 tackles including a sack in Week 15 at Pittsburgh, but it appears he may have picked up an injury in the process. He'll have two more chances to practice before Miami releases its last practice report of the week Friday.