NFL Player News

Shepard (hamstring) is listed as active Monday in Kansas City, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Shepard was contained to one limited practice (Saturday) during Week 9 prep due to a hamstring issue, but it won't stop him from being available to an otherwise banged-up receiving corps. Tampa Bay will be without all of Mike Evans (hamstring), Chris Godwin (IR, ankle) and Jalen McMillan (hamstring) in Week 9, meaning Shepard should be targeted early and often by QB Baker Mayfield, assuming he isn't inhibited himself. Along with Shepard, Trey Palmer, Ryan Miller, Rakim Jarrett and Marquez Callaway will be the active options at the position Monday.

McMillan (hamstring) is inactive for Monday's game at Kansas City, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

McMillan showed up on Tampa Bay's practice report Saturday as limited due to a hamstring injury, leaving him questionable for Week 9 action. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported shortly before inactives dropped Monday that McMillan tweaked his hamstring at Friday's session and was slated to sit out, which has come to pass. The Buccaneers thus will be down their top three wide receivers -- also, Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (IR, ankle) -- meaning Trey Palmer, Sterling Shepard (hamstring), Ryan Miller, Rakim Jarrett and Marquez Callaway will compose the team's receiving corps.

McMillan (hamstring) isn't expected to be active Monday at Kansas City, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Per Pelissero, McMillan tweaked his hamstring during Friday's practice, which was the reason for a limited showing Saturday and subsequent listing of questionable for Week 9 action. With McMillan in line to sit out Monday, the Buccaneers' receiving corps will be even further depleted with Mike Evans (hamstring) sidelined and Chris Godwin (ankle) out for the season. Trey Palmer, Sterling Shepard (hamstring), Ryan Miller, Rakim Jarrett and Marquez Callaway will be the wide receivers available for Tampa Bay.

Williams' two-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances was lifted Monday, but the Lions were given a roster exemption, allowing the team some time to bring him back to the active roster, per the NFL's transaction log.

Williams sat out wins Week 8 against the Titans and Week 9 at Green Bay, but with his ban over, coach Dan Campbell told Benjamin Raven of MLive.com on Monday that the Lions are "gonna kick him out there with the offense and get him going. I expect him to be ready to roll." The aforementioned roster exemption doesn't have a known timeline to expire, but based on Campbell's comments, Williams appears as if he'll be available for Sunday's game at Houston.

Ross was elevated to the Chiefs' active roster Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The Clemson product's elevation Monday provides depth in Kansas City's wide-receiver room, with JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) in line to miss his second consecutive game in Week 9's matchup against Tampa Bay. Ross appeared in 10 regular-season games with the Chiefs in 2023, catching six of his 11 targets for 53 yards. He's expected to serve as a depth piece in Monday night's contest, likely seeing minimal offensive work.

Wallace (foot) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice estimation, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Wallace played 33 total snaps (18 offensive and 15 on special teams) in the Ravens' Week 9 blowout win over the Broncos, but it now appears he picked up a foot injury in the process. If the Oklahoma State product is unable to play through the issue in Thursday night's matchup against the Bengals, Zay Flowers will likely serve as Baltimore's top punt returner.

Jones (groin) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimation.

Jones was held out of the Bengals' Week 9 win over the Raiders after likely sustaining a groin injury in practice earlier in the week. The second-year pro will almost certainly need to upgrade to at least limited participation either Tuesday or Wednesday in order to suit up for Cincinnati's Week 10 matchup against the Ravens on Thursday night.

Higgins (quadriceps) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report, Jay Morrison of SI.com reports.

Higgins has missed the Bengals' last two games after injuring his quad in practice 11 days ago. He's yet to practice since the injury, and the Bengals now have a short week ahead of a Thursday night contest against the division rival Ravens. Andrei Iosivas and Trenton Irwin will continue to fill snaps alongside Ja'Marr Chase if Higgins is unable to play versus Baltimore.

Callaway was elevated to the Buccaneers' active roster from the practice squad Monday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Callaway signed with Tampa Bay's practice squad in mid-October, and he's now in line to make his 2024 debut in Monday night's matchup against the Chiefs. The Tennessee product appeared in just three games with the Saints in 2023, recording no stats across 27 offensive snaps. Expect Callaway to serve as a depth piece in a depleted Buccaneers wide-receiver room in Week 9.

Brown (knee) will be considered day-to-day, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Brown's tests on his knee came back clean, and Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer had previously reported that Brown wasn't looking at an extended absence. It sounds like Brown might have a real chance to play next Sunday against the Cowboys despite not playing the second half against the Jaguars in Week 9.