NFL Player News

Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said Olave (concussion) isn't likely to return from injured reserve this week, but still has "all options on the table," Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

In other words, the Saints aren't shutting Olave down for the season -- at least not yet -- but he's unlikely to play this Sunday against the Commanders when first eligible to return from IR. Olave sustained his second concussion of the season and his third in less than a year in the Saints' Week 9 loss to the Panthers on Nov. 3.

Downs (shoulder) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Following the Colts' Week 14 bye, Downs -- who sat out a Week 13 win over the Patriots with the shoulder injury -- is trending in the right direction by getting back on the practice field. The wideout has two more opportunities this week to upgrade to full practice participation, and if he can get to that point, he could approach Sunday's game against the Broncos minus an injury designation.

Pickens (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

According to Pryor, head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Pickens has an "outside chance" of playing Sunday against the Eagles, but the wideout appears to be trending toward missing a second straight game after a recent MRI reportedly revealed a Grade 2 hamstring strain. If Pickens remains sidelined this weekend, more opportunities at receiver would be available for Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Mike Williams and Scotty Miller.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that Brown (shoulder) is "getting close" to practicing and is "champing at the bit" to return, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Reid declined to provide an estimated date for Brown's return and didn't say how much the wideout would need to practice before making his season debut. Since the Chiefs didn't open Brown's 21-day evaluation window Wednesday, he presumably won't be a candidate to return from injured reserve for this Sunday's game in Cleveland, and he probably should be viewed as a longshot for the team's Week 16 game against the Texans. A return at some point over the final two weeks of the regular season could be more realistic for Brown, and if nothing else, the Chiefs seemingly expect him to be a major contributor during the playoffs.

Nabers (hip) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Nabers was held out of last Friday's practice due to a hip flexor injury but still was able to suit up in Sunday's 14-11 loss to the Saints, turning a 94 percent snap share into five catches (on 10 targets) for 79 yards. The Giants contained Nabers to work on the side Wednesday, per Duggan, but the rookie wide receiver doesn't appear in danger of missing this Sunday's game against the Ravens as a result of the injury.

Head coach Matt LaFleur said Doubs practiced fully Wednesday, but the wide receiver remains in the concussion protocol, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Doubs has made slow but steady progress since suffering a head injury Week 12 against the 49ers, failing to practice at all during Week 13 prep before being limited in practice last week in advance of another absence Week 14 at Detroit. Considering he was listed as a full participant Wednesday, he likely is in the final phase of the concussion protocol, which requires an evaluation from an independent neurologist in order to be able to suit up again. Doubs should receive clearance in the coming days ahead of Sunday's visit to Seattle.

Tillman (concussion) is slated to practice in a limited fashion Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Tillman has missed the past two games, but after not practicing at all last week, the wideout's return to field Wednesday -- albeit in a limited capacity -- has him trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Chiefs. His potential return arrives at an opportune time, with fellow key pass catcher David Njoku dealing with a hamstring issue that could affect his Week 15 status.

DuBose (shoulder) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

DuBose, a 2023 seventh-round pick from Charlotte, has missed the Dolphins' last 11 games after likely sustaining a shoulder injury in a Week 2 loss to the Bills. His return to practice Wednesday suggests he's nearing a full recovery, and the 23-year-old now has 21 days to be activated to the active roster before reverting to IR. The Dolphins have been searching for a reliable third option at wide receiver all season, and DuBose may have an opportunity to compete for that role once he's fully recovered.

Coker (quadriceps) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Coker also began Week 14 as a full participant at practice, before being downgraded to limited participation and then no participation in the Panthers' ensuing two practices prior to sitting out a third straight game in this past Sunday's loss to Philadelphia. Head coach Dave Canales expressed more optimism Wednesday that Coker won't take a step back in activity this week, noting that the undrafted rookie displayed an ability to attack routes that he was previously lacking, according to Steve Reed of the Associated Press. Coker will work to remain a full participant Thursday and Friday, and if he does, he'll return to action Sunday versus Dallas.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that Tillman (concussion) will participate in Wednesday's practice, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Tillman has missed Cleveland's last two games and didn't practice in any capacity in Week 14, so it's encouraging to see him back on the field Wednesday. In order to get the green light to play Sunday versus the Chiefs, Tillman will first need to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol.