NFL Player News

Chark is projected to operate as the Chargers' No. 3 receiver in Sunday's Week 18 game against the Raiders due to Joshua Palmer (toe) being designated as inactive for the contest.

Chark has been a virtual afterthought in his debut Chargers campaign due to both injury and ineffectiveness. The veteran wideout enters the regular-season finale against the Raiders with just three receptions for 25 yards on seven targets across six games, but at least by depth-chart slotting, he'd be the next man up behind Palmer. It remains to be seen how long head coach Jim Harbaugh will keep his starting offense in Sunday, but Chark is one player who could potentially see action in all four quarters.

White (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Rams.

White, whom Seattle signed off its practice squad in mid-November, will close the season as a healthy inactive for the fifth consecutive game. Before his recent streak of absences, the 26-year-old receiver appeared in four games for Seattle and recorded two catches for 44 yards on three targets over 59 snaps on offense.

Eskridge (finger) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Eskridge popped up on Friday's injury report due to a finger injury, which is severe enough for him to be sidelined for Sunday's regular-season finale. The 2021 first-round pick appeared in six regular-season games, catching all three of his targets for 44 yards while adding 146 kick return yards. Raheem Mostert and Malik Washington are the top two candidates to return kicks Sunday due to Eskridge's absence.

Hill (wrist/illness) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Hill, who has been managing a wrist issue, was sidelined for Friday's practice due to an illness, before being deemed questionable for Sunday's contest. With his active status confirmed for Miami's must-win regular-season finale, Hill will have a chance to maintain the chemistry that he built with QB Tyler Huntley (who is starting once again in place of Tua Tagovailoa/hip) during the team's Week 17 win over the Browns, when he caught all nine of his targets for 105 yards.

Waddle (knee) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Waddle, who missed Miami's last two games, practiced fully Friday before approaching Week 18 action listed as questionable. In his return to action, Waddle will combine with Tyreek Hill to give QB Tyler Huntley (starting once again in place of Tua Tagovailoa/hip) a pair of quality wideout options in Miami's must-win regular-season finale. In 14 games thus far, Waddle has put up a 54/700/2 receiving line on 74 targets.

Wilson (hamstring) is listed as inactive Sunday versus the 49ers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Wilson was a late-week addition to the Cardinals' practice report Friday as limited due to a hamstring injury. Such a development could have been worrisome for the second-year wide receiver, and indeed he won't be available to the offense Sunday. As a result, more targets have been freed up for the likes of Greg Dortch, Zay Jones, Zach Pascal and Xavier Weaver behind top WR Marvin Harrison.

Watson (knee) won't return to Sunday's contest against the Bears.

Watson needed a cart to get to the locker room early in the second quarter after he went down in the middle of a route. Initially deemed questionable to return, he now will remain out for the rest of Week 18 and potentially into the playoffs if his right knee injury eventually is considered to be a serious one. As for the rest of Sunday, with Romeo Doubs (illness) also sidelined, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton and Malik Heath will compose the Packers' receiving corps.

Watson suffered a right knee injury during Sunday's game against the Bears.

Watson went down in the middle of a route early in the second quarter and needed assistance from the training staff to get off the field before being carted to the locker room. If he's unable to return, he'll finish Week 18 with no catches on one target.

Hopkins will be active for Sunday's game in Denver, in part because he needs one more touchdown to reach a $500,000 incentive in his contract, Jay Glazer reported on "Fox NFL Sunday."

The Chiefs are already locked in as the AFC's No. 1 seed and will rest several key veterans in Week 18, but Hopkins won't be among them. Hopkins will likely still play only limited snaps, especially when the Chiefs are not near the red zone. It might still be a tough ask for Hopkins to get into the end zone, especially if he draws coverage from star Denver cornerback Patrick Surtain while Carson Wentz is at quarterback for the Chiefs rather than Patrick Mahomes (ankle).

Jones (coach's decision) is a healthy inactive for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

With the Panthers bringing back Miles Sanders (ankle) from injured reserve for the season finale, the team won't have a need to keep Jones active as a third option at running back. Raheem Blackshear and Mike Boone are instead in line to serve as the backup options behind Sanders. After Carolina signed him off the Bears' practice squad on Dec. 10, Jones appeared in two games and carried once for zero yards while playing three snaps on offense.