NFL Player News

Wicks (chest) practiced fully Thursday.

Among the Packers' trio of injured wide receivers, Wicks is the first one this week to log all on-field work in a session, as Christian Watson (hamstring) and Jayden Reed (chest) remained limited Thursday. Watson and Reed seem like decent bets to be available Sunday against the Bears, but Friday's injury report will reveal if either or both have designations for that contest. If either of them is sidelined this weekend, Wicks would be the top candidate to join the other in three-wide sets along with Romeo Doubs. Even if both Watson and Reed suit up, though, Wicks should be good for a regular role in Green Bay's, as he's averaged 4.5 targets per game in his last eight appearances.

Olave (ankle) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

As he did a week ago, Olave has kicked off Week 18 prep with back-to-back capped sessions due to a lingering ankle injury. He maintained that activity level last Friday before entering the weekend without a designation for this past Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, so he appears to be trending in the same direction this time around. Ultimately, Friday's practice report will unveil if that's the case for Olave ahead of Sunday's contest against the Falcons.

Waddle (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Waddle, who was inactive Week 17 due to a high-ankle sprain, also missed Wednesday's session, with his status for Sunday night's game against the Bills currently cloudy. If Waddle is deemed unavailable for the contest, Cedrick Wilson once again would be in line for an uptick in snaps alongside Tyreek Hill (ankle/personal).

Woods (hip) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Colts.

Woods wasn't able to practice in any capacity this week, but the Texans aren't closing the door on the veteran wideout being available for Saturday's contest. Noah Brown (back), meanwhile, has already been ruled out for Week 18, so if Woods joins him on the inactive list, Houston would likely turn to youngsters John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson to take on more reps alongside No. 1 receiver Nico Collins. Even if Woods is available to play without any limitations, he hasn't shown the ability to produce fantasy-friendly stat lines this season. Woods has maxed out at six catches and 74 receiving yards over his 14 appearances thus far in 2023.

Brown (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Colts.

With a wild-card berth and possibly even the AFC South title at stake for the Texans this weekend, Brown won't be available after he was unable to practice in any fashion this week due to the the back injury he sustained in this past Sunday's win over the Titans. Fellow wideout Robert Woods, meanwhile, also failed to practice this week, but he'll take a questionable tag into Saturday. If Houston is without both Brown and Woods, the team would be left with Nico Collins, John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson as its likely starting receiving trio in Week 18.

Reed (chest) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Though Reed wasn't able to return to this past Sunday's 33-10 win over the Vikings after suffering a chest injury in the second quarter, his limited listings on the Packers' first two Week 18 injury reports inspires hope that he'll be back on the field for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Bears. Whether Reed approaches that contest with a designation will likely hinge on him upgrading to full activity at Friday's practice. If Reed remains limited Friday, he'll most likely be listed as questionable for Sunday's contest.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Watson (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Watson isn't yet in the clear for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Bears, but he's put himself in a good position to end his four-game absence this weekend after practicing in a limited fashion Wednesday and Thursday. With a wild-card spot on the line in Week 18, quarterback Jordan Love could have close to his full complement of offensive weapons available. In addition to Watson, fellow wideouts Jayden Reed (chest) and Dontayvion Wicks (chest), tight end Luke Musgrave (kidney) and running back Aaron Jones (knee/finger) have also opened the week by practicing as either limited or full participants and seem to be trending toward playing Sunday.

Palmer (hip) was limited at Thursday's practice.

Palmer maintained his activity level from Wednesday's walkthrough as he tends to a hip injury, giving him just one more chance to get back to full participation before the Buccaneers potentially give him a designation ahead of Sunday's game in Carolina. If he's able to suit up this weekend, he'll look to build about his most productive two-game stretch of the season (8-126-1 on 11 targets between Weeks 16 and 17).

Mooney (concussion) didn't practice Thursday.

Mooney emerged from a Week 16 win against the Cardinals with a concussion, which hasn't allowed him to practice in the meantime. He's already missed one game as a result of the injury, and coach Matt Eberflus confirmed Wednesday that Mooney still was in the protocol, per Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com. With only one more chance to mix into drills this week, Mooney may be in danger of sitting out Sunday's contest at Green Bay.

Moore (ankle) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

Moore was forced out of a Week 16 win against the Cardinals for a handful of snaps after his right ankle was rolled up on, but he avoided the Bears' Week 17 practice report entirely. He then had a field day versus the Falcons this past Sunday, reeling off nine catches (on 13 targets) for 159 yards and one touchdown. Nearly two weeks removed from the initial injury, Moore is experiencing restrictions on his on-field work, likely as a precautionary measure, and there's a chance Chicago clears up his status for Sunday's game in Green Bay as soon as it posts its final injury report of the week Friday.