NFL Player News

Smith-Marsette (illness) didn't practice Wednesday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Both Smith-Marsette and running back Miles Sanders were sidelined Wednesday due to illnesses, so a bug could be making its way around the Carolina locker room. Smith-Marsette has taken on a larger role in recent weeks with Jonathan Mingo (foot) on injured reserve, averaging 31.7 scrimmage yards in the last three games. The third-year wideout from Iowa will try to close out his season on a high note Sunday against the Buccaneers, but he'll first have to recover from his illness.

Flowers (calf) didn't practice Wednesday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

After the Ravens estimated him as a non-participant on Tuesday's practice report due to a calf issue, Flowers remained on the sideline one day later as the team reconvened for actual on-field work ahead of Saturday's regular-season finale against the Steelers. Baltimore is locked in as the No. 1 seed in the AFC side of the playoffs, so if the team has any qualms about Flowers' health, it may err on the side of caution and hold him out this weekend with an eye toward having him healthy for the divisional round.

Palmer was a limited participant at Wednesday's walkthrough due to a hip injury.

Palmer has had two of his top four performances of his rookie season over the last two games, combining for eight catches (on 11 targets) for 126 yards and one touchdown. With a health concern now in tow, his status will be one to watch as the week goes on to get a sense of his potential to play Sunday at Carolina.

Moore was a limited participant in practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury.

Moore missed part of Chicago's Week 16 win over the Cardinals after a defender rolled up on his ankle, but he returned to that game and looked no worse for wear in the Bears' Week 17 win over the Falcons, posting 159 yards and a touchdown. The star receiver is likely to upgrade to full participation Thursday or Friday and could avoid carrying a designation into the weekend as the Bears look to play spoiler Sunday against the NFC North rival Packers, who can clinch a playoff spot with a win.

Chark (foot) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

The foot injury is a new one for Chark, who has averaged 16.6 yards per catch on his 13 receptions over the last five games. He'll have two more sessions this week to get back to full before the Panthers potentially hand him a designation ahead of Sunday's contest against the Buccaneers.

Cooper (heel) won't take part in practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Cooper has yet to practice since going off for a franchise-record 265 receiving yards to go with two touchdowns on 11 catches (15 targets) during a Week 16 win at Houston. Prior to sitting out last Thursday's win over the Jets, he went through a pregame workout but ultimately didn't feel right. Kicking off Week 18 prep with a absence from practice isn't exactly a great sign for his odds to suit up Sunday at Cincinnati, and with head coach Kevin Stefanski already ruling out a healthy Joe Flacco for Sunday's game at Cincinnati, there's a chance the rest of the offensive regulars like Cooper that are banged up may join the quarterback on the sideline this weekend.

Rice won't practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Rice wasn't known to be tending to an injury coming out of this past Sunday's 25-17 win over the Bengals, during which he recorded five catches for 127 yards. Though his lack of activity to begin Week 18 prep isn't ideal, Rice will be a candidate to sit out this Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Chargers or see a reduced workload regardless of his health. Kansas City is locked in as the No. 3 seed in the playoffs no matter what happens in Week 18, so the team's main goal for Sunday will be to prioritize health for key players above all else.

Head coach Dan Campbell said Williams (ankle) won't practice Wednesday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Campbell downplayed Williams' injury Monday, but the ankle issue is significant enough to keep the wide receiver off the practice field as the Lions begin Week 18 prep. The coach said that the team plans to play its starters as usual against the Vikings in Sunday's regular-season finale, but injured players could get the week off to heal up in advance of the playoffs. With that in mind, Williams may be held out as a precaution even if the injury isn't especially significant.

Moore (concussion) remains in concussion protocol but will practice Wednesday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Moore went to the hospital after hitting his head on turf in last Thursday's win over the Jets, but his presence at practice Wednesday suggests he's progressing through concussion protocol. The extent of Moore's participation in practice won't be known until the Browns post their first official Week 18 injury report later Wednesday. The Browns are locked in as the No. 5 seed in the AFC and plan to rest some key contributors Sunday in Cincinnati, so Moore may not play even if he clears concussion protocol before the weekend.

The Bears signed Johnson off their practice squad Wednesday.

Johnson was elevated from the practice squad for both of Chicago's last two games and caught a pass for an 11-yard gain in the Week 17 win over the Falcons. The wideout will presumably suit up for Sunday's season finale versus the Packers, but he may be in store for only a modest role on offense.