NFL Player News

Smith-Schuster (ankle) wasn't present for Friday's practice, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Smith-Schuster didn't practice Thursday, so the wide receiver's continued absence Friday clouds his status for Sunday's game against the Bills. If Smith-Schuster remains sidelined this weekend, DeVante Parker, Demario Douglas and Jalen Reagor would be in line to lead the Patriots' Week 17 WR corps.

Flowers (calf) returned to practice Friday, Brian Wacker of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Flowers didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, so it's encouraging that he's practicing Friday, though his participation level has yet to be clarified. The rookie wideout has yet to miss a game in his NFL career, but he may carry an injury designation into Sunday's home game against the Dolphins when the Ravens post their Week 17 injury report later Friday.

Waddle (ankle) won't play Sunday against the Ravens, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

With Waddle set to be sidelined Sunday, look for Cedrick Wilson to see added snaps alongside top WR Tyreek Hill, with Braxton Berrios, River Cracraft and Chase Claypool candidates to see elevated roles Week 17. Waddle will now target a potential return to action against the Bills in Miami's regular-season finale.

Coach Jonathan Gannon said Friday that Brown (heel) will be placed on injured reserve, ending his 2023 campaign, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Brown will miss the remainder of the 2023 campaign due to a heel injury that caused him to miss Week 16 and log early exits in the Cardinals' previous two games. That ends the worst statistical season of the 26-year-old's career in which he secured 51 of 101 targets for 574 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing twice for 23 yards. Granted, part of that context can be explained by Brown playing without Kyler Murray (illness) for the first nine games of the season, then working through injury in the second half. As a pending unrestricted free agent, though, Brown's modest numbers in 2023 could impact the team's decision to pursue a new contract or let him walk.

Brownlee caught both of his targets for 28 yards in Thursday's 37-20 loss to the Browns.

After scoring his first NFL touchdown this past Sunday, Brownlee set a new career high in receiving yards Thursday, so it has been a productive week for the rookie from Southern Miss. He'll look to put down some more quality game film in Week 18 against the Patriots and strengthen his case for sticking with the Jets beyond this season.

Gipson secured four of seven targets for 33 yards, rushed once for eight yards, ran back three kickoffs for 82 yards and returned two punts for 30 yards in the Jets' 37-20 loss to the Browns on Thursday night.

Gipson had a particularly busy night in defeat, with both his reception and receiving yardage totals serving as the second highest of his young career. The rookie's target tally also qualified as a new high-water mark, and he's now logged one rush attempt in four of his last five games. Gipson could be a candidate for extended playing time in the Week 18 road finale against the Patriots on Jan. 7, and it's possible he'll have Zach Wilson (concussion) back under center for that contest.

Wilson brought in five of 10 targets for 50 yards in the Jets' 37-20 loss to the Browns on Thursday night. He also netted minus-1 yard on his only carry.

Wilson led the Jets in receiving yards and targets, although that didn't add up to much in terms of fantasy production. The talented receiver was once again the victim of a heavy dose of dink-and-dunk passing by Trevor Siemian, who averaged only 5.8 yards per attempt. Wilson did cross the 1,000-yard mark for the second time in as many seasons with Thursday night's production, and he'll head into the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday, Jan. 7 against the Patriots needing seven receptions to reach the 100-catch mark.

Moore will not return to Thursday's game against the Jets due to a head injury, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

Moore suffered the injury just before halftime and headed to the locker room for further evaluation. No additional information is known at this time, but Moore's day is over after he managed five receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown against his former team.

Moore was spotted walking to the locker room before halftime after suffering an apparent head injury in Thursday's game against the Jets, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Moore took a hard hit with just over two minutes left in the first half and remained on the field for a short period of time. He walked off under his own power and was evaluated in the medical tent before heading into the locker room. The exact diagnosis is unclear, though Moore is being evaluated for a head injury.

Eskridge (ribs) did not practice Thursday, Curtis Crabtree of Fox 13 Seattle reports.

Eskridge has missed Seattle's past three games due to an injury to his ribs, and he hasn't practiced in any capacity since the first day of Week 15 prep. He appears to be trending toward missing a fourth straight contest Sunday against Pittsburgh, though that outlook could change if he's able to return to practice Friday. DK Metcalf didn't practice Thursday due to a back injury, so Seattle's wide-receiver unit could potentially be shorthanded against the Steelers.