NFL Player News

Brown (knee) remained a limited participant at practice Thursday.

Since sitting out Weeks 11 and 12 due to the knee issue, Brown has remained a fixture on Texans injury reports, but he's played in each of the last four games. Even though he's operating with a cap on his reps once again for the first two practices of Week 17, Brown seems to be trending toward playing again this Sunday against the Titans. If Brown is available, he'll be drawing targets from quarterback C.J. Stroud, who has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol and is set to return from a two-game absence.

Brown (heel) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Brown may be trending toward a second absence in a row due to a lingering heel injury that caused early exits from his last two appearances in Weeks 13 and 15. However, he'll have one more chance to get in his first on-field work of Week 17 prep before the Cardinals potentially make a decision on his availability for Sunday's game at Philadelphia. If Brown is out again this weekend, Michael Wilson, Rondale Moore and Zach Pascal will be the top available options at wide receiver for the team's offense.

Chase (shoulder) was a limited participant in his return to practice Thursday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

For the first time since suffering an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder in the Bengals' Week 15 win over the Vikings, Chase was able to get back on the practice field, albeit with a cap on his reps. In any case, Chase looks to be trending in the right direction as Sunday's game against the Chiefs approaches. Chase noted after Thursday's session that his shoulder is "feeling good right now, but I'm still taking it day by day." If Chase is able to maintain limited participation Friday or even upgrade to full participation, it would create more confidence in his chances of putting an end to a one-game absence this weekend in Kansas City.

Collins (calf) was a full practice participant Thursday.

Collins opened Week 17 prep Wednesday as a limited participant, but after getting in a full practice a day later, he should be in the clear for Sunday's game against the Titans. In his return from a one-game absence due to a calf strain in this past Sunday's 36-22 loss to the Browns, Collins played just 35 of 75 offensive snaps (47 percent) and finished with four catches for 18 yards and a touchdown on six targets. With the calf issue now further in the rear-view mirror, Collins should be ready to take on a more bountiful snap count this weekend, and he'll be further aided by the expected return from a two-game absence of quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion), who was a full participant Thursday.

Olave (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Brooke Kirchhofer of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Olave sat out Week 15 due to an ankle injury, but after logging a limited walkthrough last Tuesday and a full walkthrough one day later, he was cleared to play last Thursday at the Rams. He proceeded to earn 75 percent of the Saints' offensive snaps en route to his third 100-yard game in his last four appearances. During this hot streak, he's compiled a 25-384-1 line on 35 targets. Having said that, Olave may enter this weekend with a designation for Sunday's contest at Tampa Bay if he's unable to log an uncapped session Friday.

Pittman (concussion/shoulder) was listed as a full practice participant Thursday.

Per James Boyd of The Athletic, Pittman wasn't sporting a non-contact jersey Thursday, which suggests the wideout is progressing well ahead of Sunday's game against the Raiders. The Colts haven't yet indicated that Pittman has been removed from concussion protocol, as the wideout may still need to receive clearance from an independent neurologist before getting the green light to play Sunday. More clarity on Pittman's status should come when head coach Shane Steichen speaks to the media Friday.

Robinson (quadricep) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Robinson was gauged as a limited participant in Wednesday's walkthrough, but his ability to take every rep in practice a day later suggests the restrictions he faced to open Week 17 prep were mostly maintenance-related. He should be ready to handle his usual duties as the Giants' top option out of the slot Sunday against the Rams, though Robinson will be working with a new starting quarterback for the first time since Week 10 with Tyrod Taylor replacing Tommy DeVito under center.

Palmer (concussion) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Palmer also missed Wednesday's session and now has one more chance to practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos. The same goes for fellow wideout Keenan Allen (heel), who along with Palmer was spotted doing some agility work and running off to the side with trainers Thursday. If neither receiver is cleared to play Week 17, the Chargers would be left with Quentin Johnston, Alex Erickson and Jalen Guyton as their presumptive top three wideouts.

Allen (heel) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Popper notes that Allen was spotted taking part in agility work and running off to the side with trainers during the open portion of Thursday's practice, but the veteran wideout didn't mix into drills. Allen hasn't logged any practice reps since making his last appearance in the Chargers' Week 14 loss to the Broncos, and at this stage, he appears to be trending toward missing a third straight game this Sunday in a rematch with Denver.

Waddle (ankle) isn't expected to play Sunday against the Ravens, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Waddle, who suffered a high-ankle sprain in this past Sunday's 22-20 win over the Cowboys, has yet to practice this week. Unless Waddle takes a dramatic step forward in his recovery over the next few days and is cleared to play this weekend, Cedrick Wilson, Braxton Berrios, Chase Claypool and Robbie Chosen (concussion) could all see slight upticks in snaps behind No. 1 wideout Tyreek Hill.