NFL Player News

Jones (hamstring/knee) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Per Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com, head coach Doug Pederson expressed optimism Tuesday that Jones could play Sunday against the Panthers. The wideout's participation in practice Wednesday -- albeit in a limited fashion -- supports that notion. That said, Jones will presumably need to practice fully by Friday in order to avoid a Week 17 injury designation.

Lazard is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Browns with an illness.

Lazard didn't appear on either of the Jets' first two Week 17 injury report, but he was listed as a non-participant Wednesday on account of the illness. The wideout's status for Thursday's game is thus cloudy at the moment, with clarity coming once the team releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. Even if he plays, Lazard -- who didn't catch his lone target in the Jets' Week 16 win over the Commanders -- is off the fantasy radar in all but the deepest of formats.

Wicks (chest/ankle) didn't take part in Wednesday's walkthrough, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Wicks appeared to mix into drills during the media-access portion of Wednesday's session, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, but the receiver's activity ultimately didn't translate into limited participation. Christian Watson (hamstring) also was held out to begin Week 17 prep, while Jayden Reed (toe/chest) took part in some on-field work. With question marks throughout the Packers' receiving corps, the overall situation will continue to be monitored to see who among the trio may be available Sunday at Minnesota.

Pittman (concussion/shoulder) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's practice estimate.

Pittman remains in the NFL's five-step concussion protocol and will likely need to upgrade to full participation either Thursday or Friday in addition to gaining clearance from an independent neurologist to have a chance at playing in Sunday's game against the Raiders. Still, limited participation in Wednesday's walk-through is certainly better than a no-show for the Colts' No. 1 receiver, who passed concussion protocol last Friday but sat out Sunday's loss to the Falcons after his symptoms resurfaced Saturday.

Olave (ankle) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports

The ankle injury kept Olave from playing in a Week 15 win over the Giants, but he made it back for last Thursday's loss to the Rams, catching nine passes for 123 yards plus a two-point conversion. Though his reps were capped to kick off Week 17 prep, Olave should be good to go for Sunday's matchup with Tampa Bay -- a game the Saints need to win to stay in the playoff hunt.

Thomas (knee) isn't practicing Wednesday, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Thomas' continued absence comes as no surprise after head coach Dennis Allen intimated Tuesday that the receiver was unlikely to play this week at Tampa Bay. The wideout has missed five games and is eligible to return from injured reserve at any point now.

Cooper is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Jets with a heel injury, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Cooper was listed as a non-participant in practice during the week due to a combination of rest and a heel injury. He earned the time off after setting a franchise record with 265 receiving yards in this past Sunday's 36-22 win over the Texans. Cooper has been no stranger to playing through injuries in the past, so it would be surprising if he ended up sitting out Thursday, though official word on his status won't arrive until the Browns release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to the game's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. If Cooper is able to play this week, he may have a tougher time getting open; the Jets' 1,583 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns allowed to wide receivers are both the fewest in the NFL.

Watson (hamstring) took part in Wednesday's team stretch but ultimately didn't join his teammates for practice, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Watson's next on-field work will mark his first since straining his right hamstring in the waning moments of the Packers' Week 13 win over the Chiefs. Meanwhile, fellow wide receivers Jayden Reed (toe/chest) was a limited participant Wednesday and Dontayvion Wicks (chest/ankle) was listed as a non-participant, so Green Bay's receiving corps will need to be monitored over the final two Week 17 practices to get a sense of who among the trio might be available for Sunday's game at Minnesota.

Waddle (ankle) wasn't on the field for practice Wednesday, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Given that head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed earlier in the day that Waddle is dealing with a high-ankle sprain, the wideout's absence to begin Week 17 prep comes as little surprise. On the plus side, McDaniel described Waddle's ankle sprain as not "overly severe," adding that the Dolphins aren't yet ruling out the possibility that the receiver will be available Sunday against the Ravens.

Reed (toe/chest) took part in Wednesday's practice, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

After failing to practice at all last week due to a toe injury suffered Week 15, Reed was unsurprisingly included on the Packers' inactive list ahead of this past Sunday's win at Carolina. Fellow wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks was ruled out with a chest issue in the second half of that contest and was listed as a non-participant Wednesday along with Christian Watson (hamstring), who hasn't played since Week 13.