NFL Player News

Smith-Schuster (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Smith-Schuster has been a limited participant in both of the Patriots' first two Week 16 practices, and he may need to upgrade to full activity Friday to guarantee his availability for Sunday's game in Denver. The wideout was listed as a limited participant on all three of New England's practice reports last week before he was made inactive ahead of the Patriots' 27-17 loss to the Chiefs.

Metchie (illness) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Like tight end Brevin Jordan, Metchie missed Wednesday's session while recovering from an illness before returning to the field Thursday in a limited capacity. Assuming both players came out of Thursday's session no worse for the wear, the two will have one more opportunity Friday to log full reps and clear up any concern about their statuses heading into Sunday's game against the Browns. Metchie has yet to miss a game since Week 1, and despite multiple Houston pass catchers sitting out over the subsequent 13 games, the Alabama product hasn't made much of a mark in the box score. He's still looking for his first NFL touchdown and has recorded no more than two catches or 25 receiving yards in any of his appearances.

Brownlee (ankle) was listed as a full participant for Thursday's walk-through practice, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.

With a full practice under his belt, Brownlee should be on track to put an end to his two-game absence this Sunday against the Commanders. In his previous three outings before suffering the ankle injury, Brownlee saw an expanded role on offense but recorded just two catches for 20 yards on two targets over 105 snaps.

Burks (illness) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Burks also missed Wednesday's session, so the wideout now has one more chance to practice ahead of Sunday's contest against the Seahawks. Friday's injury report will reveal whether Burks approaches Week 16 action with a designation or fully cleared to face Seattle.

Brown (knee) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Brown has been listed as a limited participant on both of Houston's first two Week 16 injury reports after he produced eight catches for 82 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets in this past Saturday's 19-16 overtime win over the Titans. He moved into an elevated role Week 15 in the absence of Nico Collins (calf), who, like Brown, has opened Week 16 prep with a pair of limited practices. The Texans will post their final practice report of the week Friday, when it will be known if either or both of Brown and Collins will carry designations into Sunday's game against the Browns.

Collins (calf) remained a limited participant at practice Thursday.

After failing to practice in any fashion last week before sitting out the Texans' 19-16 overtime win over the Titans on Sunday, Collins has taken steps forward in his recovery Week 16 with two straight limited practices. Collins will look to advance to full participation Friday to potentially clear up any lingering concern about his chances of playing Sunday versus the Browns.

Dortch (shoulder) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Dortch has kicked off Week 16 prep with back-to-back absences due to a shoulder issue, giving him just one more opportunity to get back on the practice field this week. The Cardinals' top wide receiver Marquise Brown also has yet to mix into drills due to a lingering heel injury. In the end, Friday's practice report may clear up the statuses of one or both players ahead of Sunday's contest at Chicago.

Shorter (hamstring) will not be activated from injured reserve before Saturday's game against the Chargers.

Shorter has been practicing with the team since he was designated to return from injured reserve Dec. 13. However, the rookie receiver will remain sidelined for at least one more game before he makes his NFL debut. His next opportunity to suit up will be Week 17 against the Patriots.

Wicks (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Thursday.

Wicks is dealing with an ankle issue for a second consecutive week, but he stepped up with Christian Watson (hamstring) sidelined for this past Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers, hauling in six of seven targets for 97 yards. While Wicks actually is practicing this week, Watson and Jayden Reed (toe/chest) have yet to mix into drills, leaving significant question marks for the Packers' receiving corps. Ultimately, Friday's injury report may clear some of them up ahead of Sunday's game at Carolina.

Hill (ankle) was a limited participant Thursday in his return to practice, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

The Dolphins listed Hill as questionable last week even though he didn't practice, and he ultimately missed a 30-0 win over the Jets. His return Thursday suggests he's got a much better shot to play this Sunday against the Cowboys, though it still seems more likely than not that Hill will be listed as questionable on the final injury report Friday.