NFL Player News

Smith was held out of practice Thursday due to a knee injury.

Per Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Smith was donning street clothes during the portion of Thursday's session open to the media, and the reason for his absence now is known. There's been no word whether Smith is in danger of sitting out Week 16, but his status bears watching as the Eagles prepare for Monday's game against the Giants.

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

Brown has made early exits from the Cardinals' last two games Weeks 13 and 15 due to a heel injury that has lingered since Week 12 prep. It appears he's focusing on rehab of the issue versus practice with the hope he'll play again at some point over the final three contests of the campaign. Whether Brown is able to suit up Sunday in Chicago remains to be seen, but the team could clear up his status as soon as it posts the final Week 16 practice report Friday.

Godwin (knee) officially didn't practice Thursday.

After opening Week 16 prep with a limited session Wednesday, Godwin's absence from the field one day later was forecast by the fact he wasn't spotted during the media-access portion of the practice, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Thus, Godwin's listing on Friday's injury report should be telling for his upcoming availability for Sunday's game against the Jaguars. He was able to play through the knee issue Week 15 in Green Bay, where he turned 12 targets into 10 catches for 155 yards.

Pittman (concussion) was listed as a full participant at Thursday's practice.

Per Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis, Pittman still needs to gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to suit up Sunday against the Falcons. However, Pittman looks to be trending toward playing this weekend, especially after he was cleared to take contact in Thursday's practice, according to James Boyd of The Athletic.

Nailor (concussion) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.

Nailor seems to be in jeopardy of missing his second consecutive game with a concussion, as he's recorded back-to-back DNPs to open Minnesota's week of practice. The second-year wideout will almost certainly carry an injury designation into the weekend unless he's able to practice in full Friday.

Allen (heel) has been ruled out for Saturday night's game against the Bills.

Allen thus is slated to miss his second straight game, which sets the stage for Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston to lead the Chargers' Week 16 wide receiver corps, with Jalen Guyton and Alex Erickson also candidates to factor in. Allen's next chance to return to action will arrive Sunday, Dec. 31 against the Broncos.

St. Brown (pectoral) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.

St. Brown has missed Chicago's last two games with this pectoral issue, and he's now opened the team's week of practice with consecutive DNPs. The 27-year-old wideout has not practiced since popping up on the Bears' injury report prior to the team's Week 15 contest, and he'll almost certainly carry an injury designation into the weekend.

Mooney (illness) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Mooney sat out Wednesday's session while was under the weather, but his ability to take every rep a day later puts him on track to suit up this Sunday against the Cardinals. Though he appears to be locked into a near-every-down role as the Bears' No. 2 wideout behind DJ Moore, Mooney hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 1 and has cleared 50 receiving yards just once in his last 10 outings.

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

Allen hasn't practiced in any fashion since emerging from a Dec. 10 loss to the Broncos with a heel injury and looks likely to miss a second consecutive game Saturday versus the Bills. If Allen is ruled out for Saturday's contest upon the release of the Chargers' final injury report of the week later Thursday, Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston and Jalen Guyton would likely serve as the top three options at receiver for quarterback Easton Stick, who will make a second straight start in place of Justin Herbert (finger).

Toney won't practice Thursday due to a strained hip, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

The wideout's absence from practice to begin Week 16 prep could put him at risk of missing Monday's game against the Raiders. That said, given Toney's modest production to date, he profiles as a fantasy option only in deeper leagues.