NFL Player News

Brown (heel) wasn't spotted during the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

If Brown indeed misses practice for a second day in a row, he'll have just one more opportunity to mix into drills this week before the Cardinals potentially make a ruling on his availability ahead of Sunday's game at Chicago. Fellow wide receiver Greg Dortch (shoulder) also wasn't seen on the practice field Thursday, meaning Michael Wilson, Rondale Moore and Zach Pascal are the healthy options at the position on Arizona's active roster.

Jones (hamstring/knee) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

On Wednesday, head coach Doug Pederson labeled Jones as week-to-week, so the fact that the wideout has now missed consecutive practices was fully expected. Jones appears to be trending toward sitting out his seventh game of the season Sunday at Tampa Bay, after he had previously been sidelined for six of Jacksonville's first nine contests with a knee injury. He's being listed with both knee and hamstring injuries on the Jaguars' Week 16 report, though the hamstring issue he sustained in this past Sunday's 23-7 loss to the Ravens seems to be the greater concern.

Reed (toe/chest) didn't practice Thursday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Reed has been playing through a chest injury the last four games, but an ankle issue also impacted his practice reps last week, and now a toe injury appears to be the primary concern during Week 16 prep. With just one more chance for him and Christian Watson (hamstring) to practice by week's end, the Packers may be in danger of being down two of their top four wide receivers Sunday in Carolina. Friday's injury report may seal their fate for that contest.

Moore (knee) could return this season if the team advances far enough in the playoffs, according to head coach Andy Reid, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Moore won't be eligible to return until the divisional round of the playoffs after going on injured reserve Monday, so it sounds like it's possible he may only need the minimum of four weeks to recover. The Western Michigan product ended his second regular season with very similar stats as his rookie campaign, making just 21 catches on 38 targets for 244 yards and a touchdown despite playing 174 more snaps on offense.

Watson (hamstring) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Watson has yet to mix into drills since straining his right hamstring near the end of a Week 13 win against the Chiefs. With just one session to do so ahead of Sunday's game at Carolina, he appears to be trending in the wrong direction to return to action this weekend. Fellow wide receiver Jayden Reed (toe/chest) also didn't practice Thursday, leaving Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks (ankle), Malik Heath and Samori Toure as the other mostly healthy wide receivers on the Packers' active roster.

Hardman (thumb) was designated to return from injured reserve Thursday, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Hardman underwent surgery to repair a sprained thumb at the end of November and will now return to practice with the team. He'll have a 21-day window to do so before he needs to be added back to the active roster, but he can return as soon as Monday against the Raiders. Getting the veteran receiver back in the fold should be a boost to the Chiefs receiving corps, especially with Skyy Moore (nee) now on IR.

Hill (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Hill, who was inactive for the Dolphins' Week 15 win over the Jets, didn't practice Wednesday, but the star wideout's return to the field one day later has him trending toward a potential return to action Sunday against the Cowboys. Even after missing last week's game, Hill still holds a 228-yard lead over the Eagles' A.J. Brown for the NFL's receiving crown.

Head coach Zac Taylor has ruled Chase (shoulder) out for Saturday's game against the Steelers, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

Per Hobson, Taylor noted Thursday that Chase will be viewed as week-to-week, which clouds the wideout's status for the Bengals' Dec. 31 contest against the Chiefs. In Chase's absence for Week 16, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd will serve as the Bengals' top two options at receiver, while Andrei Iosivas, Trenton Irwin and Charlie Jones serve as depth options behind them.

Godwin (knee) wasn't spotted on the field Thursday and appears set to be listed as a non-participant for the Buccaneers' second Week 16 practice, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Godwin was listed as questionable heading into the Buccaneers' Week 15 game against the Packers with the same injury, but he proceeded to suit up for that contest and turned in his best performance of the season in Tampa Bay's 34-20 win, finishing with a 10-155-0 receiving line on 12 targets. The wideout opened Week 16 prep Wednesday as a limited practice participant, but it's unclear if his absence Thursday is maintenance-related or the result of a setback with the knee injury. More clarity on Godwin's status heading into Sunday's game against the Jaguars should come following the Buccaneers' final practice of the week Friday.

Chase (shoulder) wasn't in uniform for Thursday's practice, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Conway notes that Chase -- who didn't practice Tuesday or Wednesday -- was present for Thursday's session. However, with the wideout not in uniform Thursday, he appears set to go down as a non-participant on a third consecutive practice report, making him unlikely to suit up Saturday versus the Steelers. The Bengals will post their final Week 16 injury report later Thursday, when it will be known whether Chase has any chance to face Pittsburgh or is ruled out ahead of the game.