NFL Player News

Brown (knee), who is officially listed as questionable, is expected to play Sunday against the Titans, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Brown has played through the knee issue the past two weeks, so it's not surprising that he's expected to do the same Week 15. Meanwhile, Nico Collins (calf) is listed as questionable but not expected to play, according to Schefter, meaning Brown could be the top priority for targets from fill-in starting quarterback Case Keenum. Neither Collins' nor Brown's status will become official until the Texans release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

Godwin (knee), who is officially listed as questionable, is expected to play Sunday against the Packers, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Godwin practiced in full Friday, so his expected availability for Sunday's game isn't a major surprise. Nevertheless, fantasy managers will want to confirm that Godwin is in the clear once the Buccaneers release their inactive list approximately 90 minutes before the game's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

Chase sustained a separated shoulder during Saturday's 27-24 overtime win against the Vikings, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Chase injured his right shoulder late in the Bengals' Week 15 matchup and was unable to return, finishing with four catches (on four targets) for 64 yards. After his departure, he was seen with a wrap of some sort on the shoulder while in street clothes. It's unclear if Chase will be able to play through the issue, but his status could gain some clarity as soon as Tuesday, when the team may hold a practice ahead of next Saturday's contest at Pittsburgh.

The Dolphins intend to allow Hill (ankle) to make his own decision on his availability for Sunday's game against the Jets, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.

Such a call won't be made until Hill goes through a pregame workout Sunday, after which Miami will post its list of inactives approximately 90 minutes before a 1 p.m. ET kickoff. With 1,542 receiving yards on his 2023 ledger so far and four games remaining in the regular season, he's in sight of the first 2,000-yard campaign in NFL history, but he's also tending to an ankle injury that he sustained in Monday's loss to the Titans. Hill didn't practice during Week 15 prep, and head coach Mike McDaniel told Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network on Friday that if Hill is "confident he can be himself, and I have the support of the trainers, he will play. If it's not, he won't." Hill thus is in line to be a game-time decision, with Jaylen Waddle set to serve as the Dolphins' No. 1 wideout if the former can't play.

Montgomery hauled in two of four targets for 48 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 30-13 win over the Steelers.

The Colts expended three elevations on Montgomery in their previous three games, so they signed him to the active roster Thursday and kept him active for Week 15. He made the most of Saturday's opportunity after Michael Pittman exited in the second quarter with a concussion, recording both of his catches, including a 14-yard TD, on a scoring drive just before halftime. Both Josh Downs (3-19-0 on three targets) and Alec Pierce (1-13-0 on five targets) are immediately behind Pittman on the team's WR depth chart, so Montgomery may not be able to maintain the momentum even if Pittman can't make his way through the protocol for head injuries ahead of a Dec. 24 visit to the Falcons.

Downs had three catches (on three targets) for 19 yards and three punt returns for 38 yards during Saturday's 30-13 victory versus the Steelers.

The pleasant special-teams performance aside, Downs missed out on a prime opportunity to produce on offense after Michael Pittman departed with a concussion midway through the second quarter. Instead of turning his focus to the Colts' No. 2 wide receiver, quarterback Gardner Minshew spread the ball around to eight different players among his 18 completions, and only one of Downs' targets occurred after Pittman's exit. Considering Pittman will be subject to the protocol for head injuries in order to gain clearance for his next game action, Downs technically has a chance to for an increased role Sunday, Dec. 24 in Atlanta if the former isn't able to play.

Moore (ankle) is expected to play Sunday at Cleveland, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Moore twisted his ankle last Sunday against the Lions but still played 65 of 71 offensive snaps (92 percent) on his way to six catches (on 10 targets) for 68 yards, three carries for 20 yards and two total touchdowns. He opened Week 15 prep with no activity Wednesday before logging a limited practice Thursday and a full session Friday. Despite increasing his workload incrementally, Moore entered the weekend as questionable for Sunday's game, but it appears that merely was a precautionary measure. His status will be confirmed when Chicago releases its inactive list about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

Pickens recorded three receptions on seven targets for 47 yards in Saturday's 30-13 loss to the Colts.

Pickens got off to a decent start, as he managed a pair of 15-yard receptions on the Steelers' second offensive possession. Despite leading the team in targets, he managed only one additional reception from there and was held under 50 receiving yards for the second consecutive game -- both of which Kenny Pickett (ankle) has missed in full. Pittsburgh is contemplating a change at quarterback for a Week 16 matchup against the Bengals, and if Mason Rudolph takes over under center, that could be positive news for Pickens.

Johnson recorded four catches on six targets for 62 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 30-13 loss to the Colts.

Johnson got off to a slow start, as he wasn't targeted in the first quarter. He picked things up from there, however, as his first catch of the day went for a four-yard touchdown. Johnson went on to tally long catches of 26 and 18 yards to account for the majority of his remaining production. The Steelers' quarterback situation is quite ambiguous heading into a Week 16 matchup against the Bengals, but Johnson now has a touchdown in three straight games.

The Packers elevated Melton from their practice squad Saturday ahead of their game Sunday versus the Buccaneers.

Melton was signed to the active roster ahead of Green Bay's Week 12 game against Detroit and played two offensive snaps along with six special-teams snaps in that contest without logging any stats. He was subsequently cut and then re-signed to the practice squad. The Packers will likely be without Christian Watson (hamstring) against Tampa Bay on Sunday, and Dontayvion Wicks is questionable with an ankle injury, but even if neither wideout suits up it's unlikely Melton will see a significant role.