NFL Player News

The Patriots waived Montgomery on Friday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Montgomery was cut loose after he played just six of the team's 57 snaps on offense while recording one reception for 17 yards on two targets in Thursday's 21-18 win over the Steelers. The Patriots are now left with JaMycal Hasty and practice squad member Kevin Harris as depth options in the backfield behind Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) and Ezekiel Elliott.

The 49ers have ruled McCloud out in advance of Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

McCloud will miss his second game in a row after he took a step back in terms of practice activity this week, opening with a limited session Wednesday before regressing to no participation Thursday and Friday. The 27-year-old serves as a depth receiver for San Francisco, but his absence will loom larger on special teams, where he serves as the 49ers' top kickoff and punt returner when healthy. While McCloud was out in the team's 42-19 win over the Eagles last Sunday, Deebo Samuel stepped in as the 49ers' kickoff returner while Ronnie Bell returned punts.

Ross received a six-game suspension Friday for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, but he'll be eligible to return to the Chiefs' facility Monday and could be available to play Week 15 versus the Patriots, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Chiefs placed Ross on the commissioner's exempt list Oct. 27, four days after he was arrested in Shawnee, Kan. on charges of domestic battery and criminal property damage regarding an alleged incident that occurred between him and his then-girlfriend. Though the NFL didn't make a formal ruling on a suspension for the second-year receiver until Friday, he'll be credited for serving the first five games of the six-game ban while he was on the exempt list. Ross will serve the sixth and final game of the suspension Sunday against the Bills before he resumes team activities Week 15. Ross held a minimal role for the Chiefs through the team's first seven games of the season, playing double-digit snaps on offense in just five of those contests while logging a 3-34-0 receiving line on six targets.

Thomas (knee) is expected to return from injured reserve at some point this season, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Thomas injured his right knee early in the Saints' Week 10 loss to the Vikings and was placed on IR following the team's Week 11 bye. He'll be sidelined through at least Week 15, but the Saints are seemingly expecting him back at some point over the final three weeks of the regular season, though the calculus might change a bit if they continue to lose games and somehow fall out of the playoff hunt in a laughably weak NFC South. New Orleans was in first place at the time of Thomas' injury but has since slipped to one game behind the Falcons, who would be all but assured of having the upper hand for any division tiebreakers if they beat the Buccaneers this Sunday to move to 4-0 within the NFC South.

Jones (illness) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Lions.

Jones was a late addition to the Bears' injury report, as he seems to be dealing with an illness that held him out of Friday's practice. The 2022 third-round pick has been a healthy scratch in three of Chicago's last four games, so even if Jones feels well enough to play Sunday, he could very well still be inactive.

Palmer (knee) is listed as out for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Palmer had his 21-day window to return from injured reserve opened Wednesday, but he won't be activated prior to Sunday's clash with Denver. The 24-year-old wide receiver is eligible to continue practicing with his teammates for at least two more weeks, so he could be a candidate for activation from IR ahead of the Chargers' Week 15 game versus the Raiders next Thursday.

Jones (groin) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

Jones practiced in a limited fashion Friday, but that was enough for the Eagles to clear him for this weekend's divisional matchup. The 34-year-old wide receiver will likely continue to have his practice reps managed on a weekly basis to keep him fresh on game days. Jones hasn't made much of a ripple in the box score since signing with the Eagles, and he may find himself fourth or fifth in the pecking order at receiver moving forward after Quez Watkins returned from injured reserve last week.

Brown (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets after not practicing Friday.

Brown was limited at Wednesday's practice, then logged a full session Thursday. The Texans haven't clarified whether the wideout's lack of Friday was the result of a setback or more of a maintenance-related matter, but his status is now worth tracking ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. If Brown is able to play this weekend, he'll likely be in store for a key role in the Houston passing attack after Tank Dell (lower leg) was placed on injured reserve due to the season-ending injury he suffered Week 13.

Olave (illness) is expected to play in Sunday's game against the Panthers, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

The revelation that Olave is recovering from a bout with the flu cast some doubt about his availability this weekend, and while he's listed as questionable after missing consecutive practices, he apparently felt decent enough Friday to meet with the Saints' medical staff. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on the situation all the same, with additional reports regarding Olave's status likely to surface late Saturday or early Sunday before the Saints offer confirmation on his availability (or lack thereof) leading up to the game's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

Brownlee (ankle) won't play Sunday against the Texans.

Brownlee didn't practice in any capacity throughout the week after being injured in this past Sunday's loss to the Falcons. With Brownlee sidelined Week 14, Allen Lazard will likely draw the start opposite Garrett Wilson on the perimeter, with Xavier Gipson manning the slot for a Jets offense that will have Zach Wilson back under center against the Texans.