NFL Player News

Watson (hamstring) isn't practicing Friday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Watson left Sunday's win over the Chiefs in the fourth quarter and never returned, and he's now missed consecutive practices heading into a Monday matchup with the Giants. He appears to be a long shot to play this week, though he noted Thursday that his current hamstring injury doesn't look to be a severe as the one that kept him out for the Packers' first three games of the season.

Hollins (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, despite being a full practice participant Wednesday through Friday.

Hollins is on track to play for the first time since Week 9, though he may not take a lot of snaps and probably won't see many targets even if he does. The Falcons have rotated wide receivers behind Drake London in recent weeks, with Van Jefferson typically getting the most snaps but having minimal impact on the box scores.

Cooper (concussion/ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Cooper sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday but has a chance to play after returning to the practice field Friday as a limited participant. According to Zac Jackson of The Athletic, Cooper has yet to pass through the five-step concussion protocol, but the Browns are holding out hope that the receiver will be able to gain clearance from an independent neurologist Saturday. If Cooper clears the protocol and is able to play through the rib issue Sunday, he'll be returning to an uncertain situation at quarterback. Following Friday's practice, head coach Kevin Stefanski was unwilling to name either Joe Flacco or Dorian Thompson-Robinson as the team's Week 14 starting quarterback, and official word on that front may not arrive until gameday.

Boyd (ankle) had a lot of reps at practice Friday, and Bengals head coach Zac Taylor expects the wide receiver to play Sunday against the Colts, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Boyd was added to the injury report after a limited practice Thursday, but it's possible the slot receiver could avoid a Week 14 designation if he logs a full practice Friday. Even if Boyd carries a designation into Sunday's game, Friday's activity coupled with the coach's optimism suggest that the receiver is likely to suit up against Indianapolis, barring a setback.

Cooper (concussion/ribs) was present for practice Friday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

After missing practice Wednesday and Thursday, Cooper's presence on the field Friday suggests that the wideout has a chance to play this weekend against the Jaguars. For that happen, however, Cooper will need to be fully cleared per the NFL's concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's 1:00 ET kickoff.

The Jaguars placed Kirk (groin) on injured reserve Friday.

Per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, Kirk will undergo surgery to address a core muscle/groin injury and will miss at least four games following his placement on IR. While Kirk is out of the lineup, rookie Parker Washington should step into a steady role in three-receiver sets alongside Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones.

The Jaguars are expected to place Kirk (groin) on injured reserve Friday, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Per Wolfe, Kirk will require surgery to address a core muscle/groin injury. Once the wideout lands on IR, he would miss at least the next four games, making him ineligible to return to the Jacksonville lineup until Week 18. Kirk's upcoming absence should open up a few extra looks in the passing game for Calvin Ridley, Zay Jones and Evan Engram, while rookie Parker Washington -- who recorded six catches for 61 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 34-31 overtime loss to Cincinnati -- should settle into a regular role in three-receiver sets.

Montgomery was on the field for six of a possible 57 snaps on offense in Thursday's 21-18 win over the Steelers, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

With Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) sidelined Thursday, Montgomery served as Ezekiel Elliott's top backup, while Kevin Harris didn't log any snaps. In that role, Montgomery was limited to one catch on two targets for 17 yards, so even if Stevenson continues to miss time, Montgomery will remain off the fantasy radar as long as Elliott is available. The Patriots' next game is Dec. 17 against the Chiefs.

Thornton logged a season-high 54 (of a possible 57) snaps on offense in Thursday's 21-18 win over the Steelers, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

With fellow WRs Demario Douglas (concussion), DeVante Parker (knee) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) all inactive, Thornton drew the start alongside JuJu Smith-Schuster, who led the team with 90 receiving yards. Thornton, on the other hand, finished with three catches for 17 yards on five targets, failing to take advantage of a big opportunity. With New England's next game coming 10 days after Thursday's win -- Dec. 17 against the Chiefs -- the team's wideout corps could be less thinned-out for Week 15, a context that likely would leave Thornton with less playing time.

Pickens secured five of six targets for 19 yards in the Steelers' 21-18 loss to the Patriots on Thursday night.

The talented second-year wideout struggled yet again to make an impact, although Mitch Trubisky's lackluster play certainly played a large part in Pickens' struggles. Pickens' catch total was a team high on the night, but his 3.8 yards per reception made it a completely unproductive performance outside of season-long or daily full-PPR formats. Pickens does have at least four receptions in three of the past four games, and he'll aim to take advantage of a more vulnerable Colts secondary in a Week 15 road matchup.