NFL Player News

Nacua (shoulder) was a limited participant in Wednesday's walkthrough, Greg Beacham of the Associated Press reports.

In the wake of Nacua playing through pain this past Sunday against the Browns, head coach Sean McVay revealed Monday that the receiver is dealing with an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder. Two days later, McVay elaborated on Nacua's capped session, saying that the rookie "did everything" in the Rams' walk-through session. McVay's comment implies Nacua likely isn't in danger of sitting out this Sunday's road matchup with the Ravens, but his status still should be watched as the weekend draws closer to get a sense of his potential to play.

Jefferson (hamstring) practiced fully Wednesday.

Prior to getting activated from injured reserve last Tuesday, Jefferson was contained to limited sessions during the entirety of his 21-day practice window. With his ability to handle all activity to begin Week 14 prep, he appears to have put the hamstring issue that he sustained Week 5 behind him. Jefferson thus will put an end to a seven-game absence Sunday at Las Vegas, whose defense has allowed the seventh-highest catch rate (67.1 percent) to opposing wide receivers this season.

Jones was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a knee injury.

Jones was a full practice participant throughout last week before playing 93 percent of the snaps on offense in Monday's 34-31 overtime loss to the Bengals, finishing with five receptions for 78 yards on six targets. The Jaguars haven't indicated that he aggravated his knee against Cincinnati, so he may just be getting some extra maintenance after he missed six of eight games between Weeks 3 and 11 due to the knee issue. His importance to the Jaguars is heightened after Christian Kirk suffered a core-muscle injury that may require surgery, but it might be tough for Jones to repeat his season-high 78 receiving yards from Monday if he's catching passes from C.J. Beathard (shoulder) instead of Trevor Lawrence (ankle) this Sunday against the Browns.

Palmer (knee) was a limited participant Wednesday in his return to practice.

After the Chargers designated Palmer for return from IR on Wednesday, the team will now have a three-week window to evaluate him in practice before potentiall adding him back to the 53-man roster. The Chargers haven't ruled Palmer out from making his return to the lineup Sunday against the Broncos, but he'll likely need to upgrade to full practice participation Thursday or Friday in order to get the green light to play.

Brown (knee) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

Brown returned from a two-game absence Sunday and ended up playing nearly every snap in a win over the Broncos after Tank Dell suffered a season-ending leg injury in the first quarter. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports that Brown made it through the game without any setbacks to his injured knee and should thus remain a starter for the Texans moving forward, including during this Sunday's game at the Jets. Brown had back-to-back games with more than 150 receiving yards in early November, but in the win over Denver, he was held without a catch on two targets.

Smith-Schuster (ankle) remained a limited participant in practice Wednesday and is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Steelers.

Fellow wide receiver DeVante Parker (knee) is also questionable, while Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) have been ruled out for Week 14. Smith-Schuster has surpassed 15 receiving yards only three times over his 10 appearances in what has been a disappointing season, but with New England's receiving corps banged up, he could see additional opportunities against the team with whom he spent his first five NFL seasons.

Parker (knee) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game at Pittsburgh.

The Patriots listed him as a limited practice participant Monday through Wednesday, making Parker more likely than not to play. He led the team with nine targets and 64 receiving yards in Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Chargers, stepping up as the de facto No. 1 receiver with Demario Douglas inactive due to a concussion. Douglas and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) both have been ruled out again for Week 14, while JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) also is listed as questionable after three straight days of being listed as a limited participant on practice reports. Quarterback Bailey Zappe won't have many playmakers to work with Thursday, and the running game is missing its engine with Rhamondre Stevenson ruled out due to a high-ankle sprain.

Douglas (concussion) has been ruled out for Thursday's game at Pittsburgh.

Douglas hasn't returned to practice since being concussed Week 12 and now officially will be out for a second straight game. DeVante Parker saw a team-high nine targets in Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Chargers, and he'll be the favorite to serve as New England's de facto No. 1 wideout again, assuming he's able to play through the minor knee injury that has him listed as questionable. JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) -- also listed as questionable -- was a near-every-down presence for the Patriots this past Sunday, and should benefit from a full-time role Thursday. Beyond those two, Tyquan Thornton and Jalen Reagor are the best bets to fill snaps at receiver for New England.

McCloud (ribs) was a limited participant during practice Wednesday, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

McCloud was considered day-to-day to start the week after missing the 49ers' Week 13 win over the Eagles. His return to practice Wednesday gives him a chance to suit up Sunday against the Seahawks, especially if he can ramp up his practice activity to full participation Thursday or Friday.

Shaheed (thigh) didn't practice Wednesday, Brooke Kirchhofer of New Orleans Football reports.

Shaheed missed this past Sunday's loss to the Lions after injuring his thigh in the Saints' Week 12 loss to the Falcons. He hasn't practiced since sustaining the injury, but the speedy receiver and kick returner still has two more chances to return to the field before the Saints host the Panthers on Sunday. With Michael Thomas (knee) on injured reserve, Shaheed could be in store for a larger role on offense if he's able to recover from his thigh injury.