NFL Player News

Palmer (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Palmer will take an injury designation into the weekend after he was a limited participant in practices Wednesday through Friday while managing the hip issue. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin remain the Buccaneers' unquestioned top two receivers, but Palmer has carved out a solid role of his own as the team's No. 3 wideout over the second half of the season. He's drawn at least five targets in five of Tampa Bay's last seven games, putting together a 20-187-1 receiving line while carrying three times for 22 yards over that stretch.

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

This may (or may not) be indicative of a setback, after the Packers listed Watson as a limited practice participant Wednesday and Thursday. The wideout suggested Wednesday that he expects to play Sunday against the Bears, and coach Matt LaFleur also made fairly optimistic comments.

Goodwin (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game at Cincinnati, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Goodwin was able to play through his knee injury in Week 17, so he's likely on the probable end of the official questionable designation. If he can't play Sunday, though, it could mean more outside reps for James Proche.

Cooper (heel) has been ruled out for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bengals, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Considering that the Browns are locked into the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs, it's no surprise that the veteran wideout will be held out of the Week 18 contest while he continues to nurse the heel injury. Cooper will thus target a potential return to action in the team's postseason opener in the wild-card round next week. In his absence this weekend, look for Cleveland's depth receivers to see added snaps, with fellow starter Elijah Moore (concussion) listed as questionable and also profiling as a candidate to be rested by the team.

Samuel (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Dallas, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Samuel was a full practice participant Wednesday, sat out Thursday and then came back Friday. He'll face a tough Dallas secondary to finish out the season, catching passes from QB Sam Howell.

Moore (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Per Petrak, coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday that Moore is still in the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, but the receiver is trending in the right direction. The Browns are locked into the No. 5 seed in the AFC regardless of Sunday's result, so they will likely lean on the side of caution if there's any doubt about Moore's readiness after he exited last Thursday's win over the Jets due to a concussion.

Cooper (heel) remained sidelined at practice Friday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Cooper didn't practice Wednesday and Thursday, and with the Browns locked in as the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs, the wideout is a candidate to be rested Week 18, in any case. The team's upcoming injury report will be released later Friday and will clarify whether Cooper carries a designation into Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Higgins (hamstring) didn't practice Friday, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Higgins has been a non-participant in practice throughout the week. Head coach Zac Taylor was non-committal about Higgins' status for Sunday's game against the Browns, but the receiver's lack of practice activity doesn't bode well for his chances of playing in the season finale.

Hill (ankle/personal) is in line to practice Friday, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Hill, who has been managing an ankle issue and tending to a personal matter this week, didn't practice Thursday, but the wideout's return to the field Friday has him trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills. The Dolphins' final Week 18 injury report will be released later Friday and will reveal whether Hill approaches Sunday's contest with an injury designation or is fully cleared.

Smith (ankle) isn't practicing Friday, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Smith has missed three straight practices and is in danger of being inactive for the first time in his NFL career when the Eagles play at New York on Sunday. The game can only impact Philadelphia's playoff seed if the Cowboys lose to Washington, and both NFC games will be played at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.