NFL Player News

Reed (chest) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Though Reed wasn't able to return to this past Sunday's 33-10 win over the Vikings after suffering a chest injury in the second quarter, his limited listings on the Packers' first two Week 18 injury reports inspires hope that he'll be back on the field for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Bears. Whether Reed approaches that contest with a designation will likely hinge on him upgrading to full activity at Friday's practice. If Reed remains limited Friday, he'll most likely be listed as questionable for Sunday's contest.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Watson (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Watson isn't yet in the clear for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Bears, but he's put himself in a good position to end his four-game absence this weekend after practicing in a limited fashion Wednesday and Thursday. With a wild-card spot on the line in Week 18, quarterback Jordan Love could have close to his full complement of offensive weapons available. In addition to Watson, fellow wideouts Jayden Reed (chest) and Dontayvion Wicks (chest), tight end Luke Musgrave (kidney) and running back Aaron Jones (knee/finger) have also opened the week by practicing as either limited or full participants and seem to be trending toward playing Sunday.

Palmer (hip) was limited at Thursday's practice.

Palmer maintained his activity level from Wednesday's walkthrough as he tends to a hip injury, giving him just one more chance to get back to full participation before the Buccaneers potentially give him a designation ahead of Sunday's game in Carolina. If he's able to suit up this weekend, he'll look to build about his most productive two-game stretch of the season (8-126-1 on 11 targets between Weeks 16 and 17).

Mooney (concussion) didn't practice Thursday.

Mooney emerged from a Week 16 win against the Cardinals with a concussion, which hasn't allowed him to practice in the meantime. He's already missed one game as a result of the injury, and coach Matt Eberflus confirmed Wednesday that Mooney still was in the protocol, per Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com. With only one more chance to mix into drills this week, Mooney may be in danger of sitting out Sunday's contest at Green Bay.

Moore (ankle) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

Moore was forced out of a Week 16 win against the Cardinals for a handful of snaps after his right ankle was rolled up on, but he avoided the Bears' Week 17 practice report entirely. He then had a field day versus the Falcons this past Sunday, reeling off nine catches (on 13 targets) for 159 yards and one touchdown. Nearly two weeks removed from the initial injury, Moore is experiencing restrictions on his on-field work, likely as a precautionary measure, and there's a chance Chicago clears up his status for Sunday's game in Green Bay as soon as it posts its final injury report of the week Friday.

Flowers (calf) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

The Ravens won't release their final injury report of the regular season until later Thursday, but after failing to practice in any fashion this week, Flowers appears to be trending toward sitting out Saturday's game against the Steelers. With Baltimore having already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs, the team can afford to take a cautious approach with banged-up players like Flowers, who will presumably be closer to 100 percent by the time the Ravens play their first postseason game in the divisional round. Even if Baltimore chooses to make Flowers active against the Steelers, the rookie wideout may play only limited snaps, if any.

Smith (ankle) wasn't spotted at the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Brooks Kubena of The Athletic reports.

One day removed from not taking part in Wednesday's walkthrough, Smith appears as if he'll log a second consecutive absence, which will be confirmed when the Eagles post their second injury report of Week 18 prep later Thursday. He's tending to a right ankle sprain that forced him to use crutches and wear a walking boot after this past Sunday's loss to the Cardinals, clouding his availability for Sunday's regular-season finale at the Giants.

Smith-Marsette (illness) was a full practice participant Thursday.

An illness kept Smith-Marsette off the practice field Wednesday, but the ailment didn't affect his on-field work whatsoever one day later. He's received at least one touch in four straight games, a stretch in which he's compiled six catches (on seven targets) for 31 yards and eight carries for 74 yards and one touchdown.

Chark (foot) practiced fully Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

After opening Week 18 prep with a capped session due to a foot issue Wednesday, Chark was able to handle every practice rep one day later, thereby paving the way for him to suit up Sunday against the Buccaneers. Back in Week 13, he hauled in three of four targets for 56 yards at Tampa Bay.

Hill (ankle/personal) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Hill, who has been managing an ankle issue, left Wednesday's practice early to tend to personal matters, and was deemed a limited participant on the Dolphins' subsequent injury report. With Hill absent from Thursday's session, what the star wideout is able to do Friday will provide key context with regard to his status ahead of Sunday night's game against the Bills.