NFL Player News

Chark (foot) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

The foot injury is a new one for Chark, who has averaged 16.6 yards per catch on his 13 receptions over the last five games. He'll have two more sessions this week to get back to full before the Panthers potentially hand him a designation ahead of Sunday's contest against the Buccaneers.

Cooper (heel) won't take part in practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Cooper has yet to practice since going off for a franchise-record 265 receiving yards to go with two touchdowns on 11 catches (15 targets) during a Week 16 win at Houston. Prior to sitting out last Thursday's win over the Jets, he went through a pregame workout but ultimately didn't feel right. Kicking off Week 18 prep with a absence from practice isn't exactly a great sign for his odds to suit up Sunday at Cincinnati, and with head coach Kevin Stefanski already ruling out a healthy Joe Flacco for Sunday's game at Cincinnati, there's a chance the rest of the offensive regulars like Cooper that are banged up may join the quarterback on the sideline this weekend.

Rice won't practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Rice wasn't known to be tending to an injury coming out of this past Sunday's 25-17 win over the Bengals, during which he recorded five catches for 127 yards. Though his lack of activity to begin Week 18 prep isn't ideal, Rice will be a candidate to sit out this Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Chargers or see a reduced workload regardless of his health. Kansas City is locked in as the No. 3 seed in the playoffs no matter what happens in Week 18, so the team's main goal for Sunday will be to prioritize health for key players above all else.

Head coach Dan Campbell said Williams (ankle) won't practice Wednesday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Campbell downplayed Williams' injury Monday, but the ankle issue is significant enough to keep the wide receiver off the practice field as the Lions begin Week 18 prep. The coach said that the team plans to play its starters as usual against the Vikings in Sunday's regular-season finale, but injured players could get the week off to heal up in advance of the playoffs. With that in mind, Williams may be held out as a precaution even if the injury isn't especially significant.

Moore (concussion) remains in concussion protocol but will practice Wednesday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Moore went to the hospital after hitting his head on turf in last Thursday's win over the Jets, but his presence at practice Wednesday suggests he's progressing through concussion protocol. The extent of Moore's participation in practice won't be known until the Browns post their first official Week 18 injury report later Wednesday. The Browns are locked in as the No. 5 seed in the AFC and plan to rest some key contributors Sunday in Cincinnati, so Moore may not play even if he clears concussion protocol before the weekend.

The Bears signed Johnson off their practice squad Wednesday.

Johnson was elevated from the practice squad for both of Chicago's last two games and caught a pass for an 11-yard gain in the Week 17 win over the Falcons. The wideout will presumably suit up for Sunday's season finale versus the Packers, but he may be in store for only a modest role on offense.

Shakir caught all four of his targets for 39 yards and carried once for 10 yards in Sunday's 27-21 win over the Patriots.

Since posting three catches for 115 yards and a touchdown in Week 11, Shakir hasn't topped 47 receiving yards in the ensuing five games and remains a fantasy option only in deep leagues while he's stuck in an offense with many mouths to feed. With the Bills possibly having everything on the line for a playoff spot Sunday against the Dolphins and at the very least having important seeding at stake, Shakir doesn't project to see an expanded role while Buffalo has all its key players suit up. On a brighter note for his longer-term outlook, Shakir has firmly cemented himself as the team's No. 3 wideout in just his second NFL season.

Shorter (hamstring) had his 21-day practice window closed Wednesday, and he'll remain on injured reserve for the rest of the season, Matt Parrino of The Syracuse Post-Standard reports.

Shorter was designated to return from IR on Dec. 13, but he was unable to find his way onto the 53-man roster. Since his practice window has closed, he is now forced back onto injured reserve and will not be able to play or practice with the team for the remainder of the campaign. The 2023 fifth-round selection did not play a regular-season game with the Bills this year but will work to return healthy next season and carve out a regular role for himself in the team's receiving corps then.

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday that Mooney remains in the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Mooney sat out Chicago's Week 17 win over the Falcons and remains in the protocol as the Bears prepare to face the Packers in their season finale this Sunday. With Chicago eliminated from playoff contention and Mooney set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, the team has little incentive to rush the wide receiver back into action unless he's able to clear the five-step protocol in advance of the weekend.

The Jaguars designated Kirk (groin) for return from injured reserve Wednesday.

The move opens a 21-day window in which Kirk can practice without being on the active roster. The Jaguars reportedly hope to have him back for Sunday's game against Tennessee, but it's far from a sure thing with the wide receiver less than a month removed from core-muscle surgery. Kirk would need to be activated by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday to play Week 18, and it isn't yet clear if he would be catching passes from Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) or C.J. Beathard if available. The Jaguars can clinch the AFC South title with a win this week, while a loss either leaves them as the No. 7 seed or out of the playoffs entirely.