NFL Player News

Olave (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Lions, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Considering he suffered a concussion this past Sunday in Atlanta, Olave understandably had practice restrictions Wednesday and Thursday, but a full showing Friday seemingly has him on course to be available this weekend. Still, his questionable designation indicates he has yet to get through the protocol for head injuries, which coach Dennis Allen confirmed when he told Paras on Friday that "there's a chance that he could clear it." The only obstacle now is an evaluation with an independent neurologist, with a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff on tap Sunday.

Hill (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at the Commanders, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Hill was never believed to be in serious danger of missing the game and managed limited practices Thursday and Friday. He should be fine for his usual leading role this Sunday against a miserable Washington defense that's given up a league-high 28 touchdown passes and a league-worst 9.8 YPT to wide receivers. Matchups don't get much better, especially after the Commanders ruled out DE James Smith-Williams (hamstring) and CB Emmanuel Forbes (elbow) on Friday.

Allen (quadriceps) returned to practice Friday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

His return at the end of the week suggests Allen will try to play through a quad injury one week after overcoming a shoulder issue to catch 14 passes for 106 yards in a 20-10 loss to Baltimore. He'll be facing a lesser defense if he suits up this week, playing at New England, but the lack of practice participation before Friday suggests his quad is more bothersome than the shoulder was.

Johnson (illness) doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

After not practicing Thursday due to an illness, Johnson was a full participant a day later, which sets the stage for him to face the Cardinals in Week 13. In last Sunday's 16-10 win over the Bengals, Johnson caught four of his eight targets for 50 yards, marking his second consecutive outing with eight targets, a rate of volume that gives him a degree of fantasy utility this weekend while facing 2-10 Arizona.

Carolina signed Strachan to its active roster Friday.

Strachan has bounced back and forth between the Panthers' active roster and practice squad this season, and he's appeared in two games thus far. In those appearances, the third-year wideout was able to catch one of his two targets for 45 yards. Strachan's signing is likely in response to Laviska Shenault (ankle) shifting to injured reserve Thursday.

Brown (heel) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Brown didn't practice during Week 13 prep due to a heel injury, but coach Jonathan Gannon told Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com on Friday that the wide receiver was "trending in the right direction" for Sunday. With Kyler Murray back in action the last three games, Brown has compiled a poor 9-134-0 line on 21 targets, but he is coming off a six-catch, 88-yard performance on 12 targets this past Sunday against the Rams. Assuming he's able to suit up this weekend, Brown will be taking on a Steelers defense that has given up the eighth-most yards per target (8.6) to opposing wide receivers on the campaign.

Coach Dennis Allen said Olave remains in the concussion protocol as of Friday, but "there's a chance that he could clear it" ahead of Sunday's game against the Lions, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Olave has one step to pass before he'll gain clearance for game action, but it's the all-important evaluation from an independent neurologist. On a positive note, he's been able to practice all week, so he seems to be trending in a positive direction ahead of the weekend. Fellow wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (groin) hasn't mixed into drills at all this week, so the Saints' current healthy options at wide receiver on the active roster are A.T. Perry, Lynn Bowden and Keith Kirkwood.

Wicks (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest versus the Chiefs, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Wicks suffered a concussion and a knee issue during the Packers' Week 11 win against the Chargers, keeping him out of a Thanksgiving game at Detroit. He put the head injury behind him as of Monday, when coach Matt LaFleur said the wideout made it through all five phases of the protocol. But the knee concern has persisted and capped Wicks to limited showings this week. The statuses of both Jayden Reed (chest) and Wicks are up in the air for Week 13 and won't be confirmed, one way or another, until approximately 90 minutes before Sunday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff.

Coach Matt LaFleur said Friday that Reed (chest) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Chiefs, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Reed opened Week 13 prep with back-to-back absences due to a chest injury that has lingered since a Week 11 win against the Chargers, but his return to the field in some capacity Friday has him in a position to miss no game action as a result. He was able to play through the issue during the Packers' win in Detroit on Thanksgiving, hauling in four of eight targets for 34 yards and one touchdown and taking two carries for 16 yards. Reed's availability won't be confirmed until about 90 minutes before Sunday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff.

Godwin (neck) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Godwin was a midweek addition to Tampa Bay's Week 13 injury report, showing up as limited Thursday due to a neck issue. He followed it up with an absence from Friday's session, after which coach Todd Bowles called Godwin a game-time decision, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports. Godwin's status won't be clarified until about 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff, so there will be fewer wide receivers to pivot to if he's unable to suit up. Buccaneers that would stand to benefit behind Mike Evans if that happens are WRs Trey Palmer and Deven Thompkins and TE Cade Otton.