NFL Player News

Carolina placed Shenault (ankle) on injured reserve Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Shenault suffered a high-ankle sprain in Carolina's Week 6 loss to the Miami, and though he was never placed on IR, he missed three consecutive games before returning to action Week 11. However, while playing his second straight game this past Sunday against the Titans, Shenault sustained a new ankle injury after playing just two snaps on offense before being ruled out for the rest of the contest. The Panthers haven't clarified the extent of Shenault's new injury, but as a result of landing on IR, he'll be sidelined for at least the next four games. Given Carolina's league-worst 1-10 record, Shenault could be a candidate to get shut down for the season rather than preparing for a potential return from IR when first eligible to return Week 17.

Melton signed with the Packers' practice squad Wednesday.

Melton will rejoin Green Bay's practice squad after being waived from the active roster Monday. The 24-year-old has appeared in one game this season but failed to record any stats.

The Broncos designated Johnson (hamstring) for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Johnson hasn't played since Week 7 due to the hamstring injury, but he at least looks as though he'll be ready to practice this week. The Broncos will have 21 days to evaluate Johnson before either adding him back to the 53-man roster or keeping him on IR for the remainder of the season. Johnson recorded eight receptions for 122 yards and three touchdowns on 13 targets through Denver's first seven games of the season.

Montgomery (illness) was a nonparticipant at the Patriots' practice Wednesday.

Montgomery is dealing with an illness to open the week and he was unable to go for New England's first practice session ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Chargers. The 30-year-old will have two more sessions to return to the field before the final injury report Friday.

Boutte (shoulder) was a limited participant at the Patriots' practice Wednesday.

Boutte opened the week by logging a limited practice session Wednesday as he's dealing with an apparent shoulder injury. The rookie played 11 offensive snaps in Week 12 versus the Giants, reeling in one pass for eight yards and he'll look to increase his workload at practice the rest of the week in order to be available for Sunday's matchup with the Chargers.

Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said Palmer (knee) hasn't been ruled out from returning from injured reserve this season, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Palmer has already missed the required four games while on IR, and though the Chargers aren't closing the door on the receiver playing again this season, he doesn't look to be a candidate to play Sunday against the Patriots. While Palmer has been sidelined with the knee injury, the Chargers have been leaning on Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston and Jalen Guyton as their top three receivers.

Cooper (rest/ribs) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Cooper was on the receiving end of a big hit during the fourth quarter of this past Sunday's loss at Denver, and a rib injury eventually kept him sidelined until the end of the contest. Afterward, head coach Kevin Stefanski told Petrak that X-rays came back negative on Cooper's ribs. The Browns' first Week 13 practice report is attributing Cooper's absence due to rest in addition to the rib issue, so the wide receiver may have sat out Wednesday as a precautionary measure. Any activity he can log Thursday and/or Friday would lay the groundwork for him to miss no game action as a result of the injury, but for the time being, Cooper's status will need to be monitored to get a sense of his chances to play Sunday at the Rams.

Toney (ankle/hip) was a full practice participant Wednesday.

Toney missed the Chiefs' Week 12 win over the Raiders due to the pair of injuries, but he's in line to be available this Sunday against the Packers. However, after having recorded 22 catches for 139 yards and a touchdown (on 30 targets) in 10 games to go along with eight carries for nine yards, the third-year wideout is an option only in deeper fantasy formats.

Mims was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Mims will have two more chances to increase his practice activity this week and clear up any concern about his availability for Sunday's game against the Texans. That said, with Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy (groin) ahead of him in the pecking order at receiver, Mims profiles as a speculative fantasy lineup option for the Week 13 slate.

Johnston (ribs/finger) was a full practice participant Wednesday.

In this past Sunday's 20-10 loss to the Ravens, Johnston was limited to one catch on three targets for seven yards while playing 29 of the Chargers' 66 snaps on offense. According to Kris Rhim of ESPN.com, Johnston suffered a rib injury in the third quarter that may have limited his availability down the stretch, but with a full practice Wednesday under his belt, the rookie is slated to play this weekend against the Patriots. However, as long as top wide receiver Keenan Allen (quadricep) and running back Austin Ekeler are available, Johnston likely won't rank any higher than third in the pecking order for targets from quarterback Justin Herbert.