NFL Player News

Smith-Njigba is in line for an elevated role in Sunday's contest against the Cardinals with DK Metcalf (ribs/hip) inactive, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

While Tyler Lockett also is active Sunday, he operated with a cap on his practice reps during Week 7 prep due to a hamstring injury, meaning Smith-Njigba is the healthiest among the Seahawks' top two available wide receivers. If Smith-Njigba's volume in the passing game increases, he'll be looking to build upon the 16-110-0 line on 25 targets that he's accrued through the first five games of his career.

Skowronek (Achilles) is active for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.

The wide receiver was listed as questionable Friday after playing through the injury in Week 6 against the Cardinals. Skowronek has been dealing with the injury for almost a month but has yet to miss a game. The third-year pro has two catches for 13 yards in 2023.

Pascal (neck) has been deemed inactive ahead of Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

Pascal will miss his first game of the season after picking up a neck injury, which left him sidelined for all three practices leading into this Week 7 contest. The 28-year-old's next opportunity to suit up will arrive Sunday, Oct. 29 against Baltimore. In Pascal's absence, expect Greg Dortch to step into a bigger role behind the Cardinals' starting receiver trio of Marquise Brown, Michael Wilson and Rondale Moore.

Metcalf (ribs/hip) is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Cardinals.

Metcalf has been able to play through a rib injury that he sustained Week 2, but the hip issue that he suffered last Sunday at Cincinnati impacted him enough to contain him to one limited practice during Week 7 prep. His availability for Sunday thus came down to a game-time decision, and after he went through a pregame workout, the Seahawks' training staff didn't deem Metcalf healthy enough to gut it out for another week. As a result, Tyler Lockett and rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba figure to be Seattle's wide receivers for quarterback Geno Smith.

Tillman (coach's decision) is a healthy inactive for Sunday's matchup with the Colts.

Tillman missed last week's game due to a hip injury. While he was again listed as questionable due to the issue, it looks like he is healthy, but the pass catcher will simply be held out as a coach's decision.

Douglas (concussion) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Bills.

After practicing in a limited fashion this week, Douglas approached the contest listed as questionable, but the 2023 sixth-rounder will be back in action following a one-game absence due to a concussion. Meanwhile, fellow WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion) will remain sidelined Sunday, a context that could lead to Douglas seeing an increased role in the 1-5 Patriots' passing attack versus Buffalo. To date, the rookie has caught 10 of his 17 targets for 143 yards in five games, but he could emerge as a factor in deeper leagues with a strong Week 7 showing.

Boutte (hamstring) is listed as inactive for Sunday's matchup with the Bills, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

After limited practice in consecutive days to finish the week, a hamstring injury will keep Boutte from suiting up this week. He will now set his sights on recovering in time for the Patriots Week 8 contest in Miami.

Smith-Schuster (concussion) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bills.

After practicing in a limited fashion this week, Smith-Schuster approached Sunday's game listed as questionable, and he'll now sit out his second consecutive contest due to a concussion that he sustained during Week 5 action. In his continued absence, look for Kendrick Bourne, DeVante Parker and Demario Douglas to lead the Patriots' Week 7 WR corps, with Tyquan Thornton and Jalen Reagor also candidates to factor in. Smith-Schuster will now target a potential return to action Oct. 29 against the Dolphins.

Pierce (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Pierce left the Colts' Week 6 matchup in the fourth quarter but turned in a full practice Friday. Given that, he should be on the field regularly for Sunday's contest against a tough Cleveland defense. Pierce has yet to record more than three catches or 45 yards in a game this season.

The Chiefs signed Washington to their practice squad Saturday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

The second-year wide receiver out of Stanford has bounced back and forth between Kansas City's active roster and practice squad this season. Washington has appeared in four games for the Chiefs in 2023, recording 61 return yards on eight opportunities as the team's punt returner.