NFL Player News

Bateman downplayed his foot injury Wednesday, after he exited early from the Ravens' practice and was listed as a limited participant on the team's first Week 12 injury report, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Bateman sounds like he still expects to play Sunday against the Chargers, and the Ravens might need him more than usual with Odell Beckham (shoulder), Zay Flowers (hip) and Devin Duvernay (knee) all on the injury report after tight end Mark Andrews suffered a leg injury Week 11 that will likely result in his placement on injured reserve. It's unclear if Bateman and/or Beckham will practice Thursday and/or Friday, with both currently looking uncertain for Sunday even if their injuries aren't considered long-term. Bateman suggested that his current foot issue is related to the Lisfranc surgery that ended his 2022 campaign early, noting that what happened at Wednesday's practice was "something guys coming off of injuries deal with from time to time."

The Eagles designated Watkins (hamstring) for return from injured reserve Wednesday.

Watkins sat out Weeks 3 and 4 due to a hamstring injury, and after suiting up Week 5 and playing 65 percent of the snaps, he seemingly aggravated the issue and was placed on IR. He's missed five games as a result, but in his return to the field Wednesday, he was a limited participant at the Eagles' walk-through session. With both A.J. Brown (thigh) and Julio Jones (knee) listed as limited as well, the Eagles have only three healthy wide receivers on the active roster (DeVonta Smith, Olamide Zaccheaus and Britain Covey).

Hill (hand) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Hill was also listed as limited Tuesday, and while he doesn't appear likely to sit out Friday's game against the Jets, he could approach the contest with an injury designation if he doesn't upgrade to full practice participation Thursday. Despite having exited the Dolphins' 20-13 win over the Raiders this past Sunday due to a hand issue, Hill still managed to return to the game and finished with 10 catches on 11 targets for 146 yards and a touchdown.

Wicks (concussion/knee) is listed as questionable for Thursday's contest in Detroit, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

After emerging from Sunday's victory against the Chargers with a concussion and knee injury, Wicks was limited to one capped walk-through practice this week. The questionable designation thus could be misleading with regard to his actual chances of suiting up Thursday, but his status won't be clarified one way or the other until Green Bay releases its inactive list about 90 minutes before the 12:30 p.m. ET kickoff. Assuming Wicks doesn't suit up, Malik Heath, Samori Toure and Bo Melton will be the options to serve as the Packers' fourth wide receiver behind the top trio of Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed (chest).

Allen (shoulder) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

Allen was listed as questionable ahead of this past Sunday's loss to the Packers with an AC joint sprain in his shoulder, but the wideout played through the issue and finished with 10 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown on 16 targets. With no reported setbacks coming out of that contest, Allen's limitations Wednesday may well have been maintenance-related.

The Packers signed Melton to their active roster Wednesday.

Green Bay signed Melton to its practice squad ahead of Week 1, and now he's getting a full-time promotion ahead of Week 12. The Packers' pecking order for targets seems to be taking shape already at this point, so it's not immediately obvious where Melton fits into the picture.

Brown was a limited participant at Wednesday's walkthrough by a thigh injury.

Through 11 weeks of the current campaign, Brown has avoided showing up on Eagles injury reports, but he now is dealing with a health concern as the team prepares for Sunday's showdown with the Bills. He may need to be listed as a full participant Thursday and/or Friday in order to avoid a designation for that contest.

Metcalf (toe) doesn't have a designation for Thursday's contest against the 49ers, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Metcalf made his typical mid-week appearance on the Seahawks' practice report, only this week he was tending to a new injury. A toe issue was the cause of his absence from Tuesday's walkthrough instead of the hip or rib concerns that previously plagued him this season. After he was listed as a full participant Wednesday, however, Metcalf now is set to take on a San Francisco defense that has allowed the fifth-highest catch rate (68.3 percent) to opposing wide receivers this season.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Nacua (shoulder) will be a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Greg Beacham of the Associated Press reports.

During a media session Monday, McVay revealed that Nacua was tending to a shoulder injury after Sunday's win versus the Seahawks, and the issue is now affecting his on-field work during Week 12 prep. Nacua at least is practicing, though, which can't be said for Cooper Kupp, who is working his way back from the low-ankle sprain he suffered Week 11. With the health of the Rams' top two pass catchers up in the air, the situation bears watching to see if one or both may miss Sunday's game at Arizona.

Wilson (elbow) was a full practice participant Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Wilson had been estimated as a limited participant Tuesday for the Jets' walk-through session, but he took every rep Wednesday during a more traditional practice to clear up any concern about his availability for Friday's game against the Dolphins. After putting together a 57-651-2 receiving line on 103 targets through the Jets' first 10 games while playing primarily with Zach Wilson at quarterback, the wideout will now look to establish rapport with veteran journeyman Tim Boyle, who has been named the Jets' Week 12 starter.