NFL Player News

Brown (knee) was spotted at practice Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Brown, who Wilson relays is dealing with a knee contusion, has missed two straight games. The wideout's presence at practice Wednesday offers hope that he could return to action Sunday against the Broncos. The Texans' will release their first Week 13 injury report later Wednesday, when the extent of Brown's practice participation will be known.

Drummond was cut from the Lions' practice squad Wednesday.

Drummond joined Detroit in the spring as an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Michigan. After being unable to make the squad out of camp, he secured a practice squad spot, which resulted in one elevation to the active roster in Week 5 against the Panthers. In a corresponding move, the Lions signed fellow wideout Tom Kennedy to the practice squad.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh said Wednesday that Lazard will suit up for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Lazard was a heathy inactive for the Jets' Week 12 loss to the Dolphins, a likely result of the veteran wide receiver having struggled with drops and ill-timed penalties in his first season with the Jets. Prior to the benching, Lazard had a consistent starting role on the outside opposite Garrett Wilson, but it's possible that the 4-7 Jets will look to work rookie Jason Brownlee in more at Lazard's expense. Brownlee played all but one of the Jets' offensive snaps against Miami with Lazard inactive.

Burks is still working through concussion protocol, but head coach Mike Vrabel is hopeful the second-year wideout will return Sunday against the Colts, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

The 23-year-old wideout has missed three straight games due to a concussion suffered back on Nov. 2, and he previously missed Weeks 4 through 6 due to a knee sprain. In his five appearances this season, Burks has just eight receptions for 122 yards, but Tennessee's passing attack is also bottom five in the league in terms of passing yards. Fantasy managers should stay tuned to Burks' practice activity this week, but whenever the wideout is able to return, he could emerge as more of a downfield threat with strong-armed rookie Will Levis having since displaced veteran Ryan Tannehill as the team's starting quarterback.

Thompkins failed to record a single rushing attempt or target in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Colts.

Thompkins four offensive snaps Sunday accounted for his lowest total of the season. The second-year wideout also played eight special teams snaps in the contest, calling for a fair catch on both of his return opportunities. Thompkins' minimal usage on offense keeps him far off the fantasy radar heading into a Week 13 matchup with the Panthers.

Irwin reeled in his lone target for 25 yards in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Steelers.

Irwin played a very small role against the Steelers, despite seeing the field for the second-most offensive snaps (31) behind Ja'Marr Chase (38) and ahead of Tyler Boyd (27). The fourth-year wideout has found himself on the field more with Tee Higgins (hamstring) missing the last three games, but his one target Sunday was his lowest after seeing a total of nine targets in the two weeks prior. If Higgins can return in Week 13, Irwin would assume his usual depth role at receiver. The Bengals visit the Jaguars in Week 13.

Shakir caught three balls on five targets for 47 yards during Sunday's 37-34 overtime loss to the Eagles.

Shakir comes with some risk on a week-to-week basis because the Bills offer so many other weapons in the passing game, but he's now had 45-plus yards in four of his last five games while never falling below 66 percent of the offensive snaps. As teams continue to shade attention toward studs Stefon Diggs and Dalton Kincaid, there will be open seams available to secondary options like Shakir and No. 2 wideout Gabe Davis, who posted a 6-105-1 line in Sunday's loss. Shakir is far ahead of any of the receivers underneath his No. 3 spot in the WR corps, as Deonte Harty carries a 13-113-1 line and Trent Sherfield comes in at 7-53-0. Shakir, meanwhile, sits at 25-410-2, proving useful for those in deeper leagues.

Dortch hauled in three of nine targets for 27 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 37-14 loss to the Rams.

With Michael Wilson (shoulder) out the last two games, Dortch has been the Cardinals wide receiver to profit alongside Marquise Brown, compiling a combined 9-103-1 line on 17 targets. Dortch also received a red-zone target from Kyler Murray for a second straight contest en route to his first TD, a seven-yard catch, of the campaign. There's no telling when Wilson may return to the lineup, so Dortch could be a decent fantasy dart in the short term, while fellow wide receiver Rondale Moore continues to be relegated to his 4.3 touches per game.

Moore recorded two catches on three targets for 35 yards during Sunday's 37-14 loss to the Rams.

With Michael Wilson (shoulder) sidelined for a second consecutive game, Moore had no problem racking up offensive snaps (53 of 71). He fell shy of 40 yards from scrimmage for the eighth time in 12 appearances this season however, leaving him with averages of 4.3 touches for 34.2 total yards per game and two total TDs. Whenever Wilson returns to the lineup, Moore may find himself on the outside looking in for consistent snaps and targets.

Moore gathered in all three targets for 34 yards during Sunday's 31-17 victory over the Raiders.

Moore hadn't tallied more than a pair of catches in a game since Week 3 and hasn't finished with more receiving yards since then, either. That said, neither his receptions nor receiving yards are particularly impressive from a fantasy standpoint. The second-year wideout hasn't found pay dirt since Week 2 and can safely remain on the waiver wire in most formats.