NFL Player News

Wilson (hip) is unlikely to play in Week 18 versus the Jets, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Head coach Mike McDaniel said Friday that Wilson will be doubtful to play in the Dolphins' regular-season finale Sunday. The wide receiver will nurse his hip injury as Miami takes on New York in a must-win contest for their playoff hopes. In his absence, Tyreek Hill could take over as the team's primary punt returner.

Samuel (ankle/knee) was limited in practice Thursday.

One day removed from logging all activity at Wednesday's session, Samuel fell back to a capped practice as he continues the later stages of his recovery from a sprained left MCL and left ankle sprain that he picked up Week 14 versus the Buccaneers. He did relay to David Lombardi of The Athletic on Wednesday that he's "not going to risk myself" ahead of the postseason, and that if he's "not 100 percent ready to go," he won't press his luck. The 49ers' final Week 18 injury report thus may be telling for Samuel's availability for Sunday's contest against the Cardinals. Another absence from the fourth-year pro would set up fellow wide receiver Jauan Jennings for an elevated role alongside Brandon Aiyuk.

Lockett (shin) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

After having surgery to repair a broken left index finger on Dec. 19, Lockett returned from a one-game absence this past Sunday against the Jets, but he was in and out of the contest with an unknown lower-leg issue. It's been termed a shin injury on the Seahawks' Week 18 practice reports and so far hasn't allowed him to log any on-field work. Coach Pete Carroll told Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune on Wednesday that Lockett expects to be available to play through his bruised shin Sunday versus the Rams, but he seems like a prime candidate to carry a designation into the weekend, something that will be revealed on Friday's report.

Meyers (shoulder) remained limited at practice Thursday.

At this stage, it'd be a surprise if Meyers misses Sunday's game against the Bills, but unless the wideout practices fully Friday, he figures to head into the weekend with a Week 18 injury designation.

The Texans listed Dorsett as a limited practice participant Thursday due to a hamstring issue.

Dorsett wasn't included on the Texans' initial Week 18 practice report issued Wednesday, so his addition a day later might suggest that he suffered the injury at some point during Thursday's practice. The wideout will have another chance Friday to practice in some capacity before the Texans decide whether he carries an injury designation into Sunday's season finale in Indianapolis.

Waddle (shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Though Waddle's reps have been capped both of the past two days, the health of his shoulder is a lesser concern for his Week 18 fantasy prospects than the state of the Miami quarterback room. Head coach Mike McDaniel has all but ruled out Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) for a second straight game, while top backup Teddy Bridgewater (knee) has been limited in practice the past two days while battling a dislocated finger on his throwing hand. Bridgewater appeared to be doing more work Thursday than he did Wednesday, but rookie seventh-rounder Skylar Thompson could be trending toward his second career start at this stage of the week. The Dolphins' final Week 18 practice Friday should provide more clarity on the status of Waddle heading into the weekend, as well as Miami's plans at quarterback.

Cooper (hip/rest) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Even though Cooper's practice reps have been managed to some degree over the past month, his most recent absences or limitations have also been attributed to "rest." The way that Cooper has been listed on injury reports suggests the Browns aren't overly concerned with the hip issue, and the wideout shouldn't face many restrictions in the likely event he's cleared to play in Sunday's season finale in Pittsburgh. The 7-9 Browns aren't in contention for a playoff spot, but the opportunity to play spoiler to a division rival with postseason ambitions in addition to giving the receiver one final chance to build rapport with quarterback Deshaun Watson heading into the 2023 season should be reason enough for head coach Kevin Stefanski to hand Cooper something close to a normal snap count Sunday.

Watson (hip) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

Watson, who hurt his hip Week 16 at Miami, now has logged more work than a week ago, when he managed just one capped session before the Packers made him questionable ahead of this past Sunday's game against the Vikings. He ended up playing 60 percent of the snaps in that contest but hauled in just one of five targets for 11 yards. In the end, Friday's injury report will unveil if Watson has a designation for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Lions.

Hardman (pelvis) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Raiders after practicing in a limited fashion Wednesday and Thursday.

Hardman, who last suited up Week 9, may end up being a game-time decision for the contest. If he's cleared to play, he'll likely be subject to a limited workload, according to Charles Goldman of USA Today. Head coach Andy Reid said after Thursday's practice that, if active, Hardman will be subject to a similar restriction with his snaps that Kadarius Toney previously faced in his return from a three-game absence due to injury Week 15, noting that he'll be "holding [Hardman] back, I'm sure, if we get to that point." Reid wasn't willing to put a number on Hardman's snap count, but if the speedster is active, he looks like he might be sharing the No. 3 receiver role with Toney and Justin Watson.

Burks (groin) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Jaguars.

The wideout was added to the Titans' Week 18 injury report Wednesday, after the groin injury resulted in him being a limited participant that day. He then failed to practice in any fashion Thursday, but head coach Mike Vrabel downplayed concern about the rookie's status after the session, telling Jim Wyatt of the team's official site that he thinks Burks will "be OK." Given that the AFC South title is on the line Saturday, expect Burks to do everything he can to be available for the contest. Official confirmation of his status will arrive once Tennessee's inactive list is posted 90 minutes ahead of the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff.