NFL Player News

Samuel (quadriceps) is listed as active Sunday against the Dolphins, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

The 49ers managed Samuel's practice reps this week while he tended to what was listed as a quadriceps injury. After he participated in a limited capacity both Wednesday and Friday while sitting out Thursday, he was given a questionable tag for Week 13 action. Samuel was in line to be a game-time call, but he made significant strides in his recovery through a deep thigh bruise, per Adam Schefter of ESPN, and Samuel now has been confirmed as available Sunday. San Francisco is playing its first game of Elijah Mitchell's second stint on IR due to an MCL sprain, so Samuel may mix into the backfield alongside Christian McCaffrey in addition to his duties as a pass catcher.

Burks is being evaluated for a concussion during Sunday's game against the Eagles, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Prior to his exit from the contest, Burks caught his only target for a 25-yard TD. In his absence,  Robert Woods and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine are in line to lead the Titans' Week 13 wideout corps.

Bell sustained a hand injury during Sunday's game at Houston, Anthony Poisal of the Browns' official site reports.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Bell went to the locker room early in the first quarter and was deemed questionable to return shortly thereafter. If he's unable to reenter Sunday's contest, Bell will end Week 13 action without catch on his only target.

Samuel (quadriceps) made really good progress both Friday and Saturday and is expected to play against the Dolphins, Fox's Jay Glazer reported on its Sunday morning show.

This confirms earlier reports by other national correspondents. The Niners will put Samuel through the paces in a pregame workup just to confirm that he can play, but the versatile wideout's prospects seem to be trending in the right direction.

Williams (knee) will be eased into the Lions' offensive game plan in Sunday's game against the Jaguars and may also see some work as a gunner on special teams, Jay Glazer reported on "Fox NFL Sunday."

The Lions' decision to expose a key asset like Williams to special-teams coverage under any circumstance is puzzling, especially as he makes his season debut following an 11-month recovery from a torn ACL. Don't expect Williams to remain a contributor on coverage units for long, as the Lions eventually plan to have him as a full-time player on offense.

Moore is expected to serve as one of the Texans' three starting receivers Sunday against the Browns with Brandin Cooks (calf) inactive for the contest, Aaron Wilson of SI.com reports.

Moore had already been operating as the Texans' clear No. 3 receiver the past three weeks when both Cooks and Nico Collins were available, logging at least 55 percent of the offensive snaps in each of those games while hauling in 10 of 16 targets for 97 yards. Though Collins is available Sunday and should represent the Texans' No. 1 option in the passing game, Cooks' absence should open up more playing time and a few additional looks for Moore and Phillip Dorsett.

Dorsett is expected to serve as one of the Texans' three starting receivers Sunday against the Browns with Brandin Cooks (calf) inactive for the contest, Aaron Wilson of SI.com reports.

Nico Collins has drawn at least seven targets in each of the past three games and should serve as Houston's clear No. 1 receiver Sunday, but the absence of Cooks will at least open up more work for Dorsett and Chris Moore. When Cooks and Collins were both sidelined Week 9 against the Eagles, Dorsett played 77 percent of the Texans' offensive snaps and finished with three receptions for 69 yards on five targets.

Hinton is expected to maintain a regular role in three-receiver sets for Denver in Sunday's game at Baltimore after KJ Hamler (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

While Jerry Jeudy (ankle) and Hamler have combined to play just one snap over the Broncos' past three games, Hinton has been the main beneficiary in terms of playing time. He's logged snaps shares ranging between 87 and 97 percent in those contests and has produced a 12-154-0 receiving line on 13 targets while also carrying once for 13 yards. Though Jeudy is back in action this weekend and should reclaim a starting role on the outside opposite Courtland Sutton, the Broncos will likely have a spot open in the slot for Hinton after Hamler suffered a setback with his hamstring in practice this week. Hamler is set to miss at least the next four games -- and likely the remainder of the season -- after landing on IR, so Hinton should see steady playing time moving forward, even though he'll likely be a lesser priority in the passing game than both Sutton and Jeudy.

James (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Commanders.

A knee issue forced James to operate under some restrictions in practice during Week 13 prep, with his eventual regimen DNP/LP/LP. That left the fifth-year pro questionable to suit up Sunday, but he'll play through the injury. Fellow wide receiver Darius Slayton (illness) also is available, while Kenny Golladay (illness) is not. Slayton should continue to be the Giants' No. 1 option at the position this weekend, but James is poised to be next up for reps after combining for eight catches (on nine targets) for 89 yards and two touchdowns the past two contests.

Jones (chest) is officially active for Sunday's game at Detroit.

Jones was limited at practice all week due to the chest issue but will play Sunday after he was considered questionable. The 27-year-old is coming off the best game of his career with 11 catches for 145 yards versus Baltimore in Week 12, and he could be in line for another productive game Sunday against Detroit's 29th-ranked pass defense.