NFL Player News

The Saints signed Kirkwood on Tuesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Kirkwood was recently let go by the team Thursday, after he battled an ankle injury prior to the Saints' Week 7 matchup against Arizona. However, the 210-pounder's issue doesn't seem to be of great concern given the team's desire to bring Kirkwood back into the mix. With both fellow receivers Michael Thomas (foot) and Jarvis Landry (ankle) currently considered questionable to play Sunday versus the Raiders, the 27-year-old could find himself in a rotational role if either WR is eventually sidelined for the contest.

Gage (hamstring) didn't take part in Tuesday's walkthrough, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Gage has yet to step on the field since injuring his hamstring this past Sunday at Carolina, and he has little time left to do so ahead of Thursday's contest against the Ravens. Fellow wide receivers Mike Evans (ankle) and Julio Jones (knee) followed DNPs on Monday with limited showings Tuesday, so they may have better chances to join Chris Godwin as active in Week 8. Gage's listing on Wednesday's practice report could clear up his status.

Evans (ankle) was limited at Tuesday's walkthrough, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

After sitting out Monday's walkthrough, Evans was back on the field in some capacity one day later. He'll have one more opportunity to get back to full activity before Thursday's game against the Ravens. As for the other injured Bucs receivers, Russell Gage (hamstring) remained sidelined Tuesday, while Julio Jones (knee) has followed the same regimen as Evans this week.

Bateman didn't practice Tuesday due to a foot injury.

Bateman was sidelined Weeks 5 and 6 as a result of a foot issue, so the Ravens may have simply given him a maintenance day in the wake of hauling in four of five targets for 42 yards in his return to action this past Sunday against the Browns. Wednesday's practice report will clarify his status heading into Thursday's road matchup with the Buccaneers.

Houston waived Johnson on Tuesday, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Johnson appeared in Weeks 4 and 5 but didn't record a target across 28 offensive snaps. Following Houston's Week 6 bye, the wideout found himself as a healthy scratch once again in Week 7 and will now have to look for a new opportunity in 2022. The 2020 fifth-round pick caught 48 of 72 targets for 529 yards and two scores during his first two campaigns in Tampa Bay, but it's unclear what type of attention he'll draw as a free agent.

Philips (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Philips showed up on Tennessee's injury report last Friday with an ankle issue, which left him inactive in Week 7 against the Colts. The injury will now keep him sidelined for at least the next four games. With Treylon Burks (toe) also on IR, the Titans' receiving corps will consist of Robert Woods, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Cody Hollister and newly signed Chris Conley.

Robinson failed to see a target in the team's 23-20 win over the Browns on Sunday.

Robinson's production dropped off significantly from him posting season high's across the board in Week 6 against the Giants. The return of Rashod Bateman (foot) certainly played a role, but Robinson still saw a season-low 24 percent of the offensive snaps, as the Ravens opted to deploy more two tight end sets. Robinson will work to earn more opportunities Thursday against the Buccaneers.

Shenault made one catch for eight yards on his only target in Sunday's 21-3 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Shenault only played two snaps on offense, but he made them count by getting on the stat sheet. The 24-year-old is still trying to find a clear role in the Panthers' offense after being a late addition to the team, then dealing with a hamstring injury. With the departure of Robbie Anderson to the Cardinals, Shenault could still earn a bigger role moving forward, as he did have an impressive debut in Week 3, scoring a 67-yard touchdown against the Saints. He'll work to get more involved Sunday against the Falcons.

Smith failed to see a target in Sunday's 21-3 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Smith saw his second lowest snap total of the season while being on the field for 50 percent of the team's offensive plays, despite the trade of Robbie Anderson to the Cardinals. This was also his second straight game without a catch, leaving him stuck at eight receptions for 105 yards on the season. He also had a punt return for zero yards. He'll work to get more involved in a friendlier fantasy matchup in Week 8 against the Falcons.

Shepard will undergo surgery on his left ACL on Tuesday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

The wideout was placed on IR at the end of September after suffering an ACL tear late in the team's Week 3 loss to Dallas. Shepard rehabbed for over a month before undergoing surgery, which is similar to what teammate Saquon Barkley did, per Stapleton. Shepard has suffered devastating injuries in back-to-back seasons and has missed at least five games in all but two of his first seven NFL campaigns.