NFL Player News

Godwin (hip/knee) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

Previously, Godwin tended to hamstring and knee injuries this season, so the addition of a hip issue is a new reality for the sixth-year pro. The Buccaneers' receiving corps remains banged up, as Julio Jones (knee), Russell Gage (ankle) and Jaelon Darden (tooth) all didn't practice Wednesday. Godwin has gutted through his health concerns the last two games en route to 14 touches for 122 yards from scrimmage, and he'll look to do the same Sunday at Pittsburgh, assuming he gains clearance to play.

Higgins (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

An earlier report suggested Higgins should practice in some capacity Wednesday, but he'll start the week as a non-participant following his early exit from a 19-17 loss in Baltimore this past Sunday. A return to practice Thursday or Friday would give Higgins a shot to suit up in New Orleans this Sunday, with Mike Thomas on hand to fill in if that doesn't happen.

Johnson (hip) was limited at practice Wednesday.

A hip issue limited Johnson at practice last Thursday, but he returned to a full session Friday before heading into the Steelers' Week 5 game without an injury designation. With no reported setbacks coming out of a blowout loss to Buffalo in which he caught five of his 13 targets for 60 yards, Johnson's limited workload Wednesday may just have been maintenance-related.

Williams didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

The Chargers' first official injury report of the week won't arrive until Thursday, with the team facing the Broncos on Monday. No matter the case, Williams' status is now worth tracking ahead of the Week 6 contest. In the Chargers' 30-28 win over the Browns in Week 5, Williams racked up 10 catches on 13 targets for 134 yards while No. 1 wideout Keenan Allen (hamstring) missed his fourth game in a row.

Watson (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Watson made an early departure from the Packers' Week 5 loss to the Giants in London, the result of an injured right hamstring. He's already missed one game this season due to a hamstring issue (Week 3 at Tampa Bay), but it's unclear if he's in danger of sitting out Sunday against the Jets. Ultimately, Watson may have to get back on the field in some capacity Thursday and/or Friday to put himself in a position to play this weekend.

Olave (concussion) took part in stretching before moving to a side field during Wednesday's practice, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Olave picked up a head injury when his helmet struck the turf as he was tackled to the ground during a touchdown catch this past Sunday against the Seahawks. It's unclear if he'll do enough to be termed as a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, but head coach Dennis Allen noted Wednesday that the rookie wide receiver remains in the concussion protocol, according to Erin Summers of the Saints' official site.

Shenault (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Shenault has been dealing with the hamstring injury since at least Week 4 and wasn't able to play Week 5. He was only the team's No. 4 receiver when healthy, though a big performance in a Week 3 win over New Orleans led to some thought he might eventually move up the depth chart. That's still possible, eventually, but it probably won't happen this week while he continues to manage the injury.

Brown (groin) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Bears.

Brown was the star for Washington in Sunday's 21-17 loss to the Titans, scoring touchdowns from 75 and 30 yards out while playing only 34 percent of snaps on offense. He and Cam Sims split playing time filling in for Jahan Dotson, who is set to miss a second straight game with a hamstring injury. Brown's big Week 5 could lead to more snaps Thursday, if he's able to overcome the groin injury and play.

Thomas (foot) wasn't spotted at the media-access portion of Wednesday's practice, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Thomas hasn't mixed into drills since injuring his foot Week 3 at Carolina, but he still has a pair of chances to get back on the field this week before the Saints potentially make a ruling on his status for Sunday's contest against the Bengals. Fellow wide receiver Jarvis Landry (ankle) also wasn't seen on the field Wednesday, while rookie first-rounder Chris Olave (concussion) made an appearance, so the team's receiving corps remains compromised at the moment.

Dotson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Bears.

Dotson hasn't practiced since injuring his hamstring Week 4, and he said this week that he wants to be patient to avoid aggravating it. Dyami Brown (groin) and Cam Sims split snaps filling in for Dotson in the Week 5 loss to Tennessee, with Brown scoring two touchdowns from 75 and 30 yards out on just four targets and 20 snaps (32 percent). The impressive showing could lead Brown to more playing time this Thursday, but it's not a sure thing.