NFL Player News

Brown (ankle) missed practice Thursday.

Brown practiced fully Wednesday, so his status now is worth monitoring as Sunday's game against the Steelers approaches. Unless the speedy wideout practices fully Friday, he'll likely head into the weekend with a Week 18 injury designation.

Crowder (calf) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

While Crowder has been sidelined by the calf injury for two straight games, Braxton Berrios has drawn 18 targets between those contests, producing a 13-102 -1 receiving line to go with three carries for 15 yards and another touchdown. Berrios' strong late-season performance should guarantee him a role on offense in Sunday's finale in Buffalo if available, but he could now be at more risk of missing that contest than Crowder after sitting out consecutive practices with a quadriceps injury. If Berrios can't play Week 18, Crowder would likely have a full-time slot role all to himself and would also profile as the Jets' top option in the passing game. Corey Davis (groin) is shut down for the season, and star rookie Elijah Moore (quadriceps, reserve/COVID-19 list) hasn't practiced or played since Week 13 and is looking doubtful to suit up Sunday.

Berrios (quad) missed practice again Thursday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Cimini notes that coach Robert Saleh Saleh didn't seem overly concerned about Berrios' quad contusion Wednesday, but back-to-back missed practices place the focus on what the wideout is able to do during Friday's practice. Berrios is coming off a fantasy-friendly effort Week 17 in which he logged eight catches for 65 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets to go along with two carries for 12 yards and a rushing score in the Jets' loss to Tampa Bay.

Moore (quadriceps) continued to take part in rehab work off to the side during Thursday's practice and appears unlikely to be available for Sunday's game against the Bills, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Moore technically remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive for the virus, Dec. 16, but that looks to be merely a formality at this point. Since he's been at the Jets' facility for the last few days, Moore has seemingly cleared the NFL's COVID-19 return-to-play protocol, but he'll be moved to injured reserve whenever he's activated from the list. The Jets didn't designate Moore for return from IR before he contracted the virus, so he has yet to take part in practice with his healthy teammates since suffering the quad injury Week 13 against the Eagles. Even if Moore is cleared to practice Friday, one workout probably won't be enough for the Jets to feel comfortable activating him for the season finale following a month-long absence.

Watson (quadriceps) didn't participate in Thursday's practice session.

Watson was sidelined for Sunday's win over the Jets and is still bothered by his quad issue ahead of Week 18. If he has a chance to play Sunday against Carolina, he'll likely need to practice in some capacity Friday.

Darden (illness) was a full participant in Thursday's practice session.

Darden was limited at Wednesday's practice after he was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, but he took a step forward Thursday. He should be available for Sunday's matchup against Carolina and could see a slight uptick in playing time since Chris Godwin (knee) is out for the season, and Antonio Brown (ankle) had his contract terminated Thursday.

Evans (hamstring) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Evans' ability to take all reps during Thursday's session seemingly confirms that his limitations Wednesday were maintenance-related. After sitting out Week 16 with the hamstring issue and then testing positive for COVID-19, Evans was able to move past the injury and illness to play three quarters of the Buccaneers' snaps on offense in last Sunday's 28-24 win over the Jets. Unless the Bucs elect to rest starters at some point during the Week 18 contest, Evans should see his snap share increase and serve as the clear No. 1 wideout while he's on the field. Chris Godwin (knee) is out for the season and Antonio Brown (ankle) was released Thursday, suddenly leaving Evans without much competition for targets.

Conley (knee) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Conley also missed Wednesday's session, so what the wideout is able to do Friday will be pivotal with regard to his chances of suiting up for Sunday's season finale against the Titans. In Houston's Week 17 loss to the 49ers, Conley logged 49 of a possible 67 snaps on offense, while catching one of his two targets for minus-2 yards and carrying once for three yards.

Slayton (shoulder/ramp up) was limited at Thursday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

The Giants placed Slayton (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list last Thursday, which caused him to be unavailable for a Week 17 game in Chicago. Upon his activation Wednesday, he was listed with both a shoulder injury and also the COVID-19 ramp up that has been customary of players returning to the active roster. Ultimately, Friday's practice report may clear up Slayton's status ahead of Sunday's game against Washington.

Toney (shoulder) was listed as a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

According to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, Toney took part in the Giants' team stretch during the open portion of Thursday's practice, but he didn't join his healthy teammates for drills and focused on rehab work. The Giants haven't formally ruled Toney out for Sunday's game against Washington, but the rookie wideout's lack of practice reps of late seemingly puts him on track for another absence. Toney has already sat out five of the Giants' last six games.