NFL Player News

Smith (illness) was restored to the Jets' practice squad from the practice squad COVID-19 list Thursday.

Smith was on the COVID-19 list the past 10 days after testing positive for the virus. He's appeared in two games for the Jets this season and failed to catch his lone target.

Williams (illness) has been activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Williams and fellow wideout Jalen Guyton both missed Los Angeles' Week 16 loss to the Texans, but both players are off the COVID list, which sets the stage for the Chargers to have their nucleus of key skill players available for Sunday's game against the Broncos. To date, Williams has logged a fantasy-worthy 64 catches (on 108 targets) for 964 yards and seven TDs through 14 contests.

The Raiders activated Edwards (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

Edwards returns to the 53-man roster four days after landing on the list, implying that he was asymptomatic upon testing positive for the virus. Though the timing of Edwards' placement on the list prevented him from playing in the Week 16 win over Denver, the brevity of his absence should put him on track to suit up Sunday in Indianapolis without any restrictions. Despite playing greater than 60 percent of the Raiders' offensive snaps in all 14 of his appearances on the season, Edwards has cleared 50 receiving yards on only four occasions.

Smith (chest) didn't practice Thursday.

After he was estimated as a non-participant on Wednesday's injury report, Smith upheld that listing on the practice field one day later. A chest injury is to blame and may be threatening his first absence since Week 5. Friday's injury report could provide some insight into whether or not Smith is poised for his sixth DNP of the campaign.

Brown (calf) didn't practice Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Brown practiced fully Wednesday, but his absence from Thursday's session makes his status for Sunday's game against the Dolphins worth monitoring closely. The Titans can ill-afford to be without Brown this weekend, especially considering that fellow wideouts Julio Jones and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine currently are on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Lions placed Raymond on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

Raymond becomes the second Detroit receiver to go on the list this week, joining Josh Reynolds. The 27-year-old theoretically has a chance to test out of the protocol before Sunday's game against the Seahawks if he's vaccinated and asymptomatic of the virus, but he'll most likely miss his first game of the season, given the timing of his placement on the list. If both Raymond and Reynolds are out this weekend, Detroit would have to rely on Tom Kennedy, KhaDarel Hodge and Trinity Benson to mix in for reps behind No. 1 wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Moore (quadriceps) has yet to resume practicing as of Thursday, Rich Cimini of ESPN reports.

Moore has missed the past three games and is still on the reserve/COVID-19 list in addition to being on injured reserve. Even if the rookie wide receiver clears all the hurdles necessary to return to practice Friday, he'll still be fighting an uphill battle to suit up Sunday against the Buccaneers given his extended layoff. With Jamison Crowder (calf) having failed to practice in any capacity after sitting out last week's game, Braxton Berrios seems likely to remain busy against Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Crowder (calf) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Rich Cimini of ESPN reports.

Crowder didn't practice at all last week before ultimately sitting out against the Jaguars, and it doesn't seem like he's significantly closer to returning for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. While Crowder's outlook could still turn around if he's able to practice in some capacity Friday, fantasy managers should start looking for alternatives to the veteran slot receiver.

Indianapolis designated Campbell (foot) for return from injured reserve Thursday, Colts CEO Jim Irsay confirmed via his personal Twitter account.

The transaction opens up a 21-day window for the Colts to evaluate Campbell for a return to the 53-man roster, and the wideout could be activated in advance of Sunday's game against the Raiders if he responds well to practice activity Thursday and Friday. In order for Campbell to be available for Week 17, he would have to be formally activated no later than 4 p.m. ET on Saturday. Before fracturing his foot Week 6 and requiring surgery, Campbell had suited up in five of the team's first six games, recording 10 receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown across 17 targets.

Cobb (core) returned to practice Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

The Packers thus have designated Cobb for return from injured reserve. The 11th-year wide receiver underwent core muscle surgery during the Packers' Week 13 bye, missing the past three games. He now has a 21-day window in which to prove his health, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to do enough to return to the active roster in time for Sunday's game against the Vikings.