NFL Player News

The Vikings list Thielen (ankle) as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Thielen has missed the Vikings' last two games while recovering from a left high-ankle sprain, but he looks like he'll have a better shot at suiting up this weekend. He was listed as a limited participant on all three of the Vikings' practice reports, after he failed to practice in any capacity in Weeks 14 and 15. Fortunately for those considering Thielen in Week 16 fantasy lineups, the Vikings and Rams kick off among the early wave of Sunday games at 1:00 p.m. ET. Managers thus should have multiple alternatives ready to go in the event Thielen finds himself on the inactive list for the third week in a row.

Fitzpatrick (undisclosed) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Fitzpatrick was placed on the COVID-19 list Dec. 14 but has now been cleared to rejoin the active roster. He'll have a full week of practice to get ready for Week 17 against the Dolphins.

Head coach Bruce Arians said Evans (hamstring) won't play Sunday in Carolina, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Evans wasn't able to practice in any fashion Wednesday through Friday after straining his hamstring in the Buccaneers' shutout loss to the Saints in Week 15, so his absence for the upcoming weekend comes as little surprise. With Evans sidelined and Chris Godwin (knee) shut down for the season, Antonio Brown (ankle) -- if cleared to play following a 10-week absence for injury and suspension -- will be locked in as the Bucs' clear No. 1 receiver, while both Tyler Johnson and Scotty Miller should have regular roles in three-wideout sets and enjoy bumps in both snaps and targets. Tampa Bay also could deploy more frequent two-tight end sets featuring a combination of Rob Gronkowski, Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard.

Moore (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers after practicing on a limited basis Friday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Moore missed the Panthers' first two practices of the week while tending to the hamstring injury, but he returned to the field Friday, which gives him a shot to suit up this weekend. On Wednesday, head coach Matt Rhule told Joe Person of The Athletic that Moore will likely wind up being a game-time decision, so the Panthers may put him through a workout Sunday morning before getting a better sense of whether he'll play. Through Cam Newton's first four games as Carolina's starting quarterback, Moore's production hasn't suffered too much; he's turned in a 21-285-1 receiving line on 38 targets over that stretch.

Agholor (concussion) wasn't spotted at Friday's practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Agholor's status for Sunday's game against the Bills thus is iffy, given that he was unable to practice either Wednesday or Thursday. With Kendrick Bourne (illness) currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list, it's plausible that the Patriots' Week 16 wideout corps could be headed by Jakobi Meyers, N'Keal Harry (hip) and Gunner Olszewski.

Davis, who was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday after testing positive for the virus, won't be available for games Sunday against the Patriots or Week 17 against the Falcons due to his status as an unvaccinated player, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Davis and Cole Beasley are both following the protocols for unvaccinated players and must quarantine for 10 days after their positive tests Friday and Tuesday, respectively. Because Beasley tested positive earlier in the week, his 10-day period will conclude prior to the Jan. 2 game against the Falcons, while Davis won't be cleared until a day after that. Though Buffalo received good news with Emmanuel Sanders (knee) practicing fully and thus looking likely to play this weekend, the team's depth beyond Sanders and No. 1 wideout Stefon Diggs is now being tested. Look for Isaiah McKenzie to pick up snaps out of the slot in place of Beasley, while Jake Kumerow and potentially Marquez Stevenson pick up more reps on the perimeter.

Shenault (shoulder/foot) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.

Shenault has been limited at practice this week due to shoulder and foot injuries, and he's now sidelined due to league protocols. He'll have a difficult time gaining clearance to return to the active roster in time for Sunday's matchup with the Jets. If Shenault is unavailable, Tavon Austin should see increased run as Jacksonville's No. 3 wideout this weekend.

Davis (undisclosed) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.

Davis has four touchdowns in the past three games and appeared poised for a significant role again this weekend after Cole Beasley tested positive for COVID-19, but Davis now has joined him on the reserve list. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Davis is unvaccinated and therefore is unavailable for Sunday's matchup with the Patriots. Isaiah McKenzie could operate as Buffalo's No. 3 wide receiver behind Stefon Diggs and Emmanuel Sanders versus New England.

Aiyuk brought in four of five targets for 40 yards and a touchdown and returned one punt for 12 yards in the 49ers' 20-17 loss to the Titans on Thursday night.

Aiyuk would have had a pedestrian fantasy night overall had it not been for his two-yard game-tying touchdown grab with 2:20 remaining. The second-year wideout has now compiled 55 receiving yards or less in three of his past four games, although he does now have a touchdown in two straight contests. Aiyuk's next opportunity to build up his numbers comes in a Week 17 home matchup against the Texans a week from Sunday.

Brown tallied 11 receptions on 16 targets for 145 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 20-17 win over San Francisco.

Brown was activated from injured reserve ahead of the game Thursday, and he took the field for the first time since Week 11. He was involved in the offense throughout the contest, though he had recorded only five receptions for 24 yards through the first two quarters. However, he inspired an impressive Titans' comeback in the second half, highlighted by a 42-yard reception late in the third quarter and subsequently an 18-yard touchdown catch to cap the same drive. All told, it was Brown's second double-digit reception performance of the season, and the third time he's topped 100 receiving yards. Though Brown has had his season interrupted by injury, his performance should provide confidence that he will end the campaign in strong form.