NFL Player News

Davis is expected to join Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Panthers with Emmanuel Sanders (knee) expected to miss the contest, Sal Maiorana of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports.

The Bills have yet to officially rule Sanders out for the home game versus Carolina, but he hasn't taken part in either of the team's first two practices of Week 15 and was labeled week-to-week after picking up the knee injury in last Sunday's overtime loss to the Buccaneers. While Sanders was sidelined for the entire second half of that contest, Davis stepped in and had a major role in the Bills' comeback bid. He scored on a four-yard touchdown reception with just under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to cut the Bills' deficit to three, then reeled in a pass on the team's final drive of regulation to convert on fourth down and set up a game-tying field goal. All told, Davis played 84 percent of the offensive snaps and finished with eight targets, both of which were season highs. With dual-threat quarterback Josh Allen nursing a toe injury that could limit his involvement as a runner this week and the team's running backs not inspiring much confidence of late, the Bills could continue to lean into a pass-heavy game plan against Carolina, which could make Davis an intriguing low-cost option in DFS contests.

Goodwin (foot) was absent from Thursday's walkthrough practice.

The wide receiver may have been held out of the walkthrough out of an abundance of caution, as Allen Robinson (undisclosed) was put on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday and Jakeem Grant (illness) was also unavailable. After missing the last two games with the foot injury, Goodwin still has two more practices to prove his health before the team's contest versus the Vikings on Monday.

Brown missed Thursday's practice due to an illness, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Brown's status thus will need to be monitored as Sunday's game against the Packers approaches. The wideout was a full participant in practice Wednesday, but his absence Thursday places the focus on what -- if anything -- he's able to do during Friday's session.

The Bears placed Coulter on the practice squad COVID-19 list Thursday.

Coulter wasn't expected to play a role in the Bears' Week 15 matchup with the Vikings, but with Allen Robinson hitting the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, the team will look elsewhere for a wide receiver to elevate to the active roster. In two games this season, the 23-year-old has logged 15 offensive snaps, failing to reel in his only target.

Reynolds was limited at Thursday's practice due to a thigh issue.

Reynolds is making a sudden appearance on the Lions' Week 15 injury report, which occasionally implies a health concern picked up during the week and potentially even on the practice field. Friday's report could clear up his status in advance of Sunday's game against the Cardinals. Since getting blanked on three targets in his debut with Detroit in Week 11, Reynolds has gathered in 10 of 17 targets for 191 yards and one touchdown over the last three contests.

Valdes-Scantling (back) was limited at Thursday's practice.

Valdes-Scantling maintained his listing from Wednesday's estimated injury report. He has one more session remaining during Week 15 prep, after which the Packers may give him a designation ahead of Sunday's game in Baltimore.

Humphrey (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

The limited session marks a step forward for Humphrey, who didn't participate in practice last Friday due to the hamstring injury before sitting out Sunday's win over the Jets. He remained idle for the Saints' first Week 15 practice Wednesday, but Humphrey's return to the field Thursday should give him a chance at being available this weekend in Tampa Bay. If he's cleared to suit up, Humphrey could serve as the Saints' No. 3 receiver, a role that Kenny Stills filled last week to little success (no targets on 27 snaps).

The Bears placed Robinson on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

He was one of six Chicago players to land on the list Thursday. If vaccinated, Robinson would have an outside shot at being available for Monday's game against the Vikings if he's asymptomatic for 48 hours and tests negative for the virus on two occasions at least 24 hours apart. At this point in the week, however, Robinson seems more likely than not to sit out Monday, potentially leaving Chicago shorthanded at receiver with Marquise Goodwin (foot) also looking uncertain to play against Minnesota.

Samuel was sidelined for Thursday's practice due to a hamstring injury, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Samuel has been a fixture on injury reports throughout the season due to a groin issue that dates back to training camp, but it's another lower-body concern that has been attributed to his absences from practices Wednesday and Thursday. Washington hasn't yet commented on Samuel's potential availability for Sunday's game in Philadelphia, but the injury prone wideout will likely have to get back on the field in some capacity Friday to have a shot at playing. Even if he's active this weekend, Samuel likely won't be entrusted with a major role on offense. He's played fewer than 40 percent of Washington's offensive snaps in each of his five appearances in 2021.

Schwartz (concussion) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Raiders, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Schwartz was unable to clear the league's concussion protocols ahead of Week 15, and he'll be forced to miss a fourth consecutive game. Rashard Higgins and Ja'Marcus Bradley will likely see increased playing time Saturday.