NFL Player News

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.

Washington listed McLaurin (concussion) as a limited participant in Thursday's practice, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

While the Washington roster continues to be ravaged by COVID-19-related absences, McLaurin's ability to upgrade from no participation in Wednesday's practice to limited activity Thursday qualifies as some rare good news. McLaurin will still need to receive clearance to take contact and will also need to get the green light from an independent neurologist in order to suit up Sunday in Philadelphia, but the wideout looks to be trending in a positive direction.

Thielen (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Thielen remains in recovery mode from a high-ankle sprain as the Vikings took the field for the first time during Week 15 prep. Earlier Thursday, coach Mike Zimmer told Chad Graff of The Athletic that he's "hopeful" Thielen will be able to return Monday in Chicago. Considering Thielen suffered the injury Dec. 5, it may be wishful thinking for the wide receiver to play just a little more than two weeks later. Having said that, he does have two more sessions at his disposal to prove the health of his ankle.

Moore (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Moore picked up a hamstring issue near the end of this past Sunday's loss to the Falcons. Coach Arthur Smith considered Moore day-to-day as of Monday, and the wide receiver has followed up that comment with back-to-back capped sessions. Even if he enters the weekend with a designation, Moore doesn't seem to be in much danger of missing the Panthers' Week 15 game at Buffalo.

The Seahawks placed Lockett (undisclosed) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

Lockett and Alex Collins (abdomen) are the second and third Seahawks to be placed on the list this season after Gerald Everett sat out Weeks 4 and 5 due a positive test of the virus. If Lockett is unable to suit up Sunday at the Rams, Seattle may be a bit compromised at wide receiver, as all of DK Metcalf (foot/back), Freddie Swain (ankle) and Dee Eskridge (foot) are tending to injuries at the moment.

McLaurin (concussion) took part in individual drills at Thursday's practice, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

One day removed from working with team trainers on a side field, McLaurin appears to have cleared another hurdle in his quest through the protocol for head injuries. However, how much work he was able to handle won't be known until Washington posts its second Week 15 injury report later Thursday.

The Cardinals are bracing for the possibility of Hopkins (knee) missing "2-to-4 months" once he undergoes surgery Friday in Los Angeles to address a torn MCL, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports.

Anderson adds that at least for the time being, the Cardinals aren't expecting Hopkins to play again in the regular season or postseason. The report differs slightly from one provided earlier Thursday by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, who relayed that Hopkins will likely be in store for a six-week recovery period, a timeline that would give him a shot to play if the Cardinals make a deep postseason run. More consensus on a timeline for Hopkins could come once surgery is completed Friday and the Cardinals are familiar with the extent of his operation, but in any case, the star receiver can safely be ruled out for Arizona's remaining four games of the regular season. With Hopkins out of the mix, wideouts A.J. Green, Christian Kirk, Rondale Moore and Antoine Wesley, tight end Zach Ertz and running backs James Conner (ankle) and Chase Edmonds (ankle) will represent quarterback Kyler Murray's top targets in the passing game for the foreseeable future.

The Dolphins have placed Waddle on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

With Waddle headed to this list, the wideout's status for Sunday's game against the Jets now is uncertain. In that context, the Dolphins' top available options at wide receiver currently are DeVante Parker, Albert Wilson, Mack Hollins, Isaiah Ford and Preston Williams.

Hopkins (knee) will meet with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Thursday and is expected to undergo surgery soon after to address a badly torn MCL, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. He's expected to face a six-week recovery period, with a goal of returning to action in late January.

After he was diagnosed with a sprained knee following an MRI on Tuesday, Hopkins sought a second opinion on his injury Wednesday, at which time surgery was recommended for the star wideout. He'll heed the advice of doctors and have the procedure, which will knock him out for the remainder of the regular season, and quite likely, the at least the first two rounds of the playoffs. The 10-3 Cardinals will clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Lions in Week 15 and are still in good position to get a bye for the wild-card round, but Hopkins would likely remain out through the divisional round, if the six-week estimated timeline holds. Expect Arizona to formally place Hopkins on injured reserve no later than Saturday, but fantasy managers in redraft leagues can already comfortably drop the receiver from active rosters. He'll finish his second regular season in Arizona with 42 receptions for 572 yards and eight touchdowns across 10 games.

Minnesota signed Shepherd to the practice squad Wednesday, Craig Peters of the team's official site reports.

The Vikings also inked wideout Damion Ratley to the scout team. Shepherd spent time with the Cardinals' practice squad earlier this year, and he got to develop with Kansas City during the offseason.