NFL Player News

Sims' placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday was the result of a positive test of the virus, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Washington didn't officially provide an explanation beyond Sims' placement on the list, but Yates notes that 30 of the 31 of NFL players that landed on the list Wednesday tested positive for the virus, with Jordan Ranaan of ESPN.com relaying that Giants safety Xavier McKinney was placed on the list as an unvaccinated high-risk close contact. Because Sims is vaccinated, he'll be eligible to report back to the Football Team facility so long as he's asymptomatic for a 48-hour period and tests negative for the virus on two consecutive occasions at least 24 hours apart. He'll still face an uphill battle to gain clearance for Sunday's game against the Eagles, and at the very least, he won't be able to take part in any of the Football Team's practices this week.

Metcalf didn't practice Wednesday due to foot and back injuries, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Metcalf has been dealing with a lingering foot injury since Week 4, and a back issue now has paired with it to keep the wide receiver out of drills to begin Week 15 prep. Despite his health being compromised, he's been able to suit up on game days, but his production has waned since the Seahawks' Week 9 bye. In the five games that have followed, Metcalf has reeled in just 17 of 36 targets for 173 yards and no touchdowns, which followed a 39-580-8 receiving line on 56 targets through the first eight contests of the season. Per usual, his status will be one to watch to make sure he's trending toward active status Sunday against the Rams.

Davis (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Davis was ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a fractured left ankle in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks. He'll undergo surgery to address the injury, and it's unclear if he'll be back to full strength by the spring. The 25-year-old receiver appeared in two games for Houston this season, recording one reception for 17 yards on three targets across 20 snaps on offense.

Higgins (ankle) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice.

Higgins was limited last Thursday and Friday with the same injury before heading into the Bengals' Week 14 game against the 49ers listed as questionable. He was active for the team's overtime loss, playing 50 of the Bengals' 67 snaps on offense and finishing with 100-plus receiving yards for the third straight contest. With no reported setbacks coming out of that game, Higgins' limitations in practice to begin Week 15 are likely maintenance-related.

Wallace (concussion) didn't participate at Wednesday's practice, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Wallace suffered a concussion Sunday against the Browns, so it's not a major surprise he's not practicing Wednesday. He'll need to fully clear the concussion protocol before making a return to the field.

Boykin (finger) was a full practice participant Wednesday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Boykin sat out the past four games with the finger injury, but he had no limitations at Wednesday's practice. The 25-year-old has one catch for six yards in five games this season and is unlikely to play a significant role in Baltimore's passing game now that he's healthy.

Valdes-Scantling was listed as limited participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report due to a back injury, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Valdes-Scantling has been a hit-or-miss performer in his eight appearances this season, turning in two outings of more than 50 yards plus one touchdown, while falling short of those thresholds in every other game but one. He and Allen Lazard are the co-No. 2 wide receivers behind top dog Davante Adams, but Valdes-Scantling's status now is one to monitor as Sunday's game in Baltimore approaches.

Humphrey (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday.

With Humphrey trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers and Deonte Harris suspended for two more games, Kenny Stills may get another shot as the Saints' No. 3 receiver. The role didn't amount to much production in Sunday's win over the Jets, with Stills unable to draw a target on 27 snaps (39 percent).

Williams (heel) doesn't have an injury designation for Thursday's game against the Chiefs, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Meanwhile, fellow wideout Keenan Allen is back from the reserve/COVID-19 list after missing Sunday's 37-21 win over the Giants, and running back Austin Ekeler -- who is questionable with an ankle injury -- also has a shot to play Thursday after limited practices Tuesday and Wednesday. Things have gone better for Williams in recent weeks following a midseason slump, but he's still ranked as a distant No. 2 option in the passing game behind Allen, seeing between five and eight targets in each of the past eight games.

Hopkins is in line to miss the remainder of the regular season due to a knee sprain, but the Cardinals are hopeful he'll be available for the playoffs, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

According to Schefter, Hopkins is receiving a second opinion on his knee Thursday from Dr. Neal ElAttrache, which could result in the wideout requiring surgery. With Hopkins sidelined, the Cardinals will be down to A.J. Green, Christian Kirk, Rondale Moore, Antoine Wesley and Andy Isabella at the position for the foreseeable future.