NFL Player News

Brown (illness) returned to practice Friday, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Brown, who has been dealing with the effects of a case of food poisoning, missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, but his return for Friday's session has him trending toward active status Sunday against Kansas City. However, the Titans' final Week 7 injury report will reveal whether the wideout heads into the weekend with an injury designation.

Johnson is expected to serve as the Buccaneers' No. 3 receiver in Sunday's game against the Bears, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Johnson went without a target while logging his second-lowest snap share (16 percent) in the team's Week 6 win over Philadelphia, but a larger role should be on the horizon after Antonio Brown (knee) was ruled out for Sunday's contest. Beyond starters Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the only other healthy receiver on the roster is Jaelon Darden, who appears more likely to contribute as a return man rather than on offense. That leaves Johnson as the most obvious candidate to join Evans and Godwin in three-receiver sets, and while the latter two players will likely command most of Tom Brady's attention, Johnson could still carve out a role as a secondary target. Along with Brown, the Bucs will be without top tight end Rob Gronkowski (ribs) for a fourth straight game, while No. 2 TE O.J. Howard (ankle) is banged up after drawing a season-high seven targets last week against the Eagles.

Erickson (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Erickson was concussed in last week's loss to Minnesota, but he'll have a chance to return without missing any additional game action if he can gain clearance from an independent neurologist before Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. If Erickson's able to suit up, he'll likely occupy his customary role as the team's punt returner to go with a handful of snaps at wide receiver. He has been targeted just twice through six games, catching both for 42 yards.

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said he expects Smith to play at least 15 snaps in Sunday's game against the Giants, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.

A healthy inactive through the Panthers' first five games, Smith, a rookie sixth-round pick, finally got the chance to make his NFL debut in last week's 34-28 overtime loss to the Vikings. He took eight snaps on offense in that contest, drawing two targets and recording two receptions for 20 yards. With Terrace Marshall (concussion) having been ruled out for Sunday's game and with Alex Erickson (concussion) listed as questionable, Smith is the only healthy receiver on the roster aside from starters DJ Moore and Robby Anderson. As such, Smith should be the top candidate to join Moore and Anderson when the Panthers roll out three-wide formations, though Carolina is also expected to make frequent use of two-tight end sets featuring Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble. A true starting role might not be on tap for Smith, but the projected spike in his snaps could be enough to make him an intriguing, cost-effective option to fill out a DFS lineup.

Brown (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Green Bay, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

With both Curtis Samuel (groin) and Cam Sims (hamstring) ruled out, Brown could match or even top his snap share (80 percent) and target volume (six) from the Week 6 loss to Kansas City. However, the rookie has caught just eight of 20 targets for 81 yards, unable to make an impact despite averaging 44.6 snaps in his five appearances. Brown missed Week 5 with a minor knee injury that's apparently still lingering, but he didn't appear to be limited in his Week 6 return and isn't listed on the final Week 7 injury report.

Hill (quadriceps) returned to practice Friday, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

Hill's return to the field after logging back-to-back absences Wednesday and Thursday bodes well for his availability for Sunday's game against the Titans. Friday's final injury report will reveal whether or not Kansas City's top wideout heads into the weekend carrying an injury designation.

McLaurin (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Green Bay, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

McLaurin was a Friday addition to the injury report last week, but he ultimately played 95 percent of the snaps in a 31-13 loss to the Chiefs and caught only four of eight targets for 28 yards. Washington will need more from him to have a shot at pulling off the upset at Lambeau Field this Sunday, and while it's a tough spot for the team overall, McLaurin faces a beatable cornerback group with no Jaire Alexander (shoulder), who is on injured reserve.

Marshall (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Giants, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

After he was diagnosed with a concussion coming out of the Panthers' Week 6 loss to the Vikings, Marshall was unable to practice in any capacity Wednesday through Friday. As a result, the Panthers' decision to rule Marshall out for the Week 7 matchup comes as little surprise. With Marshall sidelined for the first time this season and Alex Erickson (concussion) listed as questionable but uncertain to play Sunday, rookie Shi Smith could have a regular spot in three-wide sets alongside DJ Moore and Robby Anderson.

Sims (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Packers, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Sims hasn't practiced since leaving Washington's Week 4 win over the Falcons early with a hamstring injury. Terry McLaurin, Adam Humphries and Dyami Brown will garner the majority of the wideout snaps, but Dax Milne and DeAndre Carter have developed small roles with Sims and Curtis Samuel (groin) sidelined.

Samuel (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Green Bay, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

He's played just twice this season and is out for a second straight week, but head coach Ron Rivera told Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post that he wasn't ready to consider another injured reserve stint for the wideout. Samuel's groin injury has allowed Dyami Brown to operate as Washington's No. 2 outside receiver when healthy, though snaps haven't necessarily led to targets.