NFL Player News

Parker (shoulder/hamstring) won't play in Sunday's game against the Jaguars in London, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

With Parker ruled out, Preston Williams (groin, questionable) could see added looks Week 6, assuming he's active, while the top healthy guys -- WR Jaylen Waddle, TE Mike Gesicki and RB Myles Gaskin -- all should continue to see their share of targets Sunday from expected starting QB Tua Tagovailoa (ribs).

Coach John Harbaugh noted Friday that Bateman (groin) is expected to be activated off IR for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Bateman's looming return is well-timed, with fellow wideout Sammy Watkins (hamstring) having been ruled out for Sunday's contest. That said, in his anticipated NFL debut, the 2021 first-rounder is likely to be eased into the mix, Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun relays via offensive coordinator Greg Roman. With that in mind, Bateman profiles as a speculative Week 6 lineup option, but if the Minnesota product can quickly develop a strong on-field rapport with QB Lamar Jackson, he could emerge as a fantasy factor in the coming weeks.

Jefferson (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

There was some concern about Jefferson and Adam Thielen (foot) after both missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, but it turns out the Vikings offense is in good shape for Sunday with all 11 starters set to play. Jefferson has mostly seemed indifferent to matchups to this point in his career, but he does get a decent challenge this weekend against a Panthers defense that ranks second in DVOA against the pass (albeit with a downward trent in recent weeks).

Thielen (foot) and Justin Jefferson (ankle) don't have injury designation and are set to play in Sunday's game against the Panthers, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

The Vikings had busy injury reports throughout the week but now appear in good shape for the actual game. Thielen caught just five of 11 targets for 86 yards the past two weeks, but his snap shares (99 and 93 percent) suggest the foot injury isn't too much of a concern. He'll now face a Carolina defense that's given up a league-low 161.6 passing yards per game, though the Panthers have cooled off since they started the season hot with some help from an easy schedule.

Brown (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

If he returns after missing one game, the rookie could take on a larger role than usual. In addition to WRs Curtis Samuel (groin) and Cam Sims (knee) being ruled out, Washington has top receiver Terry McLaurin (hamstring) listed as questionable. James Palmer of NFL Network reports that McLaurin is on track to play, but if not, Washington could be left with Brown, Adam Humphries and DeAndre Carter as the regular trio for three-wide formations. First, we'll need to see if Brown and/or McLaurin is inactive ahead of the 1 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.

Sims (hamstring) won't play in Sunday's contest against the Chiefs, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

As expected, Sims will be held out for a second straight week and may be sidelined even longer. Curtis Samuel (groin) has been ruled out as well, and Terry McLaurin (hamstring) and Dyami Brown (knee) are both listed as questionable, so DeAndre Carter and Dax Milne may be in line for increased snaps against the Chiefs.

Samuel (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Kansas City, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Samuel missed practice all week after reinjuring his troublesome groin during the Week 5 loss to New Orleans. Another IR stint can't be ruled out, but the team does seem to be hoping for a quicker return this time.

McLaurin is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs after missing Friday's practice with a new hamstring injury, Matthew Paras of The Washington Times reports.

It's the first time he's been listed on the injury report this year, two days before a game against the defending AFC champs. That's far from ideal, obviously, for an injury-riddled Washington offense that's already missing WR Curtis Samuel (groin), WR Cam Sims (hamstring) and TE Logan Thomas (IR/hamstring), not to mention QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (IR/hip) and two O-line starters (RT Samuel Cosmi, RG Brandon Scherff). Even rookie wideout Dyami Brown (knee) is listed as questionable, leaving Adam Humphries, DeAndre Carter and Dax Milne as the healthy wide receivers on Washington's roster. McLaurin likely will need to be treated as a game-time decision heading into Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

McLaurin spent time with the training staff during Friday's practice, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

It doesn't necessarily mean he's injured, but multiple beat writers have mentioned it. They also said that McLaurin rejoined his teammates on the main field at Friday's practice, so it remains to be seen if he's even listed on the injury report. He wasn't listed Wednesday or Thursday and hasn't missed any practice time yet this season.

Samuel (groin) wasn't seen during Friday's practice, Rhiannon Walker of The Athletic reports.

Samuel officially has yet to practice this week, though he was spotted at Wednesday's session doing some work on the side with the training staff. The 25-year-old was labeled week-to-week after suffering the groin injury Week 5, and he doesn't appear to be heading in the right direction to be available for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.