NFL Player News

Coach Joe Judge said he will "definitely try" to get Toney the ball Sunday in New Orleans, though Judge did caution that he doesn't necessarily expect the rookie to replicate what Sterling Shepard (hamstring) or Darius Slayton (hamstring) normally do, Ryan Dunleavy of the NY Post reports.

Toney caught two of three targets for 16 yards last week, handling a 66-percent snap share with Shepard and Slayton exiting early. Both wide receivers will miss Week 4, but that doesn't necessarily mean Toney will have an every-down role or even a starting job, as John Ross (hamstring) and C.J. Board could get more playing time this Sunday. On the other hand, the Giants can plan ahead of time to manufacture some additional touches for Toney, whereas last week they didn't expect to be without Slayton and Shepard.

Washington activated Samuel (groin) from injured reserve Friday, clearing him to make his season debut Sunday in Atlanta.

Earlier Friday, coach Ron Rivera said that Samuel, who has been dealing with a groin injury, was "ready to roll" after proving his health in practice this week, per Zach Selby of the team's official site. The aforementioned health concern for Samuel has lingered since June, so it'll be interesting to see if he can handle a full workload out of the gate, or if Washington caps his snaps. Once healthy, though, he should serve as the team's No. 2 wide receiver behind Terry McLaurin, with rookie third-rounder Dyami Brown and veteran Adam Humphries the other WRs to be regularly involved in the offense.

Crowder (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Crowder logged his first full practice of the season Friday after limited sessions Wednesday and Thursday, providing further evidence that the team expects the slot receiver to make his season debut Sunday, as reported by Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. The Jets' leading receiver from each of the past two seasons will come back just as Elijah Moore and Jeff Smith exit the lineup, both due to concussions.

Johnson (knee) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest at Green Bay, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

After sitting out Week 3 due to a knee injury, Johnson managed full practices both Thursday and Friday, clearing him to return to action. Elsewhere in the receiving corps, JuJu Smith-Schuster built up from no activity Wednesday to all of it Friday and is good to suit up this weekend, while Chase Claypool (hamstring) now is the Steelers wide receiver with his availability in question. If the team opts to keep Claypool on the sideline Sunday, Johnson figures to be heavily involved in the passing game after totaling 22 targets in his two appearances so far this season.

Mooney (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Mooney has logged a trio of limited practices this week. He played through this injury against the Browns in Week 3 but was held to one catch in Justin Fields' first start under center. Getting quarterback Andy Dalton (knee) back would be a boon to Mooney's outlook, but Dalton also is listed as questionable after three limited practices of his own.

Claypool (hamstring) didn't practice Friday and officially is questionable for Sunday's game in Green Bay, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Claypool only appeared on the Week 4 injury report Thursday as limited by a hamstring issue, which didn't allow him to get on the field at all Friday. As a result, he's the Steelers wide receiver among the team's top three with a cloud hanging over his head for Sunday. If Claypool needs to sit this weekend, Diontae Johnson (knee) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (ribs) will serve as the primary WR options for Ben Roethlisberger.

Valdes-Scantling (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

With Valdes-Scantling sidelined, the Packers offense won't have the element of his speed to take the top off the Steelers defense, though top receiver Davante Adams is no slouch when it comes to making plays downfield, and Allen Lazard is capable of doing so as well. MVS will look to heal up enough to return to the field Week 5 against the Bengals.

Smith-Schuster (ribs) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at Green Bay, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Nor does Diontae Johnson (knee), who also practiced in full to wrap up Week 4 prep. At the same time, Chase Claypool (hamstring) actually experienced a downturn in his activity level from limited Thursday to none Friday. If the Steelers opt to sit Claypool, as they did with Johnson this past Sunday, Smith-Schuster could be in line for a larger workload than normal, which so far has equated to 19 targets in three games.

Slayton (hamstring) won't play in Sunday's game against the Saints, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

This news hardly is surprising considering Slayton was unable to practice throughout the week, and the same goes for Sterling Shepard, who will sit out due to a hamstring injury of his own. Down two of their top three wide receivers ahead of a daunting matchup with a stingy Saints defense, the Giants will have their work cut out for them as they try to pick up their first win of the season on the road Week 4.

Shepard (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Saints, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Shepard hasn't been able to practice all week after hurting his hamstring Week 3 against Atlanta. With fellow wide receiver Darius Slayton also sidelined by a hamstring injury, the Giants likely will lean on the likes of Kadarius Toney and Collin Johnson alongside Kenny Golladay against the unforgiving Saints secondary.