NFL Player News

Johnson failed to catch his lone target during Thursday's 24-21 loss to the Bengals.

Johnson appeared primed for an increased role Thursday after DJ Chark went down early with a broken ankle, but he ended up playing only nine offensive snaps while Tavon Austin stepped in as the No. 3 wide receiver after missing the first three games of the year. Even with Chark likely gone for the rest of the season, it doesn't appear expanded opportunities are on the immediate horizon for Johnson.

Brown (hamstring) and Julio Jones (hamstring) have been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jets, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports.

Both were held out of practice all week after suffering hamstring injuries in last week's win over Indianapolis. The Titans have Chester Rogers, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Josh Reynolds, Cameron Batson and Racey McMath as their wide receivers on the active roster, while Marcus Johnson (undisclosed) could be activated from IR over the weekend. The Titans still do have Derrick Henry in the backfield, and TE Anthony Firkser is back in the lineup after missing two games with a knee injury. Their star wide receivers, meanwhile, will try to make it back for Week 5 at Jacksonville.

Gage (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Washington, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Though he hasn't been placed on injured reserve, Gage appears in danger of missing three or more games. He's now missed two in a row and hasn't practiced at all during that stretch. Last week, Olamide Zaccheaus filled in as Atlanta's No. 2 receiver, catching three of six targets for 32 yards and a TD while playing 69 percent of snaps in a win over the Giants.

Smith-Marsette (toe) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Browns.

K.J. Osborn is expected to take over kick returning duties in Smith-Marsette's absence, piling more onto an already full plate that includes punt returns and a significant role in the offense for Osborn. Smith-Marsette will look to overcome his toe injury in time to return against the Lions in Week 5.

Brown (hamstring) wasn't spotted at Friday's practice, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Fellow starting wideout Julio Jones (hamstring) also wasn't out there for the start of Friday's practice, and it looks like the Titans may be without both players Sunday against the Jets. Tennessee's final Week 4 injury report will reveal whether Brown and/or Jones head into the weekend with any shot to play. Next up for WR opportunities should the duo be ruled out are Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Chester Rogers, Josh Reynolds and perhaps Marcus Johnson (undisclosed), if he's activated from IR.

Coach Ron Rivera said Friday that Samuel (groin) will play in Sunday's game against the Falcons, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Samuel was designated to return from IR at the beginning of the week and now will be activated to the 53-man roster Friday or Saturday. His return presumably drops Dyami Brown to the No. 4 receiver role, though it is possible Samuel plays limited snaps right out of the gate, after a groin injury that was initially believed to be minor ended up keeping him off the field for the better part of June through September. He does get a good matchup for his return, albeit with backup QB Taylor Heinicke under center.

Agnew had one carry for 11 yards, caught his lone target for 27 yards and returned one kickoff for 27 yards during Thursday's 24-21 loss to Cincinnati.

Agnew actually saw his fewest offensive snaps of the season (eight) despite DJ Chark's early exit due to a broken ankle, but he ended up receiving his first two touches of the season. The 26-year-old is unlikely to benefit much from Chark's absence and should continue to primarily operate as Jacksonville's return specialist, as he already has two return touchdowns this season.

Slayton (hamstring) appears unlikely to play in Sunday's game at New Orleans after missing another practice Friday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

The same goes for fellow Giants WR Sterling Shepard, who also left last week's game with a hamstring injury. The team is left with Kenny Golladay as its far-and-away No. 1 receiver, backed by some combination of Kadarius Toney, Collin Johnson, C.J. Board and maybe John Ross (IR - hamstring).

Shepard (hamstring) wasn't seen at Friday's practice, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Shepard hasn't practiced this week while dealing with the hamstring injury he suffered last weekend, and it appears he's headed for a third consecutive DNP on Friday. Darius Slayton (hamstring) also appeared to be absent, and neither player currently has a favorable outlook for Sunday's game at New Orleans. Kadarius Toney is likely to be the most significant beneficiary with Shepard and Slayton potentially out.

Moore (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus Tennessee, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.

Moore suffered the concussion during last week's loss to the Broncos and won't be available this weekend, though coach Robert Saleh hopes the rookie wideout will clear the concussion protocol next week. Jeff Smith (concussion) has also been ruled out, so Denzel Mims will be active for Sunday after being a healthy scratch the past two games.