NFL Player News

James set new career highs in receptions (23) and receiving yards (394) while scoring a touchdown over 11 games with the 49ers this season.

James has spent the majority of his first three years as a pro on special teams as a punt and kick returner, but injuries allowed the wideout to nearly double his previous high in offensive snaps with 405 in the 2020 campaign. The speedster maintained a healthy 17.1 yards per reception average even with the bump up in playing time. James saw his playing time diminish when Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel were able to suit up, which confirms his status as a backup heading into 2021. However, the 24-year-old's improved play should earn him an opportunity to compete for the starting slot receiver role in training camp.

Johnson could benefit from expanded opportunity in Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Packers with Antonio Brown (knee) ruled out for the contest, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

The rookie logged 15 snaps in Sunday's divisional-round win over the Saints with Brown spending the majority of the second half on the sideline, with his one reception an impressive 15-yard grab on third down. Johnson was able to get a fair amount of experience during the regular season despite recording just 12 catches, logging 265 snaps from scrimmage over 14 games. Tom Brady showed some trust in Johnson in the red zone as well, with four of the 2020 fifth-round pick's 17 targets coming in that part of the field. Coach Bruce Arians endorsed Johnson's ability to rise to the occasion Friday, noting Johnson has earned the trust of his staff and Brady with his play.

Miller is one of the Buccaneers' secondary receivers that stands to benefit from the absence of Antonio Brown (knee) for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Packers, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Miller took a big step forward in his second season, posting a 33-501-3 line (53 targets) across 16 games, with seven of his receptions going for more than 20 yards. Miller logged just eight snaps from scrimmage against the Saints in Sunday's divisional-round win even with Brown on the sidelines for most of the second half, but his one catch, which went for 29 yards, exemplified the downfield dimension he brings to Tampa Bay's passing game. His established rapport with Tom Brady could certainly pay dividends versus Green Bay, although the air attack could be challenged to thrive in what are expected to be frigid conditions.

Isabella capped the 2020 campaign with 21 catches (on 35 targets) for 224 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games. He also had one rush for minus-6 yards.

Among the wide receivers the Cardinals drafted in 2019, none of Isabella, Hakeem Butler and KeeSean Johnson have done much as a pro. The team waived Butler before Week 1 of the most recent season, but Isabella and Johnson alternated as healthy scratches for much of the year due to the top-heavy nature of the receiving corps. Isabella has flashed at times, notching five catches of 20-plus yards among his 30 career grabs. That said, with DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk and potentially Larry Fitzgerald (if he returns) ahead of him on the depth chart, Isabella has a tough path to regular reps in Arizona's offense.

Johnson finished the 2020 season with 15 catches (on 23 targets) for 173 yards and no touchdowns in eight appearances.

Johnson was a healthy scratch for eight of the Cardinals' first 10 contests of the campaign, but a positive COVID test and injuries to the receiving corps allowed him to get on the field down the stretch. Tossing aside his two longest catches of the season -- 45 and 32 yards -- his other 13 receptions went for a miserable 7.4 YPC and 4.6 YPT. A 2019 sixth-round pick, Johnson has two years remaining on his rookie deal, but the presence of DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk -- along with the possibility Larry Fitzgerald returns and potential for offseason additions -- doesn't guarantee Johnson anything heading into the offseason.

St. Brown (ankle/knee) does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Buccaneers, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

St. Brown was limited in practice all week due to a pair of injuries, but his status for Sunday's playoff game never seemed to be in real jeopardy. He's all set to handle his usual complementary role behind Davante Adams, Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

Godwin (quadriceps) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Green Bay, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Godwin, Mike Evans and Antonio Brown (knee) were all listed on the injury report this week, but only Brown (ruled out) has a designation for the NFC Championship Game. The Bucs have Scotty Miller and Tyler Johnson on hand for WR depth behind the formidable duo of Godwin and Evans.

Evans (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Green Bay, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Evans injured his knee Week 17 but has nonetheless managed to play 84 and 88 percent of Tampa's offensive snaps in two playoff games. He caught six passes for 119 yards in the wild-card round, followed by just one reception for a three-yard touchdown in the divisional round. Antonio Brown's upcoming absence due to a knee injury of his own could push a few more targets toward Evans or Chris Godwin.

Lazard (wrist/back) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The Packers have consistently limited Lazard's practice participation since he returned from core muscle surgery in November, but he hasn't actually missed any games. He played a significant role in the win over Los Angeles last week, catching four of eight targets for 96 yards and a touchdown while playing 72 percent of the snaps on offense.

The Ravens signed Cain to a reserve/future contract Friday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Cain appeared in two games with Pittsburgh in 2020, and he also spent time on the Ravens' practice squad. He'll get a chance to continue his development in Baltimore.