NFL Player News

Coach Ron Rivera said Thursday that McLaurin, who hasn't practiced this week due to a high-ankle sprain, "looked good" and "moved around" Thursday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports. "It was a positive step," Rivera added. "We'll see how he feels tomorrow."

During the open part of practice, McLaurin put in some time with Washington's training staff on the side, per John Keim of ESPN.com. Despite this and Rivera's comments, McLaurin has yet to make a noticeable step in his recovery from an injury that typically sidelines a player for multiple games. Still, Rivera seems to be holding out hope McLaurin will make a leap and put himself into a position to play Sunday in Philadelphia, a game that has postseason implications.

Guyton (hamstring) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Guyton's ability to take every rep Thursday clears the way for him to fill a starting role out wide for the Chargers in Sunday's game versus the Chiefs. Though Guyton has typically served as a secondary target for quarterback Justin Herbert this season, the receiver could be in store for a heightened role in the passing attack Week 17. No. 1 receiver Keenan Allen (hamstring) has already been ruled out for the contest after landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list, while top tight end Hunter Henry remains on the same list as of Thursday and is uncertain to gain clearance for the season finale.

Brown (ankle) practiced fully Thursday, John Glennon of BroadwaySportsMedia.com reports.

Brown thus is good to go for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Texans and in line to remain a key component of the Titans' Week 17 passing attack. Through 13 games to date, he's been a reliable fantasy contributor, having logged 60 catches (on 95 targets) for 924 yards and 10 TDs.

Lazard (core/wrist) was limited at Thursday's practice.

Since he returned to the lineup Week 11 following a six-game absence due to core muscle surgery, Lazard has had his practice reps capped. In six contests in the interim, he's only reached 50 receiving yards twice and scored one touchdown on 25 targets. Lazard likely will be available again Sunday at Chicago, but he has yet to show his early season strides from before the procedure.

Allen, who had been dealing with a hamstring issue, has been placed on the COVID-19 list by the Chargers, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

With Allen out for Sunday's season finale, Jalen Guyton (hamstring) and Tyron Johnson should be in line to see added opportunities in the Chargers' Week 17 passing game alongside starting wideout Mike Williams.

Watkins (ribs) was limited in Thursday's practice.

Watkins couldn't practice Wednesday, so it's encouraging to see him now taking limited reps. The rookie sixth-round pick is coming off two solid efforts in which he amassed 97 total receiving yards against the Cardinals and Cowboys, but his status will need to be monitored as Sunday's tilt against the Football Team approaches.

The Browns reinstated Peoples-Jones from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

Along with Peoples-Jones, the Browns also activated Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge, Jarvis Landry and Jacob Phillips after all five players sat out last week's loss to the Jets following their respective placements on the list. Before sitting out the Week 16 game, Peoples-Jones had seemingly usurped Hodge as the Browns' No. 3 receiver. With that in mind, expect Cleveland to deploy Landry, Higgins and Peoples-Jones as their starting receivers in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Steelers.

The Browns reinstated Hodge from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

Along with Hodge, the Browns also activated Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Jarvis Landry and Jacob Phillips after all five players sat out last week's loss to the Jets following their respective placements on the list. Before sitting out the Week 16 game, Hodge had seemingly been usurped by Peoples-Jones as the Browns' No. 3 receiver, so the former may not be in line for much work on offense in Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Robinson (hamstring) didn't practice Thursday.

Robinson again is logging a surprise DNP in the middle of the week, but he also followed a FP/DNP/LP practice regimen last week before suiting up this past Sunday at Jacksonville. While his offensive snap share (68 percent) in that game was a season low, he matched his campaign best with 10 catches en route to 103 yards on 13 targets. If he enters this weekend as questionable to play, too, Robinson's availability won't be confirmed until 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff against the Packers.

Pittman (concussion) practiced fully Thursday.

Pittman was limited Wednesday, so his full participation Thursday would appear to give him a good chance of clearing the NFL's concussion protocol in advance of Sunday's game against the Jaguars. Friday's final injury report of the week will confirm whether or not Pittman heads into the weekend with any questions regarding his Week 17 playing status.