NFL Player News

Watkins (ribs) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice.

Watkins presumably picked up the injury in last week's loss to the Cowboys. He ended that contest with two receptions for 57 yards. His status will need to be monitored as the week progresses in order to see if he can ramp up his participation at practice.

Hopkins was held out of practice Wednesday with a hip injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Just before halftime of last week's loss to the 49ers, Hopkins went to the locker room after failing to haul in a pass in the back left corner of the end zone. He continued to play through what was believed to be an upper-body injury, logging 91 percent of the offensive snaps while finishing with 48 yards on eight catches and 12 targets. Hopkins will look to get past the hip concern in advance of Sunday's road matchup with the Rams.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that Kupp (illness) is "probably not likely to be available" Week 17 against the Cardinals, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

The Rams placed Kupp on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network revealed Wednesday that the move was made because the wide receiver tested positive for the virus. League protocols ensure Kupp won't be able to recover in time for a key Week 17 matchup, one that will help in determining the team's postseason fate. Los Angeles will also be without Jared Goff (thumb) on Sunday, meaning John Wolford will be throwing passes to Robert Woods, Josh Reynolds and Van Jefferson.

Guyton was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to a hamstring injury.

With Keenan Allen (hamstring) seemingly trending toward a second straight absence Sunday against the Chiefs, Guyton's Week 17 status gains added import. If Allen ends up out and Guyton is cleared to play this weekend, he would be taking aim at a Kansas City squad that's likely to be sitting or limiting some of its key defensive players, given that the Chiefs have already clinched the AFC's No. 1 seed.

Lazard (core/wrist) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday.

For a second straight week, Lazard's practice reps are capped due to his core and wrist injuries. That said, he handled 62 percent of the offensive snaps this past Sunday against the Titans, but his output (two catches for 14 yards on two targets) was lacking. Lazard will aim to brush aside his injuries in order to serve as the Packers' No. 2 wide receiver again this weekend in Chicago.

Allen (hamstring) wasn't spotted on the field at practice Wednesday, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Meanwhile, Manzano relays that head coach Anthony Lynn acknowledged that there's a "good chance" Allen "won't be out there" for Sunday's season finale against the Chiefs. If Allen is held out this weekend, added opportunities will be available for fellow receivers Jalen Guyton and Tyron Johnson.

Boyd (concussion) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Head coach Zac Taylor confirmed Wednesday that Boyd remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, leaving the wideout's status up in the air for Sunday's game against the Ravens, according to Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer. If Boyd manages to upgrade to full activity in practice Friday and gains clearance from an independent neurologist, he'll likely step back into a starting role at receiver in the season finale.

Higgins was a limited participant at practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

While logging an 84 percent snap share in the Bengals' Week 16 win over the Texans, Higgins caught six passes on nine targets for 99 yards and a touchdown. With no reported setbacks coming out of that contest, Higgins' limitations Wednesday may just be maintenance-related, given that the wideout previously dealt with a hamstring issue a few weeks ago.

The Dolphins signed Ford to their 53-man roster Wednesday, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Ford had been elevated from the practice squad ahead of Saturday's win over the Raiders, with the wideout going on to reel in four of five targets for 37 yards. With DeVante Parker (hamstring) still iffy for Week 17 and Jakeem Grant (ankle) potentially out multiple weeks, Ford will now get a permanent spot on the roster. If the two banged-up wideouts end up sitting Sunday against the Bills, Ford could step into a starting role.

Jefferson is expected to see regular snaps in three-receiver sets Sunday against the Cardinals with Cooper Kupp (illness) ruled out for the contest, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

Kupp's move to the reserve/COVID-19 list following his positive test for the coronavirus opens up room for Jefferson to work alongside Robert Woods and Josh Reynolds. Though both wideouts have consistently seen more involvement than Jefferson in the passing game throughout the season, predicting the distribution of targets among the team's receivers will be more difficult than usual with the unproven John Wolford set to start at quarterback in place of Jared Goff, who has been ruled out for Week 17 after undergoing thumb surgery. Jefferson, who has produced 15 receptions for 170 yards and a touchdown in 15 games this season, may have the edge over Reynolds and Woods in terms of chemistry with Wolford based on their work together on the Rams' scout team, but the rookie wideout still is little more than a dart throw in DFS tournaments and deep season-long leagues active for Week 17.