NFL Player News

Slayton (shoulder/foot) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Slayton and Sterling Shepard (toe/shoulder) were both limited in practices Wednesday through Friday while they battled a pair of injuries apiece, but neither wideout will end up taking a designation into the weekend. With that in mind, Slayton looks poised to play a normal allotment of snaps, but the second-year player has been a risky fantasy option this season, turning in three games with 90-plus yards and three with 25 yards or fewer. Moreover, Colt McCoy is expected to step in at quarterback in place of Daniel Jones (hamstring) -- who is listed as doubtful -- adding another variable for Slayton's fantasy managers to take into account this week.

Shepard (toe/shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Shepard was a limited participant in practices Wednesday through Friday while managing the two injuries, but the Giants were evidently encouraged enough with his health to give him the green light heading into the weekend. Since returning from injured reserve Week 7, Shepard has quickly re-established a connection with quarterback Daniel Jones, hauling in 33 of 40 targets for 283 yards and a touchdown. However, with Jones (hamstring) listed as doubtful for the Week 13 contest, Shepard will now have to attempt to forge a connection with Colt McCoy, who is expected to start under center.

Hodge (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Titans, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Hodge seems to have suffered this hamstring injury in practice this week, and it will unfortunately keep him out of action Sunday. With fellow wide receiver Taywan Taylor (neck) also sidelined, Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins and Donovan Peoples-Jones are the only healthy receivers left on the Browns' roster, but the team is expected to activate either Derrick Willies or Ja'Marcus Bradley off the practice squad for additional depth.

McLaurin was a limited participant in Friday's practice due to an ankle injury, Kyle Stackpole of Washington's official site reports.

The ankle injury previously rendered McLaurin questionable ahead of Washington's Thanksgiving Day victory over the Cowboys, but he ultimately received active status and finished with seven receptions for 92 yards. He apparently hasn't completely shaken the ankle issue, but if he's able to upgrade to full participation at Saturday's practice, there won't be any real reason to worry about his availability for a Monday night matchup with Pittsburgh.

Brown (hip) returned to practice Friday, John Glennon of BroadwaySportsMedia.com reports.

The wideout didn't practice Thursday, so his return to the field Friday bodes well for his Week 13 status. Friday's final injury report of the week will reveal whether Brown approaches Sunday's game against Cleveland listed as questionable or minus an injury designation.

Gibson signed with Carolina's practice squad Friday.

Gibson was waived from the team's practice squad two weeks ago but has now returned. He'll hope to stick this time around and will try to work his way up to the game-day roster after Carolina comes out of its Week 13 bye.

Conley (hip) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Vikings, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Conley missed last week's loss to the Browns due to the hip issue, but he may be able to play against the Vikings this weekend. If available, the 28-year-old could be pushed back to a more limited role with DJ Chark, Laviska Shenault and Keelan Cole all healthy.

Chark (ribs) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at Minnesota, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

The 24-year-old sat out Week 12 due to the rib injury and began the week practicing as a limited participant, but he was able to show enough to avoid the questionable tag. Chark will be seeing his first game action with Mike Glennon at quarterback, who took over the starting job last week.

Cephus (non-injury related) rejoined the Lions for practice Friday, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

Cephus was excused from the Lions' first two Week 13 practices for an unspecified reason, but his return to work Friday sets the stage for him to be available Sunday in Chicago. With top wideout Kenny Golladay (hip) seemingly trending toward another absence, Cephus should be active for the contest as a depth option at receiver.

Callaway didn't suit up in Thursday's practice due to a knee injury.

It was reported Tuesday that Callaway suffered a minor knee sprain in last Sunday's win over Denver, so this news isn't quite surprising. With Deonte Harris (neck) also missing practice, the Saints return game could be short handed for Sunday's game against the Falcons.