NFL Player News

Shepard was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to toe and shoulder injuries, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Shepard has been a regular on Giants injury reports this season and even spent a four-week stretch on injured reserve. Since he returned to action Week 7, he's tallied at least six catches in five consecutive games on his way to a 33-283-1 line on 40 targets. Assuming he gets past his current health concerns, Shepard will look to exploit Seattle's 32nd-ranked pass defense Sunday.

Arcega-Whiteside was removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday and returned to practice, Mike Kaye of NJ.com reports.

Arcega-Whiteside tested positive for COVID-19 in mid-November but has cleared the requisite protocols to rejoin his teammates. The underwhelming 2019 second-round pick has caught just two passes all season while failing to climb the Eagles' wide receiver depth chart despite ample opportunities due to injuries around him earlier in the year.

Williams won't practice Wednesday for reasons unrelated to injury, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Williams will have two more chances to return to practice ahead of Sunday's contest against the Patriots, so there's not yet any real reason to worry about his availability.

Sherfield was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.

Sherfield missed last week's game against the Patriots but will be eligible to play Sunday against the Rams. The depth wideout has just one catch this season.

Interim coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that Treadwell will take over Atlanta's "OZ role" in the wake of Olamide Zaccheaus (toe) being placed on IR, Jason Butt of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Treadwell signed with the active roster off the practice squad Tuesday, and it looks as though the 25-year-old will get an immediate chance to slot into a rotational role. By virtue of inheriting Zacchaeus' role, Treadwell stands to do most of his work outside the numbers, and lining up off the line of scrimmage could occasionally allow him to be used in motion. Of course, whenever both Julio Jones (toe) and Calvin Ridley are on the field, Treadwell's usage will likely be minimal.

The Vikings activated Thielen (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.

Thielen, who missed the Vikings' Week 12 win over the Panthers, is thus in line to return to the field Sunday against the Jaguars. His return will be a big boost to the team's passing game, with the 30-year-old having posted a fantasy-friendly 49-646-11 stat line through 10 contests to date.

Cephus caught two of two passes for 27 yards during Thursday's 41-25 loss to Houston.

Each of Cephus, Jamal Agnew and Marvin Hall saw extra playing time in the absence of Kenny Golladay (hip) and Danny Amendola (hip), but none of them capitalized on the favorable matchup against Houston. While it's not clear if Golladay or Amendola could return in Week 13, either way, Cephus probably won't have enough usage to be fantasy relevant.

The Colts aren't expecting Campbell (knee) to return from injured reserve this season, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports.

Citing a team source, Keefer relays that it would take a "minor miracle" for Campbell to play again in 2020 after the wideout required surgery in October to address injuries to the MCL and PCL in his left knee. The 23-year-old has now had both of his first two professional seasons end early due to injuries, as he was limited to just seven appearances as a rookie. Campbell played in just two games in 2020, hauling in six of nine targets for 71 yards in a season-opening loss to the Jaguars before exiting with the knee injury on the first drive of the Colts' Week 2 win over the Vikings.

Agnew was targeted once but did not record a reception during Thursday's loss to Houston.

Agnew saw his second-most offensive snaps of the season in the absence of Kenny Golladay (hip) and Danny Amendola (hip), but he wasn't used much in the passing game despite Detroit trailing for most of the day. Even if Golladay and Amendola remain out in Week 13 against the Bears, the converted cornerback will not be a reliable fantasy option.

Hodge drew eight targets over the last two games after totaling just seven in his previous five outings.

In terms of snap share, Hodge remains the Browns' No. 3 wideout, but quarterback Baker Mayfield is looking his way more often, including on a key fourth-down conversion to extend a scoring drive in last week's win over the Jaguars. Despite his increased role on offense, Hodge's main duty to start the season was blocking for Cleveland's top-ranked rushing offense, while Odell Beckham (knee) and Jarvis Landry were the main options as receivers. He's earned more involvement in the passing game out of necessity with Beckham shut down for the season, catching six passes for 104 yards between the past two games.