NFL Player News

Godwin (finger) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Coach Bruce Arians indicated earlier in the day that Godwin would be a full participant in the Buccaneers' first Week 9 practice, but the team's official injury report told a different story. At the very least, Godwin ability to handle even limited reps is encouraging, though Arians noted that the Buccaneers wouldn't known until Friday whether the receiver will be able to catch passes with his surgically repaired left index finger, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN.com. Of course, the Buccaneers' addition of Antonio Brown could result in Godwin seeing increased competition for targets even if he's able to suit up Sunday against the Saints.

Humphries (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday, John Glennon of BroadwaySportsMedia.com reports.

Humphries' absence to start the week isn't surprising after he was carted off following a scary blow to the head in Sunday's loss to the Bengals. The slot receiver will need to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol in order to play this weekend versus the Bears.

Cobb didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Cobb will hope to shake off the illness in time to suit up for Sunday's matchup versus a porous Jaguars secondary. If the slot receiver can't go, Kenny Stills would benefit from more snaps alongside starters Brandin Cooks and Will Fuller.

Shepard (shoulder/toe) was listed as limited on Wednesday's practice report, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

After sitting out Weeks 3 through 6 due to a turf toe injury, Shepard has played back-to-back games while dealing with a shoulder issue. His production hasn't dipped at all -- 14 catches (on 18 targets) for 133 yards and one touchdown over the last two contests -- so he may be going through the motions before getting cleared by the Giants to suit up Week 9 in Washington. In any case, Shepard's status bears watching as the weekend approaches.

Gage was limited in practice Wednesday due to shoulder and knee injuries, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

Meanwhile, Calvin Ridley was unable to practice due to a mid-foot sprain suffered last Thursday at Carolina, a development that may open up some reps for Gage if the former is forced to miss some time. Since opening the season with 15 catches (on 21 targets) for 160 yards a touchdown between the first two games, Gage has only surpassed 50 receiving yards in four of the last six contests. Assuming he can get past his own health concerns, he'll look to get back on track Sunday against the Broncos.

Patrick (hamstring) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Patrick wasn't able to suit up for Sunday's 31-30 win over the Chargers, but his return to practice as a limited participant is seemingly an encouraging sign. The Broncos will monitor Patrick during practices Thursday and Friday before making a decision regarding his status for a Week 9 game at Atlanta.

Hinton is signing with the Broncos' practice squad Wednesday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

The undrafted rookie from Wake Forest will hope to impress on the practice squad and work his way up to the 53-man roster. Hinton fits in nicely with Denver's skill position youth movement on offense.

Sims (toe) appeared to be a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Kyle Stackpole of Washington's official site reports.

Sims currently resides on injured reserve, which means the team won't list him on its daily practice reports this week. Based on Stackpole's report though, Sims appears to at least have a shot at playing in Sunday's game against the Giants. Dontrelle Inman and Isaiah Wright (shoulder) got most of the wideout snaps and targets behind Terry McLaurin over the past month while Sims was out, so there is a clear opening for him to reclaim a top-three role.

Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said Godwin (finger) participated fully in Wednesday's walk-through practice, though the receiver didn't catch passes during the session, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports. "We won't know until Friday if he can catch a ball," Arians said of Godwin.

While a player's full participation to begin the week of practice normally bodes well for his chances of gaining clearance for game action, Arians' comments imply that Godwin's status will still need to be monitored heading into the weekend. Godwin, who is looking to return from Oct. 27 surgery to repair a fractured left index finger, has been Tom Brady's favorite target when he's been healthy this season, with the wideout producing 25 receptions for 279 yards and two touchdowns over the four games he's played. The 24-year-old may notice a slight downturn in his opportunities once cleared to play, however, as the Buccaneers will add seven-time Pro Bowler Antonio Brown to their pass-catching group this Sunday against the Saints.

Wims will begin serving a two-game suspension Wednesday after NFL appeals officer James Thrash upheld the receiver's ban, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The wideout will sit out the Bears' Week 9 matchup with the Titans and Week 10 matchup with the Vikings after he was ejected in Sunday's 26-23 overtime loss to the Saints for punching New Orleans' C.J. Gardner-Johnson. With Wims serving his suspension and with Ted Ginn being released earlier Wednesday, Chicago currently has Allen Robinson, Darnell Mooney, Anthony Miller and Riley Ridley as the available receivers on its 53-man roster.