NFL Player News

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Thursday that Peoples-Jones "more than likely" will remain the team's primary kickoff returner, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Peoples-Jones has been the primary returner on punts and kickoffs the last two weeks, although the coaching staff is looking for improvement from the rookie out of Michigan. In Pittsburgh last week, the Browns also deployed Dontrell Hilliard as a returner.

Hightower secured one of two targets for 59 yards in the Eagles' 22-21 win over the Giants on Thursday night.

As was the case in Week 6 against the Ravens, Hightower's one reception covered plenty of ground, and in Thursday's case, it came at a critical juncture of the contest. The rookie got loose down the right sideline for his 59-yard grab with Philadelphia down by 11 and 6:05 remaining, setting up the Eagles at the Giants' 14-yard line ahead of what would be one of two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Hightower has lived by the big play in the last two games, but he's still been unable to fully capitalize on the plethora of injuries to the Eagles' pass-catching corps. He'll look to offer his downfield dimension once again versus the Cowboys in a Week 8 battle on Sun., Nov. 1.

Ward hauled in five of six targets for 42 yards and a touchdown and returned one punt for 11 yards in the Eagles' 22-21 win over the Giants on Thursday night.

The converted college quarterback turned in a strong effort as a possession option for Carson Wentz throughout the night. Ward checked in second in receptions and third in targets, and his three-yard scoring grab with 4:38 remaining began the comeback from a 21-10 deficit. The 25-year-old had seen his catch total dwindle from four to two between Weeks 5 and 6, so Thursday's resurgence was a welcome sight. However, depending on the statuses of Alshon Jeffery (foot) and DeSean Jackson (leg) for a Week 8 battle against the Cowboys on Sunday, Nov. 1, it's possible Ward is no better than the No. 4 wideout in that contest.

Shepard (toe) secured six of eight targets for 59 yards and a touchdown in the Giants' 22-21 loss to the Eagles on Thursday night.

Making his return from a four-game absence due to a toe injury, Shepard ended up tying Evan Engram for the team lead in receptions while pacing the club in receiving yards. The 27-year-old wideout also came up with what appeared at the time to possibly be a game-clinching score when he recorded a two-yard TD grab with 6:17 remaining. Shepard now has a solid 18 targets over the three games he's suited up for this season, even more impressive when considering he only logged 15 snaps in Week 2 before suffering his injury. He'll now look to take advantage of the extra days of rest afforded to him before a Week 8 Monday night showdown against the Buccaneers on Nov. 2.

Hopkins (ankle) was held out of practice Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Hopkins has yet to participate in practice this week, the result of an ankle injury. He's been relatively healthy in seven-plus seasons as a pro, missing just two of a possible 114 games, so his status bears watching on Friday's injury report.

Watkins (coach's decision) won't suit up in Thursday's game against the Giants.

Watkins has seen limited action since returning from IR with an upper-body injury, seeing just 20 offensive snaps total across the last two games. Watkins appears to have limited-to-no role in the offense going forward, as John Hightower and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside will handle the depth receiver snaps for Thursday's contest.

Shepard (toe) is listed as active Thursday at Philadelphia, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Activated from IR earlier Thursday, Shepard tested out his turf toe injury with some routes during pregame warmups, per Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. Clearly, the activity was enough for the Giants to give Shepard the all-clear to play for the first time since Week 2. While it's unclear if he'll take on his normal workload, he'll likely work in three-wide sets with Darius Slayton and Golden Tate against an Eagles defense that has allowed the sixth-most catches (82) to wide receivers this season.

Allen (back) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Allen has been limited in back-to-back practice sessions, so we'll have to see if he approaches Sunday's game against the Jaguars listed as questionable or free from a Week 7 injury designation. So far, there's nothing to suggest that his availability for the contest is in any peril.

Powell (elbow) was absent from Thursday's injury report, Tori McElhaney of The Athletic reports.

Powell popped up on the injury report Wednesday, as the elbow issue limited him in practice. Now healthy, expect the Florida product to assume his usual duties as the team's return man, while mixing in with depth receiving snaps. In six games this season, the 25-year-old has supplied three catches for 27 yards, 208 kick return yards and 79 punt return yards.

Coach Ron Rivera said Thursday that Foster won't clear COVID-19 protocols in time to play in Sunday's game against Dallas, Kyle Stackpole of Washington's official site reports.

Foster signed with the Football Team on Tuesday so this news isn't surprising. Rivera was quick to praise Foster's speed and special teams ability Thursday, as Foster caught 27 passes for 541 yards (20.0 yards per reception) for the Bills in 2018. Once the Alabama product clears protocols and the team is confident in his grasp of the gameplan, expect Foster to contribute as a depth receiver and on special teams for the remainder of the 2020 campaign.