NFL Player News

Hightower is one of four healthy wide receivers on the Eagles' roster ahead of Sunday's game in Pittsburgh, Jeff Skervsky of 6 ABC Philadelphia reports.

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside is returning from a chest injury after missing one game, but DeSean Jackson (hamstring) and Alshon Jeffery (calf) will be out for at least one more week. Hightower played 86 and 81 percent of snaps in Philadelphia's past two games, catching four of five targets for 41 yards. It's possible the steady playing time eventually leads to more targets, but Zach Ertz, Greg Ward and Miles Sanders are the safer bets to see passes from Carson Wentz.

Williams (hamstring) returned to practice Friday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

The Chargers won't reveal until after the session whether Williams was a limited or full participant, but his return to practice in any capacity suggests that he could suit up Monday night against the Saints after sitting out the team's Week 4 loss to the Buccaneers.

Perriman (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.

With Perriman likely out Sunday, Chris Hogan (ribs/knee) -- assuming he's active -- and Jeff Smith are expected to handle increased roles in the Jets' Week 5 passing offense alongside slot man Jamison Crowder.

Samuel (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Miami, as he still needs to pass another test to ensure he doesn't have COVID-19, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Samuel was held out of practice Thursday and Friday while recovering from an illness and contending with a fever. Tests apparently came back negative for COVID-19, but he'll need to make it through another round of testing before he's cleared to play in Sunday's game. While it sounds like the wide receiver should be able to suit up, the situation will require some monitoring over the weekend. Samuel is still working his way back into top shape following summer foot surgery, playing only 34 percent of offensive snaps in his season debut last weekend against the Eagles. A Week 5 absence would free up more snaps for Kendrick Bourne and Trent Taylor, while Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle could shoulder more of the target load.

Edwards (ankle/foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

Edwards, who didn't practice Wednesday through Friday, thus remains in the week-to-week category, but perhaps the team's Week 6 bye will afford him enough recovery time to suit up Oct. 25 against the Buccaneers. On the plus side for the Raiders, fellow rookie Henry Ruggs (knee/hamstring) -- who is listed as questionable -- has a good chance to return to action this weekend.

Johnson was promoted to the Chargers' active roster from the practice squad Friday.

The 23-year-old was elevated to the active roster as an extra player for Week 4 and caught a 53-yard touchdown while playing eight offensive snaps, and he'll now rejoin the roster on a longer-term basis with Austin Ekeler (hamstring) heading to injured reserve. The Chargers already have six other wideouts on the roster and only Mike Williams (hamstring) is dealing with an injury, so Johnson seems unlikely to receive consistent opportunities.

Mickens brought in both his targets for 22 yards, returned one kickoff for 25 yards and ran back two punts for 20 yards in the Buccaneers' 20-19 loss to the Bears on Thursday night.

The fourth-year wideout/return man saw his first two targets of the season, as he enjoyed a bigger role than usual with Chris Godwin (concussion) and Justin Watson (chest) both sitting out the contest. Mickens also continued to do a solid job in the return game, and he projects to continue to run back both punts and kicks for the foreseeable future with Kenjon Barner (suspension) out for the next four games. Mickens' expanded opportunity on offense isn't expected to be lasting, however, as Godwin and Watson could both be back for a Week 6 home matchup against the Packers on Sunday, Oct. 18.

Moore (thigh/finger) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Bengals.

Moore has missed the first four games of the season between the thigh and finger injuries, but it appears he'll have a chance to suit up Sunday. The 27-year-old caught three passes for 21 yards in 14 games for Baltimore last season, so he's unlikely to be a significant factor in the passing game.

Samuel (illness) is absent from practice again Friday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Samuel returned from foot surgery to handle a limited role in last week's 25-20 loss to the Eagles, gaining 45 yards on four touches while playing 34 percent of offensive snaps in his season debut. He should see his workload expand this weekend -- at least to some extent -- unless the illness prevents him from playing against the Dolphins. Another update will be available when the 49ers release their final injury report later Friday.

The Ravens list Brown (knee) as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Brown followed a limited showing Wednesday with full participation Thursday and Friday, so he's seemingly trending toward playing Sunday. Brown has yet to find paydirt this season, but he's seen consistent involvement in the passing game, logging between six and eight targets through each of the Ravens' first four games.