NFL Player News

Coach Bruce Arians said Wednesday that the Buccaneers have no plans to place Evans (hamstring) on injured reserve, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

The results of the MRI that Evans underwent earlier this week haven't been disclosed, but Arians confirmed Wednesday that the star wideout is dealing with a hamstring strain. Though prior reports indicated that Evans' injury would sideline him for the remainder of 2019, the Buccaneers are holding out hope that the 26-year-old can progress quickly and return to the lineup for the final two games of the season. In any case, Evans looks likely to miss at least Sunday's game against the Lions, leaving Chris Godwin as the clear No. 1 option in Tampa Bay's aerial attack. Meanwhile, depth wideouts Breshad Perriman, Justin Watson and Scott Miller (hamstring) could all play expanded roles while Evans is out.

Humphries (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

It's too early to rule Humphries out for Sunday's game against the Texans, but he's now missed four straight practices. If the slot man is unavailable or limited this weekend, added snaps behind A.J. Brown and Corey Davis would once again be Tajae Sharpe's for the taking.

Thielen (hamstring) is on track to play Sunday against the Chargers for the first time since Week 9, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Thielen made an appearance on the practice field Wednesday, his first activity since Nov. 30. As mentioned by Schefter, the Vikings expect to have Thielen back in the lineup Week 15, so long as he avoids a setback with his right hamstring. The Vikings will indicate whether Thielen was a limited or full participant in Wednesday's practice when they release their first report of Week 15 later in the day.

Perriman will work as the Buccaneers' No. 2 receiver over the final three games of the regular season if Mike Evans (hamstring) is sidelined for those contests, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported would be the case.

Perriman had already been enjoying a slightly increased role in the offense prior to Evans' first-quarter injury in Week 14, following a dismal start to the season that saw the 2015 first-round pick bring in just three of his first 16 targets as a member of the Buccaneers. He finished Sunday's win over the Colts with a 3-70-1 line that included what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown. With Evans likely out of the picture, Perriman now appears in line to serve as the clear No. 2 option alongside top wideout Chris Godwin for the final three games of 2019, a stretch that notably consists of matchups against the vulnerable secondaries of the Lions, Texans and Falcons.

Montgomery (foot/hip) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Ravens, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Montgomery was limited in practice during the Jets' short week while tending to the two injuries. With Bilal Powell (ankle/illness) already ruled out for Week 15, Montgomery -- if cleared to play -- will likely serve as the top backup to No. 1 back Le'Veon Bell.

Thielen (hamstring) returned to practice Wednesday, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

This marks Thielen's first appearance at practice since Nov. 30 as he tends to a lingering right hamstring injury. During the session, he ran routes and caught passes, but his activity level won't be known until the release of Wednesday's injury report.

Wilson signed with the Panthers' practice squad Wednesday, Max Henson of the Panthers' official site reports.

Wilson played six games with the Buccaneers this season, working as a depth wideout and return man, but fumbling woes led to his departure. The Panthers waived returner Greg Dortch for the same reason Tuesday, but Wilson may get a shot at a fresh start Sunday against the Seahawks if promoted to the active roster.

Parker (concussion) is taking part in non-contact drills during Wednesday's practice, Hal Habib of The Palm Beach Post reports.

Parker suffered the head injury in the loss to the Jets over the weekend and will need to advance through the league's five-step concussion protocol before returning to game action. It's at least encouraging that the receiver is already taking some form of activity, but his status for Sunday's tilt with the Giants will be up in the air until he's removed from the protocol. With Albert Wilson (concussion) also limited to non-contact work at this stage, Miami's only healthy wideouts to begin the week are Allen Hurns, Isaiah Ford, Mack Hollins and Trevor Davis.

Beckham (groin) is participating in Wednesday's practice on a limited basis, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Per Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Beckham acknowledged over the weekend that he may require surgery during the offseason to address what's believed to be a sports hernia, though the wideout is expected to continue playing through the issue. That said, the Browns will likely restrict Beckham's workload in practices the rest of the season, as has already been the case since late November. Beckham has been able to handle full snap loads on game days throughout the campaign, but he no longer looks like the must-start fantasy option he was during his tenure with the Giants. Beckham has scored just two touchdowns this season and hasn't topped 100 receiving yards since Week 6.

Chark (ankle) won't practice Wednesday, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Chark was spotted in a walking boot after Sunday's 45-10 loss to the Chargers, with coach Doug Marrone stating afterward that the wideout could be either day-to-day or week-to-week. It wasn't the most helpful comment, but Marrone at least seemed to be hinting that the Jaguars still have hope for Chark to play again this season. An absence for Week 15 in Oakland would free up a regular spot for Keelan Cole in three-wide formations, working alongside Chris Conley and Dede Westbrook.