NFL Player News

Johnson and James Washington are expected to serve as the Steelers' primary options at wide receiver Sunday against the Browns with JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) ruled out for a second straight game, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Pryor speculates that Deon Cain could also see a bump in snaps after making a big 35-yard catch in last week's 16-10 win over Cincinnati, but Johnson and Washington should remain the team's clear top two receivers after handling 68 percent and 78 percent offensive snaps shares, respectively, against the Bengals. Washington provided the top highlight last week -- a 79-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown -- but the wideouts have seen similar involvement in the passing game throughout the season. Through 11 outings, Johnson has turned 56 targets into 35 receptions for 409 yards and three touchdowns.

Thielen (hamstring) isn't sure if he'll play in Monday's game against the Seahawks, but he mentioned that everything has gone according to plan so far, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. "Now I have to show I can do it, and I can do it over and over and over and it can hold up," Thielen said Friday.

Thielen returned to practice Friday as a limited participant and spoke with the media afterward, noting that he doesn't expect his availability to come down to a game-time decision or a pregame workout. He anticipates knowing his status by Saturday or Sunday, but that doesn't necessarily mean the decision will be public knowledge. Thielen also mentioned that he's unlikely to play in the game unless his hamstring is deemed 100 percent healthy, per Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The Vikings will release their final injury report for Week 13 on Saturday.

Samuel (shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Samuel had no problem playing through the same injury last week, catching both of his targets for 50 yards and a touchdown in a 37-8 win over the Packers. A matchup with Baltimore's first-rate secondary appears tricky, but the bright side is that it should encourage more passing volume for Jimmy Garoppolo, who attempted just 20 passes in last week's blowout.

Pettis (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Baltimore, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Pettis is believed to have suffered a knee sprain during Wednesday's practice, adding one more obstacle to a disappointing season. His absence won't have much impact on the 49ers' Week 13 game plan, as he played just nine snaps on offense the past two weeks.

Adams (toe) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Giants.

Adams never advanced beyond limited participation in practices this week, but those restrictions were likely just maintenance-related rather than indicative of a setback with the toe injury that previously cost him four games. In his three outings since returning to action, Adams has caught 21 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown across 33 targets.

Campbell (hand) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans.

Despite practicing all week -- albeit in a limited fashion -- Campbell's Week 13 status remains unclear, according to Andrew Walker of the Colts' official site. As evidence, coach Frank Reich noted Friday, "I'm not so sure [Campbell's] gonna make it this week, but we're gonna wait another day to make that decision." If Campbell is limited or out Sunday, Zach Pascal, Chester Rogers and Marcus Johnson would continue to see added snaps at wide receiver this weekend. T.Y. Hilton (calf) and Devin Funchess (collarbone) have already been ruled out by the team.

Agholor (knee) was a full participant in Friday's practice.

The Eagles listed Agholor as a limited participant on their first two practice reports of Week 13, but he'll enter Sunday's game against the Dolphins minus an injury designation after he handled all of the reps during Friday's session. While both Agholor and Alshon Jeffery (ankle) were sidelined for the Week 12 loss to the Seahawks, Jordan Matthews (three catches for 27 yards on six targets), J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (two catches for 43 yards on five targets) and Greg Ward (six catches for 40 yards on seven targets) all saw notable snap counts. Matthews has since been released, while Arcega-Whiteside and Ward should see their workloads scaled back considerably now that the team's top two wideouts are ostensibly healthy again.

Hodge (Achilles) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Hodge logged three full practices this week, but he's drawn an injury tag due to the tricky nature of Achilles injuries. The second-year pro plays a depth role in Cleveland's wideout corps behind Odell Beckham, Jarvis Landry and Rashard Higgins. If he were forced to miss any time, it would mean increased depth opportunities for Damion Ratley and Taywan Taylor.

Beckham (groin) won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Steelers after turning in a limited showing in practice Friday, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Beckham wasn't able to advance to full participation in practice at any point Wednesday through Friday, but the fact that he enters the weekend minus an injury designation implies the Browns are reasonably comfortable with his health. The star wideout finally broke through for his first touchdown reception in eight games in last week's win over the Dolphins, but he may have a tougher time keeping the momentum going against Pittsburgh's eighth-ranked pass defense (217.2 yards allowed per game).

The Steelers have ruled Smith-Schuster (knee) out for Sunday's game against the Browns, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Though Smith-Schuster cleared the NFL's concussion protocol earlier this week, the left knee injury he picked up in the Steelers' first matchup with the Browns in Week 11 is still bothering him. After he failed to practice in any fashion Wednesday through Friday, Smith-Schuster will be forced out for a second straight game. His absence leaves James Washington and Diontae Johnson as new starting quarterback Devlin Hodges' top two options at receiver for Week 13.