NFL Player News

The Buccaneers are hoping Evans (hamstring) can return to practice this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

With Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) expected to miss some time and Chris Godwin (fibula) already essentially ruled out for Week 7 by coach Todd Bowles on Monday, Tampa Bay could really use Evans back in the lineup. Evans was injured Week 3 and has missed the Bucs' last three contests. At the time of his injury, he was initially given a return timeline of 3-to-4 weeks, so the veteran wide receiver should be inching closer to a return to the field. Fantasy players will have a better idea of Evans' upcoming availability later this week, as the Bucs travel to Detroit to face the Lions next Monday night.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Godwin (fibula) is "not in play" to return to the field versus the Lions in Week 7 on Monday, Oct. 20, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Godwin didn't practice at all en route to being ruled out for Sunday's win over the 49ers, and he now is slated to miss a second consecutive game. Bowles also said running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) won't be a candidate to return for Monday Night Football versus Detroit. Tampa Bay could get Mike Evans (hamstring) back at practice, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, but with rookie phenom Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) looking uncertain for Week 7, Godwin's absence will be a notable blow for the Buccaneers' passing game.

Thornton was not targeted during Sunday night's 30-17 win over Detroit.

Thornton fell back to earth Week 6, playing just 27 percent of offensive snaps and finishing without a target for the first time this season. His decline in usage and involvement bodes especially poorly with Rashee Rice (suspension) eligible for reinstatement Week 7 versus the Raiders. As such, Thornton looks positioned to work behind all of Rice, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster this Sunday. Such a role could relegate Thornton to little more than scripted downfield plays.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that Austin's (shoulder) status is in question for Thursday night's game against the Bengals, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Austin was injured in the Steelers' Week 4 win over the Vikings and then missed this past Sunday's Week 6 contest against the Browns following Pittsburgh's Week 5 bye. It sounds like he may need another week to recover due to the short week ahead. If Austin does indeed miss Thursday night's game, he'll have 10 days to get ready for a Week 8 date with the Packers. With Austin out versus Cleveland, Scotty Miller, Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek split wide receiver duties behind DK Metcalf. However, the Steelers leaned more on three-tight end sets rather than multiple wideouts.

Rams coach Sean McVay said Monday that Atwell (hamstring) is expected to return to action Week 7 against the Jaguars, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Atwell missed Sunday's 17-3 win over Baltimore due to a hamstring issue, but in the two games prior he totaled a 3-160-1 line on six targets. With star wideout Puka Nacua (ankle) considered day-to-day and uncertain to face Jacksonville, it would be a notable boost for Matthew Stafford and Los Angeles' passing offense to get a field stretcher as capable as Atwell back in the lineup.

Robinson had two receptions (on three targets) for 44 yards in Sunday's 30-19 loss to the Buccaneers.

Robinson was demoted to No. 4 on the 49ers' depth chart with the return of Jauan Jennings (ribs) to the starting lineup Sunday. The 30-year-old Robinson still finished with his highest yardage total since joining San Francisco this past offseason after breaking off a 31-yard reception in the second quarter. Robinson logged only 13 snaps (19 percent) for a shorthanded offense Sunday, a concerning trend for a player who was expected to step into a larger role with his new club. The veteran wideout makes for a risky play Week 7 against the Falcons with such a limited role.

Smith didn't catch his only target in Sunday's 13-11 loss to the Broncos.

Smith had one deep ball thrown his way, but Justin Fields failed to connect with the rookie speedster. That wasn't a surprising outcome considering Fields threw for only 45 yards in the game. Smith could get more involved in the offense against the Panthers in Week 7 if Garrett Wilson (knee) sits out or is limited.

Dulin had two kick returns for an average of 29.5 yards in Sunday's win over Arizona. He played just one snap on offense.

Dulin had five targets and two receptions for 55 yards the previous week against Las Vegas, but moved back to a bench role with Alec Pierce returning from a concussion. Dulin is a key player on special teams but could still be used as a fourth receiver, as he may have moved ahead of Adonai Mitchell on the depth chart. Mitchell was a healthy inactive for Sunday's game.

Johnson didn't catch his only target in Sunday's 13-11 loss to the Broncos.

Justin Fields threw for just 45 yards, so Johnson unsurprisingly failed to get involved in the low-scoring loss. Even if Garrett Wilson (knee) were to sit out Week 7 against the Panthers, Johnson's upside would be capped due to Fields' struggles throwing the ball.

Rams coach Sean McVay said Monday that Nacua (ankle) is "day-to-day," Tyler Dragon of USA Today reports.

The star wideout suffered a left ankle sprain during Sunday's 17-3 win at Baltimore, but Nacua being described in such a manner by McVay is a touch more optimistic than a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that suggested he's set to miss time. Nacua's status appears uncertain at best for Los Angeles' matchup against the Jaguars in London in Week 7, and a Week 8 bye could nudge the team in the direction of caution. McVay hasn't ruled Nacua out yet for this coming Sunday's game, Dragon confirms, so final clarity on his status likely won't arrive until the Rams have had a chance to evaluate him at practice. Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports that scans have indicated Nacua isn't dealing with a long-term injury.