NFL Player News

Johnson returned two kickoffs for 42 yards and ran back six punts for 100 yards during the Buccaneers' 31-25 loss to the Eagles in Week 4.

Johnson logged six snaps from scrimmage without a target, but he made a significant impact in his special-teams role. The second-year wideout has averaged a modest 21.0 yards per kickoff return, but he's now up to 15.9 yards per punt runback after an impressive 46-yard return early in the third quarter. Johnson would likely need multiple injuries at receiver to make an impact on offense, but he has the talent to develop into a consistent weapon on returns.

Shepard didn't participate in Wednesday's walkthrough due to a foot injury, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Shepard has been regularly playing at least 60 percent of the offensive snaps this season, and this past Sunday's loss to the Eagles was no different. While Mike Evans (hamstring) was sidelined, Chris Godwin (foot) made his season debut, and Shepard finished third in snap share (62 percent) behind rookie Emeka Egbuka (89 percent) and Godwin (81 percent). The result, at least for Week 4, was modest for Shepard (2-14-0 on four targets), and he now is dealing with a health concern. Evans still wasn't practicing as of Wednesday and is expected to miss multiple games, so if Shepard is able to prove his health by the end of the week, he should resume his standing as the Buccaneers' No. 3 WR on Sunday in Seattle.

Evans (hamstring) didn't participate in Wednesday's walkthrough, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Evans made an early exit from the Buccaneers' Week 3 win against the Jets with what eventually was termed a moderate hamstring strain. He's expected to be out multiple weeks as a result, and until he steps back on the practice field, he likely won't be a candidate for active status on game days. Friday's injury report may include an official declaration of Evans' availability for Sunday's game at Seattle after he sat out a Week 4 loss to the Eagles.

Fehoko (concussion) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Fehoko suffered a concussion in last Thursday night's loss to the Seahawks and remains in the league's protocol. Fehoko has yet to play an offensive snap this season but has logged 38 on special teams.

Brown (groin/knee) missed Wednesday's practice.

Brown hasn't practiced since sustaining a groin injury during a Week 2 loss at Green Bay, but he was spotted on the side working with a strength coach Wednesday, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. With Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Deebo Samuel (heel) also not practicing Wednesday, the Commanders' receiving corps is in flux in advance of Sunday's game at the Chargers.

Samuel didn't practice Wednesday due to a heel injury.

With Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Noah Brown (groin/knee) inactive this past Sunday in Atlanta, Samuel hauled in all six targets for 72 yards and one touchdown and added three carries for nine yards on an 86 percent snap share. As the Commanders kick off Week 5 prep, though, Samuel has joined McLaurin and Brown as non-participants, leaving the top of the team's receiving corps in flux ahead of Sunday's contest at the Chargers.

Palmer (ankle) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Palmer has yet to play in a game this season, as he previously dealt with a hamstring issue. The ankle injury is new, and it's unclear if Palmer will even be active when he's healthy.

McLaurin (quadriceps) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice.

Along with McLaurin, fellow WRs Deebo Samuel (heel) and Noah Brown (groin/knee) also were held out of drills Wednesday. On Monday, coach Dan Quinn told JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington that McLaurin and Brown were "trending in the right direction," but with the team's top three options at the position not able to practice, the state of the Commanders' receiving corps is in flux ahead of Sunday's game at the Chargers. McLaurin himself sat out Week 4 in Atlanta due to a quad issue, so it remains to be seen if his absence will extend to two contests.

Walker (oblique) did not practice Wednesday, Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun reports.

It's a new injury for Walker, who had his snaps cut in Week 4 against the Chiefs, as he played just four offensive snaps after having 20 total in Weeks 2 and 3. Walker is operating as a depth wideout and special teams player for the Ravens.

Dortch was limited in practice Wednesday due to a collarbone injury, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.

With Zay Jones (concussion) sidelined last Thursday against the Seahawks, Dortch experienced his most usage of the season on offense, turning a 64 percent snap share into four catches (on five targets) for 35 yards. Dortch also had one carry for four yards, three kick returns for 82 yards and one punt return for 15 yards. Now with a health concern of his own, Dortch is among three Cardinals wide receivers -- also, Jones and Simi Fehoko (concussion) -- that's limited to kick off Week 5 prep.