NFL Player News

Worthy will once again operate as the Chiefs' top wide receiver after Rashee Rice (hamstring/knee) was ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star reports.

It'll be the second consecutive game that Rice will be sidelined due to hamstring and knee injuries that he sustained in Week 4 against the Raiders. Worthy paced the Chiefs with seven catches on as many targets for 73 yards in a Week 6 win against the Chargers, and the third-year wideout once again will lead Kansas City's wide receiver group for Week 7, with Jalen Royals and rookie Cyrus Allen also in the mix for larger roles.

Wicks (ankle) didn't take part in Friday's practice.

With back-to-back DNPs to kick off Week 7 prep due to an ankle issue, Wicks has only one more opportunity to mix into drills Saturday before the Eagles potentially make a ruling on his status for Monday's contest against the Cowboys. Fellow WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring) also hasn't practiced this week, leaving Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper, Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore and Britain Covey as the healthy options at the position on the active roster.

Smith (hamstring) didn't practice Friday.

Smith previously sat out Weeks 4 and 5 due to a hamstring issue, but he was able to suit up this past Sunday against the Panthers, logging a 66 percent snap share and reeling in seven of 14 targets for 75 yards and one touchdown. It's unclear if Smith may be in danger of missing Monday's game versus the Cowboys, but Saturday's practice report will unveil his chances to suit up in Week 7.

Williams (ankle) does not carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Lions, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

A knee injury limited Williams' practice participation all week, but he's done enough to avoid an injury tag for Sunday's NFC North showdown. The second-year pro made his 2026 debut against the Cowboys in Week 8, when he caught all four of his targets for 32 yards and added two carries for nine yards in a 23-13 win for the Packers. Williams figures to operate as Green Bay's WR3 behind Christian Watson and Matthew Golden.

Samuel (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Atlanta, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Samuel was always expected to miss multiple games, with the real question being whether he's ready after a Week 8 bye. He hasn't resumed practicing and will now miss a second straight game, which leaves Jordan Watkins, Brandin Cooks, Jacob Cowing and Christian Kirk (calf) as San Francisco's top WR options in the absence of Mike Evans (out - Achilles).

Waddle (chest) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at Arizona.

Waddle already confirmed that he'll play. He upgraded to full practice participation Friday after being limited earlier in the week. Waddle has a target share of 22 percent and an air-yardage share of 35 percent, but he's averaging just 38.0 receiving yards per game in a struggling Denver offense.

Emeka Egbuka (concussion/foot) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Panthers, so Johnson and the rest of the Buccaneers pass catchers will be tasked with larger roles offensively.

Egbuka has seen at least nine targets in three of the Buccaneers' last four games, and those looks will be spread to Johnson, veteran Chris Godwin and rookie third-rounder Ted Hurst. The loss of Egbuka is significant for Tampa Bay's passing game, but the good news is franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield (thumb) appears on track to return from a three-game absence to play in Week 7. It's been an inconsistent season for Johnson, who has 20 receiving yards or less in four of six regular-season games and has a 7-145-0 receiving line on 13 targets.

Hurst and the other Buccaneers' wide receivers will have elevated roles against the Panthers on Sunday due to the absence of Emeka Egbuka (concussion/foot).

Per Greg Auman of Fox Sports, Egbuka has gotten 43 percent of the targets and 31 percent of the receiving yards among Buccaneers' wide receivers. With Egbuka in concussion protocol, that workload will be taken on by Hurst, Tez Johnson and veteran Chris Godwin on Sunday against a Panthers defense that ranks fifth in the league in passing touchdowns allowed (six) and 18th in passing yards allowed per game (222.0). Hurst -- a third-round selection of the Buccaneers in the 2026 NFL Draft -- has an 11-168-1 receiving line on 22 targets through six regular-season games.

Kirk (calf) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Kirk is expected to be activated from injured reserve Saturday, according to David Lombardi of SFStandard.com, paving the way for the veteran wideout to make his 49ers debut Sunday. With Mike Evans (Achilles) and Deebo Samuel (hamstring) ruled out, San Francisco is desperate for healthy bodies at the position. Kirk should immediately slide in for significant snaps alongside Jordan Watkins and Brandin Cooks at wide receiver.

Waddle (chest) said he is good to go for Sunday's game at Arizona after being listed as a limited practice participant the previous two days, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports.

It remains to be seen if Waddle will duck an injury designation, but he left no doubt that he expects to play.