NFL Player News

Brown (knee/rest) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Brown's absence will be for rest and injury avoidance more so than anything to do with his minor knee injury. He should be ready for a full workload in the wild-card round of the playoffs against Washington or Green Bay.

Smith (rest/wrist) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Giants.

The Eagles have a slew of starters listed as either out or doubtful. There's been no indication that Smith's wrist injury is a concern for the playoffs.

Dowell (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Texans, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Dowell will remain on the reserve/PUP list to close out the campaign after he tore his ACL and meniscus in Week 17 of last season. The 2023 seventh-round pick will look to have a healthy offseason and compete for a roster spot next summer.

Shepard (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints.

Shepard's hoping to suit up after being limited in all three of Tampa Bay's practices during the week. If the veteran wideout takes the field, he'll likely work as the third option in Tampa Bay's receiving corps behind Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan. The Buccaneers would secure a playoff berth with a win.

Olave (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, Jeff Nowak of WWL Louisiana reports.

Long-time Saints beat reporter Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football says he'll be "pretty surprised" if Olave plays. Olave has been a full practice participant for the past two weeks and wants to play, but the Saints have concerns about both his concussion history and conditioning level. They'll need to active him from injured reserve Saturday if he's going to play Sunday.

Polk (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bills, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

Polk was the No. 37 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and posted a miserable rookie season, finishing the year with 12 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns on 33 targets. After opening the season as a starter, Polk fell behind Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne on the depth chart. At 0.35 yards per route run as a rookie, Polk was dead last among 111 qualifying wide receivers.

Ford-Wheaton (shoulder) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Eagles, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

The 24-year-old wideout began the Giants' week of practice with back-to-back limited sessions due to a shoulder injury sustained in early December. Ford-Wheaton then upgraded to full participation Friday, suggesting he's recovered from the issue enough to suit up in Week 18. The West Virginia product has played almost strictly on special teams this season and is expected to reprise that role in Sunday's divisional matchup.

Odunze (illness) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Packers.

Odunze returned to full practice participation Friday after an illness kept him out the previous two days. He had one of his better games of the year the last time he faced Green Bay, catching six of 10 targets for 65 yards in a 20-19 loss in Week 11.

Nacua will be held out of Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Nacua finished the regular season with 990 receiving yards, one year after setting the rookie record. He'll be back in action for the wild-card round against Detroit, Minnesota, Washington or Green Bay.

Kupp will be held out of Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

The same goes for QB Matthew Stafford, RB Kyren Williams and WR Puka Nacua, among others. Kupp and Co. will be back on the field for the wild-card round to host the Lions, Vikings, Commanders or Packers.