NFL Player News

The Buccaneers activated Johnson (ankle) from injured reserve Saturday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Johnson has been on injured reserve since Oct. 21 due to an ankle injury that he aggravated against the Falcons in Week 5. He's been a full participant in practice over the last two weeks, and his activation off IR indicates that he should be able to suit up against the Panthers on Sunday, though he is still listed as questionable. Johnson will provide depth at wide receiver and gives the Buccaneers another return option for kickoffs and punts.

The Bills elevated Shavers to the 53-man roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Jets.

Shavers will be elevated for the third time this season and first time since Week 10. The pass catcher will provide depth at wide receiver behind Khalil Shakir, Amari Cooper, Keon Coleman, Mack Hollins and Curtis Samuel (ribs). He has seen the field for 22 offensive snaps across two games and has yet to see a target.

Johnston caught five passes for 48 yards on eight targets in Saturday's 40-7 win over the Patriots.

Johnston dropped another pass and ideally would have done more with eight targets on a day where Justin Herbert threw for 284 yards and three touchdowns. There have been flickers from Johnston every so often throughout 2024, and the Chargers are clearly committed to giving him starter-level snaps, but it would be really nice to see Johnston even out his game and become more dependable. Johnston heads into his Week 18 matchup against Las Vegas with a catch rate of 54.5 percent at just 6.8 yards per target -- unacceptable numbers for a starting wideout playing in a Herbert offense.

The Eagles placed Covey (neck) on injured reserve Saturday.

Covey has been nursing a neck injury that he picked up against the Ravens in Week 13. That has forced him to be sidelined for the Eagles' last three games, and he has already been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Cowboys. Covey's placement on IR means his regular season is over, but he could return in the postseason if the Eagles make it to the NFC Championship Game. Covey will finish the 2024 regular season with seven catches (on eight targets) for 34 yards while adding 46 punt return yards in five games.

McConkey caught eight passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns on 10 targets against New England in a 40-7 win Saturday.

McConkey is not only the WR1 for the Chargers, but the only wideout the Chargers have who can consistently produce. Although McConkey wasn't considered a classic WR1 as a prospect, the distance between him and the second-best Chargers wide receiver is substantial. McConkey has 77 receptions for 1,054 yards and seven touchdowns on 104 targets through 15 games, providing standout volume on elite efficiency (74.0 percent catch rate, 10.1 yards per target). The Raiders might present McConkey a challenging Week 18 matchup with slot corner Nate Hobbs, but McConkey has earned a major benefit of the doubt at this point.

The Saints have ruled out Olave (concussion) for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Olave was tagged with a questionable designation on the Saints' final Week 17 injury report after logging three straight full listings, but he hasn't progressed enough in the concussion protocol to make his first appearance since Week 9. With Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest) also questionable for Sunday's contest, Kevin Austin, Dante Pettis, Cedrick Wilson and Mason Tipton are the healthy wide receivers on New Orleans' active roster. Olave will need to be activated from injured reserve in order to have a chance to play Week 18 at Tampa Bay.

Raymond (foot) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the 49ers despite being a full participant in Saturday's practice, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Raymond's 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve opened Tuesday, and he was a full participant in practice all week. However, he will not be activated off IR for Monday's game, and his next opportunity to play will be in Week 18 against the Vikings.

Palmer exited Saturday's game at New England due to a heel injury.

At the time he was deemed questionable to return in the third quarter Saturday, Palmer had hauled in four of six targets for 41 yards. As long as Palmer is sidelined, DJ Chark and Derius Davis will be the tertiary options at wide receiver for the Chargers behind Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.

Jones (groin) is listed as inactive for Saturday's matchup with the Broncos.

Jones' absence will mark his eighth straight game missed due to a groin injury. While he drew a questionable designation for the contest, he will ultimately not be able to play through it. As a result, Khalil Herbert and Isaiah Williams will continue to serve as the punt and kick returners for Cincinnati.

Higgins (ankle/knee) is listed as active for Saturday's game against the Broncos.

Higgins, who was listed as limited on all three of the Bengals' practice reports this week, subsequently approached the contest listed as questionable. With his availability versus Denver confirmed, Higgins is slated to maintain his key role in the Bengals passing offense alongside fellow starting wideout Ja'Marr Chase, a role that has led to Higgins recording a fantasy-worthy 58/727/7 receiving line (on 92 targets) in 10 games this season.