NFL Player News

Brown (shoulder) is expected to be activated off injured reserve ahead of Saturday's game against the Texans, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The Chiefs will need to officially activate Brown off IR ahead of the contest, but it appears like the speedy wideout is on a direct path to making his season debut in Week 16. It's unclear to what degree Brown will be utilized in his first game action since Week 15 of the 2023 campaign, but the team will gladly welcome the 27-year-old's field-stretching speed to an offense that has struggled to produce explosive plays this season.

Metcalf (shoulder) was a non-participant in practice Wednesday, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

For a fourth week in a row, Metcalf is tending to a shoulder injury, but he's been able to suit up in each of the past three games en route to a 11-143-0 line on 18 targets during that span. How much work, if any, he's able to handle in practices Thursday and Friday likely will determine whether he carries a designation into Sunday's contest against the Vikings.

Shepard (foot) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice report.

Shepard was able to play through the foot issue in this past Sunday's 40-17 win over the Chargers, though he played just 48 percent of the Buccaneers' offensive snaps and finished with one catch for 16 yards. The veteran wide receiver should be able to play against the Cowboys this Sunday, so long as he's able to practice in some capacity by Friday. Shepard has accumulated 14 catches (on 21 targets) for 137 yards in the four games since Tampa Bay's Week 11 bye.

Hill (wrist/rest) didn't practice Wednesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Hill has been managing a wrist issue for several weeks, but the fact that the Dolphins also cited rest as a reason for the wideout's lack of participation Wednesday suggests that his reps are simply being managed as Sunday's game against the 49ers approaches. As long as he practices fully by Friday, Hill should head into the weekend without an injury designation.

Eskridge (knee) was listed as a DNP on Wednesday's injury report, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Eskridge was sidelined for the Dolphins' Week 15 loss to the Texans due to a knee injury he suffered the week prior against the Jets. He'll have to return to practice in at least a limited capacity over the next two days in order to have a chance at playing against the 49ers on Sunday. Malik Washington would be slated to serve as the Dolphins' primary returner on kickoffs and punts if Eskridge were to be sidelined.

Lamb (shoulder) was a limited participant at Wednesday's walk-through practice, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Lamb continues to operate with a cap on his practice reps, as he's done most weeks since initially suffering an AC joint injury in his shoulder back in Week 9. In six games in the meantime, he's produced a 41-429-2 line on 60 targets. Lamb will have two more opportunities this week to practice fully or otherwise risk taking a designation into Sunday's contest against the Buccaneers.

Covey (neck) was listed as a full practice participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report.

Covey has been sidelined for the Eagles' last two games due to a neck injury. While he didn't end up playing in the Eagles' Week 15 win over the Steelers despite logging a full practice, it appears he is on track to play against the Commanders on Sunday.

Jones (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Jones has been sidelined for the Bengals' last seven games due to a groin injury, so Wednesday's limited session could be a sign he's nearing a return to the field. The second-year wideout's practice participation Thursday and Friday will likely offer the best indication of whether he can return in Week 16, when the Bengals host the Browns. If Jones misses his eighth consecutive game Sunday, expect Khalil Herbert and Isaiah Williams to serve as Cincinnati's top kick and punt returners, respectively.

Baker (concussion) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Baker was sidelined for the Patriots' Week 15 loss to the Cardinals due to a concussion, which he disclosed Wednesday that he sustained during a car accident, per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. Though the rookie told Reiss that he passed the concussion protocol, Baker will still likely need to upgrade to full practice participation by Friday in order to play Sunday against the Bills. Baker has failed to register a catch over his eight appearances on the season.

Meyers (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Meyers had his reps capped in practices Thursday and Friday due to the same injury, but he was deemed a full participant Saturday and entered Monday's loss to the Falcons without an injury designation. With no reported setbacks coming out of Monday's contest, Meyers' limitations Wednesday may have well been maintenance-related. The expectation is that Meyers will be available for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, a contest in which the Raiders should welcome Aidan O'Connell (knee) back to the lineup after the quarterback was inactive Week 15.