NFL Player News

Williams is in line for an expanded role in Sunday's Week 15 matchup against the Eagles with George Pickens (hamstring) inactive for the contest.

Playing without Pickens in Week 14 against the Browns, Williams resurfaced in the Steelers' air attack, albeit modestly, with a 3-36-0 line on four targets. However, that represented a significant uptick in involvement for the veteran trade-deadline acquisition, whose only reception in a Steelers uniform prior to that game had been a 32-yard touchdown catch in his Week 10 team debut against the Commanders. Williams again will have added opportunities for targets Sunday, although those will come versus a talented Philadelphia secondary that's allowed an NFC-low 178.5 passing yards per game.

Shepard (foot) is active for Sunday's Week 15 game against the Chargers, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Shepard was trending upward entering the weekend after managing to get in a limited practice Friday, and his availability is now confirmed. The veteran wideout has settled in nicely as a complementary pass-catching option in the wake of Chris Godwin's season-ending ankle injury, recording a 21-194-0 line on 33 targets over the last six contests.

Downs (shoulder) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Downs missed the Colts' win over the Patriots in Week 13, but following the team's subsequent bye he was able to practice fully Thursday and Friday before being listed as questionable to face Denver. With his Week 15 active status confirmed, Downs should reclaim his key role in a wideout corps that also features Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce, with Adonai Mitchell and Anthony Gould available to mix in. In 10 games thus far, Downs has compiled a 53/594/4 receiving line on 78 targets, a pace that keeps him on the fantasy radar for the NFL stretch run.

McConkey (knee/shoulder) is listed as active Sunday against the Buccaneers.

Since sustaining a sprained knee Week 13 in Atlanta, McConkey has been listed as limited on every Chargers injury report the last two weeks and didn't play last Sunday at Kansas City. He again was a game-time decision this Sunday, but this time around the team was optimistic about his ability to suit up, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. With his availability now confirmed for Week 15, McConkey will rejoin Los Angeles' receiving corps looking to build upon his 58-815-4 line on 81 targets in what has been an impressive rookie campaign to date.

Waddle exited Sunday's game against the Texans after sustaining a knee injury.

Prior to his departure, Waddle didn't catch either of his targets. In his absence, Malik Washington and Grant DuBose are candidates to see added WR targets alongside Tyreek Hill.

DuBose (shoulder) is not among Miami's inactives for Sunday's battle against Houston.

DuBose was activated from IR on Saturday but still held a questionable tag. He's since been cleared to take the field for the first time since Week 2. DuBose isn't likely to see significant action in his return with four healthy receivers ahead of him on the Dolphins' depth chart.

Flournoy (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Sunday in Carolina.

This marks Flournoy's second healthy scratch since Week 5, but both of them have occurred over the last three games. The rookie sixth-round pick has so far accounted for four catches (on seven targets) for 44 yards and no touchdowns in eight appearances.

Jones (groin) is inactive for Sunday's matchup with the Titans.

The kick and punt returner got in a limited practice session Friday after missing the sessions earlier in the week, but he will now sit for the seventh straight game due to the groin injury. Khalil Herbert and Isaiah Williams should serve as the top kick and punt returners, respectively, in Jones' place.

Osborn (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Saints.

The wide receiver was claimed off waivers from the Patriots on Wednesday. Osborn joined Washington after the team learned that Noah Brown would likely miss the rest of the season with a kidney injury, but Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus and Luke McCaffrey remain ahead of the new addition on the depth chart behind top receiver Terry McLaurin.

Crowder (calf) is active for Sunday's matchup with the Saints.

The wide receiver and punt returner was activated from injured reserve Saturday. Crowder has missed every game since Week 3 due to the injury. He likely will serve as Washington's punt returner Sunday.