NFL Player News

Hollins (abdomen) was listed as not practicing on the Patriots' Thursday estimate.

Following back-to-back 'DNP' listings, what the wideout is able to do Friday will be pivotal with regard to his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Jets. The same goes for fellow WR Kayshon Boutte (concussion), who also has logged consecutive 'DNP' listings. If one or both players are out this weekend, Kyle Williams would likely see added snaps versus New York.

Williams (ankle) is questionable to return to Thursday's game against the Lions.

Williams sustained his ankle injury late in the second quarter of Thursday's divisional matchup. If he's unable to retake the field versus Detroit, both Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Levi Drake Rodriguez could see slight upticks in the amount of reserve defensive snaps allotted to them.

Gardner-Johnson (knee) is listed as limited on Thursday's estimated practice report.

Gardner-Johnson was also limited Wednesday, when the Bears last held an actual on-field practice. He's nursing a knee injury that forced him out of Chicago's win over the Packers in Week 16 during the fourth quarter. Friday will represent starting slot cornerback's final chance to upgrade to full practice reps in Week 17.

Byard (ankle) is listed as limited on Thursday's estimated injury report.

Chicago didn't hold an on-field practice Thursday, but Byard appears to be progressing steadily after having also been listed as limited Wednesday. He played 100 percent of defensive snaps during the Bears' overtime win over Green Bay in Week 16. As long as Byard is able to get in at least limited practice reps again Friday, he'll have solid odds of gaining clearance for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

Watson (shoulder) didn't practice Thursday due to an illness and is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest versus the Ravens, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Watson opened Week 17 prep with back-to-back full listings before Thursday's absence, making him one of five Packers to have logged at least one absence to due illness this week. His status will be confirmed about 90 minutes before Saturday's 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff, but even if he's able to suit up, who will be directing Green Bay's offense is up in the air as both Jordan Love (left shoulder/concussion) and backup Malik Willis (right shoulder/illness) also are listed as questionable.

Samuel caught two of four targets for 68 yards and added 25 rushing yards on two carries in the Commanders' 30-23 loss to the Cowboys on Christmas Day.

The 93 scrimmage yards were Samuel's highest total since Week 5. The veteran wideout hasn't handled more than four touches in any of the last four games, managing a 12-173-0 line on 19 targets during that span in addition to Thursday's 25 rushing yards. He'll look to make his first trip to the end zone since Week 11 in a Week 18 trip to Philadelphia.

Edwards (glute) is listed as a non-participant on Thursday's estimated practice report.

Edwards also missed practice Wednesday. The starting linebacker appears to have emerged from Chicago's win over Green Bay in Week 16 with a notable glute issue, despite playing 100 percent of defensive snaps versus the Packers and compiling 10 tackles (five solo) including 0.5 sacks. Friday will be his last chance to take the practice field ahead of Sunday's contest against the 49ers.

Willis (right shoulder/illness) is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest against the Ravens, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Both Willis and No. 1 QB Jordan Love (left shoulder/concussion) are questionable for Week 17 action. Willis himself is dealing with a right shoulder issue in the wake of his spot duty this past Saturday in Chicago in which he entered after Love suffered a head injury, but the former also missed Wednesday's practice due to an illness before returning in a limited capacity Thursday. If Love isn't able to make it through league protocol by Saturday evening, Willis seemingly will attempt to tough it out as the Packers seek to clinch a playoff berth.

McNeill (abdomen) is questionable to return to Thursday's game against the Vikings.

McNeill was initially listed as questionable for Thursday's contest due to an abdomen issue, and although he was initially cleared to play, it appears that the same injury is now preventing the defensive lineman from retaking the field. Tyleik Williams and Roy Lopez will be candidates to handle increased defensive snaps as long as McNeill remains sidelined.

Jacobs (knee/ankle) doesn't have a designation for Saturday's game versus the Ravens, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Jacobs followed up Tuesday's limited walkthrough with back-to-back limited sessions to cap Week 17 prep as he tends to dueling knee and ankle injuries, but the activity was enough for him to be cleared ahead of the weekend. Such a development would seem to pave the way for him to handle his normal workload of 18.9 touches per game, but Emanuel Wilson will be on hand in the event Jacobs needs a breather or otherwise suffers an aggravation of an existing health concern.