NFL Player News

Williams (knee) was deemed a limited participant in Tuesday's practice walkthrough, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Williams sprained the MCL in his knee against Denver in Week 15 and missed this past Saturday's overtime loss against Chicago. He didn't practice at all last week, so his listing as DNP to begin Week 17 prep is a positive sign. Williams intends to take part in individual drills Wednesday, and when asked about his injury Tuesday, he stated, "Taking it slow but definitely optimistic," per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.

Pipkins (ankle) was estimated as a full participant in the Chargers' practice Tuesday.

Pipkins missed the last two games with an ankle injury but is seemingly healthy again. The 29-year-old will resume his role as a backup offensive tackle during Saturday's matchup versus the Texans.

O'Neill (heel) was estimated as a limited practice participant on Tuesday's injury report.

The Vikings held walkthrough practices Monday and Tuesday since they are facing the Lions on Christmas Day, but the good news for O'Neill is that he upgraded from a DNP to a limited practice participant. He would avoid an injury tag for Week 17 if he were to log a full practice Wednesday. O'Neill was able to play through a heel injury during the Vikings' 16-13 win over the Giants on Sunday.

Melton is dealing with an illness and was estimated as a non-participant in Tuesday's practice walkthrough, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Melton played in Saturday's overtime loss to Chicago and logged one snap on offense along with nine snaps on special teams. There was no word prior to the contest that he was dealing with an illness, so his reduced offensive workload may simply have been a coaching decision in a game with high stakes. Green Bay plays on Saturday again this week (versus Baltimore), and Melton will likely need to practice in some capacity by Thursday to have a chance of avoiding an injury designation for that game.

Davenport (shoulder) was a limited participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice.

Davenport has opened the week with back-to-back limited sessions due to a shoulder injury that he picked up during the Lions' 29-24 loss to the Steelers on Sunday. The Lions will hold their last practice Wednesday, and if Davenport is a full participant in that session, he would likely avoid an injury designation for Detroit's Christmas Day clash against Minnesota.

Kennedy (abdomen) was listed as a limited practice participant on Tuesday's estimated injury report.

Kennedy has been limited in each of the Lions' two walkthrough practices while working through an abdominal injury. He has one more opportunity to increase his practice participation and avoid an injury designation ahead of Thursday's game against the Vikings.

Al-Shaair (ankle) was a limited participant in practice Tuesday.

Al-Shaair missed his first game of the season Sunday against the Raiders due to an ankle injury. He logged only one practice -- a limited session Thursday -- last week, so his ability to participate (albeit in a limited capacity) to begin this week is a positive sign. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Al-Shaair is expected to suit up Saturday against the Chargers.

The NFL announced Tuesday that Metcalf's two-game suspension was upheld on appeal.

Metcalf was handed the suspension for "conduct detrimental to the NFL," after he was involved in an altercation with a fan in Detroit on Sunday. Now that the two-game ban has been upheld, the wide receiver will miss the team's final two games of the regular season, and as a result, $45 million in guaranteed money on his four-year contract has now been voided. In Metcalf's absence for Week 17 in Cleveland and Week 18 against Baltimore, receivers Calvin Austin (hamstring), Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling could all be in line for increased snap counts and target shares. Running back Kenneth Gainwell could also continue to see heavy involvement in the passing game after drawing seven targets in each of the past three contests.

Owen reverted to Indianapolis' practice squad Tuesday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Owen was elevated ahead of Monday's Week 16 loss to San Francisco and played one offensive snap, getting one target that he didn't catch. He also played nine special-teams snaps, logging three kick returns for 89 yards. It was the second straight week Owen was elevated, which coincides with Anthony Gould missing the past two weeks due to a foot injury. It's likely that Owen's chance of being elevated again for Sunday's Week 17 game against the Jaguars hinges on whether Gould is able to return.

Doubs (wrist) didn't appear Tuesday on the Packers' initial Week 17 practice report.

Doubs was deemed questionable to return to this past Saturday's 22-16 overtime loss to the Bears after he appeared to sustain the wrist injury on an onside kick late in the fourth quarter that Chicago recovered. Though his night ended on a sour note, Doubs produced well for those that included him in fantasy lineups Week 16, logging five catches for 84 yards and a touchdown on six targets. His touchdown grab came on a 33-yard deep shot late in the third quarter from backup quarterback Malik Willis, who replaced a concussed Jordan Love. Both Love and Willis (shoulder) were listed as limited participant in Tuesday's walk-through session, so it's not yet clear whom Doubs will be catching passes from this Saturday against the Ravens.