NFL Player News

Higgins is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Houston after missing Friday's practice with an illness, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

He hasn't seen enough targets to warrant fantasy consideration, but Higgins has taken over more playing time recently due to Arizona's numerous WR injuries. Josiah Deguara and Pharaoh Brown could be tasked with larger roles if Higgins is declared inactive before the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.

Raymond (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at the Rams, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.

Raymond suffered an ankle injury Week 12 against the Giants and missed the Lions' last two contests as a result. After logging three consecutive limited practices this week, he's put himself in a position to return to action Sunday, but his status won't be confirmed until about 90 minutes before a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. If he's able to suit up, he could be eased back in, as Isaac TeSlaa has taken on an expanded workload alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams during Raymond's absence.

Collins (neck/concussion) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Commanders, Matt Citak of the Giants' official site reports.

Collins was designated to return from IR on Wednesday, but a Thursday setback is what likely eliminated him from playing consideration for Sunday's game. The wide receiver will have to set his sights on a Week 16 return when the Giants take on the Vikings.

Bates (ankle) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bears, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Bates was limited in practice both Wednesday and Thursday, but he was a full participant Friday. He is now ready to play Sunday against the Bears for the first time since Week 12 versus the Raiders. The 26-year-old has had minimal impact on offense when healthy this season, hauling in two receptions on two targets for 23 yards in five games played (three with the Texans and two with the Browns).

Arroyo (knee) is ruled out for Sunday's game against Indianapolis, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Arroyo will miss at least one game due to the knee injury he suffered Week 14 against Atlanta. With the rookie second-round pick sidelined, Nick Kallerup will stand to operate as the No. 2 tight end behind AJ Barner.

Bolton (illness) doesn't have an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Bolton missed Thursday's practice due to a sudden illness, but a prompt upgrade back to full participation Friday cleansed him of any injury designation for Sunday. The starting middle linebacker should be all set to suit up for a key divisional matchup that, if lost, could all but eliminate the Chiefs from playoff contention.

Coach Pete Carroll announced Friday that Pickett will start Sunday's game against the Eagles, Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site reports.

Per Carroll, Geno Smith, who suffered right shoulder and hand injuries this past Sunday and didn't practice this week, "won't make it back" to face Philadelphia. "He tried," Carroll added, but the veteran QB "couldn't get it done in this amount of time." While the report adds that Smith has a good chance to be available for Week 16 action, Pickett will get the nod this weekend, making him an option for those in QB-friendly fantasy formats or otherwise are in need of shorter-term signal-caller help. Pickett's last regular-season start occurred Week 17 last season, when he was a member of the Eagles, Ryan McFadden of ESPN reports.

Washington (hip) was a full participant in Friday's practice and officially is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Washington opened Week 15 prep with back-to-back limited practice sessions, but after having no restrictions Friday, he now seems to be trending in the right direction. If Washington manages to gain clearance in time for Sunday's home matchup with New York, he'll compete for targets with all of Brian Thomas, Jakobi Meyers and tight end Brenton Strange.

Samuel (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at the Giants.

The Commanders added Samuel to their injury report at the end of the week, labeling him as a non-participant Friday. He'll have a couple of days to recover before a favorable matchup with the Giants at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. With TE Zach Ertz (knee) out for the season, QB Marcus Mariota already is running low on reliable pass catchers beyond Terry McLaurin.

McDuffie (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

McDuffie managed to upgrade to full participation in Friday's practice after spending the rest of the week as limited. The upgrade is a good sign for the former All-Pro, meaning he will likely be able to suit up for Sunday's game even though he did not avoid an injury designation. The cornerback's return to the lineup after missing the last three quarters of last Sunday's loss to the Texans would take Nohl Williams off the field.