NFL Player News

Brown (teeth) is participating in the early portion of Friday's practice open to the media, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Brown was listed as a non-participant at practice Wednesday and Thursday, so it's encouraging to now see him back on the field in at least a limited capacity. The star wideout is recovering from a dental procedure undergone earlier this week, but he seems to be trending in the right direction for Sunday's showdown against the Bills. The release of Friday's official practice report will reveal whether Brown is assigned an injury designation for Week 17.

Boutte (concussion) wasn't spotted at practice Friday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Boutte also was listed as a 'DNP' Wednesday and Thursday, and it looks like the Patriots could be without him and Mack Hollins (abdomen), who also absent from Friday's session, this weekend against the Jets. The team's upcoming injury report will reveal whether either player has a chance to be active Week 17.

Hollins (abdomen) wasn't spotted at practice Friday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

The same applies to fellow WR Kayshon Boutte (concussion), with both players trending toward logging three straight 'DNPs' ahead of Sunday's game against the Jets. The Patriots' upcoming injury report is slated to reveal whether either player has a chance of playing this weekend, with Kyle Williams a candidate to log added Week 17 snaps if Hollins and/or Boutte are sidelined.

San Francisco general manager John Lynch said Friday that the status of Kittle (ankle) for Sunday night's game against the Bears will likely be a game-dime decision, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Kittle was listed as a non-participant at practice Wednesday and Thursday, and Friday's injury report will both reveal whether he was able to get on the field as at least a limited participant, and his official injury diagnosis for Week 17. That said, it seems likely that Kittle will garner a 'questionable' designation for Sunday Night Football. The star tight end's status will be made official, one way or another, no later than 90 minutes before Sunday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. Jake Tonges will stand to operate as San Francisco's top pass-catching tight end in the event that Kittle is ruled out, presenting fantasy managers with a potential pivot option.

Gray hauled in his only target for two yards during Thursday's 20-13 loss to Denver.

Gray fell below a 50 percent offensive snap share for the third time in the last four games, and minimal production has come over that span, tallying just two catches for 16 yards on four targets. He's got a final audition on tap in Week 18 before the waiting game begins regarding Travis Kelce's decision whether or not to play another season or hang up the cleats, potentially opening a starting role to Gray. Even if Kelce opts to retire, there's no guarantee the Chiefs' brass views Gray as the solution at the tight end position moving forward.

Smith had zero carries and reeled in three of his four targets for five yards and a touchdown during Thursday's 20-13 loss to the Broncos.

Smith has seen a slight uptick in his snap share over the last couple of weeks, and it wouldn't be shocking if that's the case again in the season finale in Week 18 with Kansas City eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2014. The rookie back hasn't proved a ton as a runner, averaging just under 3.0 yards per carry, but he's been a solid contributor as a receiver out of the backfield, hauling in 23 of his 31 targets for 170 yards and a touchdown in his inaugural NFL campaign. He'll have one more opportunity to add to that total before his rookie season expires.

Coach Sean McDermott noted Friday that Allen (foot) is feeling better each day and is slated to play Sunday against the Eagles, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

Allen was listed as limited in Wednesday's walkthrough and also on Thursday's practice estimate. Friday's injury report thus will reveal whether the star QB upgrades to full participation, but based on McDermott's comments, Allen is trending toward heading into the weekend without a Week 17 injury designation.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Friday that Prater (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

Prater will miss a second consecutive game due to his right quad injury, paving the way for Michael Badgley to draw another start. The next opportunity Prater will have to retake the field will arrive Week 18 at home against the Jets on Sunday, Jan. 4, though it's entirely possible that Buffalo will focus on allowing him ample time to recover for the postseason.

Taylor (neck) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Taylor, who last saw game action Week 14, thus will target a potential return to action in the Jets' season finale next weekend when the team faces the Bills in Week 18. In Taylor's continued absence, Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt and Jelani Woods will handle TE duties versus New England. During New York's Week 16 loss to New Orleans, Smartt was the busiest of the trio, catching all five of his targets for 34 yards, while Ruckert caught two of his three targets for 14 yards and Woods didn't record a catch (on two targets).

Smith-Schuster brought in all three targets for 16 yards in the Chiefs' 20-13 loss to the Broncos on Thursday night.

Smith-Schuster finished tied for second in receptions and as the runner-up in receiving yards as well, although on a night when Chris Oladokun threw for only 66 yards, that didn't equate to any usable fantasy production. Nevertheless, Thursday marked Smith-Schuster's most productive all-around game in two months, as he hadn't exceeded one reception or 12 receiving yards in any of the previous seven games. Smith-Schuster and the rest of the Chiefs' passing attack will retain a muted fantasy outlook for a Week 18 road matchup against the Raiders with Oladokun under center.