NFL Player News

This is a tough break for Smith, who entered the game with a foot injury. The Raiders’ quarterback spent time with the Raiders training staff, getting abrasions on his right, throwing hand’s ring and pinky fingers addressed before retaking the field for a productive drive in the second half. Unfortunately, Smith injured his right, throwing shoulder after guiding the offense into the Broncos’ red zone on the same drive. He was quickly taken to the locker room, replaced by backup QB Kenny Pickett. Smith completed 13-of-21 passes for 116 yards and one touchdown and rushed once for four yards in the Raiders’ Week 14 loss to the Broncos.

Tillman is on track to miss the team’s Week 15 game against the Bears, and does not need to be rostered in re-draft formats. The 25-year-old wide receiver has appeared in nine games this season. He has failed to produce even 55 receiving yards in a single one.

It’s his first practice since injuring his knee in Week 13, and a sign that he has a chance to be active against the Panthers in Week 15. We’ll check in on Reid again tomorrow, but this is at least an encouraging sign that he could make the questionable line on Friday.

Wednesday’s limited session was likely just a little extra rest for the franchise signalcaller. He’ll be near the QB1/QB2 borderline in Week 15 against a Jets defense that has been waylaid by opposing passing games all season.

Sampson missed last week’s first two practices, dealing with the calf injury. He suited up on game day, rushing twice for four yards and catching 5-of-5 targets for 64 yards while losing one fumble. We tentatively expect him to practice tomorrow and play on Sunday. Stay tuned.

Tim Patrick absorbed most of Washington’s role last week and would stand to absorb WR5/WR6 status if Washington misses again. He has gotten in four limited practices in a row and would seem to be trending towards playing, but perhaps a full Friday practice is what is needed to pull him off the questionable line at this point.

Njoku is on the wrong side of questionable now, expectedly freeing up extra snaps for rookie TE Harold Fannin Jr., who posted career highs in receptions (8) and receiving yards (114) while tying his career-high target sum (10). He also scored one touchdown. Fannin is a locked-in TE1.

Bryant is officially in danger of missing Week 15’s game against the Packers after back-to-back DNPs to open the week. Marvin Mims would likely see a role elevation if Bryant missed the game. Troy Franklin and Courtland Sutton would probably also get more steady work if Bryant were indisposed on Sunday.

It’s a step up from a Wednesday DNP. Rodriguez played through a shoulder ailment that had him missing plenty of practice time earlier this season with no hesitation, so we’d be surprised if he sat against the Giants on Sunday. Rodriguez is in the RB3/FLEX conversation in what profiles as a great matchup on paper.

Same old, same old for Jones, who has been on the injury report with this shoulder since hurting it against the Seahawks a few weeks ago. It didn’t stop him from being Minnesota’s lead back last Sunday and we expect him to be in the RB2 conversation against the Cowboys in Week 15.

Hockenson didn’t practice on Wednesday, so this is a step in the right direction. The veteran probably has some chance of escaping the questionable line if he suits up again on Friday. Hockenson is merely a TE2 against the Cowboys on Sunday if he plays.