As expected, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will enter Saturday's game against the Houston Texans shorthanded at receiver.
Bucs coach Bruce Arians officially ruled out Chris Godwin due to a hamstring injury suffered in Week 15. Tight end Tanner Hudson (concussion) and defensive tackle Beau Allen (ankle) also won't play.
Godwin joins wideouts Mike Evans and Scotty Miller, both of whom landed on IR, out of action this week. Given the Bucs are out of the playoff hunt, Tampa could decide to shut Godwin down for Week 17 as well. If it's the end of the 2019 campaign for the breakout star, he'll have compiled 86 catches for 1,333 yards and nine TDs, justifying Arians' offseason hype for the third-year Penn State product.
With Godwin, Evans and Miller all out, former Baltimore first-round pick Breshad Perriman, who popped off with three TDs last week, will be the top receiver. Justin Watson and Ishmael Hyman, a former AAF player, figure to be next in line for a suddenly thin receiver group.
Expect QB1 to target the tight ends and running backs plenty in Saturday's matchup against Houston on NFL Network, which kicks off at 1 p.m. ET.
Speaking of QB1, Jameis Winston was listed as questionable for Saturday with a right thumb/knee issue. Despite the designation, though, he is still expected to play.
Here's other NFL news we're tracking this Thursday:
»Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is not expected to throw much during Thursday's practice as he battles a shoulder injury, per Jason Garrett. Prescott was limited Wednesday.
Left tackle Tyron Smith is expected to resume practicing after missing Wednesday's practice with an eye injury. Garrett told reporters that Smith is able to see some out of his right eye after it would not open Wednesday, and he will wear a visor during practice.
Also, linebacker Sean Lee (pectoral/thigh) and defensive lineman Michael Bennett (foot/illness) were both upgraded from DNP to limited.
»Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (shoulder) is unlikely to play Monday night against the Packers, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, and did not practice Thursday.
Cook's backup, rookie Alexander Mattison, also sat out of practice with an ankle injury.
»Pittsburgh Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) was a full participant in practice; he left practice early a week ago and wound up not playing in Week 15 because of his injury.
Cornerback Joe Haden was a surprise addition to the injury report and sat out with a foot injury. Tight end Nick Vannett (illness) also didn't practice.
»New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman (knee/shoulder) and cornerback Jason McCourty (groin) are both listed as questionable for Week 16. Cornerback Jonathan Jones (groin) has been ruled out.
»The San Francisco 49ers will be without defensive end Dee Ford (quadricep, hamstring), safety Jaquiski Tartt (ribs) and defensive tackle Jullian Taylor (elbow) on Saturday against the Rams. Guard Mike Person (neck) is listed as questionable. A bit of good news for 49ers, though, is the exclusion of Richard Sherman on the injury report. The cornerback missed Week 15 with a hamstring injury.
»Seattle Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs (ankle), tackle Duane Brown (biceps/knee), linebacker Bobby Wagner (ankle), defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (core), defensive tackle Al Woods (ankle), cornerback Shaquill Griffin (hamstring) and linebacker Mychal Kendricks (hamstring) all missed practice on Thursday. Griffin, Kendricks and Woods were limited on Wednesday.
»The Tennessee Titans were without three of their starters in Thursday's practice: running back Derrick Henry (hamstring), cornerback Adoree' Jackson (foot) and receiver Adam Humphries (ankle).
»Carolina Panthers interim head coach Perry Fewell announced that rookie quarterback Will Grier will start this Sunday vs. the Colts. Kyle Allen had started the past 12 games for Carolina following Cam Newton's foot injury.
»Buffalo Bills tackle Ty Nsekhe (ankle) will not play Saturday after missing practice this week. Defensive tackle Corey Liuget (knee) is listed as questionable for the matchup.
»Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon was limited at today's practice with a calf issue.
»Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins (illness) was upgraded to full while running back Carlos Hyde (ankle/NIR) was limited. Both didn't participate on Wednesday. Tight end Darren Fells (hand) was upgraded from limited to full.
»Philadelphia Eagles receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside was limited with a foot injury for the first time this week, an interesting development given how thin Philly's receiving corps is already.
»Green Bay Packers tight end Jimmy Graham (wrist/groin) and linebacker Blake Martinez (hand/calf) were limited in practice. Offensive tackle Alex Light sat out with an illness.
»Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay announced tight end Gerald Everett (knee) is "good to go" for Week 16 after being a full participant all week; Everett has missed the last three with the injury. McVay added that cornerback Troy Hill will miss the game with a thumb injury, and that the team will assess kicker Greg Zuerlein (quad) on Friday to determine his status for gameday.
»Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman was added to the injury report with a glute injury. Hardman was limited in practice Thursday.
