NFL Player News

Coach Pete Carroll said Friday that he considers Smith (groin) a game-time decision for Sunday's matchup with the 49ers, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Smith was added to the injury report Thursday as a limited participant and then held out of practice Friday. He's officially listed as questionable, with Carroll's comments suggesting the team will treat Smith as such entering the weekend, though long-time Seahawks beat reporter Gregg Bell (of The Tacoma News Tribune) says he'll be surprised if the quarterback doesn't play. Drew Lock will start at quarterback if Smith is listed among Seattle's inactives 90 minutes before the 4:05 ET kickoff Sunday.

Jordan (ankle) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Panthers, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Jordan is still nursing an ankle issue, but he's got a chance to suit up Sunday after logging limited practice sessions both Thursday and Friday. If the All-Pro defensive end were to miss the Saints' Week 14 contest, Tanoh Kpassagnon would likely be the next man up on the team's defensive line.

The 49ers have ruled McCloud out in advance of Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

McCloud will miss his second game in a row after he took a step back in terms of practice activity this week, opening with a limited session Wednesday before regressing to no participation Thursday and Friday. The 27-year-old serves as a depth receiver for San Francisco, but his absence will loom larger on special teams, where he serves as the 49ers' top kickoff and punt returner when healthy. While McCloud was out in the 42-19 win over the Eagles last Sunday, Deebo Samuel stepped in as the 49ers' kickoff returner while Ronnie Bell returned punts.

Grupe (groin) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Panthers, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Even though Grupe was able to log a full week of practice, he's still listed as questionable for Sunday's affair. New Orleans cut kicker Austin Seibert from its practice squad Thursday, which is a pretty good indication that Grupe will be able to suit up in Week 14.

Ross received a six-game suspension Friday for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, but he'll be eligible to return to the Chiefs' facility Monday and could be available to play Week 15 versus the Patriots, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Chiefs placed Ross on the commissioner's exempt list Oct. 27, four days after he was arrested in Shawnee, Kan. on charges of domestic battery and criminal property damage regarding an alleged incident that occurred between him and his then-girlfriend. Though the NFL didn't make a formal ruling on a suspension for the second-year receiver until Friday, he'll be credited for serving the first five games of the six-game ban while he was on the exempt list. Ross will serve the sixth and final game of the suspension Sunday against the Bills before he resumes team activities Week 15. Ross held a minimal role for the Chiefs through the team's first seven games of the season, playing double-digit snaps on offense in just five of those contests while logging a 3-34-0 receiving line on six targets.

Strange (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns.

Head coach Doug Peterson told reporters Friday that Strange wasn't expected to suit up this weekend, and he's since been officially ruled out for Sunday's affair. With Strange missing his second consecutive game in Week 14, Luke Farrell will serve as the Jaguars' lone backup tight end behind Evan Engram.

Hooker (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears.

Hooker is still on Detroit's reserve/non-football injury list, and he'll remain out through Week 14. Once the 2023 third-round pick returns to the field, he could challenge Teddy Bridgewater for the Lions' backup quarterback role.

Ngakoue (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Lions.

The veteran edge rusher was able to log a full practice Friday, but he's still listed as questionable for Sunday's affair after popping up on Chicago's injury report earlier in the week. If Ngakoue is unable to suit up in Week 14, Rasheem Green would likely see an uptick in snaps on the Bears' defensive line.

Thomas (knee) is expected to return from injured reserve at some point this season, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Thomas injured his right knee early in the Saints' Week 10 loss to the Vikings and was placed on IR following the team's Week 11 bye. He'll be sidelined through at least Week 15, but the Saints are seemingly expecting him back at some point over the final three weeks of the regular season, though the calculus might change a bit if they continue to lose games and somehow fall out of the playoff hunt in a laughably weak NFC South. New Orleans was in first place at the time of Thomas' injury but has since slipped to one game behind the Falcons, who would be all but assured of having the upper hand for any division tiebreakers if they beat the Buccaneers this Sunday to move to 4-0 within the NFC South.

Dowdle (ankle) was a full participant in Friday's practice and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Dowdle appeared on Dallas injury reports for each of the past three weeks due to the ankle issue, but he proceeded to play in every contest. Though the Cowboys managed his practice workload once again in Week 14, Dowdle will be ready to handle his usual duties as the team's No. 2 running back behind Tony Pollard this Sunday. Through his 12 appearances on the season, Dowdle has found the end zone three times while averaging 5.3 carries and 0.9 catches for 28.1 scrimmage yards per game.