NFL Player News

The Broncos activated McManus (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports. McManus (COVID-19 protocols) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Chiefs.

McManus reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, but the changes made to league protocols early last week have given him a chance to miss no time as a result. Still, he has yet to gain clearance to play and will have to do so ahead of Saturday's 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff. The Broncos don't have another placekicker on the team, active roster, practice squad or otherwise. Thus, if McManus isn't available, the team may eschew field-goal and extra-point attempts entirely when those situations arise Week 18.

Folk (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Folk has been on the injury report most of the season due to the knee injury, but he's kicked for New England in all 16 games. He should be available again Sunday, barring a setback.

McPherson (groin) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

McPherson was limited at practice Wednesday and Thursday, but he fully participated in Friday's practice session and is trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale. Across his last four appearances, the rookie has made 10 of 12 field-goal attempts while converting all 11 of his extra-point tries.

McPherson was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice session due to a groin injury, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

McPherson made all six of his kicks in Sunday's win over the Chiefs to help Cincinnati clinch the AFC North crown, but he apparently sustained a groin injury during the contest. If he hopes to avoid taking a designation into the Bengals' Week 18 game in Cleveland, he'll likely need to practice fully Thursday or Friday.

McManus connected on both of his field-goal attempts, while making his only extra-point attempt in Sunday's 34-13 loss to the Chargers.

McManus accounted for seven of the Broncos' 13 points Sunday, as the team's offense struggled to keep up with the Chargers. The veteran kicker made field goals from 23 and 61 yards. His 61-yard field goal set a new career-high. McManus was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, so he will look to clear the NFL's COVID-19 protocol ahead of a Week 18 matchup with the Chiefs. If he isn't cleared in time, Denver will have to sign a kicker as his replacement in the regular season finale.

Hopkins made both of his field-goal attempts and all four of his extra-point tries in Sunday's 34-13 win over the Broncos.

Hopkins returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list to convert from 19 and 23 yards on his field goals. With the help of four extra points as well, Hopkins secured his sixth double-digit scoring performance of the campaign. Overall, the veteran now sports 124 points heading into the final game of the regular season.

Prater made all four of his field-goal attempts as well as his only extra-point try in Sunday's 25-22 win over the Cowboys.

Prater tied his season high in points by converting field goals from 24, 53, 26 and 38 yards. In doing so, he not only rebounded from missing three kicks in Week 16, but Prater also helped Arizona clinch a three-point win. The veteran now sports 125 points heading into the final game of the season, placing in the top 10 at his position league-wide.

Bass made all three of his extra-point tries during Sunday's 29-15 win over the Falcons. He did not have a field-goal attempt.

The scoring got a bit crooked when the Falcons picked up a safety to open the scoring, which caused the Bills to go for two at one point when it made sense to do so. Couple that with Buffalo's red-zone success in the contest and Bass was used only slightly more than punter Matt Haack, who somehow hasn't had a single punt in the last two games. Bass, who sits in a tie for seventh in kicker scoring following Week 17, gets a great matchup to finish the regular season, with the Bills hosting the Jets on Sunday afternoon.

The Panthers have released Haubeil from their practice squad, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Haubeil's release from Carolina's practice unit comes less than a week after he was added. He received the opportunity after getting waived by the Titans during training camp. He is now set to look for a new opportunity.

Butker connected on his lone field-goal attempt and all four of his extra-point tries in Sunday's loss to the Bengals.

Butker had multiple made field goals in seven straight games prior to his absence last week after landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list. It was a disappointing return to action for Butker, whose game-tying kick late in the fourth quarter wasn't enough to keep the Bengals from picking up the win. He will aim to finish out the regular season strong this week against the Broncos.