NFL Player News

Pineiro made both of his field-goal attempts and two of three PAT attempts in Sunday's 26-21 win over Jacksonville.

Pineiro's first kick of the game was a blocked PAT, but he bounced back nicely, making his next PAT attempt for his lone successful kick of the first half. He was much busier in the second half, converting field goals from 42 and 20 yards out in addition to another PAT. The injury-riddled Jets offense moved the ball well against the lowly Jaguars, but that may not be the case in Week 17 against the Buccaneers, so Pineiro could suffer from a lack of opportunities.

Slye is active for Sunday night's game against the Cowboys.

He'll handle Washington's kicking duties in Week 16, with Brian Johnson having been made inactive by the team. Slye, who last suited up in Week 12, was activated off IR by Washington on Saturday after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Patterson converted three of three field-goal attempts and his lone PAT during Sunday's 20-16 loss to Atlanta.

The Lions' late-season revival continues to pave the way for surprisingly strong Patterson stat lines. Now having three FGA in three of the past four games while notching at least one PAT in each of them, few kickers have outscored the Memphis product in recent weeks. While it may seem hard to trust a Detroit team that lost or tied each of its first 11 games of the year, the offense seems to have turned a corner with head coach Dan Campbell calling plays, and Patterson could continue to benefit in Week 17 against Seattle.

Folk (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Bills.

Folk has been listed as questionable prior to most games this season, but as has been the trend, he will play while handling the kicking duties. The veteran kicker has yet to miss a contest despite constantly being slapped with the questionable tag, and he has been extremely effective, converting 34 of 37 field-goal attempts and 31 of 35 extra-point tries on the campaign.

Dominik Eberle has been elevated from the Texans' practice squad to fill in for Fairbairn, who is still on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

With Fairbairn on the COVID list, Eberle is in line to handle the Texans' kicking duties Sunday against the Chargers. Fairbairn will thus target a potential return to action in Week 17.

Slye (hamstring) has been activated off IR by Washington.

Slye, who lasted suited up in Week 12, is thus an option to be made active for Sunday night's game against the Cowboys. At this time, however, Washington is carrying two kickers -- Slye and Brian Johnson -- ahead of Week 16 action, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.

Folk (knee) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Buffalo, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Folk's placement on the injury report can be taken with a grain of salt at this point, as the veteran kicker has yet to miss a contest despite constantly being slapped with a questionable tag. Folk has converted 34 of 37 field-goal attempts and 31 of 35 extra-point tries on the campaign.

McLaughlin tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday and isn't expected to be available for Saturday's game against the Packers, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, McLaughlin is in line to land on the reserve/COVID-19 list, with Chris Naggar slated to come up from the team's practice squad in advance of Saturday's game. Look for the moves to be made official later Friday.

Washington designated Slye (hamstring) for return from injured reserve Thursday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Slye was forced to IR after pulling his hamstring following a blocked field-goal attempt Week 12 against the Seahawks. After sitting out the mandatory three games, he now has a 21-day window in which to prove his health at practice, with the potential Washington activates him before Sunday's game at Dallas. In nine games for three teams this season, Slye has made 17 of 19 FGAs and 14 of 18 point-after tries.

McLaughlin will remain the Browns' kicker for Saturday's game against the Packers, Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal reports. "Chase is our kicker," Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday.

McLaughlin's slump won't cost him his job at this time. Speculation about a change has been ramping up the last several weeks, as the kicker made just four of nine field-goal attempts the last six weeks with all five misses coming from 40-to-49 yards. That includes a big miss Monday in a 16-14 loss to the Raiders. The Browns have Chris Naggar on the practice squad if Stefanski is compelled to make a change after Week 16.