NFL Player News

The Rams announced Wednesday that Higbee (ankle) has been designated to return from IR.

Higbee will now begin a 21-day window wherein he can participate in practice without counting against the 53-man roster. The veteran tight end can be activated from IR at any point in that span, if deemed healthy, making Sunday's game against the Cardinals his earliest tentative chance to return. Higbee hasn't played since Week 11, and across 11 regular-season appearances so far he's secured 20 of 30 targets for 190 yards and two touchdowns.

Kincaid (knee) was officially listed as a limited practice participant in Wednesday's walk-through.

Kincaid missed Sunday's 13-12 loss to the Eagles after managing just one limited practice last week. It looks like he'll do more this week, but the Bills may lean toward caution now that they're locked into a wild-card spot.

Coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday that LaPorta is "improving," but "he's not completely healed" from the back injury that forced him to injured reserve Nov. 15, Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports.

In the wake of LaPorta undergoing back surgery in mid-November, Campbell described the tight end's chances to return this season as "very, very slim," per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. As of this week with the Lions out of playoff contention, though, Campbell relayed that the team is hopeful LaPorta will be back by training camp in the summer, indicating his health concern was more serious than Detroit initially indicated. LaPorta, a 2023 second-round pick, will be entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract in 2026.

The Steelers placed Washington (forearm) on IR on Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.

Washington suffered what coach Mike Tomlin revealed was a broken arm in the Steelers' Week 17 loss to the Browns, an injury that subsequently required surgery, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com. In Washington's absence, Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith are in line to lead Pittsburgh's TE corps, with Connor Heyward also on hand.

Johnson (illness) is not participating in Wednesday's practice, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Johnson missed New York's win over the Raiders in Week 17 due to an illness that continues to prevent him from taking part in practice. He'll have two more opportunities to resume practicing in at least a limited capacity ahead of the Giants' regular-season finale against the Cowboys on Sunday. If Johnson can't gain clearance to play Week 18, expect Daniel Bellinger and Chris Manhertz to again lead New York's tight end position.

Taylor (neck) will not practice Wednesday, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

Taylor hasn't played since Week 14. If the rookie tight end is unable to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Bills, the Jets will once again roll with Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt and Jelani Woods at tight end.

Fannin (groin) isn't in line to practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Fannin exited the Browns' Week 17 win over the Steelers after appearing to aggravate a groin injury that first cropped up this past Friday. He'll now have two more chances to practice ahead of Sunday's season finale against the Bengals, but if he and/or David Njoku -- who hasn't played since Week 14 due to a knee injury -- are out this weekend, Blake Whiteheart, Brenden Bates (shoulder) and practice squad member Sal Cannella could be available to handle Cleveland's Week 18 tight end duties.

Njoku (knee/personal) will not practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Njoku hasn't played since Week 14 and seems unlikely to return for the regular-season finale against the Bengals. Across 12 appearances this season, Njoku has recorded just 33 catches for 293 yards and four touchdowns on 48 targets. Njoku's 24.4 yards per game are his fewest since 2020.

Knox (knee) will be listed as limited in Wednesday's walk-through, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

As will Dalton Kincaid (knee), with both tight ends now having two more chances to upgrade to full participation before the Bills post their Week 18 injury designations Friday. It remains to be seen how the team plans to proceed with its banged up players as Sunday's regular-season finale against the Jets approaches, with Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com noting Wednesday that at this stage coach Sean McDermott hasn't provided any updates on who will or won't be playing this weekend.

Kincaid (knee) will be listed as limited in Wednesday's walk-through, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

The same goes for fellow TE Dawson Knox (knee). Kincaid was inactive for the Bills' 13-12 loss to the Eagles in Week 17, and at this stage it's plausible that the team could elect to err on the side of caution with their top tight end in Week 18, with Kincaid still managing his knee issue ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Jets. Per Alec White of the team's official site, the Bills are currently the No. 7 playoff seed in the AFC and are still in play to be the No. 5 or No. 6 seed depending on how things transpire this weekend.