NFL Player News

The Packers elevated Dabney from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Week 18 will be Dabney's second consecutive elevation, as the tight end logged seven offensive snaps and seven special-teams snaps in last Saturday's loss to the Ravens. The 23-year-old will likely once again operate as a supplemental blocking tight end behind Luke Musgrave and Josh Whyle due to the absences of Tucker Kraft (ACL) and John FitzPatrick (Achilles).

The Saints signed Welch from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Falcons, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Welch was eligible for one more practice squad elevation, but the Saints chose to sign the tight end to the active roster instead. The 24-year-old has played in two games for the team this season, totalling nine offensive snaps and 15 special-teams snaps between the contests. Welch will likely fill a similar role in Week 18 as a supplemental blocker behind tight ends Juwan Johnson, Taysom Hill and Moliki Matavao.

The Titans elevated Turner from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

Due to the absence of No. 2 tight end Gunnar Helm (toe), Turner has an opportunity to see some snaps in Sunday's divisional contest. The tight end is in line for a blocking role with the offense and special teams units alongside Chig Okonkwo and David Martin-Robinson. If he plays, Sunday will be the first game of Turner's season.

The Rams activated Higbee (ankle) from injured reserve Saturday.

Higbee is still listed as questionable for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Cardinals, though his activation from IR indicates that the veteran tight end will play for the first time since Week 11 after recovering from an ankle injury. The timing is fortunate for the Rams, given that Terrance Ferguson (hamstring) popped up on Saturday's injury report and is now listed as doubtful for Week 18. If Ferguson is ruled out, then Higbee (if he can play) and Colby Parkinson would operate as the Rams' top tight ends for Sunday's NFC West tilt. Prior to his injury, Higbee caught 20 passes (on 30 targets) for 190 yards and two touchdowns across nine regular-season games.

Ferguson was added to the Rams' injury report Saturday due to a hamstring injury and is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

The issue appears to be a new one for the rookie second-rounder, given that he wasn't listed on the Rams' injury report during Week 18 prep. The injury is severe enough that Ferguson is unlikely to play in Sunday's regular-season finale, though the good news for the Rams is that Tyler Higbee (ankle) was activated from injured reserve Saturday and is trending toward being available for Week 18. Looking ahead, the injury puts Ferguson in jeopardy of being sidelined for the wild-card round of the NFC playoffs.

The Browns elevated Cannella from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Cannella could see the field for the second game in a row after being elevated from the practice squad in back-to-back weeks. With both Harold Fannin (groin) and David Njoku (knee) out in Week 18, Cannella has another opportunity to build off his Week 17 game, where he led all tight ends with four targets, accounting for two receptions and 11 yards.

The Colts elevated McKeon from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

McKeon signed with the Colts' practice squad in August. If he suits up and plays Sunday, it will be his first action this season. With Will Mallory and Drew Ogletree ruled out for the season finale, McKeon will likely play in the No. 3 tight end spot behind Tyler Warren and Mo Alie-Cox.

Bates logged a full practice Friday and carries no injury designation heading into Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Bates should garner some interest as both Harold Fannin (groin) and David Njoku (knee) having been ruled out for Week 18. Bates and Blake Whiteheart are poised to see more playing time, although practice-squad member Sal Cannella, who led Cleveland's tight ends in targets last week, could steal some thunder if added to the roster for the game.

Briningstool (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Raiders.

With Briningstool ruled out of Week 18 as well as the Chiefs being eliminated from playoff contention, the undrafted rookie out of Clemson will end the 2025 season without being able to make his NFL debut. The tight end will have to focus on recovering in the offseason so that he can compete for a spot on the Chiefs' 2026 roster.

Higbee (ankle), who remains on IR, practiced in full Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Cardinals, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Higbee had his 21-day practice window opened Wednesday and has been a full participant since, but it's possible that Los Angeles will prioritize having the veteran tight end ready for the playoffs rather than Week 18 of the regular season. Whenever Higbee is activated to the 53-man roster, he will rejoin a tight end rotation in which he, Colby Parkinson, Terrance Ferguson and Davis Allen all stand to remain regular contributors.