NFL Player News

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.

Bartholomew (back) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Packers.

Bartholomew spent the 2025 season on the reserve/PUP list and will officially not be available for Week 18. The sixth-round pick out of Pittsburgh will have to look towards the 2026 season for his first opportunity to play in an NFL game.

Grandy (chest) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns.

Grandy was able to upgrade to full participation in Friday's practice after missing consecutive sessions earlier in the week. The upgrade in participation is a great sign for the tight end's chances of suiting up for Sunday's contest as a reserve option behind Mike Gesicki, Noah Fant, Drew Sample and Tanner Hudson.

Henry (knee) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest against the Dolphins.

Hunter followed up Wednesday's absence from practice due to an illness with back-to-back limited sessions to end Week 18 prep, which was enough activity to clear him ahead of Sunday's matchup. The Patriots still can earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a win this weekend, coupled with a Broncos loss or tie, but because the latter's opponent Sunday, the Chargers, won't have QB Justin Herbert and other starters to be named later, New England seems more likely than not to remain the No. 2 seed. Henry himself is sitting on 55 catches for 712 yards and seven touchdowns through 16 games, with only the yardage count among those serving as a new career high as his stat line currently stands.