NFL Player News

The Lions signed Firkser to their active roster Saturday.

Firkser's signing could be an indication that Detroit is preparing to be without rookie sensation Sam LaPorta in Sunday's affair. If the Lions are without LaPorta in the wild-card round, Firkser would likely serve as the team's top backup tight end behind Brock Wright.

Heyward secured 23 of 34 targets for 167 yards while rushing once for no yards over 17 games during the 2023 season.

Heyward had some slightly encouraging performances in the middle of the regular season, as he topped 20 receiving yards in four of five appearances when Pat Freiermuth was sidelined due to an injury. However, Heyward was held to just four receiving yards over the final four games of the season and didn't have enough of an impact to warrant fantasy consideration. While he's topped 150 receiving yards in his first two professional seasons, it seems unlikely that he'll be consistent enough to be a fantasy-relevant option in season-long formats in 2024.

Washington secured seven of 10 targets for 61 yards over 17 games during the 2023 season.

Washington drew solid reviews during training camp ahead of his rookie season, but he was unable to carve out much of a role in the Steelers' passing game, even with Pat Freiermuth missing five games due to an injury. Washington was on the field for 48 percent of the team's offensive snaps, but he didn't record more than 12 receiving yards in any of his appearances. Although his lack of targets was discouraging, it was a positive sign to see him carve out his fair share of playing time, and he'll look to take a step forward in 2024.

Andrews (ankle) took part in individual drills Friday but didn't participate in team drills after being designated to return from injured reserve earlier in the day, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Baltimore isn't publishing injury reports while on bye during the wild-card round, but Andrews would have received a limited designation in Friday's practice. The tight end reportedly looked fine running routes and cutting during individual drills, nearly two months after hurting his ankle Nov. 16 against the Bengals. How he fares in practice next week will likely determine Andrews' availability for the Divisional Round, but Friday's developments certainly marked a major step in the right direction.

Mitchell (hand) has been ruled out for Sunday's wild-card round game against the Rams, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.

Mitchell's practice participation trended in the wrong direction throughout the week, and he won't play Sunday after failing to practice in any capacity Friday. Starting tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) practiced without limitations Friday, so there's optimism over LaPorta's availability despite his questionable tag, and Brock Wright will be available for the first time since Week 15 after having recovered from a hip injury.

LaPorta (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's wild-card game against the Rams, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.

LaPorta seemed like a player in danger of missing time due to the awkward manner in which his left knee bent this past Sunday against the Vikings. Officially diagnosed with a hyperextension and bone bruise in that knee, he didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, but he told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press after the latter session that he handled some reps and was optimistic about playing this weekend. In his return to drills Friday, LaPorta was seen jogging with a large brace on the knee in question, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic, and the rookie tight end eventually went down as a full participant. Still, LaPorta's status won't be confirmed until approximately 90 minutes before Sunday's 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Knox (illness) doesn't carry a designation ahead of Sunday's wild-card game against the Steelers.

An illness sidelined Knox for Thursday's practice, but the tight end's return to a full session Friday sets the stage for him to be available for Buffalo's playoff opener. With wideout Gabe Davis (knee) ruled out for the contest, Knox will have a chance to make his mark Sunday alongside fellow TE Dalton Kincaid and top WR Stefon Diggs, especially if inclement weather at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, according to Patrick Warren of the team's official site, results in a game plan that leans on the run and a less aggressive passing attack.

Coach Sean McVay said Higbee (shoulder) will be questionable for Sunday's wild-card game at Detroit, Greg Beacham of the Associated Press reports.

Higbee sat out Week 18 in San Francisco due to a dislocated left shoulder that he suffered one week prior, but since returning to drills Wednesday, he managed a pair of limited sessions before McVay's comments Friday. McVay added that Higbee should be OK to play this weekend, which won't be confirmed until about 90 minutes before Sunday's 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Andrews (ankle) has been designated to return from injured reserve by the Ravens, Ryan Mink of the team's official site reports.

Per Mink, Andrews -- who suffered a major ankle injury on Nov. 16 against the Bengals -- returned to practice Friday, which opens up a 21-day window in which the star tight end can be moved to the Ravens' 53-man roster. While it remains to be seen if Andrews will be ready to play in his team's divisional-round playoff game next weekend, he'll be able to log several practices before a determination is made on his status. Per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, Andrews looked good moving around in warmups.

Head coach Dan Campbell relayed that LaPorta (knee) is slated to get some work in during Friday's practice, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.

After being listed as a DNP both Wednesday and Thursday, LaPorta's looming participation, in any capacity, in Friday's session is a step in the right direction for the tight end ahead of Sunday night's playoff opener against the Rams. Per Woodyard, Campbell added the Lions will "know much, much more" about LaPorta's status after the team's final practice of the week.