NFL Player News
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Kendrick Bourne WR | SF
49ers' Kendrick Bourne: Larger role on tap sans Pearsall
Bourne is poised to take on a larger role against the Colts on Monday after Ricky Pearsall (knee/ankle) was officially ruled out, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Bourne has seen his usage on offense fluctuate over the course of the regular season, but his most productive stints came when Pearsall was sidelined for six games due to a separate knee injury. That included back-to-back games in which Bourne recorded 142 receiving yards in Weeks 5 and 6, though he hasn't accumulated more than 50 yards in any of his other 11 regular-season games. He sits at 499 receiving yards through 13 regular-season games, and he needs just one more yard to earn a $500,000 bonus, per Vic Tafur of The Athletic.
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Justin Watson WR | HOU
Texans' Justin Watson: Not activated for Week 16
Watson (calf) has not been activated from injured reserve Saturday and is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raiders.
Watson will remain on IR despite having been a full participant at practice throughout Week 16. His next chance to retake the field is in Week 17 on the road against the Chargers.
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Steven Sims WR | ARI
Cardinals' Steven Sims: Elevated for Week 16
The Cardinals have elevated Sims from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday's game against the Falcons.
Sims could be in line to suit up for his first game of the 2025 regular season Sunday. He boasts the ability to contribute both as a depth option at wideout and in the return game. After Sunday's contest against Atlanta, Sims will revert to the practice squad.
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Ricky Pearsall WR | SF
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Won't play Week 16
Pearsall (knee/ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Colts, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Pearsall was unable to participate in practice during Week 16 prep due to knee and ankle injuries that he sustained during the 49ers' Week 15 victory over the Titans. With Pearsall sidelined for Monday's road contest, Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson will step into larger roles on offense. Pearsall will work on progressing enough in his recovery to be available for the 49ers' Week 17 home tilt against the Bears on Sunday, Dec. 28.
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David Moore WR | CAR
Panthers' David Moore: Staying on IR for Week 16
Moore (elbow) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Moore had his 21-day practice window opened Wednesday, but he's not yet ready to come off IR. The depth wideout's next chance to return to action will come in Week 17 at home against the Seahawks.
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Theo Wease Jr. WR | MIA
Dolphins' Theo Wease: Elevated for Week 16
The Dolphins have elevated Wease from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday's game against the Bengals.
Wease will perhaps get an opportunity to make his regular-season debut versus Cincinnati on Sunday. If that happens, expect the undrafted rookie out of Missouri to contribute in a reserve capacity for Miami in what will be quarterback Quinn Ewers' first career start.
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Mecole Hardman WR | BUF
Bills' Mecole Hardman: Activated from IR, still Q
The Bills activated Hardman (calf) from injured reserve Saturday, and he remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Hardman is now eligible to play in Week 16, but the final word on his status may not arrive until roughly 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. If cleared to suit up versus Cleveland, expect Hardman to handle a depth role at wide receiver and in the return game.
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Maurice Alexander WR | CHI
Bears' Maurice Alexander: Elevated to face Packers
The Bears have elevated Alexander from the practice squad to the active roster for Saturday's game against Green Bay.
Alexander will get a chance to make his regular-season debut for Chicago due to both Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden (ankle) being sidelined Saturday. Expect Alexander to handle a reserve role on offense while potentially also contributing on special teams.
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Chris Blair WR | ATL
Falcons' Chris Blair: Elevated for Week 16
The Falcons elevated Blair from the practice squad Saturday in order for him to play Sunday against the Cardinals, Tori McElhaney and Terrin Waack of the team's official site report.
Blair will operate as a depth wide receiver while also contributing on special teams versus Arizona. He handled three snaps on offense and five snaps on special teams versus the Buccaneers in Week 15. Blair will revert to the practice squad after Sunday's contest.
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Jamal Agnew WR | ATL
Jamal Agnew: Waived by Falcons
Atlanta waived Agnew on Saturday, Tori McElhaney and Terrin Waack of the team's official site report.
Agnew spent most of the 2025 campaign operating as one of the Falcons' top kick returners, but he was a healthy scratch in Week 15 and has now been cut by the team. If he goes unclaimed on waivers, Agnew will likely pursue a spot on a practice squad elsewhere in the league.