NFL Player News
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Alec Pierce WR | IND
Colts' Alec Pierce: Officially cleared for MNF
Pierce (Achilles) does not carry an injury designation for Monday's game against the 49ers.
Pierce was limited to open Week 16 prep due to an Achilles injury, but he's been cleared to play Monday after logging back-to-back full practices to end the week. Pierce was held to just one catch (on as many targets) for 16 yards during the Colts' Week 15 loss to the Seahawks, and his fantasy floor figures to be lower for the rest of the regular season with Philip Rivers under center.
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Jaylin Lane WR | WAS
Commanders' Jaylin Lane: Questionable to return Saturday
Lane (ankle) is questionable to return to Saturday's game against the Eagles.
Lane was forced off the field due to an ankle injury midway through the first quarter Saturday. As long as he remains sidelined, Treylon Burks and Chris Moorewill stand to see a slight uptick in reserve opportunities behind Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel.
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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.