NFL Player News

Kirk (groin) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Titans.

Though Jacksonville reinstated Kirk from injured reserve Saturday after he had missed the required four contests while recovering from core-muscle surgery, he'll need more time to heal up before he's ready for game action. Kirk rejoined the Jaguars for practice this week, but he was limited in each of the team's three sessions before being listed as questionable heading into the weekend. If the Jaguars are able to punch their ticket to the postseason with a win over Tennessee, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network relays that Jacksonville expects to have Kirk available for the wild-card round.

Higgins (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's season finale against the Browns.

With the Bengals eliminated from playoff contention, Higgins will sit this one out, thus finishing his 2023 campaign with 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns on 76 targets in 12 games. The 2020 second-rounder is eligible for free agency this offseason and his contract situation with the franchise will be something to monitor in the coming months. In his absence Sunday, added Week 18 snaps alongside Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd will be available for Trenton Irwin, Andrei Iosivas, Charlie Jones and Stanley Morgan.

Kirk (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans but is uncertain to be available for the regular-season finale, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

While the Jaguars' decision to activate Kirk from injured reserve Saturday would seemingly point toward the wideout suiting up Sunday, his availability for the contest apparently isn't locked in just yet. Kirk had missed Jacksonville's last four games while recovering from core-muscle surgery before he resumed practicing this week, though he never managed anything more than limited participation. Official word on Kirk's status will arrive when Jacksonville posts its inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, but even if he's cleared to play, the 27-year-old could have his snaps managed carefully.

Jones (hamstring/knee) is expected to play in Sunday's game against the Titans, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Jones is officially listed as questionable for the contest due to the pair of injuries, which prevented him from playing in Weeks 16 and 17. He was involved in each of the Jaguars' three practices this week, albeit as a limited participant. Jones seems to have demonstrated enough progress to put himself on a path to play Sunday, but official word on his status won't arrive until Jacksonville releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. The 28-year-old has appeared in just eight games this season and is averaging 3.5 catches and 34.3 yards per contest while scoring two touchdowns.

Waddle (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills, isn't expected to play, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Waddle suffered a high-ankle sprain against Dallas in Week 16 and didn't play in last week's loss to Baltimore. He now appears set to sit out his second straight contest Sunday in a game that will determine the winner of the AFC East. Cedrick Wilson will thus likely start at wide receiver alongside Tyreek Hill, while Braxton Berrios, River Cracraft and Robbie Chosen could each see uptick in snaps on offense. The Dolphins have already locked up a postseason berth, and Pelissero notes that Waddle "should be ready for the playoffs."

Pittman corralled five of six targets for 44 yards in Saturday's 23-19 loss to the Texans.

Those deploying Pittman in fantasy were unfortunately charged with a lost fumble on the final play of regulation when the Colts were attempting to return a kickoff using multiple laterals. Indianapolis' top wideout still led the club in catches Saturday, ending his 2023 campaign with a new career high of 109 receptions over 16 games. Pittman also set a new high-water mark in yards this year (1,152), but his four touchdowns fell short of the six he scored in 2021. The USC product picked an excellent time to set new career marks, as he will enter the upcoming offseason as an unrestricted free agent.

Collins recorded nine catches on nine targets for 195 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 23-19 win over the Colts.

With both Noah Brown (back) and Robert Woods (hip) inactive, Collins was left as the Texans' clear top pass catcher. He certainly took advantage, recording three catches of more than 20 yards -- the longest of which was a 75-yard touchdown on Houstons' first play from scrimmage. The performance marked Collins' third game with over 160 receiving yards in what has been a breakout campaign, and he'll conclude the regular season with 1,297 yards despite missing two contests.

Johnson recorded four receptions on five targets for 89 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 17-10 win over the Ravens.

The Steelers' passing game was limited due to rainy conditions in Baltimore, minimizing targets and particularly downfield opportunity for pass catchers. Johnson accounted for one of the few exceptions to that with a 71-yard catch and run into the end zone on the first play from scrimmage in the fourth quarter. He closes the regular season with five touchdowns across 13 games while also averaging a career-best 14.1 yards per catch.

Woods (hip) is inactive for Saturday's game at Indianapolis.

Woods departed the Texans' Week 17 win against the Titans in the fourth quarter due to a hip injury, which didn't allow him to practice during Week 18 prep. He then entered the weekend with a questionable designation, but after doing a pregame workout, he won't be available to Houston's offense. With Tank Dell (fibula) on IR and Noah Brown (hip) inactive, John Metchie, Xavier Hutchinson and Johnny Johnson will be the options to mix in at wide receiver along with No. 1 Nico Collins.

Gray (shoulder) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Rams.

Gray was a full participant in all three practice sessions this week, but he'll remain on the team's IR to end the regular season. He was placed on the 49ers' injured reserve list Aug. 30 after spraining his shoulder in the preseason. Gray will have two weeks to get himself ready for San Francisco's first game of the playoffs.