NFL Player News

Kirk was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday and won't play in Sunday's game against the Rams.

It's unclear whether Kirk tested the positive or was deemed a high-risk close contact. This is a major loss for the Cardinals as they look to keep their playoff hopes alive. Larry Fitzgerald (groin) is also questionable and trending toward a game-time decision. KeeSean Johnson, Trent Sherfield and Andy Isabella could all see increased usage in the season finale.

The Seahawks elevated Hart to the active roster Saturday, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Hart was also promoted for last week's game against the Rams, but he played just two snaps on offense. With no noteworthy Seahawks injuries, Hart will mostly serve as depth in Week 17.

Cain was elevated to the Steelers' active roster Saturday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Cain is slated to appear in just his second game of the season Sunday against the Browns, but he'll be catching passes from backup quarterback Mason Rudolph! as Ben Roethlisberger is among the rested starters.

McLaurin (ankle), who is listed as questionable, plans to play in Sunday's game against the Eagles, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

McLaurin sat out last week's loss to the Panthers due to a high-ankle sprain, which typically takes around six weeks to recover from. He was unable to practice this week, although McLaurin did work on the side and received praise from coach Ron Rivera. With a must-win game on tap, it sounds like McLaurin will give it a go. However, Jhabvala reiterated that McLaurin likely will be playing through some degree of pain and may even be limited to an extent if he is ultimately active.

Johnson (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

Johnson had previously been ruled out for the season finale, but he'll officially shift to IR as the Jaguars signed Terry Godwin to the active roster in a corresponding transaction.

Pittman (concussion) won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Pittman was deemed questionable Friday, but he has since cleared the league's five-step concussion protocol. The rookie second-round pick is slated to start at wide receiver in the crucial divisional tilt. Pittman hasn't produced big plays lately, as he's failed to post more than 50 yards or a touchdown in a game since Week 11.

Montgomery should handle an increased role in Sunday's game against the Panthers following news that Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray and Dwayne Washington are all in COVID-19 protocol, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reports.

The Saints are expected to promote running back Tony Jones from the practice squad, and Taysom Hill figures to get his fair share of running plays as well. Montgomery has just one carry this year, but he rushed 32 times for 103 yards for the Jets in 2019.

Hopkins (hip) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Rams, Katherine Fitzgerald of The Arizona Republic reports.

Hopkins steadily increased his involvement in practice throughout the week, advancing from no participation Wednesday to limited activity Thursday before turning in a full workout Friday. With the Cardinals choosing not to put a designation on his name, Hopkins should be in the clear to serve as Kyler Murray's top target in Week 17. Expect Hopkins to draw shadow coverage from elite cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who held the wideout to eight receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets back in Week 13.

Johnson was listed as a non-participant in Friday's practice due to an illness, but he doesn't carry a designation into Sunday's game against the Browns.

Any absence at practice related to an illness has naturally warranted concern this season, but the Steelers haven't provided any indication his ailment is related to COVID-19. As such, Johnson should be in the clear for the regular-season finale, though how much he actually plays has yet to be determined. The Steelers are already resting starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the contest, and several other top contributors are expected to be rested during the game, if not healthy inactives. Given that Johnson has left multiple games this season due to injury, he would seem to be a prime candidate to play less than his usual allotment of snaps as the Steelers prioritize preserving key players' health for the postseason above all else Week 17.

St. Brown (knee) won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Bears, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Limited practices have been the standard for St. Brown this season, but he's been in the lineup in every game since making his season debut in Week 6. The third-year receiver is rarely an offensive contributor, notching just seven receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown this season.