NFL Player News

The Bears signed Alexander to a reserve/future contract Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Alexander has spent the past three seasons in Detroit with new Bears coach Ben Johnson. Alexander hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since 2022 but has been mastering the offense on the practice squad. He'll compete for a depth job in Chicago this offseason.

Covey (neck) is listed as questionable for Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Feb. 9 against the Chiefs.

Covey was limited in practice all week and remains on injured reserve. The return man and depth receiver hasn't played since Week 13 and has seen action on just 50 offensive snaps all season. Covey will have another week of practice to get ready for the Super Bowl.

Smith (hamstring) doesn't have a designation for Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Feb. 9 against the Chiefs.

After the first week of preparation for the upcoming Super Bowl, Smith hasn't participated in any drills due to a hamstring injury, but the issue currently won't be a hindrance more than a week out from the big game. Nonetheless, he may endure practice restrictions next week once the Eagles arrive in New Orleans, so his status bears watching over the next nine days.

Moore (abdomen) was limited in Friday's practice and is officially listed as doubtful for Super Bowl LIX against the Eagles on Feb. 9.

Moore has logged two limited practice sessions since being designated for return from IR, but he's trending in the wrong direction to be able to contribute versus Philadelphia in the Super Bowl. The Chiefs will host one more week of practices prior to deciding Moore's status, so it's possible he could still be activated to the 53-man roster if he can impress in his remaining opportunities.

Smith caught two passes for six yards, rushed twice for 30 yards and logged 155 yards as a kick returner and 178 yards as a punt returner during the 2024 regular season.

After spending all of 2023 on the practice squad, the Rams brought Smith on to serve as a return specialist, and he accrued a total of 333 yards in the role. Smith is under contract with the Rams for one more season, and with Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell and Tyler Johnson all unrestricted free agents, a more expanded role may be in the cards for Smith in 2025.

Johnson caught 26 passes for 291 yards and a touchdown during the 2024 regular season.

Given the Rams' injury woes for much of the season, Johnson's second season with the team bore more fruit, as he was on the field for 345 snaps on offense and held his own when pressed into significant action, including a 5-79-0 line in the Week 1 opener against the Lions. The Rams have a lot of questions in the offseason at wide receiver, with Cooper Kupp a candidate for trade or release and Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell and Johnson all unrestricted free agents, but Johnson's budding role may entice the Rams to give him another shot to work alongside Puka Nacua, Jordan Whittington and Xavier Smith.

Ismail's (undisclosed) practice-squad contract with Baltimore expired Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Ismail was signed to the Ravens' practice squad in late August after failing to make the team's 53-man roster at the end of training camp. He was placed on the practice-squad injured list in mid-October due to an undisclosed injury. Now that his practice squad contract has expired, Ismail will have an opportunity to sign a futures deal with the Ravens or another team once he's fully healthy.

The Chiefs designated Moore (abdomen) to return from injured reserve Thursday, Jesse Newell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Moore was placed on injured reserve Oct. 24 due to a core-muscle injury. He wasn't expected to return for the postseason, but Kansas City opted to open the 2022 second-round pick's 21-day practice window. He was spotted working out with the returners during Thursday's practice and was officially listed as a limited participant. If Moore is able to log full practices next week, he could be activated to the Chiefs' 53-man roster for Super Bowl LIX against the Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 9.

Smith (hamstring) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Brooks Kubena of The Athletic reports.

The Eagles estimated Smith as a DNP on their first injury report of Super Bowl prep due to a hamstring issue, but he still will have four more chances to get back on the field and prove his health ahead of the team's matchup with the Chiefs on Sunday, Feb. 9. In three playoff games so far, he's tallied exactly four catches on each occasion on his way to a 12-121-0 line on 12 targets.

Ross reverted to the Chiefs' practice squad Monday.

Ross was elevated to the Chiefs' active roster this past Saturday. He was ultimately a healthy scratch for Sunday's AFC Championship Game victory over the Bills, though his elevation may have been so that he would receive a $77,000 game check rather than a $12,500 weekly payout for being on the practice squad, per Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com. Ross could be elevated for Super Bowl LIX against the Eagles on Feb. 9 if the Chiefs are in need of additional depth at wide receiver.