NFL Player News

Flowers (knee) is viewed as a "longshot" to be available to play in Saturday's wild-card game against the Steelers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Flowers sprained his right knee in this past Saturday's 35-10 win over the Browns, and though head coach John Harbaugh classified him as day-to-day Monday, the wideout's chances of suiting up in the playoff opener don't appear promising. He was a non-participant in the Ravens' first practice session of the week Tuesday, and he'll almost certainly need to get back on the field as at least a limited participant by Thursday to have a legitimate chance of being ready to go for Saturday. Though Flowers appears unlikely to play against Pittsburgh, Rapoport relays that the 24-year-old will have a better chance to return for the divisional round if the Ravens can get past the Steelers.

Palmer logged eight snaps on offense in Sunday's 27-19 win over the Saints but did not see a target. He netted no gain on his one punt return.

The second-year wideout was limited to punt returns for the second consecutive week Sunday, as the majority of the Buccaneers' wide-receiver snaps were distributed among Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan and Sterling Shepard. Palmer is likely to remain primarily limited to returns during the upcoming postseason after finishing his second regular season with 12 catches for 172 yards and a touchdown on 22 targets, 14 kickoff-return yards and 136 punt-return yards over 15 games.

Wilson (hamstring) was a full practice participant Tuesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Wilson is still on IR, where he's been since late October. He was designated to return Dec. 31 and was a full practice participant all last week but was held out of Pittsburgh's Week 18 loss to Cincinnati. Wilson appears to be recovered from his hamstring injury, but Pittsburgh would need to activate him off IR in order for the depth receiver to be able to play in Saturday's wild-card contest in Baltimore.

Mitchell failed to secure his lone target in Sunday's 26-23 win over the Jaguars.

Mitchell was a complete non-factor in Sunday's contest, unable to reel in the only pass that came his way. The rookie wideout played just 16 of the Colts' 78 offensive snaps while operating as the No. 4 wide receiver behind Michael Pittman (71), Alec Pierce (64) and Josh Downs (59). Mitchell finished the 2024 campaign with just 23 receptions for 312 yards, failing to find the end zone through 17 games. The 22-year-old will enter the second year of his rookie deal in 2025, as the Colts will likely look to get the young receiver more involved in their offensive attack now that he has more experience within their system.

San Francisco signed Hodgins to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Hodgins was a sixth-round draft selection by the Bills in 2020. He had a mild breakthrough after joining the Giants midway through the 2022 campaign, recording 33 catches for 351 yards and four touchdowns over eight games. However, Hodgins had since fallen out of favor in New York and spent much of 2024 on the team's practice squad. The 49ers have signed two other veteran wideouts -- Trent Taylor and Russell Gage -- to reserve/future deals following the conclusion of the regular season, and the trio will be given the opportunity to compete for roster spots during training camp next summer.

Fehoko (elbow) was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice.

Fehoko was placed on injured reserve Nov. 6 due to an elbow injury he suffered in Week 9 against the Browns. His 21-day window to return from IR opened Tuesday, but his limited participation in practice indicates he still has a ways to go in his recovery before returning to play. Fehoko would have to be activated off IR in order to play in Saturday's wild-card game against the Texans.

The 49ers signed Gage to a reserve/future deal Tuesday.

Gage is an NFL veteran who spent the first four years of his career with the Falcons. The 28-year-old hasn't logged a snap in an NFL game since 2022 when he was with Tampa Bay -- during that campaign, he was fairly productive with a career-high five touchdown catches while recording 51 receptions for 426 yards over 13 regular-season contests. Gage latched on with San Francisco's practice squad this November and will now have a chance to compete for a roster spot during training camp this summer.

Johnston was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice due to a thigh injury.

Johnston finished the regular season in impressive fashion, recording career highs in catches (13), receiving yards (186) and targets (14) in the Chargers' 34-20 win over the Raiders this past Sunday. He may have suffered a thigh injury along the way, however. His ability to practice Tuesday offers hope that the issue isn't too serious and won't impede his ability to suit up for Saturday's wild-card game in Houston.

Brown caught three of four targets for 16 yards and added one carry for eight yards in Sunday's 23-19 win over the Cowboys.

Brown was involved in all aspects of the Commanders' offense Sunday, even adding a passing attempt that missed the mark. The fourth-year wide receiver played 25 of the Commanders' 58 offensive snaps in the contest, well behind Terry McLaurin (53) and Olamide Zaccheaus (40). In 16 regular-season games this season, Brown recorded 30 receptions on 40 targets for 308 yards and a touchdown, adding three carries for 26 yards. After a quiet Week 18, the 27-year-old will look to make a bigger impact in the first round of the playoffs when the Commanders visit the Buccaneers for a wild-card showdown.

Metchie didn't practice Tuesday due to a shoulder injury.

Metchie exited Sunday's 23-14 win over the Titans in the third quarter after taking a hit from Daryl Worley, and the wideout was sent for a concussion check. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Metchie passed all concussion testing, but he apparently suffered a shoulder injury on the hit, leaving his status for Saturday's wild-card game against the Chargers up in the air. Metchie finished the regular season with 24 catches for 254 yards and one touchdown on 37 targets over 13 games.