NFL Player News

Coach Matt LaFleur said Friday that he's hopeful Reed (foot/shoulder) is able to play Sunday against the Bears, but the Packers are "still going through that process of [him] being fully cleared medically." Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Since being designated for return from injured reserve exactly two weeks ago, Reed has been listed as limited on six consecutive injury reports as he closes in on his recovery from surgeries to address a broken collarbone and a Jones fracture in his foot.

Coach Aaron Glenn said Friday that Fields is dealing with a sore knee, and "there's a chance" he'll be inactive Sunday against the Dolphins, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

Fields has served as the Jets' backup quarterback to Tyrod Taylor the last two games, but a knee injury that resulted in a limited practice Thursday now is threatening his availability for Week 14. If Fields ends up sitting out this weekend, practice-squad member Brady Cook will serve as the No. 2 behind Taylor.

Coach Sean McDermott said Friday that Kincaid (hamstring/knee) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Kincaid last suited up Week 10 at Miami, as a hamstring injury has sidelined him the last three games. A knee injury was added to the practice report this week, and he even was seen sporting a knee brace on his left leg at Thursday's session, per Matt Parrino of The Syracuse Post-Standard. McDermott also noted Friday that he wants to see Kincaid be "functional" in the Bills' final Week 14 practice in order to clear him to return, so his activity level Friday likely will be key in that regard.

Coach Sean McDermott said Palmer (knee/ankle) won't practice Friday and is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Matt Parrino of The Syracuse Post-Standard reports.

Palmer is poised to miss a second contest in a row due to knee and ankle injuries after not practicing in any capacity during Week 14 prep. His looming absence will allow the likes of Gabe Davis, Keon Coleman, Tyrell Shavers and Brandin Cooks to see targets alongside top WR Khalil Shakir.

Dwelley caught his only target for four yards in Thursday night's 44-30 win over Dallas.

Dwelley was limited to just one catch for the second week in a row while operating as the team's starting tight end with both Sam LaPorta (back) and Brock Wright (neck) on injured reserve. Dwelley doesn't present as an appealing fantasy option moving forward outside of the deepest formats.

Firkser caught his only target for seven yards in Thursday night's 44-30 win over the Cowboys.

Firkser was officially added to the active roster prior to Week 13, and he has now combined to catch both of his targets for an uninspiring 11 total yards over the last two weeks. With Sam LaPorta (back) and Brock Wright (neck) both on injured reserve, Firkser and Ross Dwelley will likely continue to operate as the team's primary options at tight end moving forward.

Branch tore his Achilles in Thursday's Week 14 win over the Cowboys, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Reports surfaced earlier Friday that there were fears Branch's injury was to his Achilles, and testing has now confirmed that diagnosis. Return to game action from an Achilles tear typically takes an NFL player at least nine months, and often longer, so Branch will be out for the remainder of this season and could be sidelined into the beginning of the 2026 campaign as well. This is a brutal blow to Detroit's secondary, though it could be softened a bit if Kerby Joseph, who has missed the team's past seven games due to a knee injury, is able to return in Week 15. Thomas Harper (concussion) figures to continue to start with Branch now sidelined (if the former is able to clear concussion protocol), and Daniel Thomas could pick up a significant amount of work as well, especially if Joseph remains out.

TeSlaa caught two of three targets for 20 yards and a touchdown in Thursday night's 44-30 win over the Cowboys.

TeSlaa was slated to operate in a more significant role with Amon-Ra St. Brown expected to sit with an ankle injury, but St. Brown was ultimately able to play, securing six passes for 92 yards in the contest. TeSlaa still was able to provide fantasy managers with a solid performance, reeling in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff in the third quarter. The wideout has now caught four of five targets for 55 yards and two scores over the last two weeks.

Branch, who exited the game and was later carted to the locker room in the second half of Thursday's win over Dallas, is feared to have injured his Achilles, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The Lions haven't yet released an official statement about Branch's injury, so for now his diagnosis and status remain uncertain. With that said, if he did indeed suffer an Achilles injury Thursday, the veteran safety could be looking at an extended absence. That would be a huge blow to a Detroit safety corps that was without Kerby Joseph (knee) on Thursday and that had Thomas Harper exit the victory in the first quarter due to a concussion.

Ferguson secured five of seven targets for 58 yards and caught a two-point conversion pass in the Cowboys' 44-30 loss to the Lions on Thursday night.

The talented tight end finished a distant third in receiving yards for the Cowboys on the night, but Ferguson turned in another productive performance he rounded out with his one scoring grab. Ferguson now has three consecutive five-catch efforts and at least 50 receiving yards in three of the last five contests heading into a Week 15 home matchup against the Vikings on Sunday night, Dec. 14.