NFL Player News
-
Ty Johnson RB | BUF
Bills' Ty Johnson: Questionable for wild-card round
Johnson (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's wild-card contest at Jacksonville.
Johnson emerged from a Week 18 win against the Jets with an ankle injury that left him day-to-day, as coach Sean McDermott told Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News on Monday. After sitting out Wednesday's walkthrough and Thursday's practice, Johnson mixed back into drills as a limited participant Friday, thus giving him a chance to suit up this weekend. If he's deemed active about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, Johnson and Ray Davis will serve in complementary roles out of the Bills backfield behind No. 1 option James Cook.
-
Craig Woodson SAF | NE
Patriots' Craig Woodson: Notches 79 stops in rookie campaign
Woodson tallied 79 total tackles (42 solo) and three passes defensed over 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Woodson, a 2025 fourth-round pick from California, quickly became an integral part of the Patriots' secondary, starting 15 of the 17 regular-season games in which he appeared. He impressed throughout his rookie season, tying for the team lead in fumble recoveries while ranking fourth in total tackles. With Jaylinn Hawkins set to become an unrestricted free agent following the Patriots' 2025 playoff run, Woodson could start alongside a new running mate in 2026.
-
Jordan Poyer FS | BUF
Bills' Jordan Poyer: Cleared for wild-card round
Poyer (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's wild-card game against the Jaguars.
Poyer upgraded to full practice participation Friday after being listed as limited Wednesday and Thursday. He's ready to return for his first game action since Week 16. The starting strong safety produced 70 tackles (31 solo) and had one interception among his three passes defensed across 10 regular-season appearances.
-
Dalton Kincaid TE | BUF
Bills' Dalton Kincaid: Clear for Sunday
Kincaid (knee) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's wild-card game in Jacksonville.
Kincaid has been dealing with a knee injury from time to time since at least Week 14 prep, but he missed only one contest during that span, a Week 17 matchup with the Eagles. In the other four appearances since then, he combined for a 10-123-1 line on 13 targets. Kincaid followed up a limited walkthrough Wednesday and capped practice Thursday with all activity Friday, meaning he should be good for his typical share of snaps alongside fellow TE Dawson Knox.
-
Jaylinn Hawkins SAF | NE
Patriots' Jaylinn Hawkins: Impresses in starting role
Hawkins tallied 71 total tackles (45 solo), including 1.5 sacks, six passes defensed, including four interceptions, and one forced fumble across 15 regular-season games in 2025.
The 28-year-old started all 15 games in which he appeared and logged 836 defensive snaps this season, the second-highest total of his career. In his second year with the Patriots, Hawkins proved to be an integral part of the secondary, leading the team in interceptions and ranking fourth in passes defensed. Set to become an unrestricted free agent following New England's 2025 playoff run, Hawkins will likely draw interest from teams in need of a starting safety ahead of the 2026 season.
-
Matt Prater K | BUF
Bills' Matt Prater: Questionable after sitting Friday
Prater (quadriceps) is listed as questionable for Sunday's wild-card game against the Jaguars.
Prater sandwiched a full practice Thursday between being a non-participant Wednesday and Friday. The veteran kicker's status appears to be truly up in the air, with Matthew Wright on standby and eligible to be brought up from the practice squad in the event that Prater's unavailable. Prater hasn't finished a game since Week 15, with two absences and an early exit after that point.
-
Marcus Jones CB | NE
Patriots' Marcus Jones: Two return TDs, three INTs in 2025
Jones had 21 punt returns for 363 yards and two touchdowns while registering 65 tackles (47 solo), including 2.0 sacks, and three interceptions among his 11 passes defensed across 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Jones rounded out his versatile stat line with two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He's a key contributor on defense and special teams for New England, excelling as a slot cornerback and punt returner. Jones signed a three-year extension with the Patriots in October, so he's locked in with the team well beyond its current playoff run, which begins Sunday with a home game against the Chargers in the wild-card round.
-
KeAndre Lambert-Smith WR | LAC
Chargers' KeAndre Lambert-Smith: Missing wild-card round
Lambert-Smith (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Patriots.
Lambert-Smith opened the Chargers' week of practice with consecutive DNPs after sustaining a hamstring injury in the Week 18 loss to the Broncos, so it's no surprise that he won't play Sunday. The rookie wideout from Auburn logged just 53 offensive snaps over 10 regular-season contests this season, catching five of 12 targets for 51 yards and a touchdown. Kimani Vidal will likely step in and operate as one of the Chargers' top kick returners while Lambert-Smith is sidelined for the wild-card round.
-
Kendall Williamson SAF | LAC
Chargers' Kendall Williamson: Won't play in wild-card round
Williamson (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's wild-card game against the Patriots.
Williamson usually factors in on special teams when healthy, but he'll be sidelined by the ankle injury he sustained in the regular-season finale against the Broncos. The reserve safety had 14 tackles (eight solo) while playing in all 17 regular-season games.
-
Christian Elliss LB | NE
Patriots' Christian Elliss: Career-high 94 tackles in 15 games
Elliss recorded 94 tackles (39 solo) while adding three passes defensed and a forced fumble across 15 appearances during the 2025 regular season.
Elliss contributed to the Patriots' turnaround by setting a career high in tackles while occupying a starting role at inside linebacker. He'll have a chance to add to his totals during the Patriots' postseason run, which begins with Sunday's wild-card home game against the Chargers. Elliss remains under contract with New England for 2026.