NFL Player News
-
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson SAF | CHI
Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Ruled out for wild-card round
Gardner-Johnson (concussion) has been ruled out for Saturday's wild-card game against the Packers.
Nick McCloud will likely work as Chicago's nickel cornerback in Gardner-Johnson's absence, frequently matching up with slot receiver Jayden Reed. Gardner-Johnson remains in concussion protocol, which he entered following Chicago's loss to the Lions in the regular-season finale.
-
Trenton Simpson LB | BAL
Ravens' Trenton Simpson: Solid season in Baltimore
Simpson recorded 66 total tackles (34 solo), including 2.5 sacks, and one pass defensed across 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Despite appearing in all 17 of the Ravens' games this season, the Clemson product started just six contests and primarily served as the team's top reserve inside linebacker behind Roquan Smith and Teddye Buchanan (knee, IR). Even so, Simpson tallied a career-high 2.5 sacks and finished with only seven fewer total tackles than in 2024, all while playing 213 fewer defensive snaps. With Smith and Buchanan both returning for next season, Simpson will likely play another reserve role in 2026.
-
Marlon Humphrey CB | BAL
Ravens' Marlon Humphrey: Another incredible season
Humphrey recorded 68 total tackles (53 solo), including 1.0 sacks, 13 passes defensed, including four interceptions, and two forced fumbles over 15 regular-season games in 2025.
The veteran cornerback from Alabama remained one of Baltimore's top defenders in 2025, leading the team in interceptions while ranking second in passes defensed. Over the past two seasons, Humphrey is tied for the second-most interceptions and fourth-most passes defensed in the NFL, despite missing three regular-season contests. He remains under contract through next season and is expected to serve as the Ravens' top slot corner in 2026.
-
DJ Moore WR | CHI
Bears' DJ Moore: Ready for Saturday
Moore (knee) doesn't have a designation for Saturday's wild-card game versus the Packers.
Moore followed up Tuesday's limited walkthrough and Wednesday's capped practice with a full session Thursday, thereby clearing him to play through a knee issue. Fellow WR Rome Odunze (foot) appears poised for his first game action since Week 13 after avoiding a designation on Thursday's injury report. As such, the Bears will have all options in the receiving corps available in Round 1 of the playoffs.
-
Malaki Starks SAF | BAL
Ravens' Malaki Starks: Impressive rookie season
Starks tallied 84 total tackles (49 solo) and four passes defensed, including two interceptions, over 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Starks, a 2025 first-round pick from Georgia, started 15 of the 17 games he appeared in this season, logging a whopping 1,060 defensive snaps. He finished his rookie campaign with the third-most interceptions and the fourth-most total tackles on the Ravens' defense. Even after Baltimore added safety Alohi Gilman via trade in early October, Starks was a regular in team's secondary. He's expected to continue emerging as one of the NFL's top young safeties in 2026.
-
Rome Odunze WR | CHI
Bears' Rome Odunze: Clear for wild-card round
Odunze (foot) doesn't have a designation for Saturday's wild-card game against the Packers.
Odunze previously was deemed active for a Week 15 matchup with the Browns, but a late setback with his lingering foot injury spurred the Bears to rule him out not long before kickoff. To cap the regular season, he ended up missing five consecutive contests due to what has been termed a stress fracture in his foot. With a full practice under his belt Thursday, Odunze is in the clear to suit up Saturday, but how many snaps he'll be able to handle remains to be seen.
-
Nate Wiggins CB | BAL
Ravens' Nate Wiggins: Takes leap in sophomore campaign
Wiggins recorded 76 total tackles (57 solo) and 14 passes defensed, including three interceptions, over 17 regular-season games in 2025.
The 2024 first-round pick from Clemson proved why he's considered one of the NFL's top emerging corners in 2025, leading Baltimore in passes defensed and tying for the 12th-most league-wide. Wiggins played a career-high 1,024 defensive snaps this season, resulting in personal bests in total tackles, passes defensed and interceptions. The 22-year-old remains under contract next season and is expected to continue blossoming as one of the league's premier boundary cornerbacks in 2026.
-
Kamari Lassiter CB | HOU
Texans' Kamari Lassiter: Doesn't practice Thursday
Lassiter (ankle) isn't practicing Thursday, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Lassiter has two opportunities left to take the practice field before Monday's wild-card round matchup with the Steelers, and Alexander expects Lassiter to be available Monday. The starting cornerback's practice participation will be worth monitoring over the coming days after Lassiter sat out the Week 18 win over the Colts.
-
Kevin Dotson OG | LAR
Rams' Kevin Dotson: Ruled out for wild-card round
Dotson (ankle) won't play in Saturday's wild-card round game against the Panthers, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.
Head coach Sean McVay ruled Dotson out Thursday, though McVay added that Dotson is making good progress in the starting right guard's recovery from an ankle injury sustained in Week 16 against the Seahawks. Justin Dedich is poised to continue filling in during the wild-card round, but Dotson has a chance to return in the NFC divisional round should the Rams advance.
-
Alohi Gilman SAF | BAL
Ravens' Alohi Gilman: Performs well in Baltimore
Gilman posted 90 total tackles (50 solo), nine passes defensed and one forced fumble over 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Gilman began the season with the Chargers and appeared in five games prior to being dealt to the Ravens in early October. The 28-year-old from Notre Dame was a huge addition to Baltimore's defense, as the team allowed 35.4 points per game prior to his arrival and just 17.0 after. Gilman tallied a career-high 90 stops while recording the second-most passes defensed of his career (nine) as well. Set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, he's likely to draw significant interest from teams in need of secondary help.