NFL Player News
-
Marcedes Lewis TE | DEN
Marcedes Lewis: Joins Denver practice squad
The Broncos signed Lewis to the practice squad Wednesday, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.
Lewis was waived after the Broncos' Week 18 victory over the Chargers that secured the AFC's top seed. The tight end is now back on the practice squad with a fresh set of active roster elevations that can be used for the team's three potential playoff games. Lewis played in five games during the regular season, where he logged 81 offensive snaps as a supplemental blocker.
-
Will Sheppard WR | GB
Will Sheppard: On practice-squad injured list
Sheppard (undisclosed) was placed on the Packers' practice-squad injured list Wednesday.
Sheppard will be forced to miss the Packers' next four contests, ultimately ending his 2025 season. The 23-year-old rookie did not appear in a single game while on Green Bay's practice squad, and he will have to wait until next season for another opportunity.
-
Malik Willis QB | GB
Packers' Malik Willis: Limited again Wednesday
Willis (right shoulder/hamstring) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday.
Willis attempted to play through an injury to his right throwing shoulder Week 17 against the Ravens but aggravated it late in that contest. He then was inactive this past Sunday in Minnesota, yielding the start to Clayton Tune, who has since been waived. Coach Matt LaFleur told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic on Tuesday that Jordan Love will start Saturday's wild-card contest in Chicago after missing the last two-and-half games due to a concussion that he suffered in his last visit to Soldier Field in Week 16. At the same time, LaFleur said he anticipates Willis serving as Love's backup this weekend, per Ryan Wood of USA Today. In the end, Willis may need to practice fully Thursday in order to avoid a designation ahead of Saturday's matchup.
-
Jamien Sherwood LB | NYJ
Jets' Jamien Sherwood: Second straight 150-tackle season
Sherwood recorded 154 tackles (71 solo), including 2.0 sacks, as well as eight passes defensed while playing all 17 games in 2025.
Sherwood posted similar numbers to his 158-tackle campaign in 2024, leading the Jets in tackles for the second consecutive season. Having signed a three-year, $45 million contract with the Jets in March, Sherwood's poised to reprise his role as the team's top middle linebacker for his age-26 season in 2026.
-
Stone Smartt TE | NYJ
Jets' Stone Smartt: Seven catches in 2025
Smartt caught seven of nine targets for 52 yards while dressing for 15 games in the 2025 season.
Smartt played mostly on special teams and drew at least one target in only three of his 15 appearances for the Jets. He spent the previous three seasons with the Chargers and has just one touchdown catch in 53 regular-season NFL games. The 27-year-old Smartt's set to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.
-
Dontayvion Wicks WR | GB
Packers' Dontayvion Wicks: Another limited session
Wicks (concussion) was limited at Wednesday's practice.
After Wicks suffered a concussion Week 17 against the Ravens, he wasn't able to practice in any capacity before being inactive this past Sunday at Minnesota. He's now maintained his activity level from Tuesday's walkthrough to Wednesday, but he still has some hurdles to get past, including gaining clearance from an independent neurologist, in order to have a chance to play in Saturday's wild-card contest at Chicago.
-
Jeremy Ruckert TE | NYJ
Jets' Jeremy Ruckert: First NFL TD among 23 catches
Ruckert caught 23 of 29 targets for 179 yards and one touchdown while playing in all 17 games in 2025.
Ruckert set career highs in catches, receiving yards and targets in his fourth NFL season, and the 2022 third-round draft pick scored his first NFL touchdown in Week 2 against the Bills. After signing a two-year, $10 million contract extension with his hometown team in December, the Lindenhurst, New York native is poised to retain the second spot on the Jets' tight end depth chart behind 2025 second-round pick Mason Taylor (neck) in 2026.
-
Nick Niemann LB | GB
Packers' Nick Niemann: Activated from IR
The Packers activated Niemann (pectoral) from injured reserve Wednesday.
Niemann was a limited participant in Tuesday's walkthrough and Wednesday's practice. The linebacker's practice consistency is a good sign for his chances of suiting up for Saturday night's wild-card clash with the Bears. The special-teamer would be set to take on a similar role to what he did during the start of the 2025 campaign, which is 50 percent or more of special-teams snaps while operating as a reserve linebacker for the defense.
-
Arian Smith WR | NYJ
Jets' Arian Smith: Seven receptions as rookie
Smith finished his rookie 2025 season with seven catches for 52 yards on 16 targets while adding four carries for 13 yards. He also notched two kickoff returns for 49 yards and recorded three solo tackles.
Smith didn't make much of an impact on offense, as his longest catch went for 23 yards. In his limited action on that side of the ball, Smith primarily ran deep routes but didn't get much attention from the Jets' underwhelming stable of quarterbacks. The 2025 fourth-round pick should have little trouble holding onto a roster spot in 2026 thanks to his contributions as a gunner on special teams, but Smith would need to develop substantially as a receiver to earn fantasy consideration.
-
Tyler Johnson WR | NYJ
Jets' Tyler Johnson: Finishes with 12 catches in 2025
Johnson caught 12 of 18 targets for 197 yards and one touchdown in 12 appearances during the 2025 season.
Johnson briefly stepped up while the Jets dealt with numerous injuries at wide receiver, leading the team in receiving yards in Week 7 and Week 8 while reaching 60 receiving yards in both games. He had just two catches for 10 yards after the Week 9 bye, though, as Johnson dropped down the depth chart following the team's trades for wide receivers Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie. The 27-year-old Johnson will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and will likely have to compete for a roster spot in training camp somewhere.