NFL Player News

Tonga (foot) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

A foot injury prevented Tonga from playing in the Patriots' last three games, including their wild-card round win over the Chargers this past Sunday. With a full practice under his belt, the fifth-year defensive tackle is on track to be available for Sunday's AFC divisional-round clash against the Texans. Tonga posted 24 tackles (nine solo) and two pass defenses across 14 regular-season games.

Jennings (concussion) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Jennings is progressing in his recovery from a concussion that led to him being placed on injured reserve in mid-December. He was cleared to return to practice Wednesday, and his ability to participate without restriction Thursday is a sign that he is progressing through the league's concussion protocol. He would need to be activated from injured reserve in order to be available for Sunday's AFC divisional-round clash against the Texans.

Gonzalez (concussion) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Gonzalez's upgrade in practice participation indicates that he is progressing through the league's concussion protocol, which he entered following the Patriots' AFC wild-card round win over the Chargers this past Sunday. New England will host Houston on Sunday in the divisional round, and Gonzalez would need to be cleared by an independent neurologist in order to play in that contest.

Darnold, who exited Thursday's practice early to undergo treatment on an oblique injury, plans to play in Saturday's divisional-round game against the 49ers, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Darnold, who was deemed a limited participant in Thursday's session, officially is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest, but the QB noted after practice, "I feel good...in routes on air, I just felt a little something in my oblique. I just didn't want to push it. It wasn't the day to push it, so that was it. I came inside, got some rehab, and I feel like I'll be ready to go for Saturday." Moreover, when asked later what the likelihood of being unavailable this weekend was, Darnold said, "It's a very low percentage, probably closer to zero."

Mahomes, who underwent surgery in mid-December to repair the ACL and LCL ligaments in his left knee, said Thursday during a Zoom call that his injury rehab is "hitting all the checkpoints," the Associated Press reports.

With that in mind, Mahomes continues to target being ready for the start of the 2026 regular season, but given the timing of the QB's injury, such an outcome is hardly a lock. "I want to be ready for Week 1. The doctors said I could," Mahomes noted Thursday, "but I can't predict what happens throughout the process. That's the goal, to play Week 1 and have no restrictions. You want to be out there healthy and give us the best chance to win. I hope to do some things in OTAs and training camp and be able to do things there."

Jordan (ankle) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Jordan, who also was limited at practice Wednesday, missed this past Monday's wild-card win over the Steelers while dealing with a high-ankle sprain that he sustained Week 18. However, the running back's ability to practice both Wednesday and Thursday, albeit in a limited fashion, offers hope that he could return to action for Sunday's divisional-round contest against the Patriots. Friday's injury report will reveal whether Jordan heads into the weekend with an injury designation or cleared to rejoin a Houston backfield that also includes Nick Chubb and is led by Woody Marks.

Pearsall (knee) will be listed as questionable for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Seahawks, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Pearsall, who continues to manage a PCL injury in his right knee, was inactive in Weeks 16 and 18 as well as the 49ers' wild-card win over the Eagles this past Sunday. For his part, the wideout has been able to practice in a limited fashion this week and is optimistic that he'll play this weekend, per Vic Tafur of The Athletic, but given his official 'questionable' designation, Pearsall's status will still need to be monitored ahead of the 8:00 p.m ET kickoff.

Darnold (oblique) is listed as questionable for Saturday night's divisional-round game against the 49ers, Curtis Crabtree of Fox 13 Seattle reports.

Darnold wasn't listed on the Seahawks' injury report Tuesday or Wednesday, so his addition to it Thursday as a limited participant, per Brady Henderson of ESPN.com, is notable and thus makes the QB's status worth tracking ahead of Saturday's 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff. As a result of Darnold's oblique issue, Drew Lock logged some first-team QB reps Thursday, per Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune. That said, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic relays that Darnold, who said he felt something during practice and didn't want to push it, elected to play it safe and got some rehab during Seattle's final practice this week, but he indicated that he feels like he'll be "ready to go for Saturday."

Henry (knee) practiced fully Thursday.

Henry was listed as limited Wednesday, but his return to a full session Thursday sets the stage for the Patriots' No. 1 tight end to be available for Sunday's divisional-round game against the Texans. During the regular season, Henry made his mark by recording a 60-768-7 line on 87 targets in 17 games, and he should remain one of QB Drake Maye's top pass catchers this weekend against a tough Houston defense that held the Steelers to six points in this past Monday's wild-card win.

Odunze (foot) was limited at practice Thursday.

Both Odunze and DJ Moore (knee) have logged back-to-back limited practice listings, which gives the WR duo one more opportunity to upgrade to full participation before the Bears assign injury designations ahead of Sunday's divisional-round game against the Rams. Odunze returned from a five-game absence in this past Saturday's wild-card win over the Packers en route to recording a 69 percent snap share, and with no reported setbacks, it's plausible that his listed limitations are maintenance-related.