NFL Player News

Metcalf will return to action for the Steelers' Jan. 12 wild-card matchup with the Texans after his two-game suspension was lifted Monday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Metcalf was handed the two-game ban following the Steelers' Week 16 win in Detroit after the NFL determined that he initiated a physical confrontation with a fan during that contest. Without their top wideout over the final two games of the regular season, the Steelers lost to the Browns in Week 17 but were able to punch their ticket to the postseason by claiming the AFC North crown with a 26-24 win over the Ravens on Sunday. Though the Steelers face a daunting matchup in the wild-card round against a staunch Texans defense, the return of Metcalf will at least give Pittsburgh a much-needed downfield threat on the perimeter. Over his 15 appearances during the regular season, Metcalf recorded 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns on 99 targets to go with two carries for 12 yards and another score.

Smith secured one of two targets for six yards, returned one punt for nine yards and returned one kickoff for 27 yards during Sunday's 37-20 victory over the Cardinals.

A week removed from leading the Rams in receiving yards, Smith fell back to Earth in a big way against Arizona, reverting back to his typical output throughout the 2025 campaign. Smith was fourth on the Rams in receiving yardage with 303 yards on 24 catches and no touchdowns. Smith's role grew as the season progressed, settling in as one of the primary backups behind starters Puka Nacua and Davante Adams (hamstring). Smith will be an exclusive-rights free agent after the postseason and will be a candidate for a one-year deal to return to the Rams as a return specialist and role player at wide receiver once again. Smith's next opportunity to produce comes in a road matchup against Carolina in the wild-card round on Saturday.

Atwell secured one of three targets for 19 yards during Sunday's 37-20 victory against the Cardinals.

Even with Davante Adams (hamstring) out and Jordan Whittington (knee) leaving the game early with injury, Atwell was on the field for just a handful of snaps on offense. The one-year, $10 million deal Atwell signed in the offseason will leave the speedster as an unrestricted free agent after the postseason, and he'll do so after his worst statistical season since his rookie year with the Rams in 2021. Atwell played just 10 games this season and caught six of his 15 targets for 192 yards and a touchdown, a stark drop from 2024 when he finished with a 42-562-0 receiving line over 17 games. Even if Adams and Whittington are unavailable for Saturday's wild-card round matchup with the Panthers, Puka Nacua, Konata Mumpfield and Xavier Smith will likely record the bulk of work at receiver, leaving Atwell in his typical role as a scarcely used deep threat.

Ward was diagnosed with an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder after undergoing testing Monday and isn't expected to require offseason surgery, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Ward ended up starting all 17 games during his rookie season for the Titans, but after taking every snap through the first 16 contests, an injury to his throwing shoulder forced him out of Sunday's 41-7 loss to the Jaguars following Tennessee's opening drive. The Titans were initially fearful that Ward had suffered a significant injury that might need surgery, but the young signal-caller appears to have received a more favorable prognosis than expected after being sent in for tests. The Titans haven't offered a timeline for when Ward will be fully recovered from the shoulder injury, however, so his availability for the start of the team's offseason program could be affected. Ward wrapped up his 2025 campaign with 323 completions on 540 attempts (59.8 percent) for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions while adding 159 yards and two scores on 39 carries. He was particularly effective following the Titans' Week 10 bye, raising his completion rate to 62.4 percent while accounting for 12 touchdowns (10 passing, two rushing) and committing just three turnovers (one interception, two lost fumbles) over the final eight games.

Fant caught one pass for five yards in Sunday's loss to the Browns, but he coughed up that reception, and that fumble was returned for a touchdown for the third time this season.

Fant's fumble was the perfect cap to a truly disappointing season, one where he caught 34 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns. The last of those scores came Week 9 against the Bears. He enters the offseason as a free agent after signing a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Bengals in July.

Gardner-Johnson recorded six tackles (five solo) in the Bears' 19-16 loss to the Lions on Sunday.

Gardner-Johnson totaled 66 tackles, including 3.0 sacks and four passes defended, including two interceptions, while splitting his season between Houston and Chicago. Durability remained an issue, as he has now missed 27 games since 2021 despite consistent per-game production when active. He is set to hit free agency and remains a low-ceiling IDP dependent on health.

Brisker recorded eight tackles (five solo) in the Bears' 19-16 loss to the Lions on Sunday.

Brisker completed his first 17-game season in four years and finished with 93 tackles, including 1.0 sacks and eight passes defended, including one interception. His per-game tackle rate declined compared to prior seasons, but he was steadily involved. He is set to hit free agency and profiles as a solid-floor IDP.

Byard recorded eight tackles (two solo) and an interception in the Bears' 19-16 loss to the Lions on Sunday.

Byard finished with 93 tackles and eight passes defended, including seven interceptions, marking his sixth season with at least four interceptions. He consistently posted between five and seven tackles across most outings, maintaining steady weekly value. He is set to hit free agency but remains an excellent IDP option heading into his age-32 season.

Wright recorded six tackles, including five solo, in the Bears' 19-16 loss to the Lions on Sunday.

Wright finished with 80 tackles, 11 passes defended, including five interceptions, one touchdown, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries after earning a starting role early in the season. He exceeded expectations following limited usage over his first four NFL seasons and never relinquished his spot. He is set to hit free agency and projects as a highly sought-after IDP entering 2026.

Johnson recorded five solo tackles in the Bears' 19-16 loss to the Lions on Sunday.

Johnson appeared in seven games and totaled 17 tackles, one interception and two passes defended while missing significant time for the fourth time in five seasons. His snap counts were limited for much of the year, and his career interception total sits at eight across six seasons. He is signed through 2027 and remains a low-floor, low-ceiling IDP.