NFL Player News

Austin is positioned as one of New Orleans' top starting wideouts for Sunday's season finale against the Falcons due to Chris Olave (illness) being ruled out for Week 18.

Austin has already played more than 80 percent of offensive snaps in back-to-back games, in which span he's secured six of eight targets for 70 yards and one score. He saw those expanded opportunities due to the absence of Mason Tipton (groin), who has since been placed on IR. With Olave now also out for the regular-season finale due a blood clot in his lung, Austin appears positioned as the No. 1 wideout for a receiving corps that also includes Dante Pettis and practice-squad players Ronnie Bell and Samori Toure. Austin will work to make the most of his elevated opportunity versus Atlanta and continue demonstrating chemistry with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough.

Bell signed with the Saints' active roster Friday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

The third-year pro from Michigan will join the Saints' active roster for the second consecutive week after failing to record an offensive statistic across nine total snaps (seven on special teams, two on offense) in the Week 17 win over the Titans. Bell is expected to operate as one of New Orleans' top wideouts in Sunday's matchup against the Falcons, as Chris Olave (blood clots), Mason Tipton (groin), Trey Palmer (ankle), Devaughn Vele (shoulder), Bub Means (lower leg) and Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) will all be sidelined.

Williams (shoulder/neck) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at the Giants, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

With fellow running back Malik Davis (eye) also ruled out, Dallas likely will turn to rookies Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah (shoulder). Mafah is listed as questionable after upgrading to full practice participation Friday, seemingly on track to be activated from injured reserve by Saturday afternoon. There hasn't been any indication that Williams' neck/shoulder injury is a long-term concern, but there's no reason to risk it on the eve of free agency. The Cowboys have publicly expressed interest in re-signing Williams after his breakout campaign on a one-year contract.

Davis (shoulder) was placed on the injured reserve list Friday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

The 29-year-old from BYU sustained a shoulder injury in the Week 17 win over the Titans and didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, so it's no surprise he's shifted to IR. Davis finished his 2025 campaign with four total tackles across 11 appearances while primarily contributing on special teams (eight snaps on defense, 113 on special teams).

Phillip (ankle) practiced in full Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Jets.

Phillips has missed back-to-back games due to a lingering right ankle injury, but he resumed practicing in full Friday after having been listed as limited both Wednesday and Thursday. Barring any setbacks, he seems on track to retake the field Sunday versus New England.

Mitchell-Paden (knee) was placed on the injured reserve list Friday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Mitchell-Paden logged consecutive DNPs to open the Saints' week of practice and has since been placed on IR due to a knee injury. The Florida Atlantic product appeared in eight games with the Ravens and Saints in 2025, catching two of five targets for 17 yards across 107 offensive snaps. With Mitchell-Paden and Jack Stoll (knee) both shifting to IR, expect Moliki Matavao to play a depth role in New Orleans' tight end corps during Sunday's matchup against the Falcons.

Stoll (knee) was placed on the injured reserve list Friday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

The 27-year-old had already been ruled out for Sunday's season finale against the Falcons due to a knee injury, but he's now been placed on IR. Across 15 appearances in 2025, Stoll caught six of 11 targets for 46 yards and one touchdown while operating as one of New Orleans' top reserve tight ends. Expect the Saints' tight-end room to consist of Juwan Johnson, Taysom Hill, and Moliki Matavao in the Week 18 divisional matchup.

Shepherd (ankle/knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Falcons, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

The Fort Hays State product didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday and is now in line to miss the Saints' season finale due to ankle and knee injuries. Shepherd had one of the best years of his career in 2025, tallying 47 total tackles, including 3.0 sacks, and one forced fumble across 16 contests. While he's sidelined Sunday, expect John Ridgeway to operate as one of the Saints' top defensive ends.

Bresee (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Falcons, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Bresee hasn't returned to practice since sustaining a knee injury in the Week 16 win over the Jets, so it's no surprise he'll be sidelined Sunday. The third-year pro from Clemson had a relatively underwhelming 2025 campaign, recording 37 total tackles, including 2.5 sacks, three passes defensed and one forced fumble over 15 appearances. Expect Jonathan Bullard and John Ridgeway to have expanded roles on New Orleans' defensive line while Bresee and Nathan Shepherd (ankle) are sidelined in Week 18.

Jenkins signed a one-year, $2.1 million extension with the Ravens on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The 36-year-old defensive tackle was in line to be an unrestricted free agent following the 2025 season, but he's now set to remain in Baltimore. Jenkins has appeared in 16 games this season, recording 36 total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass defensed. Now under contract through 2026, he's expected to remain the Ravens' top nose tackle for the foreseeable future.