NFL Player News

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.

Oliver is set to operate as the Vikings' starting tight end during Sunday's season finale against the Packers with T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) ruled out for Week 18, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Oliver played 93 percent of offensive snaps during Minnesota's win over the Lions in Week 17 with Hockenson sidelined, though he was unable to rack up much production in that contest with fill-in quarterback Max Brosmer being limited to 51 passing yards. With J.J. McCarthy (hand) having been cleared to return to the starting lineup this weekend and the Packers expected to rest multiple key starters, Oliver will have a solid chance to close out the 2025 campaign on a positive note. While predominantly a blocker, Oliver has logged a career-high four touchdowns across 14 regular-season appearances in 2025, and he figures to be one of McCarthy's top targets in the red zone Week 18.

Dorlus (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Saints, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

Dorlus didn't practice all week after sustaining a hamstring injury in the Week 17 win over the Rams, so it's no surprise he'll be sidelined Sunday. The second-year pro from Oregon was one of the NFL's top interior pass rushers in 2025, recording 27 total tackles, including 8.5 sacks, across 15 appearances. While Dorlus is out for the Week 18 contest, expect Elijah Garcia to operate as the Falcons' top reserve defensive end.

Brown (illness) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game versus the Browns.

Brown sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday due to an illness, but his return to the field Friday included no limitations, thereby clearing him to continue to lead the Bengals backfield Week 18. Since the team's Week 10 bye, he's reeled off 745 yards from scrimmage and seven total TDs in seven contests, and with QB Joe Burrow starting and no other key skill-position players expected to have a reduced workload Sunday, Brown should be good for his typical 60-plus percent snap share.

Fitzpatrick (calf) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Patriots, C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald reports.

The 29-year-old is in line to miss his third consecutive game due to a calf injury sustained in the Week 15 loss to the Steelers. Across 14 games this season, Fitzpatrick tallied 82 total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, six passes defensed, with one interception, and one forced fumble. Ifeatu Melifonwu is expected to operate as Miami's top free safety in Fitzpatrick's stead Sunday.

Mason is positioned to start Sunday's season finale against the Packers due to Aaron Jones (hip) being ruled out for Week 18, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Mason handled double-digit carries in all four of the games Jones previously missed to injury between Weeks 3 and 7, and he could face a favorable matchup Sunday versus a Green Bay squad that Mike Spofford of the team's official site reports will rest certain key starters, including on defense. Across 15 regular-season appearances so far, Mason has rushed 145 times for 664 yards (4.6 YPC) and three touchdowns. He's also secured 14 of 16 targets for 51 receiving yards. Ty Chandler and Zavier Scott will handle depth roles behind Mason on this weekend.

Key (hip) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Jaguars, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

The 29-year-old sustained a hip injury in the Week 17 loss to the Saints and didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, so it's no surprise he'll be sidelined Sunday. Key has now closed his 2025 campaign with 22 total tackles, including 4.0 sacks, across 12 contests. While he's sidelined for the Week 18 divisional matchup, expect Jaylen Harrell to start opposite Jihad Ward.

Johnson (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Dallas, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Johnson didn't practice this week and will now miss a second straight game to close out his second pro season. He played in each of the first 15 games, catching 45 of 74 targets for 528 yards and five touchdowns. Johnson probably did enough to keep his starting job in 2026, but things can always change if the Giants fall in love with a free agent or draft pick.

Knox (knee) was a full participant in Friday's practice and does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's regular-season finale at home against New York.

Knox will face an intriguing opportunity versus the Jets' reeling secondary Week 18 in the event that fellow tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee), who is officially listed as questionable, isn't able to suit up. If Kincaid can't go Sunday, Knox will start while rookie fifth-round pick Jackson Hawes handles No. 2 reps. Quarterback Josh Allen (foot) also has been cleared to play this weekend, though it remains to be seen how much the Bills will push key players, and whether the team will opt to have its starters play the entire game. Buffalo is currently the No. 7 seed on the AFC side of the playoffs, but the team could climb to the No. 5 or No. 6 spot with a win, dependent on matchup results around the league.