NFL Player News
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Lane Johnson OT | PHI
Eagles' Lane Johnson: Trending toward return
Johnson (foot) is trending toward returning for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the 49ers, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
The 35-year-old offensive tackle has been sidelined for the Eagles' last seven games due to a foot injury, but following a week of limited practice sessions, he's officially listed as questionable for the wild-card round. If Johnson returns as expected Sunday, he'll likely operate as Philadelphia's top right tackle.
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Josh Palmer WR | BUF
Bills' Joshua Palmer: Won't play Sunday
Palmer (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's AFC wild-card game against the Jaguars.
Palmer was held out of practice all week due to an ankle injury, which is severe enough for the veteran wideout to be sidelined for the Bills' playoff opener. With Palmer sidelined, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports that Keon Coleman -- who was a healthy inactive in four of the Bills' final eight games of the regular season -- is expected to be active against Jacksonville. Brandin Cooks and Tyrell Shavers are also in line for more snaps on offense in Palmer's absence.
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Trent Williams OT | SF
49ers' Trent Williams: Likely returning Sunday
Williams (hamstring) is trending toward returning for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Eagles, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
The All-Pro offensive lineman was sidelined for the 49ers' Week 18 loss to the Seahawks and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's contest. However, Williams logged consecutive limited sessions to end San Francisco's week of practice, suggesting he's trending in the right direction ahead of the wild-card round. If active Sunday, the 37-year-old is expected to operate as the 49ers' top left tackle.
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Azeez Al-Shaair LB | HOU
Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Leading tackler in 2025
Al-Shaair recorded 103 tackles (48 solo), nine passes defensed (two interceptions), one forced fumble and one recovery over 16 regular-season games in 2025.
Al-Shaair was again the leader of Houston's defense, which was one of the best in the NFL in 2025. He led the team in tackles and earned the highest grades in run defense, coverage and overall performance from Pro Football Focus. The 28-year-old is locked in for one more season and will return as Houston's signal caller in 2026.
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Henry To'oTo'o LB | HOU
Texans' Henry To'oTo'o: Role unchanged in 2025
To'oTo'o finished the 2025 regular season with 95 tackles (42 solo), 2.5 sacks, four passes defensed, and a fumble recovery over 17 games.
To'oTo'o, who was a staple in the linebacking crew in 2024 and led Houston with 105 tackles in the regular season, was expected to take a step back in usage this season. That expectation was fueled by the return of a healthy Christian Harris and the addition of free agent E.J. Speed, but To'oTo'o remained an integral part. The Texans played a lot of nickel, which naturally limits one linebacker position, and To'oTo'o along with Azeez Al-Shaair made the cut. To'oTo'o has one year remaining on his rookie contract.
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Derek Stingley Jr. CB | HOU
Texans' Derek Stingley: Targeted less in 2025
Stingley recorded 36 tackles (26 solo), 15 passes defensed (four interceptions), a forced fumble and a touchdown over 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Stingley played a full 17-game season for the second consecutive campaign, as he enhanced his legend as a shutdown corner. While the 36 tackles were a career low, it had more to do with quarterbacks not throwing his way. Stingley was targeted just 65 times after seeing 95 the previous regular season in the same number of games. There was some slippage in reception percentage and missed tackles, but Stingley remains among the league's elite cornerbacks.
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Jalen Pitre SAF | HOU
Texans' Jalen Pitre: Continues growth in new role
Pitre had 74 tackles, 12 passes defensed and four interceptions over 14 regular-season games in 2025.
Pitre, who played safety his first two seasons in the NFL, enjoyed another strong year as a nickel corner. In some ways, he's the key piece to the NFL's top-ranked defense, because he hits like a linebacker and can cover (88.1 coverage grade). The Texans can roll with a 4-2-5 alignment, as they often did in 2025, while not being vulnerable when offenses go big and try to run the ball on Houston. The team recognized Pitre's value prior to the 2025 season by locking him in for a three-year extension.
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Will Anderson Jr. DE | HOU
Texans' Will Anderson: Double-digit sacks in 2025
Anderson registered 54 tackles, 12.0 sacks, and a touchdown over 17 regular-season games in 2025. He added three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Anderson established a new career high in sacks and recorded a second consecutive season with double-digit sacks. He and Danielle Hunter (15.0 sacks) at the opposite end of the defensive line were a lot for offensive lines and a big part of the Texans' top-ranked defense. Anderson's touchdown, his first in the NFL, came when he strip-sacked Seattle's Sam Darnold in the end zone and pounced on the ball during a Week 7 loss to the Seahawks. The edge rusher is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2026.
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Danielle Hunter DE | HOU
Texans' Danielle Hunter: Sack leader in Houston
Hunter recorded 54 tackles, 15.0 sacks, three passes defensed, three forced fumble and one fumble recovery over 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Hunter led the Texans in sacks for a second consecutive season, as the bookend combination of him and Will Anderson (12.0 sacks) once again wreaked havoc on opposing offenses. This was the fourth consecutive season and seventh overall with double-digit sacks for Hunter. The 31-year-old has another year on his current deal and, along with Anderson, will return to scare quarterbacks and offensive linemen in 2026.
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Jeffery Simmons DT | TEN
Titans' Jeffery Simmons: Racks up 11.0 sacks
Simmons recorded 67 tackles (39 solo) with 11.0 sacks and three forced fumbles across 15 games in 2025.
Simmons has been a key member of the Titans' defense since 2020, his second season, and he showed a newfound ability to get after the quarterback in 2025. In addition to his career-high 11.0 sacks, he also set a new best mark of 21 quarterback hits. Simmons remains a steady run defender, and he'll almost certainly be back with the Titans in 2026, as his most recent extension has two years remaining.