NFL Player News

Wattenberg (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official website reports.

Wattenberg suffered a shoulder injury at some point within the last week, and he will now be sidelined through the end of the regular season and potentially multiple playoff games. In his absence, Alex Forsyth will operate as Denver's starting center.

Jefferson caught four of five targets for 30 yards in the Vikings' 23-10 win over the Lions on Christmas Day.

Despite the limited production, Jefferson actually led Minnesota in catches, targets and receiving yards on a day in which rookie QB Max Brosmer threw for just 51 yards. The Vikings' issues under center have ruined Jefferson's season, and he still needs 53 more yards -- a mark he's failed to reach in five of the last six games -- to record his sixth straight 1,000-yard campaign. If J.J. McCarthy (hand) is able to suit up Week 18 against the Packers, Jefferson's odds of keeping his streak alive might be slightly improved.

Montgomery (illness) rushed 10 times for 25 yards and caught both of his targets for 15 yards in Thursday's 23-10 loss to the Vikings.

Montgomery didn't seem bothered by the illness that had his status in question for Thursday's game, as he notched double-digit rushing attempts for the first time since Week 10. Detroit's offense was stuck in first gear all game, as the Lions committed six turnovers and were eliminated from playoff contention with the loss. The veteran running back will continue to share the backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Bears, though neither one has run particularly well of late with Detroit's formerly dominant offensive line regressing.

Chandler carried the ball seven times for 24 yards in the Vikings' 23-10 win over the Lions on Christmas Day.

Out since Week 1 due to a knee injury, Chandler was activated from IR earlier in the week and stepped into the No. 2 RB role with Jordan Mason (ankle) sidelined. The seven carries represented Chandler's first touches of the season, and they all came in the second half after Aaron Jones had been checked out for a leg injury late in the second quarter. The veteran back wasn't removed from the game entirely after halftime, however. With both Mason and Jones potentially at less than 100 percent, and the Vikings having nothing on the line in their regular-season finale, Chandler could see an even bigger workload in Week 18 against the Packers.

Ersery (thumb) is questionable to play Saturday versus the Chargers.

Ersery underwent hand surgery earlier in the week, but he was able to return to log a limited practice Thursday. With Trent Brown (knee) already ruled out, Houston may have to turn to Blake Fisher and Tytus Howard as their starting offensive tackles in Week 17.

Williams caught both of his targets for 37 yards in Thursday's 23-10 loss to the Vikings.

Williams had a 15-yard catch in the first half and a 22-yard catch in the second half as Jared Goff threw for 197 yards and had five turnovers. This was only the second time in the last eight games that Williams fell short of 70 receiving yards, as the speedster can usually be relied upon for a few long catches per game. Detroit has been eliminated from playoff contention ahead of the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Bears.

Goff completed 18 of 29 pass attempts for 197 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Thursday's 23-10 loss to the Vikings. He also rushed three times for two yards and fumbled three times, losing all three.

Goff connected with Isaac TeSlaa for a four-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to cap a 19-play, 80-yard drive with 1:05 remaining before halftime. That touchdown got the Lions on the board and answered a first-quarter Vikings touchdown that came five plays after a Goff fumble. Minnesota reclaimed the lead with a pair of field goals, which were set up by his two third-quarter interceptions on consecutive pass attempts. Goff fumbled two more times in the fourth quarter, as he accounted for five of Detroit's six turnovers. The Lions were eliminated from playoff contention with Thursday's loss, but Goff will have an opportunity to finish the regular season on a less sour note in a Week 18 trip to Chicago.

St. Brown (undisclosed) caught eight of 13 targets for 68 yards in Thursday's 23-10 loss to the Vikings.

St. Brown was targeted on nearly half of Jared Goff's pass attempts as Goff desperately tried to get going against Minnesota's stifling defense. The quarterback ultimately turned it over five times in a loss that eliminated the Lions from playoff contention, so leading the team in targets, catches and receiving yards was of little consolation to St. Brown on Thursday. He suited up despite being listed as questionable entering Thursday's game, and the star wide receiver needed attention from trainers after taking an awkward hit in the final minute of the fourth quarter, though he walked off under his own power, per Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News. The banged-up St. Brown's status will bear monitoring ahead of the regular-season finale against the Bears in Week 18.

Jones carried the ball 18 tines for 53 yards and a touchdown and caught three of four targets for 10 yards in the Vikings' 23-10 win over the Lions on Christmas Day.

The veteran running back headed into the blue medical tent late in the second quarter to be checked for a left leg injury, per Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune, but Jones was back in the lineup on the Vikings' first possession after halftime. Jacons' one-yard TD plunge in the first quarter was his first score since Week 10, and just his second rushing touchdown of the season. He's seen a bigger workload the last two weeks while Jordan Mason (ankle) has been sidelined, gaining 156 yards from scrimmage on 44 touches, and with Minnesota having nothing to play for in Week 18, there may not be much incentive to push Mason back into action in the regular-season finale against the Packers.

Brown (ankle/knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's contest against the Chargers.

Brown is dealing with a pair of lower-leg injuries, and he'll now be forced to miss Week 17. In his absence, Blake Fisher and Tytus Howard are both top candidates to draw the start at right tackle in his place versus Los Angeles.