NFL Player News

Hamilton (ankle) is active for Sunday night's game against the Patriots.

Hamilton hurt his ankle in practice late in Week 16, but the starting safety evidently will not be kept out of a key primetime matchup. The versatile defensive back will expand the Ravens' defensive capabilities as he looks to extend his streak of 100 percent defensive snap participation to four games.

Pollard carried the ball 21 times for 102 yards in Sunday's 26-9 win over Kansas City.

The veteran back continues to roll, topping 100 rushing yards for a third straight game after going the first 12 games of the season without reaching triple digits. Pollard did cede more work to Tyjae Spears, however, as the younger RB saw a season-high 13 carries and 18 touches, turning them into 105 scrimmage yards of his own along with a rushing TD. With the Titans' offense finally looking at least competent, Pollard and Spears could remain in something close to a timeshare over the final two weeks of the season. Pollard is 51 rushing yards shy of his fourth straight 1,000-yard campaign, a milestone he'll look to reach in Week 17 against the Saints.

Rush (coach's decision) is inactive and will serve as the Ravens' emergency third quarterback Sunday against the Patriots.

Rush maintains his role as the emergency quarterback with Lamar Jackson starting and Tyler Huntley being the primary backup. The 32-year-old will be prohibited from playing Sunday unless both quarterbacks ahead of him are required to leave the game.

Dowdle rushed nine times for 29 yards and brought in four of six targets for 14 yards in the Panthers' 23-20 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Dowdle outpaced Chuba Hubbard by just three carries and two rushing yards, as both backs had a predictably difficult time versus the Buccaneers' typically stingy run defense. With Sunday's production, Dowdle did exceed 1,000 rushing yards for the second consecutive campaign, but he's been at 58 rushing yards or fewer in six consecutive games heading into a Week 17 home matchup against a tough Seahawks defense.

Stanley (knee) will play in Sunday's matchup versus New England.

Stanley is officially good to go after having dealt with a knee injury throughout the week. The 31-year-old will continue to serve as Baltimore's starting left tackle against the Patriots.

Austin (hamstring) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Lions, Burt Lauten of the Steelers' official site reports.

Austin exited the game in the fourth quarter after sustaining the injury. The wide receiver caught his sole target for an eight-yard gain before his exit.

Ward completed 21 of 28 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 26-9 win over Kansas City. he added nine rushing yards on four carries.

The rookie QB tossed multiple scores for the third straight game, finding Chig Okonkwo for a seven-yard TD in the second quarter and Chimere Dike for a one-yard touchdown in the third. More importantly, Ward led the Titans to their first win at home since Week 9 of last season. With a 6:1 TD:INT over the last three games -- equaling his touchdown total from the prior 10 games combined -- Ward appears to be taking a big step forward in his development heading into a Week 17 clash with the Saints.

Austin posted two receptions (on three targets) for 18 yards during Sunday's 29-6 win over the Jets.

Austin served as the Saints' No. 3 wideout after being signed to the active roster Thursday. The second-year undrafted receiver was added for depth after Devaughn Vele (shoulder) was placed on IR. While Dante Pettis was considered questionable to play with an illness, Pettis ended up playing. However, he logged just one target. Meanwhile, the Saints were led in targets by WR1 Chris Olave (16), TE1 Juwan Johnson (nine), Taysom Hill (six) and Mason Tipton (five). Austin will likely serve as the Saints' WR3/WR4 over the final two weeks of the regular season, but his production should be pretty limited.

Pegues (hand) is questionable to return to Sunday's matchup versus Houston.

Pegues' status for the remainder of the game is now up in the air after he sustained a hand injury in the second half. If the 24-year-old is unable to return, Thomas Booker will be left as the team's only remaining backup defensive tackle.

Newsome (shoulder) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Broncos, John Oehser of the Jaguars' official site reports.

Newsome exited in the early fourth quarter with a shoulder injury after making a tackle on RJ Harvey. If the cornerback is unable to return, Christian Braswell will likely finish out the game at outside corner.