NFL Player News

Benford (toe) was a limited participant in Wednesday's walkthrough practice.

Benford was unable to suit up for Buffalo's win over New England in Week 15. He didn't practice last Friday, so getting in at least limited on-field reps to begin Week 16 is a tangible step in the right direction. Benford will have two more chances to upgrade to full practice reps ahead of Sunday's game against Cleveland.

Wicks (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday.

Wicks was sidelined for Tuesday's walkthrough, so his ability to mix into drills one day later is a step in the right direction ahead of Saturday's game in Chicago. Ultimately, Thursday's practice report will reveal whether or not he's tagged with a designation for Week 16 action.

Jacobs (knee/ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

After sitting out Tuesday's walkthrough due to lingering knee and ankle injuries, Jacobs told Ryan Wood of USA Today that he intends to play Saturday at Chicago, adding, "For me, it's harder to watch games than it is to play hurt." Jacobs had a significant limp in the locker room Tuesday while also wearing a knee brace, but if he follows a similar practice regimen to last week, he'd log a limited practice Thursday before being listed as questionable for Week 16 action. With Chris Brooks (chest) limited this week, Emanuel Wilson is the only healthy RB on the Packers' active roster.

johnston (groin) is participating in practice Wednesday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

Johnston was added to Los Angeles' injury report in Week 15 late after being limited at practice Friday, and he was initially listed as questionable before eventually being ruled out for the team's win over the Chiefs. It seems likely that he'll be limited again Wednesday, in which case the extent of Johnston's practice activity Thursday and Friday stand to be the deciding factors in his status for Sunday's game against Dallas. Even if healthy enough to return in time for a favorable matchup against the Cowboys' defense, it will be difficult for fantasy managers to rely on Johnston given that he's exceeded 50 receiving yards just once in his last eight appearances.

Kmet (ankle) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

The Bears also listed Kmet as limited after Tuesday's walk-through. He handled his normal role during Sunday's blowout win over Cleveland, playing 72 percent of snaps on offense while catching two of four targets for 28 yards.

Watson (chest/shoulder) said Wednesday that he's "feeling pretty good" and expects to be "alright for the game" against Chicago on Saturday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Watson was down on the ground for a while after an awkward fall during Saturday's 34-26 loss to the Broncos. He didn't rejoin the game, and was even sent to the hospital briefly, but he flew home with his teammates Sunday night before managing limited practice participation Wednesday.

Burden (ankle) was a non-participant at practice Wednesday.

Burden filled in for an absent Rome Odunze (foot) this past Sunday versus the Browns, hauling in six of seven targets for 84 yards before exiting in the third quarter with an ankle injury. On Monday, coach Ben Johnson called Burden "day-to-day," per Chris Kwiecinski of Fox 32 Chicago, but both he and Odunze have yet to mix into any drills this week. Thursday's practice report will reveal Burden's odds to suit up Saturday against the Packers.

Odunze (foot) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice.

Odunze sat out a Week 14 loss at Green Bay due to a stress fracture in his foot, and while he was listed as active this past Sunday against the Browns, he was a late scratch due to a setback suffered during pregame warmups. On Monday, coach Ben Johnson told Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com that "all options are on the table" for Odunze's recovery, but the second-year pro now has missed both Week 16 sessions, putting his availability in question ahead of Saturday's game versus the Packers.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that Tagovailoa will act as the emergency No. 3 quarterback during Sunday's game against the Bengals, Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald reports.

Tagovailoa will not only be benched in favor of rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers versus Cincinnati in Week 16, but he's positioned to be inactive while Zach Wilson remains in the backup role. In that case, Tagovailoa would only be eligible to take the field if both Ewers and Wilson end up forced out of action. Based on the timing of his benching, it won't be surprising if Tagovailoa remains in the No. 3 role for Miami's remaining three regular-season games. Across 14 appearances this year, Tagovailoa has thrown a career-high and league-leading 15 interceptions. If he doesn't take another snap in 2025, Tagovailoa with end the season with a 68 percent completion percentage, 2,660 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, in addition to the aforementioned INTs. He's also rushed 20 times for 43 yards and fumbled eight times, losing one.

Swift was limited at Wednesday's practice due to a groin injury.

Swift was added to the Bears' Week 16 injury report midweek, which often indicates a health concern suffered on the practice field. How he's listed Thursday will provide a sense of his ability to suit up Saturday against the Packers, but Kyle Monangai is on hand in the event Swift is inhibited or sidelined.