NFL Player News

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday that he's "not quite sure" about Watson's (chest/shoulder) status for Saturday's game at Chicago, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports. "Every one of these guys is going to be fighting to make it by game time," LaFleur said of Watson and the Packers' other injured players.

Watson was forced out in the second half of Sunday's 34-26 loss to the Broncos after he landed hard while attempting to reel in a deep ball that was intercepted by Patrick Surtain. While LaFleur didn't offer exact details on the nature or severity of Watson's injury, the wideout was cleared to return to Green Bay following a brief stay in a Denver-area hospital. Even so, Watson could still be challenged to make it back for Week 16's key divisional contest, with LaFleur noting that functionality and pain tolerance will be the biggest factors, per Zach Jacobson of 247Sports.com. A potential Watson absence in Week 16 would free up more routes and snaps for Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden and Dontayvion Wicks.

Washington secured his only target for 10 yards during Miami's 28-15 loss to the Steelers on Monday night.

Washington turned in his lowest single-game target total of the season in Week 15, as all of Darren Waller, De'Von Achane, Greg Dulcich, Jaylen Waddle and Julian Hill saw more involvement in the receiving game. Monday's loss was also just the third time this season that Washington didn't field any kickoff returns, though he did return two punts for 14 yards. Washington will face a more favorable matchup at home against the Bengals on Sunday.

Coach Mike McDaniel said Fitzpatrick's (calf) injury should be filed in the week-to-week category, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Fitzpatrick exited Monday night's contest with a calf issue in the fourth quarter. After more tests on the issue, Fitzpatrick may be able to return for more regular-season football. The Dolphins have been eliminated from playoff contention. Still, with a chance to play spoiler for the Patriots' AFC East title hopes, Fitzpatrick could be back in action for Week 18, or maybe even sooner for Week 17 against the Buccaneers.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel suggested Tuesday that he's considering benching Tagovailoa for the team's Week 16 game against the Bengals, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports. "The quarterback play last night was not good enough," McDaniel said. "So for me, everything is on the table."

Tagovailoa turned in another uneven performance in Monday's 28-15 loss to the Steelers, completing 22 of 28 attempts for 253 yards and two touchdowns. The two scores came in garbage time, and he also lost 31 yards on four sacks and was intercepted on a deep ball intended for Jaylen Waddle midway through the first quarter. Prior to Monday's loss, the Dolphins had been riding a four-game winning streak, but the team's recent success was largely due to a potent De'Von Achane-led ground attack and an improved defense. Tagovailoa, meanwhile, posted a 3:3 TD:INT and threw for under 200 yards in each of those contests. With Monday's loss ending the Dolphins' long-shot bid for the playoffs, McDaniel is exploring a change at quarterback, with Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers looming as possible alternatives. McDaniel said he expects to reach a final decision on a Week 16 starter by Wednesday, and even if Tagovailoa retains the job, the mere consideration of a quarterback change suggests that the 27-year-old may not be viewed as the franchise's long-term answer. Tagovailoa is in the first season of a four-year, $212.4 million extension, and the Dolphins would have to absorb a $79.2 million dead-cap hit in order to get out from under his contract before 2027.

Vele (shoulder) is believed to have avoided a major injury but is considered week-to-week, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

The timing of the injury could make it tricky for Vele to return this season, Underhill added. Vele was injured in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 20-17 win over the Panthers after he secured five of six targets for 69 yards prior to his departure. If Vele is unable to play this upcoming Sunday against the Jets, Mason Tipton, Kevin Austin and Dante Pettis would appear to be next in line for snaps behind No. 1 wideout Chris Olave.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said that Fiske won't participate in Tuesday's walkthrough practice due to an ankle injury, Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports.

McVay suggested that Fiske's status for Thursday's game against the Seahawks will likely be a gameday decision. The defensive lineman hasn't missed a game this season, tallying a pair of sacks among his 28 tackles over 14 appearances.

Valdes-Scantling secured his lone target for a 19-yard touchdown during Monday's 28-15 win over the Dolphins.

Valdes-Scantling made his second appearance with the Steelers after being signed to the active roster earlier in the day. He was on the field for 52 percent of the team's offensive snaps and reached the end zone early in the third quarter to give Pittsburgh a two-possession lead. Valdes-Scantling's fantasy upside is limited however, after being targeted just once in each of his first two appearances with the team.

Coach Dan Quinn confirmed today that no players on injured reserve, including Jean-Baptiste (pectoral), will return for the end of the year, Tom Schad of The Washington Post reports.

Jean-Baptiste was forced to undergo surgery for the pectoral injury he suffered in the Commanders' Week 4 loss to the Falcons. The defensive end played just three games this season, totalling six tackles (two solo), including 1.0 sacks. With a near guarantee that his season is over, the 25-year-old will have to look toward a 2026 return to the field.

Thielen secured his lone target for seven yards during Monday's 28-15 win over Miami.

Thielen ranked second among Pittsburgh's wide receivers Monday by playing 58 percent of the team's offensive snaps, but he wasn't heavily involved in the passing game. The 35-year-old has seen an uptick in playing time since being waived by Minnesota and subsequently claimed by Pittsburgh, but he's been targeted just once in each of his first two appearances with his new team. Despite his increased snap counts, Thielen's fantasy potential remains limited late in the regular season.

Johnson gained four yards on two carries during Monday's 28-15 win over the Dolphins.

Although Jaylen Warren was questionable for Monday's matchup due to an illness, he was able to suit up, and Johnson saw a minimal workload once again. He was on the field for just two offensive snaps and was limited to two carries for a third consecutive week. Kenneth Gainwell has been the primary beneficiary when Warren has been limited this year, and that's unlikely to change over the final few weeks of the regular season.