NFL Player News

Smartt (concussion) is active for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Smartt entered the league's concussion protocol following the Jets' Week 14 loss to the Dolphins. He ended the week with a full practice Friday and has been given the green light to play Sunday after being evaluated by an independent neurologist. Smartt will have the opportunity to serve as the Jets' TE2 behind Jeremy Ruckert due to Mason Taylor (neck) being inactive.

DeVito (coach's decision) is inactive but will serve as the Patriots' emergency third quarterback against the Bills on Sunday.

DeVito will not be allowed to play Sunday unless both Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs leave the game due to injury, illness or ejection. DeVito has yet to appear in a regular-season game in 2025.

Spillane (foot) is active Sunday against Buffalo.

Spillane dealt with a foot issue during the week and logged a limited practice session both Thursday and Friday. However, he is going to be able to take the field on a snowy Sunday in Foxborough. Spillane needs three tackles to reach the triple-digit mark for the third straight season.

Flannigan-Fowles (illness/neck) is active for Sunday's game against the Commanders, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Flannigan-Fowles opened Week 15 prep with back-to-back full practices before not participating in Friday's session due to an illness. He has been cleared to play Sunday after going through pregame warmups, but he'll likely lose his starting spot to Darius Muasau, who was activated from injured reserve Saturday after missing the Giants' past four games due to an ankle injury.

Benford (toe) is inactive for Sunday's tilt versus the Patriots.

Benford popped up on the injury report with a toe issue Thursday and finished the week as a non-participant at practice Friday. Per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, the injury isn't considered long term, but the Bills determined that Benford would have limited movement Sunday if he had suited up. Maxwell Hairston is getting a start at cornerback against New England in Benford's absence.

Muasau (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against Washington, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Muasau was activated from injured reserve Saturday, and the second-year pro has been officially cleared to return from a four-game absence due to an ankle injury. His return will likely result in Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (illness/neck) reverting to a rotational role at inside linebacker.

Washington (hip) is active for Sunday's game against the Jets.

The 23-year-old was considered questionable despite putting in a full practice Friday, so it's not much of a surprise he's good to suit up Week 15. After sitting out last week's win over the Colts due to the hip issue, Washington should reclaim his role as Jacksonville's No. 3 wideout behind Brian Thomas and Jakobi Meyers.

Lawrence (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against the Commanders, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Lawrence popped up on Friday's injury report due to a hamstring issue, but he has been cleared to play Sunday after going through pregame warmups. The 2019 first-rounder has accumulated 24 tackles (10 solo), including 0.5 sacks, and three pass defenses (one interception) through 13 regular-season games.

Marks is expected to serve as the Texans' lead back in Sunday's game against the Cardinals due to Nick Chubb (ribs) being inactive for the contest, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Warren notes that Houston could have Dare Ogunbowale and Jawhar Jordan mix in for reps out of the backfield, but the lion's share of touches and snaps will likely fall to Marks. After Chubb departed early in this past Sunday's 20-10 win over the Chiefs, Marks finished with an 87 percent offensive snap share and produced 76 total yards and a touchdown on a season-high 28 touches.

Bernard (elbow) is inactive for Sunday's clash against New England.

Bernard will miss his third straight contest due to an elbow injury. However, he was able to log a trio of limited practices this week, so the Baylor product could be nearing his return. Shaq Thompson will draw another start Sunday in Bernard's continued absence.