NFL Player News

Brownlee reverted to the Chiefs' practice squad Friday.

Despite being elevated for Week 17, Brownlee did not participate in Thursday's loss to the Broncos. With Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Jalen Royals all active and healthy, the Chiefs must not have felt Brownlee's presence would be required to replace an injured Rashee Rice (concussion), Tyquan Thornton (concussion) or Nikko Remigio (knee).

Ricci reverted to the Lions' practice squad Friday.

Ricci played 50 percent of the Lions' offensive snaps in Thursday's loss to the Vikings. The tight end had just one target and no receptions, primarily serving as a blocker for the team. Thursday marks the 29-year-old's third elevation, meaning if the Lions would like to use Ricci in Week 18, they would have to sign him to the active roster.

Schmitz (hand) is doubtful to play in Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Schmitz upgraded to limited participation in practice Friday after opening the week as a non-participant due to a hand injury suffered in the Giants' Week 16 loss to the Vikings. However, it appears the 26-year-old still may need more time before returning. If Schmitz is unable to play in Week 17, Austin Schlottmann would likely start at center for New York.

Bandy reverted to the Broncos' practice squad Friday.

Bandy was elevated to the active roster ahead of Thursday night's 20-13 win over the Chiefs. The wide receiver caught both of his targets for 14 total yards on his seven offensive snaps. While Bandy continues to see some usage, he remains behind Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin and Lil'Jordan Humphrey in the WR pecking order.

The Saints signed Matavao from the practice squad to the active roster Friday.

The move corresponds with the Saints placing fellow tight end Foster Moreau (ankle) on injured reserve. Matavao was selected by the Saints in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but the UCLA product has bounced back and forth between the practice squad and the active roster. He figures to be the Saints' TE4 behind Juwan Johnson, Taysom Hill and Jack Stoll over the final two games of the regular season.

Los Angeles re-signed McLachlan to the practice squad Friday.

McLachlan was cut from the Bolts' practice squad Wednesday, but he now resurfaces with the unit. The second-year pro initially inked with Los Angeles' practice squad Dec. 11 after a workout with the team, and he has yet to be elevated for a game this season.

Watts (concussion) doesn't have an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Watts was a full participant in practice all week, and the avoidance of an injury designation means the defensive end was able to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol in time for Sunday's contest. The 25-year-old will retake his role as a rotational edge rusher behind starters Braiden McGregor and Jermaine Johnson.

Thomas (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus the Raiders.

Thomas was unable to practice all week after suffering a hamstring injury in the Giants' Week 16 loss to the Vikings. Week 17 will mark the third game the 26-year-old has missed this season. With Thomas out, Marcus Mbow will likely start in his place.

Rourke (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Chicago, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Rourke is in the final stages of his recovery from a torn ACL that he suffered during his final collegiate season at Indiana. He's not quite ready to return, but given his 21-day practice window opened Dec. 8, he would need to be activated from the NFI list ahead of the 49ers' Week 18 tilt against the Seahawks. If Rourke is not activated, then he would not be available for the 49ers' regular-season finale or their postseason run.

Robinson (illness) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Saints, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Robinson was a new addition to Friday's injury report with an illness that forced the cornerback to sit out practice. The 23-year-old is primarily a special-teamer, and his potential absence would likely thrust recent acquisition Kaiir Elam into a role for the unit.