NFL Player News
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Cole Van Lanen OG | JAC
Jaguars' Cole Van Lanen: DNP in walkthrough
Van Lanen (knee) did not participate in Wednesday's walkthrough practice, Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union reports.
Van Lanen left last Sunday's win over the Titans late in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. The left tackle's status for Sunday's wild-card game against the Bills will likely be determined by the results of Thursday and Friday's practices. If Van Lanen is unable to upgrade his participation and must sit out Sunday's game, Walker Little would likely start at tackle opposite Anton Harrison.
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John Metchie III WR | NYJ
Jets' John Metchie: Logs 29 catches in seven Jets games
Metchie caught 33 of 48 targets for 274 yards and two touchdowns while rushing three times for minus-5 yards in 16 games split between the Eagles and Jets in 2025.
Metchie had just four catches for 18 yards in seven games with the Eagles but was much more involved after being traded to the Jets, catching 29 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns in nine games with Gang Green. The 2022 second-round pick of the Texans has already bounced around to three NFL teams, but it was encouraging that he took on a larger role in his most recent landing spot. The Jets plan to re-sign Metchie as a restricted free agent, and he can be tentatively penciled in as a top-three wide receiver for the team, barring any notable additions via free agency or the draft.
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Ozzy Trapilo OT | CHI
Bears' Ozzy Trapilo: Listed as limited again
Trapilo (knee/quad) was limited in practice Wednesday.
The Bears returned to practice Wednesday after holding a walkthrough session Tuesday, in which Trapilo was also listed as limited. The starting left tackle was also limited in practice prior to being held out Week 18. Meanwhile, backup tackle Braxton Jones (knee) has been a full participant since having his 21-day practice window opened Tuesday.
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Tyrod Taylor QB | NYJ
Jets' Tyrod Taylor: Makes four starts in 2025
Taylor (knee) completed 80 of 134 passes for 779 yards and a 5:5 TD:INT across six appearances (four starts) in 2025. He added 27 rushing attempts for 143 yards and one touchdown.
Taylor was a more effective passer than Justin Fields (knee) or Brady Cook, but that isn't saying much on a Jets offense that didn't have a player exceed 395 receiving yards. Injuries have continued to hamper Taylor's availability, and he was available only as the emergency third quarterback due to a knee injury as the Jets' 3-14 season mercifully came to its conclusion in Week 18. The 36-year-old quarterback has proven capable enough in a backup role that he'll likely garner some interest in free agency during the offseason if Taylor regains health and chooses to continue his NFL career.
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Kene Nwangwu RB | NYJ
Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Effective as kickoff returner in 2025
Nwangwu finished the 2025 season with 13 carries for 49 yards and no targets or touchdowns on offense while adding 604 yards and one touchdown on 18 kickoff returns in 12 games.
Nwangwu maintained his status as one of the NFL's best kickoff returners when healthy, as he's up to five kickoff return touchdowns in as many NFL seasons. He didn't record a touch on offense through Week 16 but set a new career high for carries in each of the last two games as the Jets battled backfield injuries, logging six in Week 17 and seven in Week 18. The special teams ace is set to turn 28 years old the day after the Super Bowl and will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
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KeAndre Lambert-Smith WR | LAC
Chargers' KeAndre Lambert-Smith: Not practicing Wednesday
Lambert-Smith (hamstring) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Lambert-Smith suffered a hamstring injury during the Chargers' Week 18 loss to the Broncos and was unable to return to the contest. The 23-year-old has two more chances to participate in practice before Sunday's playoff matchup against the Patriots. Should Lambert-Smith be unable to return, Tre' Harris and Derius Davis could see a slightly higher snap count at wide receiver.
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Kyler Gordon CB | CHI
Bears' Kyler Gordon: Limited in practice Wednesday
Gordon (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Gordon remains on injured reserve, but his ability to log a practice in any capacity is a good sign for the cornerback's chances to suit up for Saturday's wild-card matchup with the Packers. The 26-year-old's season was derailed by injuries, and he only participated in three games, logging 117 defensive snaps for seven tackles (two solo). The return of Gordon could bolster the Bears' secondary as they head into a tough elimination game against a familiar opponent.
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Braxton Jones OT | CHI
Bears' Braxton Jones: Practices in full Wednesday
Jones (knee), who officially remains on IR, was a full participant in Wednesday's session.
Chicago returned to practice Wednesday after holding a walkthrough session Tuesday, and Jones was listed as a full participant on both reports. He appears on track to come off IR and return to the 53-man roster in time for Saturday's wild-card round matchup against the Packers.
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Chauncey Gardner-Johnson SAF | CHI
Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: DNP Wednesday
Gardner-Johnson (concussion) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
Gardner-Johnson did not participate in Tuesday's walkthrough nor Wednesday's practice. The slot cornerback still seems to be experiencing symptoms of the concussion he sustained during last Sunday's loss to the Lions. If Gardner-Johnson cannot upgrade his practice participation Thursday, he will likely be ruled out of Saturday's playoff matchup with the Packers. Nick McCloud will likely start at slot cornerback if Gardner-Johnson cannot play.
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Shaq Green-Thompson OLB | BUF
Bills' Shaq Thompson: Limited in practice Wednesday
Thompson (neck) is listed as limited on Wednesday's estimated practice report.
Thompson was limited in advance of Buffalo's loss to the Eagles in Week 17 due to his neck injury, but he was cleared to suit up for that game without being assigned an official injury designation. The veteran linebacker was then among starters who rested Week 18. Barring any setbacks in practice Thursday and/or Friday, Thompson can be expected to gain clearance for Sunday's wild-card round matchup on the road against Jacksonville.