NFL Player News
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Sione Takitaki LB | MIN
Vikings' Sione Takitaki: Suffers hamstring injury Sunday
Takitaki (hamstring) is questionable to return to Sunday's game versus the Packers.
Takitaki was a weekend elevation from Minnesota's practice squad for Week 18, but he exited the contest early after hurting his hamstring. Until he's ready to return to the field, Bo Richter could be a candidate to see additional reps at linebacker.
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George Karlaftis DE | KC
Chiefs' George Karlaftis: Unavailable for Week 18
Karlaftis (rest) is inactive for Sunday's contest against the Raiders, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
Karlaftis will get a breather in the regular-season finale with Kansas City already eliminated from the postseason. In his absence, Charles Omenihu is a top candidate to take over as a starter on the defensive line versus Las Vegas.
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Jamaree Salyer OG | LAC
Chargers' Jamaree Salyer: Inactive for Week 18
Salyer (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Salyer and Bradley Bozeman (concussion) will be the two starting offensive linemen who will be inactive for Sunday's regular-season finale. Bobby Hart is in line to start at left tackle in Salyer's absence.
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Jerry Tillery DT | KC
Chiefs' Jerry Tillery: Good to go for season finale
Tillery (personal) is active for Sunday's contest against the Raiders, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
Tillery dealt with a personal matter Friday and missed the team's final practice of the week, but he'll now be good to go for Week 18. The 29-year-old will operate in his typical role as a top reserve option behind Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi at defensive tackle versus Las Vegas.
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Luther Burden III WR | CHI
Bears' Luther Burden: Elevated role projected for Sunday
Burden is in line to serve as the Bears' No. 2 receiver again in Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Lions due to Rome Odunze (foot) being ruled inactive for the contest.
Burden has taken ample advantage in the three games he's played during Odunze's current absence, posting an 18-289-1 line on 22 targets in that span. The rookie is coming into Sunday fresh off a career-best eight-catch, 138-yard, one-touchdown effort against the 49ers last Sunday night, and he'll look to exploit a Lions secondary that's been significantly impacted by injury.
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Case Keenum QB | CHI
Bears' Case Keenum: Designated as emergency QB
Keenum (coach's decision) is inactive but will serve as Chicago's emergency third quarterback versus the Lions on Sunday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.
As he has all year, Keenum will spend Sunday's game on the bench unless both starter Caleb Williams and backup Tyson Bagent become unable to play. It appears Keenum will likely end the regular season without taking a snap.
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Nick McCloud CB | CHI
Bears' Nick McCloud: Won't play vs. Detroit
McCloud (illness) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Lions.
McCloud was unable to shake off an illness in time for Week 18 and will end up missing the final two games of the regular season. Josh Blackwell, Tyrique Stevenson and Jaylon Jones are in line for more rotational snaps in the secondary in McCloud's absence.
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Omar Speights LB | LAR
Rams' Omar Speights: Will play vs. Arizona
Speights (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.
Speights was limited in all three practices during Week 18 prep, but he has been given the green light to play Sunday after going through pregame warmups. He has logged 80 tackles (41 solo) and one pass defense through 15 regular-season games.
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Javon Bullard SAF | GB
Packers' Javon Bullard: Dealing with knee injury
Bullard (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's contest against the Vikings.
Bullard suffered a knee injury late in the second half, placing doubt on his ability to return to action. In his absence, newcomer Trevon Diggs, among others, could see an uptick in workload at cornerback.
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Stetson Bennett QB | LAR
Rams' Stetson Bennett: Emergency QB for Week 18
Bennett (coach's decision) is inactive but will serve as the Rams' emergency third quarterback against the Cardinals on Sunday, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.
As the emergency third quarterback, Bennett is prohibited from playing Sunday unless both Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo were to leave the game due to injury, illness or ejection.