NFL Player News

Highsmith (pectoral) did not practice Wednesday.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Highsmith was expected to be a limited participant in practice this week, but Wednesday wasn't that day for the edge rusher. Highsmith missed last Sunday's win over the Bengals, and his status for Week 12 against the Bears appears to also be in question.

Burton (illness) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

An illness prevented Burton from playing in the Bengals' Week 11 loss to the Steelers, but his full participation in Wednesday's practice indicates that he is on track to play against the Patriots on Sunday. The second-year wideout has yet to appear in a regular-season game in 2025, with most of his absences coming as a healthy scratch. However, Burton could get his first taste of regular-season action in Week 12 due to the absence of Ja'Marr Chase (suspension).

Homer was a limited participant at practice Wednesday due to hamstring and knee injuries.

After handling his first carry of the season in addition to taking on his usual duties on special teams in the Bears' Week 11 win over the Vikings, Homer is nursing a pair of injuries in Week 12. He'll have two more chances to upgrade to full participation at practice before the Bears decide whether he'll take a designation into Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Walker (concussion) was not listed on Chicago's injury report Wednesday.

Walker has missed the Bears' last two games due to a concussion, but it now looks like he's back at full strength to begin their new week of preparation. Of his 67 snaps so far this season, 61 have come on special teams.

Okonkwo (foot) was limited in practice Wednesday.

Okonkwo continues to manage a foot issue that limited him at practice last week, but the tight end approached Week 11 action without an injury designation before catching all three of his targets for 56 yards in this past Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Texans. With no reported setbacks in the contest, Okonkwo's listed limitations Wednesday are likely maintenance-related.

The Rams signed Mevis to their active roster Wednesday.

The team previously called Mevis up from the practice squad to kick in Weeks 10 and 11. Joshua Karty is also still on the roster, but Mevis figures to get the nod again this Sunday against Tampa Bay.

The Texans have waived Wright.

Wright connected on all four of his field-goal attempts and both of his extra-point tries over the Texans' last two games while filling in for Ka'imi Fairbairn. After being listed as a full practice participant in Wednesday's walk-through, however, Fairbairn doesn't carry an injury designation for Thursday night's game against the Bills, a context that has prompted Houston to let Wright go.

Worthy (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

Per Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site, coach Andy Reid noted earlier Wednesday that Worthy tweaked his ankle, clouding the wideout's status for the team's ensuing practice session. Following the DNP, Worthy has two more chances to work before the team's final injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Colts is posted. If he's limited or out this weekend, however, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton would be candidates to log added WR snaps behind Rashee Rice.

McManus (right quadriceps) practiced fully Wednesday.

After kicking in last Friday's practice, McManus showed up at team facilities Saturday with tightness in his right quad, which spurred the Packers to add him to the injury report as doubtful for this past Sunday's game at the Giants. He eventually was inactive and ceded placekicking duties to Lucas Havrisik, the latter of whom made one of three point-after tries without attempting a field goal. With McManus seemingly in good health as Green Bay begins Week 12 prep, he's poised to return to action Sunday against the Vikings, but how he feels as the week goes on likely will be the determining factor.

The Rams are placing Higbee (ankle) on injured reserve, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Higbee will miss at least four games, with his earliest possible date for a return being Thursday, Dec. 18, at Seattle (Week 16). His absence should lead to more playing time for the other members of the Rams' TE committee, namely Colby Parkinson and Terrance Ferguson, though Davis Allen could take on some extra snaps as well.