NFL Player News
-
Brandin Echols CB | PIT
Steelers' Brandin Echols: Good to go against Baltimore
Echols (groin) does not have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Echols was unable to play against the Browns in Week 17 due to a groin injury, but the fifth-year pro has been cleared to play in Sunday's regular-season finale after logging a full practice Friday. Echols has started in three of 15 regular-season games while also contributing on special teams and has accumulated 48 tackles (34 solo), including 1.0 sacks, six pass defenses (two interceptions), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 2025.
-
Kenny Pickett QB | LV
Raiders' Kenny Pickett: To be in rotation with O'Connell
Pickett and Aidan O'Connell will be the Raiders' available quarterbacks Sunday against the Chiefs with Geno Smith (ankle) ruled out for the contest, Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site reports.
Coach Pete Carroll told Edwards on Wednesday that Pickett likely would start Week 18 while working in a rotation with O'Connell, but Carroll wouldn't commit to a starter as of Friday, instead saying the duo will work in a rotation. Pickett has received run in five games (one start) this season, completing 27 of 41 passes for 185 yards, one touchdown and one interception, turning four carries into 13 yards and losing his only fumble. Meanwhile, O'Connell last played Week 18 of the 2024 campaign.
-
James Pierre CB | PIT
Steelers' James Pierre: Will play Week 18
Pierre (calf) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Ravens, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Pierre has been officially cleared to return from a three-game absence due to a calf injury, and he'll likely start at outside corner opposite Joey Porter on Sunday while Asante Samuel reverts to a depth role in the secondary. Across the 13 regular-season games prior to his calf injury, Pierre logged 28 tackles (12 solo), 11 pass defenses (one interception) and a scoop-and-score.
-
Nakobe Dean LB | PHI
Eagles' Nakobe Dean: Will miss consecutive weeks
Dean (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Commanders.
Dean was unable to practice throughout Week 18, making it consecutive weeks that the linebacker has been unable to get on the practice field. The 25-year-old will now miss consecutive contests due to a hamstring injury, and it is unclear if he will be able to play in the Eagles' first playoff matchup. With Jaelan Phillips (ankle) also ruled out for Sunday's game, Jalyx Hunt, Brandon Graham and Joshua Uche may see a significant increase in defensive snaps for the Eagles' linebacker corps alongside starters Zack Baun and Nolan Smith.
-
Jaydon Blue RB | DAL
Cowboys' Jaydon Blue: In line to lead backfield
Blue is set to lead the Cowboys backfield Sunday at the Giants with Javonte Williams (shoulder/neck) and Malik Davis (calf/eye) ruled out for the contest, Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.
A rookie fifth-round pick, Blue has previously seen action for the Cowboys from Weeks 5 through 8, when he combined for 22 carries for 65 yards and one catch (on one target) for five yards. Assuming he leads the backfield Week 18, his competition for reps will be fullback Hunter Luepke and potentially 2025 seventh-round pick Phil Mafah (shoulder), the latter of whom must be activated from injured reserve Saturday in order to play Sunday.
-
T.J. Watt OLB | PIT
Steelers' T.J. Watt: Cleared to play against Baltimore
Watt (lung) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday night's AFC North clash against the Ravens, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
The veteran pass rusher was able to log a full practice Friday and will return from a three-game absence due to a partially collapsed lung that required a procedure to repair. Watt's return is crucial for a Steelers defense that will have its hands full containing the lethal duo of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, as the two teams battle for the AFC North division title and the No. 4 seed that comes with it. Watt played at least 80 percent of defensive snaps in 11 of 13 regular-season games, but he could have his snap count limited given the nature of the injury he overcame to play Sunday, which would result in Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer being used more heavily in the rotation with Watt and Alex Highsmith.
-
Justin Herbert QB | LAC
Chargers' Justin Herbert: Not slated to play Sunday
Herbert (left hand/rest) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Broncos but is not in line to play in the contest, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Herbert, who has been managing a left hand injury, was rested in practice Thursday and Friday, and the Chargers intend to rest the QB on Sunday as well. Per Omar Navarro of the team's official site, Trey Lance is slated to start in place of Herbert this weekend, with DJ Uiagalelei on track to be elevated from the practice squad in order to back up Lance, a scenario that should land Herbert on the team's Week 18 inactive list.
-
Jalen Carter DT | PHI
Eagles' Jalen Carter: Ruled out with hip issue
Carter (hip) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Commanders.
Carter sustained a hip issue in Thursday's practice, and Friday marked consecutive days that the defensive lineman was unable to participate. The team has elected to allow the starter to heal as the playoffs approach, and Ty Robinson is in line to play significant snaps at defensive end opposite Moro Ojomo for the Week 18 divisional matchup.
-
Penei Sewell OT | DET
Lions' Penei Sewell: Ruled out with ankle issue
Sewell (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears.
Sewell was unable to practice throughout Week 18 due to the ankle injury he suffered in the Christmas Day loss to the Vikings. Dan Skipper is set to suit up at right tackle in the All-Pro's place for Sunday's contest. Sewell will have the offseason to rehab his ankle issue and prepare for the 2026 season, as the Lions have been eliminated from playoff contention.
-
Chop Robinson LB | MIA
Dolphins' Chop Robinson: Chance to play Week 18
Robinson (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against New England, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Robinson ended the week with back-to-back limited practices while in the league's concussion protocol, and while he's listed as questionable, he wouldn't be allowed to play Sunday unless he is cleared by an independent neurologist. Kenneth Grant and Zeek Biggers would take on larger roles on defense if Robinson is unable to play in the Dolphins' regular-season finale.