NFL Player News
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Lamar Jackson QB | BAL
Ravens' Lamar Jackson: Back at practice Wednesday
Jackson (back) was present for practice Wednesday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.
Jackson didn't practice at all last week before missing this past Saturday's win over the Packers, which helped set up this Sunday's game against the Steelers to decide the AFC North title. As Hensley notes, Jackson practicing on a Wednesday has been a rare occurrence of late, with the QB's participation, in any capacity, thus representing a good sign in terms of his chances of returning to action this weekend.
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Alex Austin CB | NE
Patriots' Alex Austin: Slated to return to practice
Austin (wrist) is returning to practice Wednesday, per head coach Mike Vrabel, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Austin landed on injured reserve Nov. 25 due to a wrist injury. His return to practice Wednesday means he's eligible to be activated at any time, though it remains to be seen if New England will make that move ahead of Sunday's Week 18 game against the Dolphins. Prior to getting hurt, Austin had played in the Patriots' first 12 contests, logging 144 snaps on defense and 120 on special teams.
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Will Campbell OT | NE
Patriots' Will Campbell: Set to practice Wednesday
Campbell (knee - MCL) is expected to return to practice Wednesday, per head coach Mike Vrabel, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Campbell has been on IR since late November due to a sprained MCL in his knee. If the rookie first-round pick is indeed able to return to practice Wednesday or any day this week, there's a possibility he'll be activated ahead of Sunday's Week 18 matchup against Miami, though the more likely scenario is that New England will wait until the postseason to put him back into game action. Prior to getting hurt, Campbell had started the Patriots' first 12 contests of the campaign.
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Sam LaPorta TE | DET
Lions' Sam LaPorta: Still recovering from back surgery
Coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday that LaPorta is "improving," but "he's not completely healed" from the back injury that forced him to injured reserve Nov. 15, Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports.
In the wake of LaPorta undergoing back surgery in mid-November, Campbell described the tight end's chances to return this season as "very, very slim," per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. As of this week with the Lions out of playoff contention, though, Campbell relayed that the team is hopeful LaPorta will be back by training camp in the summer, indicating his health concern was more serious than Detroit initially indicated. LaPorta, a 2023 second-round pick, will be entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract in 2026.
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Brady Cook QB | NYJ
Jets' Brady Cook: Closing regular season as starter
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said Wednesday that Cook will start Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bills, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
Cook will close out the 2025 campaign with a fourth consecutive start for New York, though he also played 90 percent of offensive snaps versus Miami in Week 14. The undrafted rookie has failed to lead the team to a single win in that span and has compiled just a 1:7 TD:INT, but Glenn said Cook will remain the starter for Week 18 even with veteran Tyrod Taylor (knee/personal) back in the building. With Justin Fields (knee) on IR, Taylor will act as Cook's backup as long as he's cleared to suit up versus Buffalo.
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Darnell Washington TE | PIT
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Placed on IR
The Steelers placed Washington (forearm) on IR on Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Washington suffered what coach Mike Tomlin revealed was a broken arm in the Steelers' Week 17 loss to the Browns, an injury that subsequently required surgery, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com. In Washington's absence, Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith are in line to lead Pittsburgh's TE corps, with Connor Heyward also on hand.
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Rico Dowdle RB | CAR
Panthers' Rico Dowdle: Returns to practice Wednesday
Dowdle (toe) is participating in practice Wednesday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Dowdle missed Tuesday's walk-through practice due to a sore toe, so it's encouraging to see him already back on the field as at least a limited participant. As long as Dowdle is able to continue practicing in some capacity Thursday, it will bode well for his chances of being cleared to face the Buccaneers on Sunday, a contest that may determine the winner of the NFC South title. Dowdle exploded onto the scene midway through the 2025 regular season and revitalized Carolina's rushing game, but he's since been in a slump, having averaged just 47.3 rushing yards per game across his last seven appearances.
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Jalin Hyatt WR | NYG
Giants' Jalin Hyatt: Misses Wednesday's practice
Hyatt was absent from Wednesday's practice due to an illness, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
The third-year pro from Tennessee appears to be dealing with an illness and likely needs to practice in some capacity Thursday or Friday to play in the Week 18 matchup against the Cowboys on Sunday. Hyatt has appeared in just eight games this season, catching five of 14 targets for 35 yards while also tallying 111 kick-return yards. If active Sunday, Hyatt will likely play a depth role in the Giants' wide-receiver room.
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Xavier Worthy WR | KC
Chiefs' Xavier Worthy: Under the weather
Worthy (illness) won't practice Wednesday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
Worthy now has two more chances to practice in advance of Sunday's season finale against the Raiders. Assuming the wideout is available this weekend, he'll be in line to catch passes from QB Chris Oladokun, who threw for just 66 yards in the Chiefs' Week 17 loss to the Broncos.
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Jevon Holland SAF | NYG
Giants' Jevon Holland: Doesn't practice Wednesday
Holland (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
The Oregon product sustained a knee injury in the Week 17 win over the Raiders, and Wednesday's DNP suggests he's still managing the issue. Holland has appeared in 14 games during his first season with the Giants, recording 57 total tackles and five passes defensed, including one interception. He likely needs to upgrade to at least limited practice Thursday or Friday in order to suit up for Sunday's matchup against the Cowboys.