NFL Player News
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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.
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Theo Johnson TE | NYG
Giants' Theo Johnson: Absent from practice Wednesday
Johnson (illness) is not participating in Wednesday's practice, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
Johnson missed New York's win over the Raiders in Week 17 due to an illness that continues to prevent him from taking part in practice. He'll have two more opportunities to resume practicing in at least a limited capacity ahead of the Giants' regular-season finale against the Cowboys on Sunday. If Johnson can't gain clearance to play Week 18, expect Daniel Bellinger and Chris Manhertz to again lead New York's tight end position.
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Beaux Collins WR | NYG
Giants' Beaux Collins: Logs DNP on Wednesday
Collins (neck/concussion) didn't practice Wednesday, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
Collins' DNP on Wednesday suggests he won't be activated from the injured reserve list by the end of his 21-day practice window, meaning he's ineligible to return for Sunday's matchup against the Cowboys. The Notre Dame product has appeared in nine games this season, catching two of six targets for 25 yards.
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Mason Taylor TE | NYJ
Jets' Mason Taylor: Won't practice Wednesday
Taylor (neck) will not practice Wednesday, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.
Taylor hasn't played since Week 14. If the rookie tight end is unable to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Bills, the Jets will once again roll with Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt and Jelani Woods at tight end.
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Breece Hall RB | NYJ
Jets' Breece Hall: Not practicing Wednesday
Hall (knee) won't practice Wednesday.
The same applies to Isaiah Davis (concussion), which leaves Kene Nwangwu and Khalil Herbert as the Jets' healthiest running backs as Sunday's season finale against the Bills approaches. Hall was forced out of the team's Week 17 loss the Patriots with a knee injury, an issue he downplayed later, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. However, with Hall set to log a DNP on Wednesday, his status will now need to be monitored ahead of Week 18 action.