NFL Player News
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Chris Blair WR | ATL
Falcons' Chris Blair: Elevated for Week 17
The Falcons elevated Blair from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Monday night's game against the Rams, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.
It's the third and final time that the Falcons are allowed to elevate Blair from the practice squad this season. He would have to be signed to the active roster in order to be eligible to play in Atlanta's regular-season finale against New Orleans on Sunday. Blair played in Weeks 15 and 16 but did not record a target.
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Justin Watson WR | HOU
Texans' Justin Watson: Activated from IR
The Texans activated Watson (calf) from injured reserve Monday.
Watson's 21-day window to return from injured reserve was set to close Wednesday, and with the Texans activating him from injured reserve, he'll be available for Houston's regular-season finale against Indianapolis on Sunday. Watson landed on IR in mid-September, and in the two games prior to his injury he logged three catches (on four targets) for 30 yards while also contributing on special teams.
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Terrel Bernard LB | BUF
Bills' Terrel Bernard: Won't play Week 18
Head coach Sean McDermott told reporters Monday that Bernard (calf) will not play in the Bills' regular-season finale against the Jets on Sunday, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.
Bernard suffered a calf injury during the second quarter of the Bills' 13-12 loss to the Eagles on Sunday and did not return. He'll be sidelined for Week 18 and aim to progress enough in his recovery to be available for the wild-card round of the postseason. Joe Andreessen and Dorian Williams are poised for larger roles on defense in Bernard's absence.
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Zemaiah Vaughn CB | MIN
Vikings' Zemaiah Vaughn: Catches on with Minnesota
The Vikings signed Vaughn from the practice squad to the active roster Monday.
Vaughn signed with the Vikings in May as an undrafted free agent and opted to stick around in Minnesota as a member of the team's practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp. He'll be a part of the Vikings' active roster for their regular-season finale against the Packers on Sunday and will give Minnesota a potential contributor on special teams while providing depth in the secondary.
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Tyler Biadasz C | WAS
Commanders' Tyler Biadasz: Unlikely to play Week 18
Biadasz (ankle/knee) is unlikely to be available for the Commanders' regular-season finale against the Eagles on Sunday, Ben Standig of Big 100 Washington D.C. reports.
Biadasz suffered ankle and knee injuries during the Commanders' 30-23 loss to the Cowboys on Christmas Day. The injuries aren't severe enough to require surgery, but it puts the sixth-year pro on the doubtful side of playing Week 18. Nick Allegretti would likely draw the start at center against Philadelphia if Biadasz is inactive.
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Josh Williams RB | TB
Josh Williams: Let go by Tampa Bay
The Buccaneers waived Williams on Monday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Williams served a six-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing substances policy. His suspension was lifted Dec. 22, and rather than cut another player on the 53-man roster to make room for Williams, the Buccaneers have opted to let go of the LSU product. If he goes unclaimed off waivers, Williams will look to sign with a team in need of backfield depth and a returner on special teams.
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Marcus Mariota QB | WAS
Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Looking unlikely for Week 18
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Monday that Mariota (hand/quadriceps) is "a stretch" to be available for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Eagles but has not been ruled out yet, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Mariota has not resumed practicing since suffering a pair of injuries during Washington's loss to the Eagles in Week 16, which paved the way for Josh Johnson to start versus the Cowboys in Week 17. Per Ben Standig of Big 100 Washington D.C., Quinn said Mariota is not yet moving at full speed, and Zach Selby of the team's official site confirms that the veteran quarterback wasn't able to make it through Monday's walkthrough. If Mariota doesn't play Week 18, Johnson will close out the 2025 campaign under center for the Commanders.
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Dak Prescott QB | DAL
Cowboys' Dak Prescott: Starters to play in finale
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday that Prescott will play in the team's regular-season finale on the road against the Giants on Sunday, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Dallas currently sits at a 7-8-1 record and would finish the 2025 campaign at .500 with a win over New York in Week 18, giving Prescott something to play for even with the team already eliminated from playoff contention. The 32-year-old signal-caller has operated as one of the NFL's most efficient quarterbacks down the stretch, as he's averaging over 300 passing yards per game across seven appearances since the Cowboys' bye in Week 10, with 13 passing touchdowns and just four interceptions in that span.
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Lamar Jackson QB | BAL
Ravens' Lamar Jackson: Week 18 status TBD
Coach John Harbaugh said Monday that Jackson's (back) status for next Sunday's game against the Steelers is to be determined, but the Ravens should have a better idea Wednesday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.
Jackson didn't practice at all last week, but Harbaugh did say the quarterback felt a lot better at the end of the week than he did immediately following the Week 16 defeat to the Patriots. Jackson is dealing with a lower-back contusion. Tyler Huntley started in Jackson's place Saturday against the Packers and was efficient handing the ball off to Derrick Henry. Huntley also completed 16 of 20 passes for 107 yards and one touchdown, adding 60 rushing yards of his own on eight attempts.
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Geno Smith QB | LV
Raiders' Geno Smith: Has significant ankle injury
Coach Pete Carroll clarified Monday that Smith avoided a high-ankle sprain but is still dealing with a significant ankle injury after exiting Sunday's loss to the Giants, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Smith seems highly unlikely to play in next Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chiefs. Kenny Pickett will likely draw the start against Kansas City. The Smith acquisition by Las Vegas has gone about as poorly as imaginable, as Smith is 2-13 across his 15 starts and leads the league with 17 interceptions. He'll likely be one-and-done with the Raiders.