NFL Player News
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Kevin Austin Jr. WR | NO
Saints' Kevin Austin: Solid production in Week 17 win
Austin brought in four of five targets for 52 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' 34-26 win over the Titans on Sunday.
Austin continued to fill an elevated role with Mason Tipton (groin) sidelined, and the second-year wideout provided season-best catch and receiving yardage totals while also equaling his season high in targets. The Notre Dame product has multiple receptions in three consecutive games heading into the Week 18 finale on the road against the Falcons.
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Olamide Zaccheaus WR | ATL
Bears' Olamide Zaccheaus: Unavailable vs. 49ers
Zaccheaus (illness) is inactive for Sunday night's contest against San Francisco.
Zaccheaus was a late addition to Chicago's injury report due to an illness, and despite initially being initially listed as questionable to face the 49ers, he'll join Rome Odunze (foot) on the sideline for Week 17. DJ Moore (illness) is active for Sunday Night Football, meanwhile, despite having been added to the injury report in a similar fashion to Zaccheaus. Behind Moore and Luther Burden, expect Devin Duvernay, Jahdae Walker and JP Richardson to see increased offensive reps at the wide receiver position Sunday.
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DJ Moore WR | BUF
Bears' DJ Moore: To play through illness Sunday
Moore (illness) is active for Sunday's contest at San Francisco.
Both Moore and fellow WR Olamide Zaccheaus were added to the Bears' Week 17 injury report Sunday morning as questionable due to respective illnesses. While Moore will be available to the offense this weekend, Zaccheaus won't be along with Rome Odunze, the latter of whom is missing a fourth straight game due to a stress fracture in his foot. In the prior three outings with Odunze on the sideline, Moore combined for a 10-162-3 line on 15 targets.
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Ricky Pearsall WR | SF
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Back in action Sunday
Pearsall (ankle/knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Bears, Briana Jeannel of the 49ers' official site reports.
After sitting out the 49ers' Week 16 win at Indianapolis due to a sprained ankle and an aggravation of his previous PCL injury, Pearsall will return to action in Week 17 following consecutive limited practices Wednesday through Friday. Considering he wasn't able to log a full session during that span, he may not be poised for his typical weekly snap share of 70-plus percent, which he's earned in six of his eight appearances this season. Nevertheless, with TE George Kittle (ankle) inactive Sunday, Pearsall and the rest of San Francisco's available pass catchers are candidates for more targets from QB Brock Purdy.
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Elic Ayomanor WR | TEN
Titans' Elic Ayomanor: Gets into end zone Sunday
Ayomanor brought in four of seven targets for 37 yards and a touchdown in the Titans' 34-26 loss to the Saints on Sunday.
Ayomanor tied for the team lead in receptions and targets while adding the fourth touchdown of his career on a seven-yard catch late in the first half. The rookie has picked up the pace over the last two games after a multi-week funk, as he sports a 7-95-1 line on 11 targets over the last pair of contests. Ayomanor needs 35 receiving yards in a Week 18 road matchup against the Jaguars to reach the 500-yard mark in his first NFL campaign.
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George Kittle TE | SF
49ers' George Kittle: Officially inactive in Week 17
Kittle (ankle) is listed as inactive Sunday against the Bears, Briana Jeannel of the 49ers' official site reports.
Kittle came out of last Monday's win at Indianapolis with a mid-to-low ankle sprain, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. The health concern didn't allow Kittle to practice in any capacity during Week 17 prep, with GM John Lynch (via KNBR San Francisco) and coach Kyle Shanahan (per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com) implying Friday that the veteran tight end's status would come down to a game-time decision. Adam Schefter of ESPN then reported Sunday morning that Kittle was "highly unlikely" to suit up, and his lack of availability now has been confirmed. Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell will split TE duties in Kittle's absence, with the former more likely to contribute as a pass catcher.
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Geno Smith QB | NYJ
Raiders' Geno Smith: Won't return Sunday
Smith (ankle) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's contest against the Giants.
Smith was initially listed as questionable after injuring his ankle early in the fourth quarter, but he's now been ruled out with under two minutes remaining in Sunday's contest and Las Vegas down 34-10. If Smith's ankle injury impacts his availability for the Raiders' regular-season finale against Kansas City in Week 18, Kenny Pickett will stand to close out the team's 2025 campaign under center.
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Philip Rivers QB | IND
Colts' Philip Rivers: Limited production in loss
Rivers completed 17 of 30 passes for 147 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Jaguars.
Rivers drew his third consecutive start and faced a tough Jacksonville defense. He managed to complete six passes that went for double-digit yardage and also chipped in a five-yard touchdown completion to Mo Alie-Cox. However, Rivers ultimately averaged only 4.9 yards per attempt while also throwing a costly pick midway through the fourth quarter that ultimately played a big part in the team's loss. With the Colts eliminated from playoff contention, it's unclear if Rivers will start in Week 18 against the Texans.
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Chimere Dike WR | TEN
Titans' Chimere Dike: Nets 102 all-purpose yards in loss
Dike secured four of five targets for 55 yards, rushed once for seven yards, returned one punt for seven yards and ran back one kickoff for 33 yards in the Titans' 34-26 loss to the Saints on Sunday.
Dike enjoyed one of the busy afternoons that have become commonplace as his rookie season has unfolded. With Sunday's production, the fleet-footed weapon pushed his season total to 2,371 all-purpose yards, the most by any rookie in NFL history. Dike will look to put a noteworthy stamp on a standout first professional season in a Week 18 road matchup against the Jaguars.
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Chigoziem Okonkwo TE | WAS
Titans' Chig Okonkwo: Scores long TD in loss
Okonkwo secured three of seven targets for 55 yards and a touchdown in the Titans' 34-26 loss to the Saints on Sunday.
Okonkwo co-led the Titans in receiving yards and targets during the loss, with the majority of his production coming on a nifty 43-yard catch-and-run touchdown in the second quarter. The athletic tight end has recorded both his TD grabs in the last two games, and he has a useful 9-99-2 line on 15 targets over his last two games heading into the Week 18 finale on the road against the Jaguars.