NFL Player News
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George Pickens WR | PIT
Steelers' George Pickens: Deemed FP in walkthrough Monday
Pickens (hamstring) was estimated as a full participant in a walkthrough practice Monday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Pickens stated earlier Monday that he hasn't yet been cleared to return to action Wednesday against Kansas City, but his full participation in practice Monday suggests that he's certainly leaning toward that outcome. The star wideout has missed each of Pittsburgh's past three games while dealing with a hamstring issue. If he's able to return Christmas Day, it would be a big boost to the Steelers' passing game and could result in less looks for Calvin Austin.
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Devin Duvernay WR | JAC
Jaguars' Devin Duvernay: Less involved offenisively
Duvernay caught his only target for three yards and returned four punts for 37 yards during Sunday's 19-14 loss to the Raiders.
The return man entered the contest with multiple receptions in the previous three games, but he played a lesser offensive role Sunday as nine different Jacksonville players caught at least one ball. Duvernay played fewer offensive snaps than Josh Reynolds, but Brian Thomas and Parker Washington only the only Jacksonville wideouts consistently involved in the offense at this point.
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Frankie Luvu LB | WAS
Commanders' Frankie Luvu: Fills stat sheet vs. Eagles
Luvu recorded seven total tackles (three solo), including two tackles for loss, and defended one pass in Sunday's 36-33 win over the Eagles.
The Washington State product tied rookie Mike Sainristil for Washington's second-leading tackler in Week 16, trailing Bobby Wagner's nine-stop performance. Luvu has done a bit of everything in his first season with the Commanders, ranking second on the team in tackles for loss (11), sacks (8.0) and passes defended (seven) and third in total tackles (89) over 15 appearances. He's expected to remain a significant part of the Commanders' defensive game plan in Week 17, when the Falcons travel to Washington.
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Bobby Wagner MLB | WAS
Commanders' Bobby Wagner: Leading tackler in win
Wagner recorded nine total tackles (eight solo) and one pass defended in Sunday's 36-33 win over the Eagles.
The veteran linebacker leads the Commanders' defense in total tackles (118) and forced fumbles (one), while ranking third in tackles for loss (eight) through 15 games this season. Wagner has posted 100-plus total tackles in all 13 of his years in the NFL, and he's expected to remain the Commanders' defensive leader as the Falcons travel to Washington in Week 17.
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Johnny Newton DT | WAS
Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Shows out in Week 16
Newton recorded six total tackles (five solo), including 1.0 sacks and an additional two tackles for loss, in Sunday's 36-33 win over the Eagles.
Newton, a 2024 second-round pick from Illinois, appears to be finding his groove in the NFL, as he tallied career highs in total tackles (six) and tackles for loss (three) in Sunday's win. The rookie defensive lineman has been inconsistent throughout the year, recording 38 total tackles, including 2.0 sacks, and one forced fumble across 14 appearances. Newton appears to be improving as the season progresses, and his next opportunity to take the field will come in Week 17, when the Commanders face the Falcons.
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Parker Washington WR | JAC
Jaguars' Parker Washington: Works as secondary option
Washington caught all six of his targets for 54 yards in Sunday's 19-14 loss to the Raiders.
The 22-year-old and Brian Thomas (nine catches for 132 yards) were the only Jacksonville pass catchers to tally more than two receptions on a day when quarterback Mac Jones completed a pass to nine different players. Washington was targeted once in the red zone and earned a pass interference call, which set up a goal-line touchdown for Tank Bigsby. Washington has 17 catches for 226 yards and one touchdown across the past four games and should continue to operate as the Jaguars No. 2 wideout down the stretch.
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Nolan Smith LB | PHI
Eagles' Nolan Smith: Logs another sack in loss
Smith recorded three total tackles (all solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Sunday's 36-33 loss to the Commanders.
Smith, a 2023 first-round pick from Georgia, has taken advantage of his increased playing time since Brandon Graham (triceps) has been sidelined over the last four weeks, recording 16 total tackles, including 3.0 sacks, and one pass defended during that span. The second-year pro has now accumulated 6.5 sacks over 15 appearances this season and is expected to remain one of the Eagles' starting edge rushers in the Week 17 matchup against the Cowboys.
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Zack Baun LB | PHI
Eagles' Zack Baun: Double-digit stops in Week 16
Baun recorded 11 total tackles (seven solo), including two tackles for loss, in Sunday's 36-33 loss to the Commanders.
The Wisconsin product has recorded 11 or more tackles in four of his last six games, brining his season total up to 145 stops, which ranks third-best in the NFL. Baun has put together an incredible season in his first year with the Eagles, leading the team in total tackles and forced fumbles (five) through 15 games. He and Nakobe Dean form one of the NFL's best inside linebacker duos and are expected to continue wreaking havoc on opposing offenses as the season progresses.
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Nakobe Dean LB | PHI
Eagles' Nakobe Dean: Leading tackler vs. Commanders
Dean recorded 12 total tackles (six solo) in Sunday's 36-33 loss to the Commanders.
The Georgia product has now tallied double-digit stops in five of his last six games, accumulating 62 total tackles during that span. Dean has had an impressive campaign in his first full season as a starter, ranking second on the Eagles' defense in total tackles (128) and third in both tackles for loss (nine) and interceptions (one) over 15 appearances. He's expected to remain one of Philadelphia's top inside linebackers, starting alongside Zack Baun in the Week 17 matchup against the Cowboys.
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Jamien Sherwood ILB | NYJ
Jets' Jamien Sherwood: Leading tackler in Week 16
Sherwood recorded eight total tackles (six solo) in Sunday's 19-9 loss to the Rams.
Sherwood has now led the Jets' defense in tackles over each of their last three games, accumulating 35 total stops over that span. The fourth-year pro from Auburn has taken a huge step forward this season, setting career highs in total tackles (142), sacks (2.0) and passes defended (two) over 15 appearances. Expect Sherwood to remain one of the NFL's top tacklers and continue making plays as the Jets face the Bills in Week 17.