NFL Player News

Flannigan-Fowles is inactive for Sunday's battle versus the Vikings due to an illness, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Flannigan-Fowles has been battling the illness for over a week, and though he was able to play last Sunday against Washington, all of his work came on special teams. The veteran linebacker logged a DNP/DNP/LP practice progression this week and is going to have to miss his seventh game of the campaign. With Darius Muasau in his second week back from a four-game absence, Flannigan-Fowles may have had a minor role on defense even if he had been able to suit up.

Nijman will start Sunday's game against the Buccaneers at left tackle, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Nijman is the primary depth option at tackle for the Panthers, and with the absence of Ikem Ekwonu (ankle) for Sunday's game, the reserve player will get a chance to play. The backup tackle has played 224 snaps so far this year, filling in for Ekwonu in Week 1 and for Taylor Moton in Week 6 and Week 9.

Blue (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Joe Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Blue has not played since Week 8, and that trend will continue Sunday as the Cowboys go with Javonte Williams and Malik Davis as the two active running backs. The Cowboys were eliminated from playoff contention following the Eagles' 29-18 win over the Commanders on Saturday, so it's possible that Blue gets some run time during the final two games of the regular season.

Brooks (foot) is active for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Brooks logged just one practice this week Friday, in a limited capacity. The weakside linebacker seems to have rallied back from his foot injury and will be able to start Sunday's game. However, Willie Gay may see an increased snap share if Brooks is unable to manage his normal workload due to any remaining injury.

Wilson (coach's decision) is inactive and serving as New York's emergency third quarterback in Sunday's matchup against Minnesota, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

This will be the third straight game in which Wilson is the Giants' emergency quarterback. New York appears set on having Jaxson Dart behind center on game days with Jameis Winston as his backup. Wilson will be eligible to play Sunday only if both Dart and Winston have to exit due to injury, illness or ejection.

Tolbert (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Joe Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Tolbert will be a healthy inactive for the fourth time in five games as the Cowboys go with five wide receivers on Sunday's active roster in CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin and Jonathan Mingo. Tolbert's next chance to play is Christmas Day against the Commanders, though he's unlikely to play in that contest unless there is an injury to the wide receiver corps that opens up a spot on the active roster.

Tart (shin) is active for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

Tart logged limited practices all week, and the effort will culminate in the nose tackle keeping his start streak alive. The 28-year-old has yet to miss a game this season, and Sunday will be no exception. As Tart is likely playing through injury in some capacity, Jamaree Caldwell may see more rotational reps on the defensive line than normal.

Westbrook-Ikhine (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

The 28-year-old has played in all 14 games for Miami this season, but he'll be a healthy scratch Sunday after going without a catch in the past four contests. Cedrick Wilson, Dee Eskridge and Theo Wease will compete for reps as Miami's No. 3 wideout with Westbrook-Ikhine inactive.

Pierre-Paul is active for Sunday's Week 16 game against the Panthers, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Tampa Bay signed Pierre-Paul to the practice squad Dec. 8 and elevated him Saturday ahead of Sunday's big NFC South matchup. With an active status for game day, the veteran linebacker appears set to see his first NFL regular-season action since he played in two games for the Dolphins and one game for the Saints in 2023. It remains to be seen how much he has left in the tank or how much work he'll get, but Pierre-Paul could help boost a Bucs pass rush that is tied for 15th in the league in sacks this season.

Molden (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

Molden was able to log limited practices throughout the week, and the effort has paid off, as the free safety will be able to suit up against the Cowboys. In the 26-year-old's last full game against the Raiders, he logged five tackles, including two solo, through 96 percent of defensive snaps.