NFL Player News

Karlaftis (illness) is active for Thursday night's game against the Broncos.

Karlaftis will be good to go for Week 17 after being added to the injury report with an illness Wednesday. The defensive lineman has compiled 46 total tackles (24 solo), including 6.0 sacks, while also adding two passes defensed and a fumble recovery over 15 games so far this year.

Bolton (illness) is active for Thursday night's contest against Denver.

Bolton was added to the injury report with an illness Wednesday, but he'll now ultimately be good to go for Week 17. The linebacker has compiled 44 total tackles (21 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding two passes defensed over the last four games.

Pierce (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday night's contest against the Broncos.

Pierce will be a healthy scratch for the second straight week after the team officially signed him to the active roster. He'll have one more chance to make his Chiefs debut in Week 18 against the Raiders.

Awuzie (foot) does not carry an injury designation into Saturday's matchup with the Packers, Ryan Mink of the Ravens official website reports.

Awuzie will make his return to action after missing the team's Week 16 loss to the Patriots with a foot injury. The 30-year-old will be back in his starting role opposite of Nate Wiggins at cornerback versus Green Bay.

Phillips (triceps), who remains on IR, is estimated as a limited participant on Thursday's practice report, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Phillips had his 21-day practice window opened Wednesday, so though Atlanta didn't actually host an on-field practice Thursday, it's encouraging to see him estimated as at least a limited participant. In order to be activated in time to play Monday versus the Rams, however, Phillips will likely have to prove himself capable of handling full practice reps Friday and/or Saturday.

Pearce (neck) is listed as limited on Thursday's estimated practice report, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Atlanta didn't officially hold an on-field practice Thursday, but Pearce's status will nonetheless need to be monitored leading up to Monday's game against the Rams. The rookie first-round pick will have two more opportunities to prove he's able to handle full practice reps prior to being assigned a potential injury designation for Monday Night Football.

Anzalone (head) is being evaluated for a concussion during Thursday's contest against the Vikings.

Anzalone will not be eligible to return to Thursday's divisional matchup if he is diagnosed with a concussion and placed in the NFL's five-step protocol. Prior to leaving the field to be evaluated late in the third quarter, Anzalone had racked up two tackles (one solo) including 1.0 sacks.

Hughes (ankle) is listed as a non-participant on Thursday's estimated injury report, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Head coach Raheem Morris has already stated that Hughes is unlikely to be available for Monday's game against the Rams, so it's no surprise to see him listed as a non-participant to begin Week 17 prep. The starting cornerback and kick returner looks set to miss a second straight game due to the ankle injury he picked up versus the Buccaneers in Week 15.

Heath (personal) is not listed on Thursday's estimated injury report, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Heath did not suit up Week 16 versus the Cardinals due to a personal matter, though he had been a healthy scratch for Atlanta's prior two contests. He'll be fully available for Monday's home game against the Rams in the event the coaching staff decides Heath is ready for his Falcons debut after having been claimed by the team off waivers Dec. 8.

Harrison (heel) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Harrison maintained his activity level from Wednesday's walkthrough, but he now has just one chance remaining during Week 17 prep to prove the health of his lingering heel injury. Friday's practice report will reveal if he carries a designation into Sunday's contest at Cincinnati, but even if he's able to suit up again, he may not be as featured in Arizona's passing attack after handling just a 51 percent snap share en route to one catch (on three targets) for 14 yards this past Sunday against the Falcons in his return from a two-game absence.