NFL Player News
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Ricky Pearsall WR | SF
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Not practicing Thursday
Pearsall (knee/ankle) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Though Pearsall was present for the session, he was relegated to working out on a rehab field to the side of practice while he continues to manage a lingering PCL injury to his right knee in addition to an ankle issue. The 49ers haven't indicated that Pearsall's aggravation of the knee injury is as significant as the initial PCL sprain that kept him sidelined for six straight games earlier this season, but with no practice activity so far this week, the wideout would appear to be in danger of missing Sunday's wild-card game in Philadelphia.
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Jared Verse LB | LAR
Rams' Jared Verse: Notches 7.5 sacks in Year 2
Verse recorded 58 tackles (35 solo), including 7.5 sacks, a pass defensed and three forced fumbles over 17 regular-season games in 2025.
The second verse was nearly identical to the first for the 2024 first-round pick for the Rams, as his tackles decreased by six year-to-year, but he recorded 3.0 additional sacks and one more forced fumble while operating as half of a dominant duo alongside Byron Young. Verse's play was rewarded with a selection as a 2026 NFL Pro Bowler alongside Young, and Verse should continue his ascension towards being one of the top linebackers in the NFL in his third season.
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Malik Willis QB | GB
Packers' Malik Willis: Questionable for wild-card game
Green Bay lists Willis (shoulder/hamstring) as questionable for Saturday's wild-card game in Chicago, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.
Though Willis was inactive for the Packers' Week 18 loss to the Vikings due to the injuries to his hamstring and throwing shoulder, head coach Matt LaFleur expressed confidence earlier in the week that the fourth-year quarterback would be ready to back up starter Jordan Love in the postseason opener. However, with Willis not advancing beyond limited practice participation throughout the week, his status for Saturday's contest would appear to be more uncertain than initially expected. In the event Willis isn't available to play against the Bears, the Packers would turn to the newly-signed Desmond Ridder to serve as Love's backup.
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Nick Niemann LB | GB
Packers' Nick Niemann: Questionable to play Saturday
Niemann (pectoral) is officially listed as questionable for Saturday's wild-card matchup against Chicago, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.
Niemann has been listed as limited in practice all week in advance of Saturday's road playoff opener, though Green Bay officially activated him from IR on Wednesday. If cleared to face the Bears, Niemann will stand to handle a significant role on special teams while also operating as a reserve option at linebacker.
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Warren Brinson DT | GB
Packers' Warren Brinson: Questionable for wild-card round
Brinson (foot) is officially listed as questionable for Saturday's wild-card matchup against the Bears, Wes Hodkiewicz of the team's official site reports.
Brinson is coming off a trio of limited practice listings. If cleared to play Saturday, the rookie sixth-round pick will stand to handle a rotational share of snaps as part of Green Bay's interior defensive-line rotation.
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Javon Bullard SAF | GB
Packers' Javon Bullard: Questionable for wild-card round
Bullard (knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday's wild-card game against the Bears, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.
Bullard was a limited participant in all three of Green Bay's practices leading up to the postseason opener. He injured his knee in the regular-season finale against the Vikings, describing the injury to reporters as a slight hyperextension. If Bullard doesn't play, both teams would be without their usual nickel cornerbacks, as Chicago's C.J. Gardner-Johnson (concussion) has already been ruled out.
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Devin Lloyd LB | JAC
Jaguars' Devin Lloyd: Excellent despite dip in production
Lloyd recorded 81 tackles (35 solo), including 1.5 sacks, across 15 regular-season appearances in 2025. He also logged seven passes defensed, including five interceptions, one fumble recovery and one defensive touchdown.
Lloyd failed to tally 100 total tackles in 2025 for the first time in his career, but he remained reliable against the run while emerging as a legitimate playmaker elsewhere on defense for Jacksonville, especially in coverage. The 2022 first-round pick will look to continue wreaking havoc in the postseason, beginning with Sunday's wild-card-round matchup against the Bills. Lloyd is currently playing out the final year of his rookie deal, and he's positioned to become a coveted unrestricted free agent this offseason.
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Dontayvion Wicks WR | GB
Packers' Dontayvion Wicks: Deemed questionable for wild card
The Packers list Wicks (concussion) as questionable for Saturday's wild-card game against the Bears, Wes Hodkiewicz of the team's official site reports.
Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed prior to Thursday's practice that Wicks was still in concussion protocol, which was backed up by the wideout remaining a limited participant in the team's final practice of the week. Wicks still has a chance to play Saturday, but he'll need to be cleared for full contact in addition to gaining clearance from an independent neurologist before he's removed from the protocol. With Bo Melton (knee) and Savion Williams (foot) recently going on injured reserve and with Wicks potentially missing the postseason opener, the Packers could be left with Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden and Jakobie Keeney-James as their available options at receiver against Chicago.
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Matt Milano OLB | BUF
Bills' Matt Milano: Full participant Thursday
Milano (illness) was a full participant at Thursday's practice.
Milano missed Wednesday's walk-through practice but has regained health Thursday. He's expected to occupy his usual starting spot at linebacker against the Jaguars in Sunday's wild-card-round matchup.
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Andrew Wingard SAF | JAC
Jaguars' Andrew Wingard: Production surges in 2025
Wingard compiled 84 tackles (45 solo), nine passes defensed (including one interception) and one fumble recovery across 16 regular-season appearances in 2025.
Wingard put together his most productive season since 2021 as Jacksonville's starting free safety. The veteran played an every-down role before missing Week 14 due to a concussion, and in three of four appearances since, his snap count has hovered closer to the 70-percent mark. Wingard will continue handling a key role in Jacksonville's secondary during the playoffs, beginning with Sunday's wild-card-round matchup against the Bills. He's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.