NFL Player News
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Tyler Higbee TE | LAR
Rams' Tyler Higbee: Remains limited in practice
Higbee (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.
In his return from a six-game IR stint this past Sunday against the Cardinals, Higbee hauled in five of six targets for 91 yards and one touchdown on a 64 percent snap share, the latter of which ranked third among Rams tight ends behind Colby Parkinson (84 percent) and Davis Allen (71 percent). Higbee continues to deal with the ankle injury, but he at least maintained his activity level from Tuesday's walkthrough. Thursday's practice report will reveal whether or not he enters the weekend with a designation for Saturday's contest at Carolina.
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Harold Landry LB | NE
Patriots' Harold Landry: Logs limited practice Wednesday
Landry (knee) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.
Landry missed New England's last two regular-season games due to a nagging knee injury, but his activity at practice Wednesday suggests there's a chance he'll return for the wild-card round versus the Chargers. Still, he'll probably have to practice in full Thursday or Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.
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Robert Spillane LB | NE
Patriots' Robert Spillane: Limited Wednesday
Spillane (ankle) was limited in Wednesday's practice.
Spillane hasn't played since Week 13 but told Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald he's ready to play in Sunday's wild-card game against the Chargers. Through 13 regular-season appearances, Spillane has recorded 97 tackles (48 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and five pass breakups, including two interceptions.
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Foye Oluokun LB | JAC
Jaguars' Foyesade Oluokun: Finishes season with 143 tackles
Oluokun recorded eight tackles (three solo) and one pass defensed during Sunday's 41-7 win against the Titans.
It was a solid finish to the regular season for Oluokun, whose 143 total tackles across 17 games tied for 10th in the NFL. It's the sixth straight campaign with triple-digit tackles for the 30-year-old. He also recorded one sack, one interception, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 2025. Oluokun restructured his contract with the Jaguars in November to free up some cap space, so he's a safe bet to be back for 2026 and is likely to continue to be one of the most prolific tacklers in the league.
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Justin Herbert QB | LAC
Chargers' Justin Herbert: Logs full practice Wednesday
Herbert (left hand) practiced fully Wednesday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
The Chargers elected to rest Herbert -- who has been managing a left (non-throwing) hand injury -- in the team's Week 18 loss to Broncos, with an eye toward giving their starting QB added healing time ahead of the postseason. On that topic, Herbert said Wednesday that his left hand feels as strong as it has since before he injured it in Week 13. "Not taking hits on it last week was probably pretty helpful," Herbert noted. Moreover, in preparation for Sunday night's wild-card contest against the Patriots, Herbert took snaps under center during Wednesday's session after having previously waited until Saturday or Sunday to do so of late.
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Jack Gibbens LB | NE
Patriots' Jack Gibbens: Limited in practice Wednesday
Gibbens (elbow) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.
The 27-year-old did not appear limited in the Patriots' Week 18 game against Miami, totalling his usual snap share (47) behind starter Christian Elliss. Gibbens' status for Sunday's wild-card matchup will likely depend on his participation in practice Thursday and Friday.
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James Mitchell TE | CAR
Panthers' James Mitchell: Three catches in 2025
Mitchell caught all three of his targets for 28 yards across five regular-season games in 2025.
The 2022 fifth-round pick from Virginia Tech operated as Carolina's No. 4 tight end and was active primarily when Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle, IR) or Tommy Tremble were sidelined this season. Mitchell contributed both offensively and on special teams during his five appearances, logging 46 offensive snaps and 39 on special teams. He's set to become a restricted free agent following the Panthers' 2025 playoff campaign, but his future with the team remains uncertain, as Sanders, Tremble and rookie Mitchell Evans are all under contract for 2026.
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Hunter Long TE | JAC
Jaguars' Hunter Long: Sits out regular-season finale
Long (coach's decision) was inactive for Sunday's 41-7 win against the Titans. He finished the regular season with 12 receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns.
The 27-year-old suited up for just one of Jacksonville's final nine games of the regular season, as he sat as a healthy scratch and also missed some time due to hip and knee injuries. Long is under contract with the Jaguars for 2026, but it's possible he ends up being a cap casualty since he has a $2.875 million cap hit and could be cut with just a $375,000 dead cap penalty.
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Khyiris Tonga DT | NE
Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: Not practicing Wednesday
Tonga (foot) did not participate in practice Wednesday.
Tonga missed the final two games of the Patriots' regular season after suffering a foot injury in Week 16. If the 29-year-old wants a chance to play Sunday, he will likely need to participate in practice Thursday or Friday. The fifth-year pro has 22 tackles (six solo) in 14 games this season.
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Mitchell Evans TE | CAR
Panthers' Mitchell Evans: Solid rookie campaign in Carolina
Evans caught 19 of 25 targets for 171 yards and two touchdowns and rushed once for one yard across 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Despite opening the season as the Panthers' No. 3 tight end, Evans started 10 games and played 391 offensive snaps during his rookie campaign, largely due to Carolina's frequent use of two- and three-tight-end sets. The 2025 fifth-round pick from Notre Dame was used primarily as a blocker but also held his own as a receiver, averaging 9.0 yards per reception. With Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle, IR) out for Carolina's 2025 playoff run, Evans is set to operate as the team's top backup behind Tommy Tremble. Even with Tremble and Sanders under contract for 2026 season, Evans will likely be more involved in the Panthers' offensive game plan.