NFL Player News

The lower-back fracture sustained in Week 12 was expected to keep Loeffler out 2-6 weeks. The Vikes have signed Matt Katula to handle snapping duties the rest of the way.

Starting RB Breece Hall (knee) was also sidelined by a knee injury, though he told reporters post-game that his knee is fine. Whether he can play on Sunday remains to be seen. Jets RB Kene Nwangwu (quad) is listed as the next man up, with RB Khalil Herbert seated behind him on the depth chart. Nwangwu is practicing fully.

Hall told reporters that his knee was fine post-game. Hopefully, this is just a maintenance day, but his practice participation is worth following. His backup, RB Isaiah Davis (concussion), was also sidelined on Wednesday. The Jets list RBs Kene Nwangwu (quad) and Khalil Herbert in the Nos. 3 and 4 spots, respectively. Nwangwu is practicing fully.

Rodgers told ESPN’s Brooke Pryor that he has not yet “thought about” whether he would like to return to the Steelers, or even continue playing in the NFL, next year. The Steelers (9-7) sit atop the AFC North. If they beat the Ravens (8-8) this week, they punch their ticket to the postseason. Once the Steelers’ season comes to a close, the veteran quarterback will begin considering his options. He signed a one-year, $13.65 million contract with the Steelers last offseason and will enter free agency at the end of the year.

Goedert dealt with a knee issue much earlier in the year. It’s unclear if the two injuries are related. Either way, we fully expect him to get the week off. Nick Sirianni has already said he will rest some of his starters for a mostly meaningless Week 18 contest. Now dealing with a knee injury, Goedert is the perfect candidate to spend a week on the bench. Grant Calcaterra will take his place in the lineup.

Zaccheaus was sidelined by the illness in Week 17. Fortunately, he is now on track to play. Whether Zaccheaus warrants long-shot FLEX consideration depends largely on his teammates’ health and availability. Bears WR Luther Burden (quad) was limited today, while WR Rome Odunze (foot) remains sidelined.

Jefferson hasn’t caught more than three passes in a game since Week 7 but still runs plenty of routes every week. With nothing left to play for in week 18, the Titans could give him the week off. His absence would free up a few extra looks for Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike.

Tuten has been making quick progress in his recovery from the finger injury he suffered in Week 15. The rookie had to undergo surgery and was initially expected to be out until the playoffs. He now appears to be on track for a Week 18 return. Tuten will likely be eased back into the lineup if he is active this week, keeping him off the fantasy radar for the Jags’ regular season finale.

Burden’s official participation level is just an estimation, but this is a good start to the week for him. The explosive rookie seemingly collided with a 49ers defender on the final play of the game last week, injuring his quad. It is possible that this is just a contusion, rather than a strain. Either way, Burden’s early-week participation is a great sign. He is on track to play in Week 18 against the Lions.

Odunze is expected to return at some point this season, though that could be during the postseason. He aggravated the stress fracture in his foot during pre-game warmups in Week 15 and has neither practiced nor played since. He is on the wrong side of questionable at this time.

The 31-year-old tight end is the TE9 in half-PPR scoring and ranks second on the team with 78 targets. The Patriots currently hold the AFC’s No. 2 playoff seed and are expected to play their starters for as long as necessary, as the Nos. 1-3 seeds are finalized this week. We tentatively expect Henry to suit up, but this is worth checking on.