NFL Player News

Whitehead, who was originally thought to be out for the season when he sustained his pec injury in late November, could return as soon as Week 17 against the Panthers. Tampa could also take their team and wait for Week 18 and the postseason, if they capture a playoff berth in the coming weeks. In 11 games this season, Whitehead — who signed with Tampa in the offseason — totaled 76 tackles, three pass breakups, and two tackles for loss. The struggling Bucs secondary could certainly use a healthy Whitehead.

Ertz’s 2025 season is over after a Week 14 cheap shot resulted in a torn ACL for the 35-year-old veteran. He ends the season with 50 receptions for 504 yards and four touchdowns. Ertz was tenth among tight ends in catches and 12th in yardage before the injury. John Bates will likely operate as Washington’s TE1 for now, though Ben Sinnott could mix in as the Commanders play out the rest of their lost season. Neither Bates nor Sinnott should be played in 12-team leagues.

Pickens reverted to the low-effort Pittsburgh version of himself in Week 14’s loss to the Lions, giving up on routes and appearing generally disinterested in the proceedings. Pickens had just 37 yards on nine targets against Detroit. “We talked a little bit about it,” Schottenheimer said Monday. “In his words, he said, ‘Hey Schotty, I didn’t play my best game.’ I think that, unfortunately, none of us played our best game. But again, I don’t worry about George and his love for football and playing this game. You know, for five or six weeks, he was the talk of the sporting world. ‘Look at George Pickens.’ We didn’t coach or play well enough to win that game in Detroit. They beat us. It is what it is.” Hopefully Pickens gives better effort in Week 15 against a Minnesota secondary that has been burned on deep throws for much of the season. He’ll be a top-12 fantasy option, and a top seven or eight option if CeeDee Lamb (concussion) is out.

The 44-year-old Rivers signed with the Colts on Tuesday and could be immediately thrust into the starting role. With Daniel Jones out for the season, Anthony Richardson still dealing with an eye injury, and Riley Leonard now dealing with a “Grade 1 PCL injury”, Rapoport says there is “a very real chance that Rivers is the starting quarterback for the Colts this Sunday.” We will see how Rivers practices having been out of the league for nearly five seasons, but the Colts may be making the move to start him as soon as Week 15 against the Seahawks.

Williams spent August with the Browns and was released in September. He eventually made his way onto the Chargers’ practice squad in the middle of the season after Omarion Hampton’s injury and appeared in three games, totaling three carries for a loss of one yard. The Browns just put Jerome Ford on injured reserve and now add Williams to help fill Ford’s role.

Otton has now been listed with a DNP on back-to-back days. With a short week ahead of a Thursday game against the Falcons, Otton will likely need to log a practice Wednesday in order to play. If he cannot go, Chris Godwin should see a bump in usage while Payne Durham is next up at tight end.

Evans has been a limited practice participant ever since returning to practice from his collarbone injury. He has a chance to play Thursday against the Falcons, pending Wednesday’s final injury status. Evans would return amidst a crucial NFC South race and would not return to WR2 status immediately, but would have FLEX value should be play in Week 15. WR Jalen McMillan (neck) was also limited as he nears a return.

Wirfs missed Week 14 against the Saints with an oblique injury. He is listed as a limited participant for both Monday and Tuesday as head coach Todd Bowles said the franchise left tackle could play Thursday against the Falcons. Another practice on Wednesday will give us more confidence that Wirfs will be back protecting Baker Mayfield’s blindside in Week 15.

Pitts was listed as a limited participant for the second straight day with a knee issue. The 25-year-old has seen 18 targets over the last two games with Kirk Cousins at quarterback and figures to continue operating as the offense’s top pass-catcher with Drake London (knee) still working his way back. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for Pitts’ final injury listing on Wednesday, but the limited listings at least indicate it is not a serious issue ahead of a Thursday matchup against the Bucs.

London was the only Falcons player listed with a DNP status on Tuesday after head coach Raheem Morris called the 24-year-old “day to day” on Monday. It is unlikely London will be ready to go on a short week ahead of a Thursday game against the Buccaneers, even if he practices in some capacity on Wednesday. London is on the wrong side of questionable as he continues to take time healing from a pesky PCL sprain.

The 2021 UDFA was waived Monday to make room on the game day roster for the return of Omarion Hampton. Jones will be a rotational piece for the Texans after they lost Tim Settle for the remainder of the season. They waived Jalen Mills to create space for Jones.