NFL Player News

Grupe, who was released by the Saints in early December after making just 18 of his 26 field goal tries, came through big time for Indy in their near-upset of the Seahawks. Grupe nailed a 60-yarder to take the lead in the fourth quarter — a kick that would have been good from at least 65 yards. Grupe will be a decent streaming option in Week 16 against the 49ers.

Sadiq is declaring for the draft early and immediately becomes one of the top tight end prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. The 20-year-old tallied 24 receptions for 308 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore for an Oregon team that won the Big Ten Championship. He followed that up with a 51/560/8 line as a junior, leading all college tight ends in touchdown catches. Sadiq will get buzz as potentially the first tight end off the board and is a candidate to be selected in the top half of the first round.

Cross (hamstring) was a key injury to keep an eye on heading into the playoffs, having not played since Week 15. The good news is he is practicing in full after the Seahawks’ first-round bye and is likely to go for the Divisional Round against the 49ers. Sam Darnold will have a better time in the pocket with Cross protecting his blind side.

Arroyo was placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in Week 14 but is nearing a return after a full practice on Tuesday. He was designated to return last week and looks to be in good shape to return to his rotational tight end role for the Divisional Round against the 49ers. With AJ Barner (hip) also fully practicing, the Seahawks tight end room is in good shape for the playoffs.

The first-round bye gave Franklin-Myers an additional week to get healthy after he missed the Broncos’ Week 18 game. His full practice Tuesday is a good indication he will play in the Divisional Round against the Bills. LB Dre Greenlaw (hamstring) was also limited and could be nearing a return in the playoffs.

Hairston missed the Bills’ Wild Card victory with an ankle injury he suffered in Week 18. There are several defensive players listed as limited on the Bills’ practice report as well, though it is merely an estimation as the team held a walkthrough practice, so reports from later in the week will tell a more concrete story. Hairston will need to get some practice time in before the end of the week in order to have a chance at playing in the Divisional Round against the Broncos.

Prater was active for the Bills’ Wild Card game, sinking both of his field goal attempts in the victory. The 41-year-old has played through a few ailments this season and will likely do so again if he can. Prater was listed as DNP for the Bills’ walkthrough, dealing with quad and calf issues. Practice reports later in the week will tell if Prater will officially go in the Saturday Divisional matchup against the Broncos, otherwise Matthew Wright will be called up from the practice squad.

“Early signs point to Sanders getting to compete for the job, [Deshaun] Watson being stuck on the roster and another quarterback addition in the middle rounds of the draft,” Jackson continues. Guess who is being left out of that quarterback room by omission? Gabriel was reportedly a Kevin Stefanski favorite in the draft process and — our speculation, not Jackson’s — might be traded to Stefanski’s new team this offseason. It’s also possible the team gives us another four-quarterback training camp show.

McDaniel was interviewed during Monday’s Texans-Steelers game. It’s the third head-coaching job that McDaniel has interviewed for this cycle, along with the Titans and Browns. The interest in him as an offensive mind has been more robust than expected thus far, perhaps he actually will get a chance to get a head-coaching gig this offseason now that there are a stunning nine vacancies.

Sheppard’s unit played pretty well in his first season as defensive coordinator despite injuries hitting the unit hard. The Lions finished fifth in defensive DVOA and there was almost no dropoff from Aaron Glenn leaving for the Jets. Sheppard, 38, could be a name that picks up some more buzz before this hiring cycle is over.

They probably want to ask him how it felt to be the only team to lose a game to Brian Callahan this year. Gannon also has an interview on Thursday with the Commanders regarding their defensive coordinator role. Gannon’s market is now “heating up,” if that’s what you want to call it. The deposed former Cardinals coach met with the Cowboys today to interview for their defensive coordinator vacancy.