NFL Player News

Washington (forearm) won't return to Sunday's game against the Browns, Burt Lauten of the Steelers' official site reports.

Washington thus finishes the contest with two catches for 15 yards. In his absence, Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward will handle Pittsburgh's tight-end duties Sunday.

Washington exited Sunday's game against the Browns with a forearm injury, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Before that, Washington caught both of his targets for 15 yards. While he's sidelined, Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward are available to handle the Steelers' Week 17 TE reps.

Fannin exited Sunday's game against the Steelers with a groin injury.

Fannin approached the game listed as questionable due to a groin injury, so it looks like the tight end aggravated the issue Sunday. Prior to his departure from the contest, Fannin caught both of his targets for 30 yards and a TD. In his absence, Blake Whiteheart, Brenden Bates and Sal Cannella are available to handle TE reps versus Pittsburgh.

Stoll (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Titans.

Stoll sustained the injury in the first quarter and was carted to the locker room after being evaluated initially by medical staff in the blue medical tent. Moliki Matavao and Treyton Welch could see more rotational snaps at tight end behind Taysom Hill and Juwan Johnson due to Stoll's injury.

Sanders (ankle) won't return to Sunday's game versus the Seahawks, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Sanders had his lower right leg rolled up on by RB Rico Dowdle on the Panthers' first play from scrimmage Sunday. The second-year tight end needed help getting to the sideline and then was carted to the locker room before he was ruled out. Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans will take on TE duties for the Panthers for the rest of Week 17.

Sanders departed Sunday's game against the Seahawks due to a right ankle injury, Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340 reports.

On the Panthers' first play from scrimmage in Week 17, RB Rico Dowdle tallied an 11-yard carry but rolled up into Sanders' lower right leg as he was tackled to the ground. Sanders required assistance to get off the field and then was carted to the locker room. Carolina has deemed the second-year TE questionable to return, but if Sanders isn't able to, Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans will handle snaps at the position for the rest of Sunday's outing.

Brown (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Brown hasn't been used heavily in the offense this season, and he will observe Sunday's game from the sidelines while the Cardinals go with three active tight ends in Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins and Josiah Deguara. Brown's last opportunity to play this season is Week 18 against the Rams.

Westover (illness) is active for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Westover popped up on Saturday's injury report due to an illness, but the second-year fullback has been cleared to play Sunday after going through pregame warmups. He has primarily been used as a backfield blocker and contributor on special teams this season, having logged just one target through 15 regular-season games.

Fant (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Fant missed Cincinnati's Week 16 game due to an ankle injury, but he'll return after logging a pair of limited practice sessions to begin the week before being a full participant Friday. He isn't likely to occupy a significant role in the offense, as he's commanded two or fewer targets in four consecutive contests.

Mitchell (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Mitchell will be a healthy inactive for a third consecutive week as the Panthers go with three tight ends on the active roster in Ja'Tavion Sanders, Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans. Unless one of those three were to be sidelined, Mitchell will likely be a healthy scratch for the Panthers' Week 18 tilt against the Buccaneers.