NFL Player News

LaPorta (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in San Francisco, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

LaPorta has been listed on Detroit's injury reports throughout the playoffs after suffering a knee hyperextension during Week 18 action, but the injury didn't stop him from handling his normal workload in the wild-card and divisional rounds. He topped 80 percent snap share in both games, combining for 12 catches, 79 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets. The rookie tight end now gets a tough matchup in the NFC Championship Game, facing a Niners defense that tends to do an excellent job of guarding the middle of the field thanks to LBs Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw. A return to full practice participation Friday suggests LaPorta should be fine for his usual, starring role in the Detroit offense.

Andrews (leg) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs.

The Ravens removed Andrews from injured reserve earlier Friday, with head coach John Harbaugh clarifying shortly thereafter that he intended for the tight end to play. Andrews' lack of designation heading into Sunday confirms that he'll be available for the AFC Championship Game, a development that doesn't come as much of a surprise after the tight end was listed as a full participant on every practice report since last Wednesday. According to Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site, Andrews declined to comment Friday on what his snap count might look like Sunday, leaving it unclear if he'll return to his pre-injury role or cede snaps to highly capable backup Isaiah Likely. Either way, Andrews will be playing in his first game since suffering a fibula fracture and ankle ligament injury in a Nov. 16 win over the Bengals in Week 11.

Coach John Harbaugh said Friday that Andrews (leg) will play in Sunday's game against the Chiefs "unless there's some kind of a problem" following his activation from injured reserve.

Harbaugh is merely stating the obvious -- that Andrews is being activated to play and not just as a decoy/distraction. The Ravens presumably would've removed him from injured reserve last week before facing the Texans if they sought to benefit from deception, so the real question now entails the extent of Andrews' role rather than whether or not he'll play. On that front, the Ravens aren't likely to reveal anything ahead of time, so we'll probably have to wait until Sunday to see how TE snaps are split between Andrews and capable backup Isaiah Likely. As well as Likely has played the past couple months, Andrews is still bigger, faster and more experienced, though he won't necessarily have his usual speed/explosiveness in his first game back after missing nine weeks.

The Ravens activated Andrews (ankle) from injured reserve Friday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Andrews, who the Ravens reportedly expect to make his return to the field during Sunday's AFC Championship Game matchup against Kansas City, is now officially eligible to do so now that he's back on the active roster. The star tight end was designated for return from injured reserve Jan. 12 and has since put forth a number of full practice sessions. Those are all positive indications that Andrews, who at this point looks fully on track to suit up Sunday, may be able to hit the ground running in his first NFL action since Week 11.

LaPorta (knee) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

One day removed from sitting out Wednesday's walkthrough, LaPorta returned to the practice field in some capacity. He now has one more chance this week to get back to all activity before the Lions potentially gives him a designation ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship Game in San Francisco. In two outings playing through a hyperextension and a bone bruise in his left knee, LaPorta has earned at least an 80 percent snap share on both occasions while hauling in 12 of 14 targets for 79 yards and one touchdown in playoff wins against the Rams and Buccaneers.

The Lions placed Wright (forearm) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Wright's season is officially over after he suffered a broken forearm during Detroit's divisional-round victory over Tampa Bay. Anthony Firkser and Zach Ertz -- who was officially signed to the team's practice squad Wednesday -- will be available as depth options behind starting tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the 49ers with Wright sidelined.

Andrews (ankle) practiced fully Wednesday.

Since the Ravens designated Andrews for return from injured reserve Jan. 12, he managed two straight uncapped practices last week but wasn't activated ahead of this past Saturday's divisional-round win against the Texans. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported earlier Wednesday that Andrews is expected to be added back to the active roster for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs, and his ensuing full session seems to reiterate that point. Baltimore will need to activate Andrews by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday in order for the tight end to be available one day later.

LaPorta (knee) didn't take part in Wednesday's walkthrough practice.

LaPorta is being listed as a non-participant on a Lions injury report for the first time since Jan. 11 due to the hyperextension and bone bruise in his left knee that he suffered Week 18 against the Vikings. He's been able to play through the pain in Detroit's first two playoff games, earning at least an 80 percent snap share in both contests on his way to a combined 12 catches (on 14 targets) for 79 yards and one touchdown. LaPorta will have two more chances this week to get back to full participation before the team potentially tags him with a designation ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship Game at San Francisco.

Andrews (ankle) is expected to be activated from injured reserve and play in Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Andrews logged two full practice sessions ahead of last Saturday's divisional-round win over the Texans, but he wasn't officially activated from IR in advance of the contest. Now set to take part in full practices for the second week in a row, Andrews appears to be trending toward a return to the lineup Sunday, provided he doesn't experience any setbacks after he required surgery in November to address damage to his left fibula and left ankle. Isaiah Likely has impressed while filling in as Baltimore's top tight end, so the team will have the luxury of easing Andrews into action if he isn't ready for his usual full snap share Sunday.

Strange finished the season with five catches on nine targets for 35 yards and a touchdown in 14 games.

The rookie second-round pick's first year in the NFL wasn't a particularly notable one, as he worked as Jacksonville's No. 3 tight end. Both Evan Engram and Luke Farrell remain under contract in 2024, but the latter is primarily a blocking tight end. Given the draft capital used to acquire Strange, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him move into a larger role next year.