NFL Player News

Washington (concussion) is out for Sunday's outing against the Giants, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Washington will log his third straight inactive game as the Falcons take on the Giants at home. The rookie wide receiver's next chance to see the field will be in Week 17 against the Commanders, though he'll likely be a special teams contributor if he sees the field then.

DuBose (head) has returned home after spending multiple days in a Houston-area hospital following last Sunday's injury against the Texans, Dan Rorabaugh of The Palm Beach Post reports.

DuBose was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season unless Miami makes the postseason and also goes on a run in the playoffs. In all likelihood, DuBose has played his final snaps of the campaign and will finish the year with two catches for 11 yards. He should be ready for a mostly normal offseason ahead of the 2025 campaign, when he'll likely once again compete for a job in Miami's wideout room.

Hodge (ribs) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Hodge sees substantial offensive snaps only if one of Drake London, Darnell Mooney or Ray-Ray McCloud is injured, and that's not the case this week. Over the last three weeks, Hodge has played a combined 12 offensive snaps. If he's unable to go against the Giants, his absence would mainly be felt on special teams.

Tillman (concussion) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Tillman remains in concussion protocol, but the Browns are hopeful he'll be able to play this weekend, per Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Tillman has missed three straight games after being concussed Week 12 against the Steelers. If he's cleared to play Sunday, he steps right back into a prominent role and plus matchup versus Cincinnati. However, the quarterback switch from Jameis Winston to Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a significant downgrade.

Jones (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Jones' groin injury has kept him out since Week 8, and he's now at risk of missing yet another outing. The second-year pro likely will remain the Bengals' kick and punt returner if he's able to return versus Cleveland, but if he's unable to play, Khalil Herbert and Isaiah Williams are primed to be Cincinnati's top kick and punt returners, respectively.

Brown (knee) said Friday that he'll play Sunday at Washington, Andrew DiCecco of InsideTheBirds.com reports.

As expected, given that the Eagles listed his injury as knee/rest after a limited practice Thursday. Brown wasn't on Wednesday's report and doesn't sound worried about his knee.

With Alec Pierce (concussion) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Titans, Mitchell is expected to see an expanded offensive role, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.

Sunday will mark Pierce's first absence of the season, though he did miss nearly half of last week's loss to the Broncos after being concussed. After Pierce was sidelined last week, Josh Downs and Mitchell were the biggest beneficiaries behind Michael Pittman in terms of playing time. It should be much of the same versus Tennessee, with Ashton Dulin mixing in for his blocking prowess. Mitchell and Anthony Richardson have yet to be on the same page -- or chapter -- this season, as Mitchell has failed to catch a single pass on six targets over the last two weeks despite increased reps. It's difficult to trust Mitchell for Week 16 fantasy lineups.

Higgins (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns.

After being listed as limited Wednesday, Higgins logged a DNP on Thursday before closing out the week with a capped session Friday. With reference to both Higgins and QB Joe Burrow (right wrist/knee), whose practice reps were managed this week, head coach Zac Taylor relayed Friday that there is no concern about the duo's workload versus Cleveland, per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, a comment that should reassure those planning to utilize Higgins, who caught five of his eight targets for 88 yards and a TD last weekend against the Titans, in Week 16 fantasy lineups.

Head coach Shane Steichen noted Friday that Pierce (concussion) won't play Sunday against the Titans, Amanda Foster of the Colts' official site reports.

Pierce, who sustained a concussion during Week 15 action, didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday but participated in Friday's session, wearing a non-contact jersey, per Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star. However, with the wideout having been ruled out and targeting a potential return to action Sunday, Dec. 29 at the Giants, Adonai Mitchell figures to see added opportunities this weekend alongside fellow WRs Michael Pittman and Josh Downs.

With both Jaylen Waddle (knee) and Dee Eskridge (knee) listed as doubtful and Tyreek Hill (wrist/personal) questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Washington is likely to see an expanded role on offense, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Washington and River Cracraft are the Dolphins' lone healthy wide receivers currently on the 53-man roster. Miami does have a trio of wideouts on the practice squad, which includes Erik Ezukanma, Tarik Black and Isaiah McKenzie. After Waddle got hurt last week versus Houston, Washington stepped in and played a season-high 59 percent of the offensive snaps while leading the team in receiving with a 5-52-0 line on six targets.