NFL Player News

Flowers (calf) is in line to play Sunday against the Dolphins, Jordan Schultz of BleacherReport.com reports.

Flowers has been bothered by a variety of injuries this season, but he also hasn't missed a game through Week 16. This week, he didn't practice until Friday, when he was limited, due to a calf injury and then entered the weekend as questionable. Flowers' status will be confirmed, one way or another, about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

The Cardinals elevated Chisena from their practice squad to their active roster Saturday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Chisena has gotten into two games for Arizona this season, logging one offensive snap and 27 special-teams snaps without recording any stats. The 26-year-old has played in 29 total games over his NFL career -- the first three seasons of which were spent with Minnesota -- but has tallied just 14 offensive snaps in total while working primarily on special teams. He figures to have a similar role Sunday in Philadelphia.

The Bears elevated Johnson to their active roster Saturday.

Johnson has been elevated for the second consecutive week and he'll add some extra depth to a Chicago wide receiver room that will be without Darnell Mooney (concussion) on Sunday. Chicago has now used all three of Johnson's elevations, which means the team must sign him to its 53-man roster if he's needed in Week 18.

The Vikings elevated Jackson to their active roster from their practice squad Saturday.

Jackson's elevation is a consequence of Jordan Addison (ankle) being listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against Green Bay and Jalen Nailor (concussion) being ruled out. Jackson saw his first regular-season action as a pro last week versus Detroit, logging one offensive snap and 12 special-teams snaps in the loss. He figures to have a minimal role again Sunday if he suits up.

The Broncos elevated Dorsett from their practice squad to their active roster Saturday.

This will be Dorsett's second elevation to the active roster this season. The first time he was active on game day was Week 1 against the Raiders, when he played six offensive snaps and didn't catch his lone target. Courtland Sutton (concussion) won't play Sunday, and how much work Dorsett is given could depend on whether Jerry Jeudy (illness) and/or Marvin Mims (hamstring) miss the game as well.

The Broncos signed Bandy from their practice squad to their active roster Saturday.

Bandy has been cut from and re-signed to Denver's practice squad four times this season, and he'll now get his first chance to be active on game day with his promotion to the active roster. The Broncos' pass-catching corps could be perilously depleted Sunday against the Chargers with Courtland Sutton (concussion) ruled out and Jerry Jeudy (illness) and Marvin Mims (hamstring) both deemed questionable, so Bandy could see more than a minor role in the contest. The other Denver wideouts who don't have an injury designation for Sunday are Brandon Johnson, Lil'Jordan Humphrey and Phillip Dorsett.

The Giants elevated Houston to their active roster Saturday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

The 24-year-old wideout's elevation could be an indication that Wan'Dale Robinson (quadriceps, questionable) is leaning toward not suiting up Sunday. Houston most recently appeared in an NFL game in 2022 with the Cowboys, and he'll likely get the chance to contribute to the Giants' special teams unit in Week 17.

The 49ers elevated Martin to their active roster Saturday.

The 26-year-old wideout has got a shot to appear in his first NFL game since 2022. Martin could very well play on special teams and add some extra depth to a 49ers wide receiver room that will be without Jauan Jennings (concussion) in Week 17.

Gray (shoulder) has been downgraded to out ahead of Sunday's game against the Commanders.

Despite a full week of practice, Gray will remain on injured reserve through Week 17 as he continues to nurse a shoulder issue. The 24-year-old has spent the entire year on injured reserve, and he'll now look to make his return in Week 18 against the Rams.

The Patriots have placed Smith-Schuster (ankle) on injured reserve.

With Smith-Schuster on IR and slated to miss the Patriots' final two games this season, DeVante Parker, Demario Douglas, Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton and Kayshon Boutte (illness, out this week) are in line to handle the team's WR duties in Weeks 17 and 18. Smith-Schuster thus finishes the 2023 campaign with a 29-260-1 line on 47 targets in 11 games.