NFL Player News

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said "we'll see" when asked Monday whether Horton (shin/groin) will return from IR in 2025, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Horton technically is eligible to return to practice this week, but Macdonald said the rookie wideout has still "got some hurdles he's got to get over." Macdonald added, "If he gets over them, we can get him back," an indication that if Horton is able to get back on the field this year, it may not happen until the end of the regular season or playoffs. If Horton returns at some point, he'll stand to contribute behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp and Rashid Shaheed.

Coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged Monday that he's unsure whether Pearsall (knee/ankle) will practice this week, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The report notes that Pearsall, who also is dealing with a low ankle sprain, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com, aggravated his PCL injury during Week 16 action, which clouds the wideout's status for next Monday's game against the Colts. If Pearsall ends up limited or sidelined, added snaps alongside Jauan Jennings would be available for Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson.

Bears head coach Ben Johnson said Monday that "all options are on the table" regarding the recovery of Odunze (foot), Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Johnson indicated that Chicago could consider shutting Odunze down for the time being in order for him to rest up in time for the playoffs, saying it may be necessary "to protect him from himself a little bit so he can help us down the road." Odunze had appeared primed to retake the field Week 15 against Cleveland, but he was made a late scratch after aggravating the stress fracture in his foot during pregame warmups. With Luther Burden (ankle) now considered day-to-day ahead of Saturday's divisional matchup against the Packers, it's possible Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay could be tasked with expanded roles in the receiving game behind DJ Moore and tight ends Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet.

Bears coach Ben Johnson said Monday that Burden (ankle) is day-to-day, Chris Kwiecinski of Fox 32 Chicago reports.

Burden was forced out of Chicago's win over the Browns on Sunday early due to an ankle injury, and it sounds like his availability for Week 16 won't be determined until after the Bears have had opportunities to evaluate the rookie wideout at practice. If Burden is unable to play Saturday versus the Packers, Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay would stand to handle expanded roles in the receiving game, especially with Rome Odunze (foot) looking uncertain.

Atwell secured one of two targets for nine yards during Sunday's 41-34 victory against the Lions.

In his return from a six-game absence due to a hamstring injury, Atwell took the field for just four plays on offense but managed targets on half of them. Konata Mumpfield has had an expanded role in recent weeks on offense due to Atwell's absence but hasn't done much with his opportunities, leaving the door open for Atwell to reclaim the No. 3 position at wideout for the Rams. With Davante Adams (hamstring) potentially unavailable for a pivotal Week 16 Thursday night showdown against division rival Seattle, Atwell may be thrust into a much more prolific role alongside Puka Nacua if Adams is unable to go.

Hodgins recorded one reception for four yards on two targets in Sunday's 29-21 loss to Washington.

Though Hodgins saw the third-most targets (two) among New York wideouts, he finished well behind Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton, who logged 10 targets apiece. That lack of attention for Hodgins happened despite the fact he played as many offensive snaps (59) as Slayton and wasn't far behind Robinson (67). No other Giants wide receiver caught a pass or played more than four offensive snaps Sunday, so Hodgins appears pretty secure in the No. 3 WR role. However, after catching seven passes for 99 yards and a TD over the first two games following his reunion with New York, he's caught exactly one pass for four yards in each of the team's past two contests.

Whittington failed to secure his only target and returned four kickoffs for 102 yards during Sunday's 41-34 win against the Lions.

For the second time in three games, Whittington failed to make a catch, and his four snaps on offense mark a season low for the second-year pro. Konata Mumpfield's usage has increased significantly in recent weeks, leaving Whittington, Xavier Smith and a returning Tutu Atwell with just a handful of snaps to work with in recent games. Davante Adams (hamstring) is in danger of missing Thursday's divisional showdown in Seattle in Week 16, but a sudden surge in usage and targets from Matthew Stafford seems unlikely given his track record so far this season.

Smith failed to record a target during Sunday's 41-34 victory against the Lions.

Sunday marked the first time since Week 6 that Smith was held without a catch, and more concerning was a steep drop in playing time; Smith was only on the field for three snaps on offense. Tutu Atwell returned but only earned four snaps of his own, while Konata Mumpfield and his 32 snaps marked the highest usage out of the backup wideouts. Even with Davante Adams (hamstring) potentially unavailable for a pivotal Week 16 matchup on the road against division-rival Seattle, Smith's most likely contribution for the Rams will be on special teams.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Monday that he's "very hopeful" London (knee) will return to the lineup for Sunday's matchup against the Cardinals, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

London has missed four consecutive games due to a PCL sprain in his left knee, in which span he hasn't practiced. Morris indicated that handling on-field activity will be crucial for London to return Week 16, meaning his status at Wednesday's practice will need to be monitored closely. In London's absence during last week's win over the Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football, TE Kyle Pitts broke out for a career-best 11-166-3 line on 12 targets. If the No. 1 wideout does manage to retake the field on the road versus Arizona this weekend, however, London will figure to immediately resume operating as Kirk Cousins' top target in the passing game.

Smith didn't record a reception on two targets in Sunday's 48-20 loss to the Jaguars.

Smith hadn't received a target in his previous four games and was unable to haul in either of his opportunities during Sunday's loss. The rookie wideout from Georgia has made 13 appearances this season, catching six of 12 targets for 47 tards while rushing three times for 11 yards. He's expected to remain a depth option in the Jets' receiving corps in the Week 16 matchup against the Saints.