NFL Player News

Olszewski finished the 2020 season with five catches (on five targets) for 62 yards and a TD and five carries for 23 yards in 13 games.

While Olszewski didn't see much work in the Patriots offense this past season, he did make quite a mark as a returner, fielding 18 kickoffs for 418 yards and 20 punts for 346 yards and a TD. His strong effort in that department led to the 24-year-old being selected to the AP 2020 All-Pro First Team as a special teamer. Olszewski is under contract with New England through 2021and should thus reprise his role in the return game this coming season. Whether he sees more opportunities as a pass catcher, however, hinges largely on the team's offseason moves at the wide receiver position.

Erickson had one catch on three targets in the Bengals' season-ending loss to the Ravens, closing out the season with only 12 catches for 139 yards and no touchdowns.

It's a fitting close for Erickson, who was unable to break through with many big plays and in fact committed a couple of costly fumbles on the season. He'll be a free agent this offseason, and there's no guarantee that he'll return.

Patrick (foot) finished the 2020 season with 51 receptions for 742 yards and six touchdowns over his 15 games.

Patrick was one of the bright spots in what was a disappointing season in Denver. Though he topped 50 receiving yards just four times, Patrick was the Broncos' most consistent option and was a difference maker in wins over the Jets and Patriots. He'll likely be tendered a contract in restricted free agency this offseason, but Patrick could be headed for a downturn in production in 2021. Rookies Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler both figure to improve and make pushes for more targets in Year 2, while the Broncos will also get Courtland Sutton (knee) back in the fold after Denver's projected No. 1 receiver didn't play after Week 1 due to a torn ACL and MCL.

Jeudy hauled in 52 of 113 targets for 856 yards and three touchdowns while playing in all 16 games during the 2020 season.

The first-round rookie arrived in Denver as a skilled route runner who was expected to make a splash in the NFL right away, and while his production was solid enough, the 21-year-old didn't quite dominate on the level some might have anticipated. Spotty quarterback play and Jeudy's own issues with drops -- his 8.8 percent drop rate was the 12th-highest in the NFL -- contributed to the wideout logging a league-low 52 receptions among all players who were targeted 100-plus times. Expect a rebound in 2021, as Jeudy will get his first full NFL offseason and the return of Courtland Sutton (ACL), who should take some of the pressure off the Alabama product.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Kupp is "progressing" through bursitis in his knee, and while the wide receiver may not practice this week, there's a good chance he's "ready" for Saturday's divisional-round game in Green Bay, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Kupp picked up the injury in Saturday's wild-card round win at Seattle and hasn't stepped foot on the field this week. McVay implied that Kupp may not have to practice in order to suit up Saturday, but he still has one more chance to get some work in before the Rams give him a designation for the game.

Lazard (core/wrist) was limited at practice Wednesday.

Lazard is following his usual practice routine since his return from core-muscle surgery Week 11. After the Packers had a bye for the first round of the playoffs, Lazard looks to be in a good spot physically, and he should enter the weekend minus a designation for Saturday's divisional-round game versus the Rams.

Kupp (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Kupp has yet to practice this week while he recovers from knee bursitis, which he sustained during the Rams' wild-card win at Seattle last weekend. There's an expectation from the team that he'll be able to suit up for Saturday's divisional-round game in Green Bay, but he may have to do so without any practice reps. Thursday's injury report will reveal whether or not Kupp fit in some on-field work this week.

The Cardinals activated Kirk (undisclosed) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Kirk previously missed Arizona's loss to the Rams in Week 17 due to his placement on the list. The Cardinals didn't earn a postseason berth, but Kirk will now be free to return to team facilities for meetings and offseason workouts. Over 14 regular-season games in 2020, Kirk secured 48 of 79 targets for 621 yards and six touchdowns.

The Saints designated Smith (ankle) for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Smith has been on IR since Week 15, but he demonstrated enough progress in his recovering from the ankle injury to rejoin the Saints for practice. The Saints will assess Smith in their workouts Wednesday through Friday before determining whether he's fit to rejoin the team for Sunday's divisional-round matchup against Tampa Bay. If Smith is activated from IR ahead of the weekend, he would likely join Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders in three-wideout sets.

Hill (hamstring) doesn't appear on Kansas City's injury report in advance of Sunday's divisional-round game against the Browns.

Hill didn't play Week 17 with Kansas City having already secured the top seed in the AFC. The team's ensuing bye week gave the playmaking wideout some added healing time for his hamstring, so he'll be ready to go for the team's postseason opener. Hill concluded the regular season with a career-high 17 touchdowns (15 receiving, two rushing) while accounting for 1,399 yards from scrimmage in 15 games.