NFL Player News

Valdes-Scantling (chest/illness) is listed as questionable for Monday's contest against the Packers.

Valdes-Scantling initially didn't practice Thursday due to a chest injury and then didn't participate in either of the two subsequent ones presumably thanks in some part to an illness, which was tacked on to Friday's injury. It remains to be seen if Valdes-Scantling will be active in the matchup against the team that drafted him, but with Chris Olave (concussion) and Bub Means (ankle) both ruled out, the Saints are woefully thin at wide receiver.

Coach DeMeco Ryans said Dell will remain in a Kansas City area hospital overnight with a "significant" left knee injury that he suffered during Saturday's loss to the Chiefs, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Dell had his left leg rolled up on while gathering in a 30-yard touchdown from QB C.J. Stroud in the back of the end zone during the third quarter. After teammates immediately signaled to the sideline for assistance, Dell's leg was immobilized in an air cast, and he was carted off the field. With a hospital stay required for further evaluation, he very well may have played his game of the season.

Alexander was waived by the Lions on Saturday.

Alexander has now been waived by the Lions three times since August. He cleared waivers and signed with Detroit's practice squad on both previous occasions, which could happen again in this instance.

Olave (concussion) has been ruled out for Monday's contest at Green Bay.

The Saints designated Olave to return from injured reserve Thursday, which he followed up with three consecutive limited practices during Week 16 prep. Without a full session under his belt, he has yet to make his way through the concussion protocol and thus will miss a sixth straight game. Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest/illness) is listed as questionable for Monday's game, which leaves Kevin Austin, Dante Pettis, Cedrick Wilson and Mason Tipton as the healthy wide receivers on New Orleans' active roster.

Dell was transported to a Kansas City area hospital during Saturday's loss to the Chiefs, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

In the process of hauling in a 30-yard touchdown from C.J. Stroud in the third quarter, Dell had his left leg rolled up on, and teammates immediately motioned to the Texans' sideline for assistance. The leg in question was immobilized by an air cast before Dell was carted off the field. Considering he's requiring a visit to the hospital for further evaluation, there's a decent chance Dell may have played his last snap of the 2024 campaign.

Means recently suffered a setback in his recovery from a Week 8 ankle injury and is not expected to return this season, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

The Saints haven't made the official designation, and Means technically still has one more week to return until his 21-day activation window expires, but interim head coach Darren Rizzi's comments seem to indicate the rookie won't play the rest of the year. The rookie fifth-round pick emerged as a rotational option after injuries decimated New Orleans' wide receiver depth earlier in the year, and Means could profile as a depth piece for the team entering 2025.

Virgil was elevated from Buffalo's practice squad Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Virgil appeared in six previous regular-season games for the Bills but didn't record a target over that span. His usage will likely remain minimal against the Patriots in Week 16.

Erickson was elevated from New England's practice squad Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills.

Erickson just joined the organization Wednesday. He likely doesn't know the playbook well enough yet to contribute significantly on offense as a wide receiver, but Erickson also has extensive experience as a return man and could be deployed in that special teams role.

Ezukanma was elevated from Miami's practice squad Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the 49ers.

Ezukanma will provide wide receiver depth, as the Dolphins are expected to be depleted at the position since Jaylen Waddle (knee) and Dee Eskridge (knee) are both doubtful, while Tyreek Hill (wrist) is questionable. Ezukanma has appeared in four games for the Dolphins since the start of the 2022 season, including one in 2024.

Bateman (foot) is listed as active for Saturday's game against the Steelers.

After being a full participant Tuesday, Bateman was limited at practice Wednesday before being deemed a non-participant Thursday as well as questionable for Saturday's contest. Per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, the 2021 first-rounder was spotted wearing a walking boot in the locker room Thursday, but Bateman has evidently progressed to the point that he'll be available to face Pittsburgh after all. It remains to be seen if he'll be limited at all in the process, but Bateman's presence in any capacity bolsters a Ravens wideout corps that also features Zay Flowers, with Tylan Wallace, Devontez Walker and Anthony Miller on hand to provide support in the absence of Nelson Agholor (concussion) and Diontae Johnson, who the team waived Friday.