NFL Player News

The Saints elevated Hines from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Falcons, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Hines is set to participate in his first game for the Saints this season, serving as the No. 3 running back due to the absence of Alvin Kamara (MCL). Audric Estime will likely see the most offensive snaps, with Evan Hull and Hines receiving rotational snaps when it is deemed necessary.

The Saints elevated Haener from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Falcons, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Haener has spent most of the season on the Saints' practice squad. Due to backup quarterback Spencer Rattler (finger) being listed as questionable for Sunday's game, Haener will likely be the replacement if needed. The 26-year-old would be set to back up rookie Tyler Shough if Rattler ends up being inactive for Week 18.

The Saints signed Welch from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Falcons, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Welch was eligible for one more practice squad elevation, but the Saints chose to sign the tight end to the active roster instead. The 24-year-old has played in two games for the team this season, totalling nine offensive snaps and 15 special-teams snaps between the contests. Welch will likely fill a similar role in Week 18 as a supplemental blocker behind tight ends Juwan Johnson, Taysom Hill and Moliki Matavao.

Stephens (neck) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills.

Stephens was a limited participant in Thursday's practice with a new neck injury before downgrading to a non-participant in Friday's session. The cornerback will end his season one game short, logging 73 tackles (47 solo) and nine passes defensed over 16 games. With fellow cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers (knee) also ruled out, either Keidron Smith or Tre Brown will start at cornerback alongside Jordan Clark for Week 18.

The Titans placed Armour-Davis (Achilles) on injured reserve Saturday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

Armour-Davis suffered an Achilles tear in last Sunday's loss to the Saints, so it was inevitable that the move to IR would occur. The cornerback will end the season with 34 tackles (18 solo) and two passes defensed over 11 games. Kaiir Elam will start at outside cornerback opposite Darrell Baker for the Titans' Week 18 matchup with the Jaguars.

Barnes (back) is active for Saturday's game against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

With Claudin Cherelus (calf) inactive for Saturday's divisional tilt, Barnes and Bam Martin-Scott will likely be the ones to fill his role at inside linebacker next to Christian Rozeboom. Martin-Scott will likely get the initial reps, but Barnes may see his first defensive snaps since Week 13 as Saturday's game develops.

Wharton (hamstring) is inactive for Saturday's game against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Wharton was a full participant in practice all three days this week, yet he will still be unable to suit up for Week 18. The defensive end's absence means Bobby Brown will likely see a large portion of snaps at defensive end yet again. The Panthers will be without Wharton for a fourth consecutive game, this time for a matchup that could decide the winner of the NFC South.

Renfrow (coach's decision) is inactive for Saturday's game against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Renfrow continues his streak of healthy scratches. The Panthers will roll out Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, Jimmy Horn and Brycen Tremayne for the Week 18 divisional matchup, leaving Renfrow as the odd man out once again.

Godwin (illness) is listed as active Saturday against the Panthers, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Tampa Bay added Godwin to its Week 18 injury report Saturday due to an illness but at the same time didn't give him a game status, implying that he was expected to play. Now that that has been confirmed, Godwin will be available as the Bucs seek a win, plus a Falcons loss or tie to the Saints on Sunday, to officially win the NFC South and thus the No. 4 playoff seed in the conference. He's logged between 64 and 96 percent of the offensive snaps over the last five games en route to a 24-291-2 line on 32 targets during that span.

Kancey (pectoral) is active for Saturday's game against the Panthers, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Kancey is set to play in his first game since the Buccaneers' Week 2 win over the Texans, where the defensive end suffered a pectoral injury. The 24-year-old should suit up for rotational snaps with the defensive line behind starters Elijah Roberts and Logan Hall. Kancey logged 7.5 sacks over 12 regular-season games last year, and his return should provide additional depth to the Buccaneers' pass rush.