NFL Player News

Pierre (calf) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Ravens, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Pierre has been officially cleared to return from a three-game absence due to a calf injury, and he'll likely start at outside corner opposite Joey Porter on Sunday while Asante Samuel reverts to a depth role in the secondary. Across the 13 regular-season games prior to his calf injury, Pierre logged 28 tackles (12 solo), 11 pass defenses (one interception) and a scoop-and-score.

Dean (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Commanders.

Dean was unable to practice throughout Week 18, making it consecutive weeks that the linebacker has been unable to get on the practice field. The 25-year-old will now miss consecutive contests due to a hamstring injury, and it is unclear if he will be able to play in the Eagles' first playoff matchup. With Jaelan Phillips (ankle) also ruled out for Sunday's game, Jalyx Hunt, Brandon Graham and Joshua Uche may see a significant increase in defensive snaps for the Eagles' linebacker corps alongside starters Zack Baun and Nolan Smith.

Blue is set to lead the Cowboys backfield Sunday at the Giants with Javonte Williams (shoulder/neck) and Malik Davis (calf/eye) ruled out for the contest, Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.

A rookie fifth-round pick, Blue has previously seen action for the Cowboys from Weeks 5 through 8, when he combined for 22 carries for 65 yards and one catch (on one target) for five yards. Assuming he leads the backfield Week 18, his competition for reps will be fullback Hunter Luepke and potentially 2025 seventh-round pick Phil Mafah (shoulder), the latter of whom must be activated from injured reserve Saturday in order to play Sunday.

Watt (lung) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday night's AFC North clash against the Ravens, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

The veteran pass rusher was able to log a full practice Friday and will return from a three-game absence due to a partially collapsed lung that required a procedure to repair. Watt's return is crucial for a Steelers defense that will have its hands full containing the lethal duo of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, as the two teams battle for the AFC North division title and the No. 4 seed that comes with it. Watt played at least 80 percent of defensive snaps in 11 of 13 regular-season games, but he could have his snap count limited given the nature of the injury he overcame to play Sunday, which would result in Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer being used more heavily in the rotation with Watt and Alex Highsmith.

Herbert (left hand/rest) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Broncos but is not in line to play in the contest, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

Herbert, who has been managing a left hand injury, was rested in practice Thursday and Friday, and the Chargers intend to rest the QB on Sunday as well. Per Omar Navarro of the team's official site, Trey Lance is slated to start in place of Herbert this weekend, with DJ Uiagalelei on track to be elevated from the practice squad in order to back up Lance, a scenario that should land Herbert on the team's Week 18 inactive list.

Carter (hip) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Commanders.

Carter sustained a hip issue in Thursday's practice, and Friday marked consecutive days that the defensive lineman was unable to participate. The team has elected to allow the starter to heal as the playoffs approach, and Ty Robinson is in line to play significant snaps at defensive end opposite Moro Ojomo for the Week 18 divisional matchup.

Sewell (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears.

Sewell was unable to practice throughout Week 18 due to the ankle injury he suffered in the Christmas Day loss to the Vikings. Dan Skipper is set to suit up at right tackle in the All-Pro's place for Sunday's contest. Sewell will have the offseason to rehab his ankle issue and prepare for the 2026 season, as the Lions have been eliminated from playoff contention.

Robinson (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against New England, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Robinson ended the week with back-to-back limited practices while in the league's concussion protocol, and while he's listed as questionable, he wouldn't be allowed to play Sunday unless he is cleared by an independent neurologist. Kenneth Grant and Zeek Biggers would take on larger roles on defense if Robinson is unable to play in the Dolphins' regular-season finale.

Smith (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's season finale against the Chiefs.

With Smith out for the contest, coach Pete Carroll noted Friday (without naming a QB starter) that Kenny Pickett and Aidan O'Connell would be in a rotation Sunday, Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site reports. In his first season with the 2-14 Raiders, Smith threw for 3,025 yards to go along with 19 TDs and 17 picks in 15 games. Though the veteran signal-caller currently is under contract with Las Vegas through the 2027 season, it's very possible that the team will be using one of the top picks in the 2026 NFL Draft on a QB.

Brooks (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Brooks missed the first two practices of Week 18 prep while tending to a hamstring injury he sustained against the Buccaneers in Week 17. The NFL's leading tackler earned the questionable tag after logging a limited session Friday, and his status will be officially known when the Dolphins announce their list of inactive players approximately 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. Brooks has yet to miss a game this season, but K.J. Britt and Willie Gay would be poised to start at linebacker if Brooks is unable to play.