NFL Player News

The Panthers signed Dwelley to the practice squad Tuesday.

Dwelley appeared in 11 games with the Lions this season before being cut earlier this month. Across those 11 appearances, Dwelley caught two of five targets for seven yards. He gives Carolina depth at tight end after Ja'Tavion Sanders suffered a season-ending broken ankle in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks.

Diggs' attorneys appeared in court on his behalf Tuesday in Dedham, Mass. after the receiver was charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery stemming from an alleged incident that occurred Dec. 2, Frank O'Laughlin of Boston 25 News reports.

Diggs was never arrested in connection with the incident, which took place one day after the Patriots' 33-15 win over the Giants in Week 13. His attorneys are seeking to have the police report impounded, arguing that details about the case should remain sealed. Diggs is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 23, but the Patriots haven't yet provided comment on the matter nor indicated whether the wideout's availability for Week 18 against the Dolphins or the team's ensuing postseason run is in any jeopardy.

The Colts aren't expected to activate Richardson (eye) from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's season finale versus the Texans, Stephen Holder and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com report.

Richardson was cleared to resume practicing Dec. 18, but he has yet to regain full vision in his right eye after fracturing an orbital bone Oct. 12. The third-year quarterback should continue to practice in limited fashion, but the Colts plan to have Riley Leonard make his first NFL start in Week 18, while Philip Rivers will serve as the No. 2 signal-caller. Richardson will close the season having made just two brief appearances at the tail end of blowout wins in Weeks 3 and 5, and Indianapolis will most likely decline the pricey fifth-year option on his rookie contract this offseason. The 23-year-old could still be a candidate to open 2026 as the team's starter with Daniel Jones (Achilles) headed for free agency and at risk of missing time to begin the campaign even if Indianapolis re-signs him.

Rivers is set to move to the bench for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Texans with the Colts planning to have rookie Riley Leonard start at quarterback, Stephen Holder and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com report.

After being officially eliminated from playoff contention over the weekend, the Colts will give reps to younger players like Leonard in Week 18. The 44-year-old Rivers ends a brief run as the Colts' starter after he was lured out of retirement following Daniel Jones' season-ending Achilles injury in Week 14. Though the team went 0-3 with Rivers under center, he performed competently in his first NFL action since the 2020 season, completing 58 of 92 attempts for 544 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. Rivers is expected to head back into retirement following the season finale.

The Colts plan to have Leonard start at quarterback in Sunday's season finale at Houston, Stephen Holder and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com report.

With the Colts getting eliminated from playoff contention last weekend, 44-year-old Philip Rivers will head to the bench as head coach Shane Steichen turns the offense over to Leonard. A rookie sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame, Leonard has made four appearances this season, with his lone extended action coming in Week 14 at Jacksonville after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Leonard has completed 18 of 33 pass attempts for 145 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions this season while adding six yards and a score on three carries. Though he likely isn't seen as the Colts' long-term answer at quarterback, a strong showing in Week 18 could strengthen his case for sticking around as a backup option in 2026.

Jackson caught two of three targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Giants.

Jackson played just eight offensive snaps in his fourth game of the season, but he managed to earn three targets while providing depth at wide receiver behind Tre Tucker, Dont'e Thornton and Tyler Lockett, while Jack Bech was sidelined for Sunday's contest due to a back injury. However, Jackson's already limited role could disappear if Bech manages to return for a Week 18 tilt against the Chiefs.

Thornton caught two of four targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Giants.

Thornton filled the WR2 role behind Tre Tucker with fellow rookie Jack Bech (back) sidelined for Sunday's contest, but Thornton averaged just 3.0 yards per target while playing 78 percent of the Raiders' offensive snaps. If Bech manages to return for a Week 18 matchup against the Chiefs, Thornton's involvement could diminish.

White rushed once for two yards in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Giants.

White suited up for the first time since Week 5 with Raheem Mostert (ankle/knee) sidelined Sunday, but White ultimately handled just one offensive touch while rookie Ashton Jeanty took 16 carries for 60 yards to go along with a pair of receptions. Fellow running back Dylan Laube was restricted to a special-teams role, so White could serve as the Raiders' RB2 again in Week 18 if Mostert remains out.

Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that Stingley and other starters will play Week 18 if healthy with the AFC South title still attainable, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stingley has dealt with an oblique injury the last two games but suited up in each, playing a combined 98 percent of the defensive snaps. Houston can claim a third consecutive division title with a win and a Jacksonville loss. It could also slip to as low as seventh with a loss to the Colts on Sunday. If Stingley plays Week 18, it will be a second consecutive full regular season for the fourth-year cornerback, who missed a combined 14 games in his first two NFL campaigns.

Schwesinger played through a thigh injury in Sunday's 13-6 win over Pittsburgh, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Schwesinger was clearly hobbled by the injury but was never removed from the game. The rookie linebacker played all 66 snaps on defense and another five on special teams. His nine tackles tied for team high and upped his season total to a team-leading 156 over 16 games. Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Schwesinger is rehabbing and progressing in preparation for Sunday's season finale against the Bengals.