NFL Player News

Wirfs (toe) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

Wirfs likely suffered the toe injury in last Sunday's loss to the Panthers, and it remains unclear whether the issue is severe enough to prevent him from playing. The standout left tackle will have two more chances to upgrade his practice participation and dodge an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Kancey (pectoral) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Kancey has been on injured reserve since the Buccaneers' Week 2 win over the Texans. The defensive lineman was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday and was immediately able to log a limited practice. Immediate practice participation bodes well for the 24-year-old, but he will likely need to practice fully by Friday to avoid an injury designation and play in Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Burden (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday.

This marks Burden's first official on-field work since he suffered an ankle injury Week 15 against the Browns. He may need to upgrade to full participation Thursday or Friday in order to avoid a designation ahead of Sunday's game at San Francisco, but he appears to be a better bet to return to action Week 17 than fellow WR Rome Odunze (foot), who remained sidelined at practice Wednesday.

The Chiefs placed Thornton (concussion) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Thornton entered the league's concussion protocol following the Chiefs' Week 15 loss to the Chargers, which prevented him from playing against the Titans in Week 16. Since the Chiefs are eliminated from playoff contention, Thornton's placement on IR means he will not return in 2025 and not play in the Kansas City's last two regular-season games. The 2022 second-rounder signed a one-year contract with the Chiefs in February after being cut by the Patriots in November in 2024, and he finished his first year in Kansas City with a 19/438/3 receiving line (on 36 targets) while turning 18 kickoff returns into 475 yards (26.4 yards per return). With Thornton and Rashee Rice (concussion) both on IR, the Chiefs' wide receiver corps will be led by Xavier Worthy, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Hollywood Brown.

The Chiefs placed Rice (concussion) on IR on Wednesday.

The same goes for fellow WR Tyquan Thornton (concussion), with both players shut down for the Chiefs' last two games, as the team is out of playoff contention. Rice thus finishes his 2025 campaign with 53 catches (on 78 targets) for 571 yards and five TDs in eight games to go along with five carries for 20 yards and a rushing score. Kansas City's top wideout remains under under contract with the team through 2026. In his looming absence, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Nikko Remigio (knee, questionable) and Jalen Royals are in line to handle the Chiefs' WR duties Thursday against the Broncos.

Odunze (foot) didn't practice Wednesday.

Odunze hasn't been able to practice in any capacity since Dec. 12 as he tends to a stress fracture in his foot. He's missed the last three games as a result and appears in danger of stretching it to four absences, unless he's able to mix into drills Thursday and/or Friday. Fellow WR Luther Burden (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, so the Bears may get back at least one of their key pass catchers for Sunday's contest at San Francisco.

The Chargers cut McLachlan from the practice squad Wednesday.

The move corresponds with the Chargers signing center Josh Kaltenberger to the practice squad. McLachlan has spent time with the Chargers and Bengals on their respective squads this season, and the 2024 sixth-rounder will aim to catch on with a team in need of depth at tight end.

Nelson (knee) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

Nelson was diagnosed with a knee sprain Monday after playing just three defensive snaps in last Sunday's loss to the Panthers before departing with injury. The linebacker was unable to practice Wednesday and will likely not be able to for the remainder of the week, leaving Chris Braswell and Jason Pierre-Paul to fill the hole at outside linebacker.

Wilson (concussion) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Wilson entered the league's concussion protocol following the Patriots' Week 16 victory over the Ravens. Even if he were to return to practice over the next two days, the rookie third-rounder would be prohibited from playing against the Jets on Sunday unless an independent neurologist clears him from the league's protocol. Ben Brown and Caedan Wallace would be the top candidates to start at left guard if Wilson were to miss time.

David (rest) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

David is not listed with the knee injury he overcame before the Week 16 Sunday loss to the Panthers, but the veteran linebacker had an easier day as he rests for Sunday's matchup with the Dolphins. The 35-year-old will likely upgrade to a full participant by Friday, but regardless of his Week 17 practice status, he will probably suit up for Sunday's game barring any sudden injury.