NFL Player News

Sampson (hand) is active for Sunday's game against the Steelers.

After sitting out the Browns' previous two games, Sampson took a questionable tag into Sunday following a trio of limited practices during Week 17 prep, but the rookie showed enough improvement to gain clearance for the penultimate game of the season. Sampson had typically handled a change-of-pace role over his previous 13 appearances, but the 21-year-old could be in store for his beefiest workload since Week 1 -- when he earned 20 touches (12 carries, eight receptions) -- after lead back Quinshon Judkins (ankle/fibula) suffered a season-ending injury in Week 16. Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams should still be involved out of the backfield Sunday to some degree, but Sampson likely profiles as the top fantasy option of the trio thanks largely to his talents as a pass catcher.

Fant (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Fant missed Cincinnati's Week 16 game due to an ankle injury, but he'll return after logging a pair of limited practice sessions to begin the week before being a full participant Friday. He isn't likely to occupy a significant role in the offense, as he's commanded two or fewer targets in four consecutive contests.

Taylor (knee/personal) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

As Rich Cimini of ESPN.com notes, Taylor didn't practice Friday due to a personal reason. In the veteran signal-caller's absence Sunday, practice-squad elevation Hendon Hooker is slated to back up starting QB Brady Cook.

DeVito (coach's decision) is inactive but will serve as the Patriots' emergency third quarterback against the Jets on Sunday.

DeVito will not be allowed to see the field Sunday unless Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs were to leave the game due to injury, illness or ejection. DeVito has yet to appear in a regular-season game in 2025.

Meyer (triceps) is active for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Meyer is set to participate in his first game of the season after spending the first 16 weeks on injured reserve. The center will likely be the primary backup to Daniel Brunskill for Sunday's contest.

Douglas (hamstring) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Douglas was deemed limited on all three practice reports this week before being listed as questionable for the contest. With his active status versus New York confirmed, Douglas will have an opportunity to contribute out of the slot Sunday, while working in a New England WR corps that will be without Kayshon Boutte (concussion) and Mack Hollins (abdomen, IR). If, however, Douglas is limited at all or suffers any setbacks, rookie Efton Chism is a candidate to pick up added snaps, while Stefon Diggs and Kyle Williams profile as key Week 17 targets for QB Drake Maye in the absence of Boutte and Hollins.

Mitchell (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Mitchell will be a healthy inactive for a third consecutive week as the Panthers go with three tight ends on the active roster in Ja'Tavion Sanders, Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans. Unless one of those three were to be sidelined, Mitchell will likely be a healthy scratch for the Panthers' Week 18 tilt against the Buccaneers.

Smyth (illness) is active for Sunday's game in Tennessee.

Smyth capped Week 17 prep with a limited practice Friday due to an illness that left him questionable in advance of the weekend. Because the Saints don't roster a kicker on the practice squad nor did they sign a kicker to the active roster Saturday, he was in line to resume his standing as the team's placekicker Sunday, which has been confirmed. In four appearances for New Orleans so far, Smyth has netted nine of 11 field-goal attempts and all seven point-after tries.

Fannin (groin) is active for Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Though Fannin's status for Week 17 appeared to be in jeopardy after he was added to the Browns' injury report Friday due to a groin issue that resulted in him taking a questionable tag into Sunday, he'll be able to play in the penultimate game of the season and is expected to be a "full go," per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Since Shedeur Sanders took over as the Browns' starting quarterback Week 12, Fannin is averaging 8.4 targets over five games and has strung together a 26-279-3 receiving line to go with four carries for seven yards and another touchdown during that stretch.

Brewer (neck) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Brewer was able to log a limited practice session Friday, but it appears to not have been enough for the center to be active for Sunday's contest. Daniel Brunskill is set to start in Brewer's place, with Andrew Meyer as the new backup center.