NFL Player News

The Bengals designated Lee (knee) for return from IR on Wednesday.

Lee landed on injured reserve Oct. 28 due to a knee injury. He's now eligible to practice and can be activated any time within a 21-day window, though with the Bengals eliminated from playoff contention, there anre only 12 days left until their season ends. Lee had logged all of his snaps on special teams prior to getting hurt.

The Colts designated Dulin (hamstring) for return from IR on Wednesday, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.

Dulin landed on injured reserve Nov. 25 due to a hamstring injury. He's since missed the required four games and, with his designation to return, is eligible to be activated at any time. Indianapolis has 21 days to decide whether to activate Dulin, but he could play as soon as this Sunday against the Dolphins. Prior to getting hurt, he had a minor role in the passing game and was also serving as one of the team's top kick returners.

The Buccaneers designated Kancey (pectoral) to return to practice Wednesday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Kancey tore a pectoral muscle Week 2 against Houston and was consequently placed on IR. He was originally expected to be out through the regular season, which may still be the case, though his return to practice Wednesday means he's technically eligible to be activated at any time and could play as soon as this Sunday versus Miami. Kancey recorded 7.5 sacks across 12 regular-season games last year and should provide a boost to the Bucs' pass rush when/if he returns.

The Steelers are signing Johnson to their practice squad, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.

Johnson most recently had been on Tampa Bay's practice squad before being cut Dec. 15. He's familiar with the Steelers organization, having been with the team last year and playing in three games, catching his only target for nine yards. Johnson's signing comes in the wake of DK Metcalf being suspended by the NFL for two games following an altercation with a fan this past Sunday. Johnson will provide organizational depth at wideout but isn't likely to garner a major role on game days.

Sampson (hand) is in line to practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

The Browns will release their first Week 17 practice report later Wednesday, when it will be known whether Sampson was a limited or full participant. Sampson was unable to practice in any fashion last week before sitting out this past Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Bills, but if the rookie running back is able to move past the hand injury this week, he could be primed to handle a lead role out of the Cleveland backfield. Quinshon Judkins (ankle/fibula) underwent season-ending surgery and was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, leaving Sampson, Trayveon Williams and Raheim Sanders as the available backs on Cleveland's 53-man roster.

Njoku (knee) isn't in line to practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Njoku hasn't played in either of the Browns' last two games while managing the knee injury, and his continued absence from practice to kick off Week 17 prep doesn't bode well for his chances of playing Sunday against the Steelers. The Browns will see if Njoku is able to do anything on the field Thursday and Friday before deciding on his status for the weekend. If Njoku ends up missing another game, rookie Harold Fannin would continue to be locked into a high-volume role at tight end, and more snaps would be available for blocking specialists Blake Whiteheart and Brenden Bates.

Alie-Cox caught both of his targets for 16 yards in Monday's 48-27 loss to the 49ers.

Alie-Cox continued his depth role at tight end Monday, playing just 13 of the Colts' 60 offensive snaps behind rookie Tyler Warren (53). The veteran's two grabs were his first catches since Week 12, bring him to seven receptions for 75 yards on the season. Barring an injury to Warren, Alie-Cox remains far off the fantasy radar as the Colts prepare to host the Jaguars in Week 17.

Abdullah caught his lone target for four yards in Monday's 48-27 loss to the 49ers.

Abdullah failed to record a single rushing attempt in the contest while playing just four of the Colts' 60 offensive snaps. With Jonathan Taylor handling the vast majority of snaps at running back, Abdullah and teammate Tyler Goodson are left to handle the few remaining opportunities in the Colts' backfield. The veteran cannot be trusted for fantasy purposes in a Week 17 matchup against the Jaguars.

Goodson rushed three times for nine yards in Monday's 48-27 loss to the 49ers.

Goodson's three carries Monday were his first rushing attempts since Week 10. In 10 appearances, the 25-year-old running back has recorded just eight rushes for 21 yards, adding two catches on three targets for eight yards. Barring an injury to Jonathan Taylor down the stretch, Goodson will remain far off the fantasy radar in a Week 17 matchup against the Jaguars.

Sills failed to reel in his lone target in Sunday's 26-19 win over the Cardinals.

Sills played 32 of the Falcons' 77 offensive snaps Sunday, behind both Darnell Mooney (54) and Drake London (53). Atlanta's No. 3 wideout followed up his career-best effort in Week 15 with a catchless performance in Week 16, his ninth game without a grab in 15 appearances. Sills remains far off the fantasy radar heading into a Week 17 matchup against the Rams.