NFL Player News

Hardman (calf) is active for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Hardman was activated from injured reserve Saturday and has been officially cleared to return from a four-game absence due to a calf injury. The veteran wide receiver is unlikely to be involved on offense but could contribute on special teams as a returner on punts and kickoffs.

Tipton (illness) is listed as active Sunday against the Jets.

Despite missing practice Thursday and Friday due to an illness and entering the weekend as questionable, Tipton will be available to the Saints offense in Week 16. Since the team's Week 11 bye, he's started three of the last four games -- the first nods of his nearly two years as a pro -- en route to 10 touches (seven of them catches) for 53 yards from scrimmage and no TDs.

Renfrow (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Renfrow will be a healthy scratch yet again, a designation he has held since Week 7. It seems that the only chance the wide receiver might have to suit up this season will be if the Panthers' receiving depth is weakened by injuries.

Ekwonu (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay.

Ekwonu is dealing with a knee injury and logged a DNP/DNP/LP practice progression this week. Despite getting in some work Friday, he's not going to be able to play against the Bucs. Yosh Nijman will start at left tackle for the Panthers.

Helm (toe) is active for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

Helm originally suffered the toe injury in Week 15, but he managed to play through the issue. He then logged a pair of limited practices to begin the week before turning in a full session Friday, and he carries that positive trend into suiting up Sunday. Helm has become a key target for Cam Ward, earning at least four targets in four of five games since the Titans' bye.

O'Neill (heel) is active for Sunday's game against the Giants.

O'Neill ended Week 16 prep with back-to-back limited practices after not participating in Wednesday's session. He's been given the green light to play Sunday after going through pregame warmups and will continue to serve as the Vikings' starting right tackle.

Johnston (groin) is active for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

After sitting out the Chargers' Week 15 win over the Chiefs, Johnston was a limited participant throughout Week 16 prep before taking a questionable tag into Sunday. The third-year wideout was apparently able to demonstrate enough progress in his recovery from the groin injury to gain clearance for Sunday, though it's unclear if he'll immediately reclaim the heavy snap share he had handled in each of his previous 12 contests. If the Chargers end up restricting Johnston's snap count to some degree, rookie Tre' Harris could retain a larger role in the passing game after recording three catches for 49 yards on five targets in Week 15.

Higgins (concussion) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Higgins, who was limited at practice Wednesday and Thursday, finished up the week with a full session Friday before approaching the contest listed as questionable. With the wideout having advanced through the NFL's concussion protocol, Higgins -- who was inactive in Week 15 -- is set to reclaim his key role in a Cincinnati passing attack helmed once again by QB Joe Burrow (making his fourth straight start since returning from a toe injury), which also features high-volume WR Ja'Marr Chase and RB Chase Brown. In 12 games played to date, Higgins has made his mark from a fantasy perspective by recording a 46/667/9 receiving line on 81 targets.

Keys (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Keys posted an LP-LP-FP practice log during Week 16 prep while working through an ankle injury, but he has not been cleared to play Sunday after going through pregame warmups. He's mostly served on special teams this season, but his absence means the Vikings will have less depth at inside linebacker behind Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson. Keys' next opportunity to play is Christmas Day against the Lions.

McManus converted all three field goal attempts and his sole extra-point try in the Packers' 22-16 overtime loss to the Bears on Saturday.

McManus made field goals from 25 yards, 21 yards and 27 yards, adding an extra point in the third quarter after Malik Willis' 33-yard touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs. The kicker moves to 22-of-28 on field goal tries and 29-of-30 on extra-point attempts over 12 contests.