NFL Player News

Jackson (back) is considered likely to return to action for the Ravens' Week 18 game against the Steelers next Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

After bruising his back in the first half of the Ravens' Week 16 loss to the Patriots, Jackson was unable to practice in any fashion during Week 17 before being listed doubtful ahead of Saturday's game in Green Bay. He was ultimately inactive ahead of the Ravens' eventual 41-24 win over the Packers, resulting in Tyler Huntley drawing the start at quarterback. With the win keeping the 8-8 Ravens' playoff hopes alive, Jackson will turn his focus toward getting healthy for a Week 18 matchup that will decide the AFC North champion, if the Steelers aren't able to clinch the division title Sunday with a win over the Browns. Assuming Jackson is able to resume practicing as at least a limited participant during the upcoming week, he should get the green light to play in the regular-season finale.

Patterson turned his lone carry into one yard and logged 58 yards on two kickoff returns during the Chargers' 20-16 loss to the Texans on Saturday.

Even with Kimani Vidal (neck) inactive for Saturday's game, Patterson firmly operated as the Chargers' RB3 behind Omarion Hampton and Hassan Haskins (head). However, Patterson did get an opportunity as a kickoff returner due to the absences of Vidal and Derius Davis (ankle), and that could be Patterson's main path to playing time in the Chargers' Week 18 tilt against the Broncos.

McManus connected on his lone field-goal attempt and all three of his extra-point tries during the Packers' 41-24 loss to the Ravens on Saturday.

McManus' lone field goal Saturday was a 24-yard chip shot early in the third quarter to cut the Packers' deficit to 10 points. He has not missed a kick since Week 10 against the Eagles, having gone 12-for-12 on field-goal attempts (including 3-for-3 on attempts from 40-plus yards) and 16-for-16 on point-after tries over his last six games.

Loop made both of his field-goal attempts and all five of his point-after tries during the Ravens' 41-24 win over the Packers on Saturday.

Loop's leg wasn't challenged Saturday, as he chipped in field goals from 22 and 34 yards in the second quarter. It was the ninth time that the rookie sixth-rounder connected on at least two field goals in a game this season. Since the Ravens' Week 7 bye, Loop has gone 20-for-22 on field-goal attempts (with both misses coming from 50-plus yards) and 26-for-27 on extra-point tries.

The Panthers expect McMillan (illness), who is listed as questionable, to play Sunday against the Seahawks, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

The Panthers added the wideout to their Week 17 injury report Sunday, but David Newton of ESPN.com relays that McMillan's addition was precautionary. Either way, confirmation of McMillan's status is set to arrive before the first wave of games Sunday, with Carolina kicking off at 1 p.m. ET.

McMillan was added to the Panthers' injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Seahawks, with the wideout now being listed as questionable for the contest due to an illness.

Fortunately for those considering the wideout in Week 17 fantasy lineups, Carolina kicks off among the early slate of games at 1 p.m. ET. If McMillan is unavailable for the contest, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, Brycen Tremayne, Jimmy Horn and Hunter Renfrow would be left as Carolina's available options at receiver.

The Jaguars added Harrison to their injury report and list him as questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts due to an illness.

Clarity on the right tackle's status should arrive when the Jaguars post their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, but if Harrison ends up sitting out, Jacksonville could have to make do with a depleted offensive line in Week 17. Right guard Patrick Mekari (back) has already been ruled out for Sunday's game, while center Robert Hainsey (groin) is listed as questionable.

Pearsall (ankle/knee) remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears but is likely to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Pearsall was unavailable for the 49ers' 48-27 win over the Colts this past Monday while managing his pair of injuries, but after a trio of limited practices in Week 17 prep, he appears to have made enough progress to give it a go Sunday. Assuming Pearsall is officially cleared when the 49ers release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to the game's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff, he could be in line for a couple extra targets since San Francisco is expected to be without star tight end George Kittle (ankle), per Schefter. Kittle -- who is officially listed as questionable for Week 17 -- exited Monday's win due to the left ankle sprain and is unlikely to play after he failed to practice in any fashion Wednesday through Friday.

Kittle (ankle) remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears but is considered "highly unlikely" to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network had previously reported late Saturday that Kittle planned to test out his sprained left ankle in a pregame workout before the 49ers reached a decision on his status for the Week 17 contest, but Schefter's report is much more pessimistic about the star tight end's ability to play through the injury. Though official word on Kittle's status will arrive when the 49ers release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff, his fantasy managers are probably best served pivoting to another option at tight end for Week 17 matchups. Assuming Kittle ends up being inactive for the contest, more snaps would open up at tight end for both Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges, with the latter representing the bigger pass-catching threat of the two.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was non-committal after Saturday's 41-24 loss to the Ravens regarding whether Willis (shoulder) or Jordan Love (concussion) would start Week 18 against the Vikings, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

With Love inactive for the first time all season in Week 17 after being placed in concussion protocol, Willis -- who had been listed as questionable heading into Saturday due to a right shoulder injury and illness -- was called upon to make a spot start. Though the Green Bay defense couldn't slow down the Derrick Henry-led Baltimore ground attack, Willis did his part to keep the Packers competitive. The dual-threat signal-caller carved up the Ravens for 60 yards and two scores on nine carries and completed 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown before he exited the contest midway through the fourth quarter after he appeared to aggravate his shoulder injury on a throw. Though Willis didn't check back into the game following a brief trip to the locker room, Demovsky relays that the 26-year-old was available to return to the game and likely would have replaced third-stringer Clayton Tune at quarterback for the Packers' ensuing possession had the Ravens not extended their lead to 17 with less than two minutes remaining. As a result of the loss, the Packers are locked into the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, a reality that could prompt LaFleur to exercise caution with the usage of either or both Love and Willis in the regular-season finale. Expect LaFleur to shed more light on his plans at quarterback when the Packers reconvene Wednesday for their first official Week 18 practice.