NFL Player News

Tonga (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Jets, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

The BYU product sustained a foot injury in the Week 16 win over the Ravens and logged consecutive DNPs to open the Patriots' week of practice, so it's no surprise that he won't play Sunday. Tonga has appeared in 14 games this season, recording 24 total tackles and two passes defensed. Expect Eric Gregory to operate as New England's top nose tackle while Tonga is out Week 17.

Odunze (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at San Francisco.

Odunze thus will miss a fourth consecutive contest due to a stress fracture in his foot. With Odunze sidelined again, the Bears will be rolling with DJ Moore, Luther Burden, Olamide Zaccheaus, Devin Duvernay and Jahdae Walker at wide receiver Sunday. Odunze's next chance for regular-season game action is a Week 18 home matchup with the Lions.

Spillane (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Jets, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

The 30-year-old didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday and is now in line to miss his second consecutive game due to a lingering ankle injury. Spillane is a crucial part of New England's defense, recording 97 total tackles, five passes defensed, including two interceptions, and one forced fumble over 13 appearances this season. While he's sidelined Sunday, expect Jack Gibbens to operate as one of the Patriots' top inside linebackers.

Fannin (groin) said Friday that he plans to suit up for Sunday's contest against the Steelers, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Fannin was added to Friday's injury report and officially is labeled as questionable for Week 17, but the rookie third-round pick said the Browns are simply being precautionary due to a tweak he sustained during practice. David Njoku (knee) is already ruled out for Sunday's divisional matchup, positioning Fannin to again operate as one of Shedeur Sanders' top targets in the receiving game Week 17. Fannin's status will be made official roughly 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, if not before.

Williams (ankle) won't be activated off IR ahead of Sunday's game against the Jets, Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston reports.

Williams has been sidelined since Week 12 due to a high-ankle sprain. He was designated to return to practice Tuesday but isn't quite ready to return to game action. That means Cory Durden should continue having a major role along the Patriots' defensive line.

Landry (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Jets, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

The 29-year-old from Boston College opened the Patriots' week of practice with consecutive DNPs and is now in line to miss his first game of the season Sunday. In 15 appearances, Landry has logged 48 total tackles, including 8.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. While he's sidelined in Week 17, expect Elijah Ponder and Anfernee Jennings (ankle, questionable) to see more snaps with the Patriots' first-team defense.

Knox (knee) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Philadelphia.

Both Knox and fellow tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) officially are listed as questionable for Week 17 after having logged DNP/DNP/LP practice slates. Either Knox or Kincaid will stand to benefit from a slight uptick in opportunities if they are able to suit up while the other is sidelined. Meanwhile, rookie Jackson Hawes will inherit a substantial role in the event that both Knox and Kincaid are unable to play versus the Eagles. Full clarity on the state of Buffalo's tight end corps will arrive no later than 90 minutes ahead of Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

Ogletree (neck) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Jaguars, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.

The Youngstown State product opened the Colts' week of practice with consecutive DNPs after sustaining a neck injury in the Week 16 loss to the 49ers, so it's no surprise that he won't play Sunday. Ogletree has appeared in 15 games this season, catching four of six targets for 27 yards and a touchdown. Expect Will Mallory to operate as Indianapolis' No. 3 tight end in Ogletree's stead in Week 17.

Kincaid (knee) was limited in practice Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Kincaid was listed as a non-participant at practice Wednesday and Thursday, so it's encouraging that he was able to upgrade to at least some reps Friday. Fellow tight end Dawson Knox (knee) also is listed as questionable after having logged identical practice activity during Week 17 prep. The statuses of both players will be made official roughly 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

Gould (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Jaguars, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.

The second-year pro from Oregon State is now in line to miss his third consecutive game due to a foot injury sustained in the Week 14 loss to the Jaguars. While Gould remains sidelined, expect Ameer Abdullah and Josh Downs to serve as Indianapolis' top kick and punt returners, respectively.