NFL Player News

McDonald (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Patriots.

The Iowa State product likely sustained a knee injury in the Jets' Week 16 loss to the Saints, and he's now in line to miss his first game of the season Sunday. McDonald has been a bright spot on New York's defensive line, tallying 30 total tackles, including 8.0 sacks, through 15 appearances this season. Expect Braiden McGregor and Micheal Clemons to fill in for McDonald on the Jets' defensive line in Week 17.

Hollins (abdomen) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Kayshon Boutte (concussion) also was ruled out. In the duo's looming absence, Stefon Diggs is in line to lead the Patriots' Week 17 WR corps, with DeMario Douglas (hamstring, questionable) -- if he's available -- and Kyle Williams in line to see added opportunities, while Efton Chism also is in the mix. Additionally, John Jiles, Brandon Smith and Jeremiah Webb are candidates to be elevated from New England's practice squad ahead of Sunday's contest.

Mauigoa (neck) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Patriots.

Mauigoa is now in line to miss his third consecutive game due to a neck injury sustained in the Week 14 loss to the Dolphins. The 2025 fifth-round pick from Miami has had a solid rookie campaign, recording 45 total tackles across 12 appearances. While he remains sidelined Sunday, expect Mykal Walker to have a larger role in the Jets' linebacker corps.

Tufele (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Patriots.

The USC product logged consecutive DNPs to begin the Jets' week of practice, so it's no surprise that he won't play in Sunday's divisional matchup. While Tufele is sidelined in Week 17, expect Khalen Saunders and Jowon Briggs to have expanded roles on New York's defensive line.

Douglas (hamstring) has been deemed questionable to play against the Jets on Sunday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Douglas was labeled as limited in all three practices this week as he manages the hamstring injury he suffered last Sunday against Baltimore. He seems to be legitimately iffy to suit up Sunday, so fantasy managers who roster the third-year wideout may need to wait until the Patriots list their inactives about 90 minutes ahead of the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff to confirm his status. Both Kayshon Boutte (concussion) and Mack Hollins (abdomen) have been ruled out for Sunday, so if Douglas is able to suit up, he would likely have an elevated role in the team's passing game. Kyle Williams and Efton Chism should take on more offensive snaps than usual, regardless of whether Douglas plays.

Coach Mike Vrabel noted Friday that Henderson (concussion) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Reiss previously reported that Henderson had shed his red (non-contact) jersey during Friday's practice, but at this stage it's unclear where the running back is in terms of the NFL's concussion protocol. On that subject, Vrabel said Friday,"He's in the protocol until he's not." If Henderson ends up unavailable this weekend, fellow RB Rhamondre Stevenson would be in line to see an expanded role Week 17, with D'Ernest Johnson available to mix in, while Elijah Mitchell and Jashaun Corbin would be candidates to be elevated from the Patriots' practice squad.

Oliver brought in one of two targets for eight yards during Thursday's 23-10 win over Detroit.

Oliver got the chance to start Christmas Day with T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) inactive, but that didn't result in him drawing many opportunities due to Thursday's unorthodox game script. Max Brosmer drew the start with J.J. McCarthy (hand) sidelined and only piled up 51 passing yards while the Vikings defense paved the way to a victory. If Hockenson remains sidelined Week 18 versus the Packers but McCarthy manages to retake the field and revitalize Minnesota's passing offense, Oliver will carry limited fantasy value in deeper formats.

Bates was not targeted during Thursday's 30-23 loss to Dallas.

Bates played 43 percent of offensive snaps but didn't draw a single target from fill-in quarterback Josh Johnson, while Ben Sinnott (61 percent of snaps) secured three of four looks for 29 yards. Expect Bates to again contribute as the No. 2 tight end behind Sinnott during Washington's regular-season finale against the Eagles in Week 18.

Njoku (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against Pittsburgh, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Njoku is going to miss his third straight game due to a lingering knee injury. The veteran tight end didn't practice at all this week, so he may be facing a challenge to return in time for Cleveland's season finale Week 18 against Cincinnati. Browns No. 1 tight end Harold Fannin is questionable to play this Sunday due to a groin issue, and if he can't suit up, it would likely fall on Blake Whiteheart and possibly Brenden Bates (ankle) to lead the team's tight-end corps.

Gabriel (shoulder) is officially questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Gabriel is a late addition to Cleveland's injury report, a seeming indication that he injured his left shoulder at some point this week. In the event that Gabriel isn't cleared for Saturday's divisional matchup against Pittsburgh, Bailey Zappe will stand to be elevated from the practice squad in order to operate as the backup to starting quarterback Shedeur Sanders.