NFL Player News

The Chiefs placed Rice (concussion) on IR on Wednesday.

The same goes for fellow WR Tyquan Thornton (concussion), with both players shut down for the Chiefs' last two games, as the team is out of playoff contention. Rice thus finishes his 2025 campaign with 53 catches (on 78 targets) for 571 yards and five TDs in eight games to go along with five carries for 20 yards and a rushing score. Kansas City's top wideout remains under under contract with the team through 2026. In his looming absence, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Nikko Remigio (knee, questionable) and Jalen Royals are in line to handle the Chiefs' WR duties Thursday against the Broncos.

Odunze (foot) didn't practice Wednesday.

Odunze hasn't been able to practice in any capacity since Dec. 12 as he tends to a stress fracture in his foot. He's missed the last three games as a result and appears in danger of stretching it to four absences, unless he's able to mix into drills Thursday and/or Friday. Fellow WR Luther Burden (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, so the Bears may get back at least one of their key pass catchers for Sunday's contest at San Francisco.

The Chargers cut McLachlan from the practice squad Wednesday.

The move corresponds with the Chargers signing center Josh Kaltenberger to the practice squad. McLachlan has spent time with the Chargers and Bengals on their respective squads this season, and the 2024 sixth-rounder will aim to catch on with a team in need of depth at tight end.

Nelson (knee) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

Nelson was diagnosed with a knee sprain Monday after playing just three defensive snaps in last Sunday's loss to the Panthers before departing with injury. The linebacker was unable to practice Wednesday and will likely not be able to for the remainder of the week, leaving Chris Braswell and Jason Pierre-Paul to fill the hole at outside linebacker.

Wilson (concussion) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Wilson entered the league's concussion protocol following the Patriots' Week 16 victory over the Ravens. Even if he were to return to practice over the next two days, the rookie third-rounder would be prohibited from playing against the Jets on Sunday unless an independent neurologist clears him from the league's protocol. Ben Brown and Caedan Wallace would be the top candidates to start at left guard if Wilson were to miss time.

David (rest) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

David is not listed with the knee injury he overcame before the Week 16 Sunday loss to the Panthers, but the veteran linebacker had an easier day as he rests for Sunday's matchup with the Dolphins. The 35-year-old will likely upgrade to a full participant by Friday, but regardless of his Week 17 practice status, he will probably suit up for Sunday's game barring any sudden injury.

Jones (ankle) doesn't have a designation for Thursday's game against the Lions.

Jones played through an in-game ankle injury this past Sunday at the Giants and paced the Vikings backfield with 23 touches for 93 yards from scrimmage. His season-high touch count was aided by the fact that fellow RB Jordan Mason was knocked out with an ankle issue of his own, and Mason won't be available to the offense Thursday. As a result, Jones is in line to handle a workhorse role again in Week 17, with Zavier Scott and Ty Chandler serving as the options at the position behind him.

The Raiders placed Brock Bowers (knee) on injured reserve Wednesday, which means Mayer will serve as the Raiders' No. 1 tight end for the final two games of the regular season, beginning with Sunday's game against the Giants.

Mayer has operated as the backup tight end for most of the campaign, though his best outing of the season -- five catches for 50 yards and a touchdown in a Week 6 win against the Titans -- came when Bowers was sidelined. With Bowers done for the year, Mayer will operate as the Raiders' top tight end in Week 17 and 18 while Ian Thomas and Carter Runyon provide depth at the position.

Culp (illness) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Culp seems to have come down with an illness, but his ability to practice even in a limited capacity implies that the tight end should be good to go for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. The 25-year-old will likely upgrade his practice participation later in the week and be cleared ahead of Sunday's game.

Fitzpatrick (calf) did not practice Wednesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Fitzpatrick sustained a calf injury during the Dolphins' Week 15 loss to the Steelers. He is considered week-to-week due to the injury, which prevented him from playing against the Bengals in Week 16. Fitzpatrick is unlikely to play against the Buccaneers on Sunday unless he's able to return to practice by Friday.