NFL Player News

Chandler (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Chandler was a full practice participant during Week 16 prep, but he'll have to be activated from injured reserve Saturday in order to be available for Sunday's game. If he's cleared to play, Chandler would likely leapfrog Zavier Scott as the Vikings' RB3 behind Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. Chandler would also be in the mix to join Myles Price as a returner on kickoffs.

Pearce (foot) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Pearce was added to the injury report Friday with a foot issue that prevented him from practicing, leaving his status for Sunday's game in question. If the outside linebacker has to miss his first game of the 2025 campaign, Arnold Ebiketie will likely see more defensive snaps with the Falcons' linebacker corps.

Tart (shin) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Cowboys.

Tart logged three limited practices heading into Week 16 versus the Cowboys, giving him a chance to play Sunday. The 28-year-old has yet to miss a game in 2025, accounting for 26 tackles (18 solo) and three pass breakups through Week 15. Should he be unavailable, Otito Ogbonnia will likely get reps on the defensive line behind Jamaree Caldwell and Da'Shawn Hand.

Head coach Pete Carroll confirmed Friday that Smith will start Sunday's game against the Texans, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.

Smith missed the Raiders' Week 15 shutout loss to the Eagles due to shoulder and back injuries, but he has been a full participant throughout Week 16 prep and will reclaim the starting role under center Sunday against Houston's elite defense. His return pushes Kenny Pickett back down to the bench.

Hodge (shoulder) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Hodge played through the issue with his shoulder in the Falcons' Week 15 win over the Buccaneers, but the wide receiver's inability to practice this week implies he suffered a major setback. The depth receiver's absence will likely not shake up the Falcons' offensive target share too much, though Jamal Agnew may see more offensive snaps.

Ferguson secured three of four targets for 33 yards and a touchdown during Thursday's 38-37 overtime loss to the Seahawks.

The rookie tight end found paydirt for the first time since Week 7 in the second quarter, scoring on a third-yard pass from Matthew Stafford. Prior to last week's one-catch performance, Ferguson had been on a four-game streak without a catch, so this week's bump in targets and catches was a welcome sight for fantasy managers waiting to see some of the second-round pick's potential in the latter half of the season. The Rams remain on the road for a Monday, Dec. 29 showdown in Atlanta, and Ferguson will look to continue building on his positive momentum over the last two weeks.

Pearsall (knee/ankle) isn't practicing Friday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Pearsall came out of last week's strong showing with a pair of injuries, including an aggravation of the PCL injury that cost him Weeks 5-10 earlier this season. He hasn't practiced this week, but there's still another chance Saturday ahead of a Monday matchup at Indianapolis. San Francisco GM John Lynch suggested Friday that Pearsall has at least some chance to play, saying, "we certainly haven't ruled him out" during an appearance on KNBR radio.

Dupree (back) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Cowboys.

Dupree was back to limited participation in practice Friday after not practicing Thursday. The 32-year-old is recovering from a back injury suffered in the Chargers' Week 15 win over the Chiefs. The 10th-year veteran has contributed 16 tackles (nine solo), including 2.0 sacks, and one pass breakup through 14 games this season and has a chance to add to his totals should he be available Sunday.

Hooker (illness) doesn't have an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

Hooker missed consecutive practice sessions due to an illness before upgrading his participation level to full Friday, just in time to dodge an injury designation for Sunday's contest. The strong safety should be set to suit up for Sunday's game against a Chiefs offense that will be missing Patrick Mahomes (ACL). Hooker has logged consecutive games with a 100 percent defensive snap share and will likely submit a third such performance Sunday.

Allen secured two of five targets for 34 yards during Thursday's 38-37 overtime loss to the Seahawks.

Despite the season high in targets for Allen, it was Terrance Ferguson who scored the only touchdown out of the Rams' tight end trio. Currently on a six-game scoreless streak, Allen has generally been the least fantasy viable of the group of tight ends on the roster; his best week from a fantasy perspective was in Week 10, when he had two catches for eight yards and a touchdown. Given that, this week's minor boost in targets feels more like an aberration than a meaningful move towards relevance, and expectations should remain low for a Week 17 matchup in Atlanta.