NFL Player News

“Johnson is confident in coverage, willing to jump plays for the interception and quick to bounce back from a mistake. He deserves the first-round love he’s getting,” Linsey wrote. A second-team AP All-American in 2019, Johnson (6'0/195) has gone from “expected top-50 pick” to “likely Day 1 pick” in the eyes of more than a few draft analysts. While he can be a bit too aggressive at times, Johnson’s combination of size, skill, athleticism and football smarts make him a player that teams in need of secondary help will covet.

Duggar did not practice on Tuesday or Wednesday but was upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday. The veteran safety played through an ankle injury in last week’s loss to the Bills, but the quad injury appears to be something new. In addition to Duggaer, the Patriots also listed safety Jabrill Peppers, LB Sione Takitaki, and offensive tackle Caedan Wallace as questionable, while ruling out cornerback Marcus Jones (hip).

Beat reporter Nick Wagoner expects Guerendo to be counted as a limited participant on Thursday, which bodes positively for Guerenedo’s Week 17 Monday Night Football availability. Guerendo was unable to play in Week 16, sidelined all week by his two lower-body injuries. Patrick Taylor Jr. would likely become a fantasy non-factor if Guerendo is active.

Thielen popped up on Thursday’s report with a hamstring injury. It’s not known at this time if this is the same hamstring that sidelined him for nearly two months earlier this season, but a late addition to the team’s injury report undoubtedly draws his Week 17 availability into question. Thielen’s status will be one to keep an eye on when Friday’s injury report is released. He and Xavier Legette (wrist/hip) are both dealing with injuries and would leave the Panthers thin at the position if both players cannot suit up.

Legette was listed as a full participant on Wednesday, so Thursday’s limited designation is technically a downgrade. That said, Legette has been playing through his wrist injury for years, per Legette, but the hip injury is likely related to the groin issue that sidelined him in Week 16’s win over the Cardinals. We’ll have a better sense of Legette’s Week 17 availability when the team releases its final injury report on Friday, but if he’s unable to play, both Adam Thielen and Jalen Coker would stand to benefit from his absence.

Hubbard being listed as limited is an upgrade from Wednesday’s DNP. The Panthers’ do-it-all back should be good to go for Week 17’s game against the Buccaneers, but we’ll see how things look when the final injury report is released on Friday. If he can’t play, the Panthers could be looking at Mike Boone as their starter, with Miles Sanders still on injured reserve.

Richardson has not practiced this week, but according to Holder, the team says Richardson “has made consistent progress and is responding to treatment” to the injuries currently sidelining him. If he can’t start, Joe Flacco will make his fifth start of the season and his first since Week 10 when he threw for 272-2-3 in a loss to the Bills. We’ll see how things go for Richardson in the team’s final tune-up of the week, but despite his two DNPs, his chances of playing are greater than we would be left to assume.

When LaFleur was asked whether Alexander had better odds of suiting up this week, after missing five straight games, LaFleur responded, “I’d say probably not.” It’s a tough absence for the Packers to game plan around, with the Vikings’ efficient passing attack up next.

This was expected after Greenlaw reported some discomfort in his surgically repaired Achilles following his return to action in Week 15. Greenlaw totaled nine tackles on 34 defensive snaps and will look to continue strengthening his Achilles in hopes of a complete return in 2025.

The Rams’ banged-up offensive line cannot catch a break. Havenstein’s Week 17 status is completely unknown at this point but beat reporter Stu Jackson adds “Joe Noteboom would start at RT if Havenstein can’t go.” The likely playoff-bound Rams will need their offensive line intact to make a run.

Earlier this week Matt LaFleur seemingly reassured reporters about Watson’s knee injury, saying “it’s more just a bruise.” Though the statement is undoubtedly a net positive, the qualifying language perhaps leaves a little wiggle room regarding the full diagnosis. Watson is currently trending toward sitting out Week 17 though he still has one more day to get right. Playing in Week 18 does seem likely, however.