Player News

Mitchell-Paden (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Mitchell-Paden popped up on Friday's injury report due to a knee issue, which earned him the questionable tag for Sunday's game. However, he has been a healthy scratch for the Saints' last two games, so his absence wouldn't impact how New Orleans deploys its tight ends all too much.

Kelce is expected to play in the Chiefs' last three games of the regular season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Kelce has deflected questions about his future in the league and has previously suggested he'll make his decision by March of 2026, before both the NFL Draft and the start of free agency. While his future status may be in doubt, he won't bow out for the rest of the 2025 season even after the Chiefs were eliminated from playoff contention. Nevertheless, his numbers could suffer in the final three games with Gardner Minshew under center, who is replacing the injured Patrick Mahomes (knee).

Akers reverted to the Seahawks' practice squad Friday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Akers played four snaps on special teams during the Seahawks' overtime win over the Rams on Thursday and did not appear in the box score otherwise. Akers is eligible to be elevated from the practice squad for each of the final two games of the regular season, and he could play in Week 17 against the Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 28 if George Holani (hamstring) is not activated from injured reserve.

The Packers placed Lloyd (hamstring) on injured reserve Friday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Lloyd temporarily came off injured reserve Wednesday, but will now return to IR to keep the 24-year-old eligible to return for the playoffs. Emmanuel Wilson is the only fully healthy running back for the Packers heading into Week 16 against the Bears, as Josh Jacobs (knee/ankle) and Chris Brooks (chest) are both questionable for Saturday night.

Chubb (ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders after practicing fully Thursday and Friday.

Chubb was inactive for the Texans' Week 15 win over the Cardinals, but he appears to be trending toward a return to action Sunday following back-to-back full practices. Meanwhile, fellow RB Woody Marks (ankle) -- who didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday -- also has been deemed questionable after logging a limited session Friday. In any case, the Week 16 statuses of both players is slated to be confirmed once Houston's inactives are posted ahead of Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. Chubb's fantasy lineup viability this weekend hinges on Marks' availability, with Jawhar Jordan a candidate to see added snaps against Las Vegas if either Marks or Chubb are limited or out.

The Saints signed Smyth to the active roster Friday.

Smythe's signing comes as no shock, as the kicker had exhausted all of his practice squad elevations. As the kicker for the rest of the Saints' regular season, Smythe will start against the Jets, Titans, and Falcons. In a corresponding move, the Saints placed wide receiver Devaughn Vele on injured reserve.

Mafah (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Mafah opened the season on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury. He was cleared to return to practice Wednesday, and the rookie seventh-rounder has a chance to make his NFL regular-season debut Sunday after a week of limited practices. However, if he does return, then Mafah would likely be limited to special teams while serving as the Cowboys' RB4 behind Javonte Williams, Malik Davis and fellow rookie Jaydon Blue (who has been a healthy scratch since Week 9).

The Eagles elevated Jenkins from the practice squad to the active roster Friday.

This marks the second time this season Jenkins has been elevated to the active roster. In his one game against Minnesota in Week 7, the 27-year-old contributed 5 snaps on offense and 19 on special teams, but didn't record any stats. The second-year pro will likely play a similar role for the Eagles on Saturday.

The Commanders elevated Cager from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Saturday's game against the Eagles, Zach Selby of the team's official site reports.

Cager draws his first elevation of the 2025 season for a Saturday divisional matchup. The tight end was likely elevated due to the absence of Colson Yankoff (ankle), and he will most likely fulfill Yankoff's role as a supplementary blocker for the Commanders' offense and special teams.

Luepke (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Luepke was able to practice in full Friday, but his questionable tag for Week 16 indicates that he is still in the league's concussion protocol, so he would need to be cleared by an independent neurologist in order to play Sunday. If he's not given the green light to play, then the Cowboys may turn to tight ends Brevyn Spann-Ford or Luke Schoonmaker to play some snaps at fullback for Week 16, given that there are no other fullbacks on Dallas' active roster.