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Woody Marks: Planning to play Sunday
Sunday, December 21, 2025 1:17 AM
Marks, who is officially questionable for Sunday's Week 16 matchup against the Raiders due to an ankle injury, is planning to suit up, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Marks didn't finish last Sunday's win over Arizona after hurting his ankle early in the second quarter. He didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday this week but got in a limited session Friday to give himself a chance of playing Sunday. It sounds like Marks is going to try to take the field, though his final status probably won't be shared until the Texans release their list of inactives about 90 minutes prior to the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. Should Marks need to sit out, Houston's backfield work could be split between veteran tailback Nick Chubb (ribs) and rookie Jawhar Jordan.
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John FitzPatrick: Exits locker room in walking boot
Sunday, December 21, 2025 12:54 AM
FitzPatrick, who injured his Achilles during an overtime loss to Chicago on Sunday, exited the locker room with a walking boot on his right foot after the game, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.
Achilles injuries tend to be more than minor, especially when they're the non-contact variety, as FitzPatrick's was. It's certainly not a good sign for FitzPatrick's availability moving forward that he left in a walking boot after Saturday's loss, though an official diagnosis may not be announced until after he undergoes further evaluation. Packers coach Matt LaFleur seemed to be resigned to having to look for another tight end to fill FitzPatrick's void for at least the short-term future, saying postgame, "I'm sure we have guys capable on our practice squad. We'll take a look at that and come up with a solution," per Zach Jacobson of 247Sports.com.
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Colston Loveland: Quiet showing against Packers
Sunday, December 21, 2025 12:51 AM
Loveland recorded three receptions on four targets for 30 yards in Saturday's 22-16 overtime win over the Packers.
Loveland was expected to take on an even larger role in Chicago's offense due to both Luther Burden (ankle) and Rome Odunze (foot) being sidelined. However, he instead tied for third on the team in targets and finished fourth in yardage. While it was a modest showing, Loveland did manage a pair of key catches on Chicago's game-tying drive late in the third quarter. Loveland should maintain a key role in the offense and have the chance to bounce back in Week 17 against the 49ers.
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Jayden Reed: Four touches in OT loss
Sunday, December 21, 2025 12:51 AM
Reed brought in all three targets for 35 yards and rushed once for six yards in the Packers' 22-16 overtime loss to the Bears on Saturday night.
Reed wasn't consistently involved throughout, and he exited the game for a spell in the second half to be evaluated for an undisclosed injury, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Jordan Love's exit from the contest in the second quarter due to a concussion likely didn't help matters, although Reed hauled in a 31-yard pass from Malik Willis in overtime for the majority of his production. Reed will aim to bounce back with a more productive showing at the expense of the Ravens secondary in a Week 17 home matchup next Saturday night.
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Christian Watson: Two catches in Week 16 loss
Sunday, December 21, 2025 12:46 AM
Watson brought in two of six targets for 17 yards in the Packers' 22-16 overtime loss to the Bears on Saturday night.
Watson was contained effectively by an injury-hampered Bears secondary, with the fact Jordan Love exited the game midway through the second quarter due to a concussion likely playing a factor. Watson had his own injury scare in the third quarter per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, but he was able to return to the game before the period was over. The veteran wideout's yardage total was his lowest of the season, and he'll aim to bounce back in a Week 17 home matchup against the Ravens next Saturday night.
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Tee Higgins: Trending toward playing Sunday
Sunday, December 21, 2025 12:44 AM
Higgins (concussion), who is officially questionable for Sunday's Week 16 contest versus Miami, is expected to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Higgins missed last Sunday's loss to Baltimore due to a concussion he suffered in Week 14 against Buffalo. That was his second concussion of the campaign, but he appears to be feeling better after logging a full practice session Friday. Assuming Higgins has cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, he appears set to return to action against the Dolphins, which would be a big boost to a Cincinnati offense that was shut out last Sunday by the Ravens.
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DJ Moore: Game-winning grab
Sunday, December 21, 2025 12:39 AM
Moore recorded five receptions on seven targets for 97 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 22-16 overtime win over the Packers. He added one rush for 12 yards.
Moore was expected to serve in a big role due to Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden (ankle) both being sidelined. However, he made a limited impact early on after suffering an apparent back injury early in the first quarter, while Caleb Williams attempted only nine passes in the first half. Despite the slow start, he managed to play through the injury and played a key role in Chicago's comeback win, delivering long catches of 22 and 20 yards in the fourth quarter. Moore capped off his day with a 46-yard receiving score to give the Bears the win in overtime. This was his highest yardage total of the season, and Moore now has five touchdowns in his last five games.
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Christian Kirk: Should be able to play through illness
Sunday, December 21, 2025 12:26 AM
Kirk (illness), who is officially questionable to face Las Vegas on Sunday, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Kirk came down with an illness Friday and had to miss practice. He was given a tag of questionable ahead of Sunday's Week 16 contest, but it sounds like he's improved enough to be able to suit up. With that said, it's unclear how big of a role Kirk will have in Houston's game plan, as the veteran wideout logged a season-low 24 percent offensive snap share against the Cardinals last Sunday.
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Emanuel Wilson: Highly efficient in OT loss
Sunday, December 21, 2025 12:23 AM
Wilson rushed 14 times for 82 yards and recovered a fumble in the Packers' 22-16 overtime loss to the Bears on Saturday night.
Wilson was effective throughout the night, and after Josh Jacobs lost a fumble at the Bears' three-yard line in the third quarter, the former handled the rest of Green Bay's non-quarterback rushing opportunities. Wilson's rushing yardage total was his second highest of the season, and he may have earned himself a bigger workload in next Saturday night's home showdown against the Ravens even if Jacobs is healthy enough to play through his knee and ankle injuries.
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Kyle Monangai: Totals 93 yards
Sunday, December 21, 2025 12:22 AM
Monangai rushed the ball nine times for 50 yards in Saturday's 22-16 overtime win over the Packers. He added three receptions on four targets for 43 yards.
Monangai was modestly out-touched by D'Andre Swift, but the rookie was the more productive in Saturday's comeback win. Monangai delivered a few particularly impactful plays, highlighted by a 34-yard catch and run on a screen pass to set up a field goal for the Bears. His longest rushes went for 13 and 11 yards, the latter of which converted a third down and set up Caleb Williams' game-winning throw. Monangai has double-digit touches in six consecutive games while splitting the backfield with Swift, and he's reached 90 yards from scrimmage twice in that span.
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