Reinforcements could be on the way for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they prepare to face the AFC North-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has been activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
Fitzpatrick landed on the COVID list after a positive test on Nov. 15. Earlier this week, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he expected Fitzpatrick to be back for Sunday and this is a huge step in the right direction for that to happen.
Through nine games this season, Fitzpatrick, a two-time Pro Bowler, has 64 tackles.
Injuries/COVID-19
- Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (knee) has been downgraded to out versus the Saints after initially being declared doubtful. White walked off the field on his own power but was visibly frustrated on the sideline after what looked to a be a non-contact injury in the second quarter. Dane Jackson took over in White's absence. Guard Cody Ford (arm) left the game in the second quarter and was deemed questionable but returned to finish the game. Fullback Reggie Gilliam (ankle) was ruled out midway through the fourth quarter.
- New Orleans Saints linebacker Andrew Dowell (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of the game versus the Bills.
- Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (knee) exited the game midway through the second quarter versus the Cowboys and has been ruled out. Pass rusher Carl Nassib (knee) has also been ruled out. Cornerback Roderic Teamer was ejected from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct following a scuffle with Cowboys CB Kelvin Joseph, who was also ejected. Vegas linebacker Patrick Onwuasor (hamstring) and CB Brandon Facyson (concussion) have been ruled out.
- Dallas Cowboys cornerback Kelvin Joseph was ejected from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct following a scuffle with Raiders CB Roderic Teamer, who was also ejected.
- Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (shoulder) was ruled out versus the Chicago Bears on Thursday. Detroit cornerback Bobby Price (shoulder) was also ruled out. Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin exited early with a shoulder injury and did not return.
- Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) was ruled out at halftime for his team's game Thursday against the Lions. Linebacker Sam Kamara (concussion) and wideout Marquise Goodwin (foot) were also ruled out.
- New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (knee) is inactive for Thursday night's game against the Bills. Rapoport and NFL Network's Taylor Bisciotti reported that he was considered doubtful to play. Alvin Kamara is also inactive.
- Denver Broncos coach Vic Fangio said linebacker Bradley Chubb (ankle), who's been sidelined since Week 3, is "truly 50-50" to play against the Chargers on Sunday. Safety Kareem Jackson (neck) missed practice for the second consecutive day.
- Los Angeles Chargers guard Matt Feiler (ankle) did not practice after doing so on a limited basis on Wednesday. Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (concussion) did not practice for the second consecutive day.
- Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder, foot, groin) returned to practice as a full participant. Wideouts Jarvis Landry (knee) and Donovan Peoples-Jones (groin) were limited after the duo sat out the day before.
- Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) remained limited in practice Thursday.
- Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (concussion) will not play in Thursday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders, NFL Network's Jane Slater and Tom Pelissero reported. Lamb was questionable coming into the game. He is officially inactive.
- Philadelphia Eagles running back Jordan Howard (knee) did not practice Thursday. Cornerback Darius Slay (concussion) was limited.
- Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson (heel, knee), linebacker Myles Jack (knee) and wideout Tavon Austin (shoulder) were listed as limited in the team's estimated practice report. Cornerback Shaquill Griffin (concussion) was a DNP.
- Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (ankle) was a DNP in the team's estimated practice report. Linebacker Darius Leonard (ankle) was limited.
- The Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday activated tight end Mitchell Wilcox from the reserve/COVID-19 list to the active roster.
- The Minnesota Vikings activated fullback Jake Bargas from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
- New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph (ankle) and wide receiver Kadarius Toney (quad) did not practice Thursday, while running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) was limited.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (quad) was limited Thursday. Wideout Chris Godwin (foot) was full-go after being limited the day prior.
- Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (toe) did not practice for the second day in a row. Wide receiver Davante Adams (ankle) was full-go after being limited the day prior. Running back Aaron Jones (knee) remained limited.
- Seattle Seahawks wideout DK Metcalf (foot) and running back Rashaad Penny (hamstring) were listed as DNPs in the team's estimated practice report. Safety Jamal Adams (groin) was limited.
- Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (shin) and wideout Curtis Samuel (groin) were limited in practice.
- Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson (neck) did not practice.
- The San Francisco 49ers designated defensive lineman Dee Ford to return to practice. Running back Elijah Mitchell (finger/rib) was a limited participant in practice for the second consecutive day.
- The Houston Texans designated offensive lineman Justin Britt to return to practice.
- Baltimore Ravens wideout Marquise Brown (thigh) remained limited in practice.
- Buffalo Bills running back Zack Moss and wideout Isaiah McKenzie are inactive for Thursday night's game against the Saints.
- Tennessee Titans wideout A.J. Brown (chest) was again listed as a DNP in the team's estimated practice report.
- New England Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown (calf) did not practice Thursday. Tight end Hunter Henry (neck) and running backs Damien Harris (neck) and Rhamondre Stevenson (knee) were limited.
- New York Jets wideout Corey Davis (groin) did not practice Thursday.
Coaching news
- The Dallas Cowboys announced that offensive line coach Joe Philbin and assistant strength and conditioning coach Kendall Smith are in COVID-19 protocol and will not be at Thursday's game versus the Las Vegas Raiders. Assistant offensive line coach Jeff Blasko will assume Philbin's role.
Roster moves
- The Miami Dolphins restructured the contract of cornerback Xavien Howard to create $3.76 million in salary cap room to help them operate through the end of the season, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
- The New York Giants signed tight end Deon Yelder to their practice squad.
- The Green Bay Packers signed linebacker Nate Orchard to their practice squad.
- The Minnesota Vikings signed defensive end Tashawn Bower.
