2025 NFL Week 17 Buzz: Might 49ers Star Fred Warner Return in Playoffs?

[ad_1] The vacation season is right here, however the information across the NFL is continuous.

That is very true this week, with a tripleheader on Christmas Day and two extra video games on Saturday forward of the standard Sunday slate. With solely two weeks of the common season left, each bit of reports is all of the extra consequential.

Who's damage? Who's working towards? Who's beginning? Who's on the new seat?

This is the newest on what's taking place across the league coming into Week 17:

The San Francisco 49ers' star linebacker is "forward of schedule" in his restoration from a dislocated and fractured ankle. Whereas a return this season is taken into account "unlikely," there is a distant probability that Warner may very well be lively for the 49ers late within the playoffs, in response to NFL Media. Warner suffered the thought-to-be season-ending ankle harm in Week 6.

Within the six video games he has appeared on this season, Warner has totaled two compelled fumbles, three passes defended and 51 mixed tackles. Warner, a four-time All-Professional, has totaled 110-plus mixed tackles in every of his seven full seasons within the sport.

Packers Love out for Sunday Inexperienced Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love received’t play Saturday night time towards the Baltimore Ravens every week after leaving a sport with a concussion. The Packers introduced Friday that Love had been dominated out for Saturday’s sport. Love had been listed as questionable Thursday on an harm report that referenced his concussion in addition to a difficulty together with his left shoulder.

This would be the first full sport that Love has missed this season.

Love’s scenario means each beginning quarterbacks could miss the sport on Saturday night time. The Ravens have listed two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson as uncertain due to the again harm that knocked him out of a 28-24 loss to the New England Patriots final week.

Tyler Huntley, who took over for Jackson within the Patriots sport, doubtless would begin in Jackson’s place if wanted. Inexperienced Bay’s backup quarterback is Malik Willis, who's questionable for Saturday’s sport.

Love suffered the concussion when he absorbed a helmet-to-helmet hit from Chicago’s Austin Booker within the second quarter a 22-16 time beyond regulation loss to the Bears final week. Willis took over from there and damage his proper (throwing) shoulder whereas getting sacked on the ultimate play of the fourth quarter, although he remained within the sport for time beyond regulation.

Colts CB Gardner will return on Sunday Colts' deadline acquisition and beginning cornerback Sauce Gardner has been out since struggling a hamstring harm in Week 13, however will return on Sunday towards the Jaguars, per ESPN. On Wednesday, head coach Shane Streichen said that Gardner was "progressing effectively" in restoration, however was a non-participant in Colts' apply that day, per NFL.com.

Indianapolis traded for Gardner earlier than the 2025 deadline by transport a pair of first-round picks to the Jets. He has appeared in simply three video games for the Colts, nonetheless, owing to his hamstring. Nonetheless, he's simply within the first season of a four-year, $120.4 million extension that he signed whereas nonetheless with the Jets over the summer time, which made him the highest-paid cornerback within the NFL on the time.

The return of the two-time Professional Bowler may influence the AFC playoff race, because the Jaguars are trying to clinch the AFC South with the 8-7 Colts of their method and the Texans giving chase, whereas the Broncos can lock up the AFC's No. 1 seed with a win of their very own and a Colts' win or tie towards Jacksonville.

49ers Kittle a game-time resolution, Warner again for playoffs? San Francisco 49ers head coach John Lynch said on KNBR on Friday that tight finish George Kittle is a game-time resolution on Sunday after struggling an ankle harm on Monday Night time Soccer towards the Colts. The veteran has performed in and began 10 video games this yr, lacking time as a result of a problematic hamstring, however has been productive when he is been on the sphere with 52 receptions on 62 targets for 599 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, tied for second-most amongst 49ers with a receiving TD in 2025.

Linebacker Fred Warner may be making a comeback per Lynch, although, not earlier than the common season ends. The 49ers are trying into whether or not he can be prepared together with his ankle rehab in time for the playoffs: Warner was injured on Oct. 12 towards the Buccaneers, and was anticipated to be out for the remainder of the season. He underwent surgical procedure to restore a proper ankle fracture and dislocation, however his rehab has gone effectively sufficient {that a} query of his return for the playoffs is now on the desk.

Warner is a four-time Professional Bowl choice who averaged 131 mixed tackles per season from 2022 via 2024, and had 51 via six video games in 2025 earlier than his ankle fracture and dislocation.

The Inexperienced Bay Packers star working again has been cleared to play for Saturday's sport towards the Ravens. Jacobs, who's coping with knee and ankle accidents, was faraway from the harm report after logging three restricted practices this week.

Jacobs has performed via the knee harm since Week 12 however the ankle harm was listed for the primary time heading into Week 16. The three-time Professional Bowler is 74 yards away from logging the fifth 1,000-yard season of his seven-year profession.

Newest on Ravens QB Lamar Jackson's harm, HC John Harbaugh's future The Ravens' playoff hopes are on skinny ice, and they'll doubtless not have Jackson with their season on the road towards the Packers on Saturday.

The Ravens listed Jackson as uncertain on Thursday after lacking apply with a again harm. The information comes days after he underwent an MRI on Monday following an early exit in Baltimore's loss to the Patriots; Jackson missed the second half after showing to get damage late within the second quarter.

The Ravens (7-8) have to win each of their closing two video games and wish the Steelers to lose to the Browns in Week 17 with a view to make the postseason. At 7-8, successful the AFC North is the one method for Baltimore to make the playoffs for a fourth consecutive yr.

Suffice it to say, the 2025 season has been difficult for Harbaugh. On Monday, he addressed questions relating to his job safety for the primary time with Baltimore on the verge of lacking the postseason. The longtime coach was open and sincere about his outlook on the long run, noting that he is solely targeted on the current and ending the season robust.

"We've duties, we’re given alternatives to steward these duties if you’re given a job to try this, till you’re not," Harbaugh instructed reporters. "I attempt to do the job, not attempt to hold the job. … My focus is on all the time — it has been for the final 18 years right here and the final 41 years in teaching — it’s been to attempt to do the perfect job I can right this moment and struggle as onerous as I can, so the blokes have the perfect probability to achieve success right this moment.

"And something after right this moment, I’m not fascinated by, as a result of it’s not given for us to consider. We don’t have management over that, aside from the job we do right this moment. If we do a adequate job right this moment, then the chance to try this job or a unique job might be there tomorrow. And that’s what you hope for."

The Ravens are 179-112 within the common season and 3-11 within the postseason since Harbaugh took the job in 2008.

Packers deem QBs Love, Willis questionable forward of matchup The Packers is likely to be shorthanded at quarterback for Saturday's sport towards the Ravens. Inexperienced Bay introduced Thursday Jordan Love (concusson) and backup Malik Willis (shoulder) are listed as questionable for Week 17.

Love left Saturday's loss to the Bears early after coming into concussion protocol, whereas Willis damage his throwing shoulder within the fourth quarter. Willis remained within the sport, however he was combating via some ache after the sport.

"I would say he is fairly sore," Packers coach Matt LaFleur instructed reporters of Willis on Sunday. "That is a legit deal that he is coping with, and he'll be one other man that we'll see the place he is at as we progress. That additional complicates the opposite drawback."

Love, in the meantime, spent the week clearing concussion protocol with a view to play on Saturday. "That is a course of that takes a number of days to get via," LaFleur instructed reporters.

The Packers fell to 9-5-1 with Saturday's loss, placing their hopes of successful the NFC North in peril. They're going to have to win out and for the Bears to lose their closing two video games with a view to win the division. Inexperienced Bay additionally hasn't clinched a playoff spot but. Nonetheless, it would if it wins certainly one of its closing two video games or if the Lions lose as soon as within the closing two weeks.

Harm updates for Eagles' stars Philadelphia Eagles broad receiver A.J. Brown didn't apply on Wednesday after reportedly having his knowledge tooth eliminated in surgical procedure. As well as, offensive sort out Lane Johnson, who was anticipated to return, wasn't seen at apply on Wednesday.

On a optimistic notice, defensive sort out Jalen Carter returned to be a full participant in apply forward of the Eagles' matchup towards the Buffalo Payments on Sunday night time (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX).

Chiefs inserting stars on injured reserve The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs positioned a slew of their key gamers on season-ending injured reserve. Large receivers Rashee Rice (concussion) and Tyquan Thornton (concussion) will each miss Thursday's sport towards the Denver Broncos, as will cornerbacks Trent McDuffie (knee) and Jaylen Watson (groin).

Watt returns to apply for Steelers T.J. Watt is again. Type of.

The Pittsburgh Steelers outdoors linebacker returned to apply on Wednesday, two weeks after he had surgical procedure to restore {a partially} collapsed lung following a dry needle remedy.

Watt was a restricted participant on Wednesday. Whereas coach Mike Tomlin stated he is hopeful that Watt will have the ability to return this weekend when Pittsburgh (9-6) tries to wrap up the AFC North title with a win at Cleveland, Watt's availability to face the Browns stays unsure.

Nonetheless, having Watt's acquainted No. 90 on the apply subject is an effective signal for a staff that hopes to have him again in time for the playoffs on the newest, ought to Pittsburgh qualify for the third straight yr.

"TJ is certainly one of our leaders, so I like having him round," quarterback Aaron Rodgers stated. "Unsure what his standing goes to be, however simply his presence is sweet for the staff."

Watt was named to his eighth consecutive Professional Bowl on Tuesday. The 30-year-old is having a considerably down yr by his requirements, with simply seven sacks via 13 video games performed, although he additionally has two compelled fumbles and an interception.

Falcons CB Hughes unlikely towards Rams Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes is predicted to overlook a second consecutive sport with an ankle sprain, leaving undrafted rookie Cobee Bryant and backup C.J. Henderson in key roles for Monday night time's sport towards the high-scoring Los Angeles Rams. Coach Raheem Morris stated Wednesday that Hughes is unlikely to return this week.

Bryant and Henderson have been compelled into vital roles for the Falcons (6-9) in final week's 26-19 win at Arizona. Henderson, who was signed from the apply squad the day earlier than the sport, clinched the win with a late interception.

Henderson was wanted as a result of A.J. Terrell left the sport with a sore shoulder. Morris stated Terrell, who returned to the sport, will "be fantastic" to start out towards the Rams.

Even with a wholesome Terrell, Hughes' anticipated absence means the Falcons' depth at cornerback might be examined this week. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, an MVP contender, has thrown 40 landing passes with solely 5 interceptions. Receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams have a mixed 174 catches, together with 22 for touchdowns.

Cornerback Clark Phillips III was designated to return from injured reserve on Wednesday. Phillips, who has seven profession begins, spent 10 weeks on IR with a triceps harm and sickness. He participated in Wednesday's apply.

Fields positioned on IR, Glenn mum on future Justin Fields' season is formally over. And maybe, too, his temporary tenure with the New York Jets. Coach Aaron Glenn introduced Tuesday that Fields was positioned on season-ending injured reserve with a knee harm that sidelined him the previous three video games.

Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million deal — with $30 million assured — with New York in March, was the starter for many of this season till he was benched in favor of Tyrod Taylor final month. He popped up on the staff's harm report on Dec. 3 with what Glenn stated then was "soreness" in a knee.

It was unsure if Fields, who was inactive for the Jets' previous three video games, will want surgical procedure.

"I’m going to let the docs actually hone in on that and if he does, this might be a good time to get it executed so he can get it knocked out and get himself wholesome,' Glenn stated. "However once more, I don’t wish to place that on him. I simply know this, that we wish to guarantee that he will get this factor wholesome and will get it prepared."

Requested about the potential for Fields returning to the Jets in 2026, Glenn stated, "We'll see how that goes. We're targeted on New England proper now," per Heavy. If the Jets launch Fields, they owe him $10 million assured, however may even take a $22 million lifeless cap hit, which will be break up over two seasons if the Jets reduce him earlier than June 1.

Raiders inserting TE Bowers, S Chinn on IR Brock Bowers' season is now over, because the Raiders positioned the tight finish on injured reserve on Wednesday, per NFL Community. Bowers has been coping with a knee harm all through your entire season, however with the Raiders simply 2-13 and lengthy eradicated from the playoffs, Las Vegas determined to finish his season now with a view to start work on treating the harm.

Bowers appeared in 12 video games in 2025, beginning eight of these, and made 64 receptions on 84 targets for 680 receiving yards with 7 touchdowns. Whereas the TDs symbolize a career-high for the second-year tight finish, he had far fewer targets, receptions and yards than a yr in the past, when he performed in all 17 video games for the Raiders with 16 begins.

The Raiders additionally positioned security Jeremy Chinn on the IR. Chinn missed apply time final week due to a again harm.

The veteran defender has began each sport and can end with 114 tackles, three for loss, and a sack. He performed his first 4 years for Carolina and was with Washington final season.

QB Josh Johnson to Begin vs. Cowboys The Commanders are preserving Jayden Daniels for subsequent season, and Marcus Mariota is damage. Subsequent up is Johnson, who will begin on Christmas towards the Cowboys.

Johnson is 39 years outdated and is in his first season with the Commanders. He got here into their loss towards the Eagles late after Mariota bought damage and threw an interception that put the sport — and the NFC East — on ice for Philadelphia.

Johnson’s profession resume is staggering. He has been signed to the Buccaneers, 49ers, Browns, Bengals, 49ers once more, Bengals once more, Jets, Colts, Payments, Ravens, Giants, Texans, Ravens once more, Washington, Lions, 49ers once more, Jets once more, Ravens a 3rd time, Broncos, 49ers once more, Ravens another time and now Washington once more. That doesn’t even embody temporary stints within the UFL, AAF and XFL.

In complete, Johnson has appeared in 48 NFL video games since his debut in 2009, making 9 begins by which he's 1-8. He has a 58% completion share for his profession with 13 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. The final time he began a sport was in 2021 with the Ravens.

In search of a silver lining, Commanders followers? Johnson’s solely win as a starter got here again in 2018 throughout his first stint with Washington.

Titans place CB Harris on IR Tennessee Titans rookie cornerback Marcus Harris will miss the ultimate two video games of the season with the knee harm that knocked him out of their final sport, interim coach Mike McCoy stated Wednesday.

Harris was injured early within the second quarter of the Titans' 26-9 win over Kansas Metropolis whereas tackling Isiah Pacheco on the finish of a 5-yard run.

"It’s powerful as a result of he’s labored so onerous and what he’s executed for this soccer staff," McCoy stated. "But it surely’s simply the way in which he’s labored, the way in which he has performed, he’s gotten higher each week. ... He’s bought a extremely vivid future."

That is the newest harm within the secondary for Tennessee (3-12), which traded away two cornerbacks earlier this season. The Titans put three safeties on injured reserve final week, and veteran cornerback L'Jarius Sneed has been on IR since Oct. 23.

Harris was a sixth-round draft decide (No. 183 general) out of California. He began 5 of his 14 video games performed with a sort out for loss and a compelled fumble.

Browns place RB Judkins on IR The Browns introduced on Tuesday that working again Quinshon Judkins underwent profitable surgical procedure and was positioned on Injured Reserve. Judkins fractured his fibula and dislocated his ankle on Sunday towards the Payments.

The second-round pick of Ohio State went thirty sixth general within the 2025 NFL Draft, Judkins performed in 14 video games for the Browns this season – all begins – whereas dashing for 827 yards and seven touchdowns in 230 makes an attempt. He additionally made 26 catches for 171 yards on 36 targets, placing him simply two yards shy of 1,000 from scrimmage for the yr.

Chargers might be with out LB Denzel Perryman for the rest of standard season Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman will formally be suspended for the rest of the common season after his two-game suspension was upheld Tuesday. Perryman made helmet-to-helmet contact with Dallas Cowboys broad receiver Ryan Flournoy throughout Sunday's sport and earned a suspension as a result of he'd "repeatedly violated participant security guidelines." Perryman appealed the suspension, stating in a submit on X that he apologized to Fluornoy and it was accepted. Regardless of, Perryman will not return to the Chargers' protection till their playoff run.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski introduced on Dec. 23 that Watson will not be activated for both of the staff's closing two regular-season video games and, subsequently, will not play in any respect this season. Watson has missed your entire 2025 season as a result of a ruptured Achilles that he suffered final season and later aggravated. Cleveland opened the 21-day apply window for Watson on Dec. 3, which created a roadmap for him to probably be activated. Watson is coming into the ultimate season of a five-year, $230 million totally assured deal. He has began simply 19 video games for the Browns since being acquired from the Texans in 2022 as a result of each accidents and an 11-game suspension from the NFL.

McCarthy will miss the staff's Christmas Day house matchup towards the Lions as a result of a hairline fracture in his proper hand, head coach Kevin O'Connell introduced on Dec. 23. Max Brosmer will begin at quarterback for Minnesota.

McCarthy left the Vikings' Week 16 win over the Giants with the hand harm — the third harm that has sidelined him this season (ankle and head accidents being the opposite two). By 9 video games, McCarthy has totaled 1,450 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 71.2 passer score, whereas finishing 57.3% of his passes. He has additionally rushed for 174 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Vikings (7-8) are already eradicated from playoff rivalry.

Per week after shedding star quarterback Patrick Mahomes for the rest of the 2025 season with an ACL tear, the staff feared that backup Minshew suffered the identical harm that triggered him to go away their loss to the Titans early on Sunday, ESPN reported. Whereas Minshew's ACL turned out to be intact, he did undergo an harm all the identical and is predicted to overlook time, per ESPN's report. In response, the Chiefs have signed signal-caller Shane Buechele.

Buechele, 27, has by no means appeared in an NFL sport, as his profession within the league up to now has largely been being waived and re-signed by the Payments as a part of their apply squad. Now, third-string Chris Oladokun is presumably in line to start out in Thursday's sport towards the Broncos, whereas Minshew recovers and Buechele acclimates himself to the Chiefs.

On Monday, Corridor had his one-game suspension for pointless roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct upheld by listening to officer Ramon Foster, who's collectively appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA.

Corridor was suspended with out pay for stepping on the leg of Rams guard Kevin Dotson on the finish of a play within the Seahawks' 38-37 time beyond regulation win on Thursday night time. The NFL stated Corridor, 24, was in violation of Rule 12, Part 2, Article 8, which prohibits pointless roughness, and Rule 12, Part 3, Article 1, which applies to unsportsmanlike conduct, together with "any act which is opposite to the commonly understood ideas of sportsmanship."

Corridor might be eligible to return on Dec. 29, a day after Seattle’s sport towards the Panthers. The third-year professional was chosen thirty seventh by the Seahawks in 2023. He has 29 complete tackles and one sack in 13 video games (three begins) this season.

Jets to start out rookie QB Brady Prepare dinner for closing two video games The Jets are sticking with Prepare dinner for the remainder of the 2025 common season, head coach Aaron Glenn instructed reporters Monday. The undrafted rookie may play an enormous position within the AFC East race, with the Jets taking over the Patriots and the Payments in Weeks 17 and 18, respectively. Prepare dinner has began the previous two video games for the Jets following Tyrod Taylor's harm. He has thrown for 527 yards, a landing and 6 interceptions over the three complete video games he has performed this season.

The Commanders have signed quarterback Jeff Driskel off the Cardinals' apply squad, the staff introduced Monday. The transfer is likely to be a sign that Mariota will not have the ability to play in Thursday's sport towards the Cowboys after leaving Saturday's sport towards the Eagles early with accidents to his throwing hand and quad. If Mariota cannot go, journeyman quarterback Joshua Johnson can be in line to start out towards the Cowboys.

The Related Press contributed to this report.

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