Oct 20, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (18) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Amari Cooper out, Von Miller back for Bills

Recently acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper is among the Buffalo Bills who were ruled out of their game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Cooper is dealing with an injury to his left wrist that he sustained in last week’s win over the Seattle Seahawks. He had been listed as questionable.

Also out for the Bills (6-2) are defensive backs Christian Benford and Mike Edwards, linebacker Nick Morrow, fullback Reggie Gilliam, offensive lineman Will Clapp and defensive tackle Zion Logue.

Linebacker Von Miller, who served a suspension the past four games, is active.

For the Dolphins (2-5), the inactives Sunday are running back Jeff Wilson Jr., tight end Julian Hill, defensive lineman Zach Sieler, offensive lineman Andrew Meyer, and defensive backs Jevon Holland, Storm Duck and Kader Kohou.

–Field Level Media

Aug 25, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) drops back under pressure from Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Lions LB James Houston inactive vs. Buccaneers

Detroit Lions pass-rusher James Houston is inactive for Sunday’s NFC divisional playoff game against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Houston returned to practice this week after four months of rehabilitation recovering from a broken leg.

Houston, 25, played in seven games in 2022 and had 8.0 sacks, when he was largely used as a role player on passing downs.

Cornerback Steven Gilmore, defensive linemen Brodric Martin and Charles Harris, wide receiver/punt returner Kalif Raymond, safety Tracy Walker and quarterback Hendon Hooker also are inactive for the Lions.

Wide receiver Rakim Jarrett, offensive tackles Brandon Walton and Silas Dzansi, running back Patrick Laird, linebackers J.J. Russell and Markees Watts and quarterback John Wolford are inactive for the Bucs.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) celebrates with wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) after scoring against the New England Patriots in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert, WR Jaylen Waddle active vs. Chiefs

The Miami Dolphins have key offensive players Raheem Mostert and Jaylen Waddle active for Saturday night’s AFC playoff game against the host Kansas City Chiefs.

Both players missed the final two regular-season games. Mostert was out with knee and ankle injuries while Waddle was sidelined with an ankle injury.

Mostert recorded a franchise-record 18 rushing touchdowns this season and had 1,012 yards on the ground in 15 games.

Waddle caught 72 passes for 1,014 yards and four scores in 14 games.

Among Miami’s inactives are star cornerback Xavien Howard (foot) and safety Jevon Holland (both knees). The other inactives are quarterback Skylar Thompson, cornerback Cam Smith, offensive tackle Kion Smith, receiver Robbie Chosen and tight end Tyler Kroft.

The Chiefs’ inactives are receivers Kadarius Toney and Justyn Ross, offensive tackle Wanya Morris, defensive tackle Neil Farrell, defensive ends BJ Thompson and Felix Anudike-Uzomah and cornerback Keith Taylor.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Browns WR Amari Cooper (heel) out vs. Jets

Four days after one of the best games of his career, wide receiver Amari Cooper will sit out when the Cleveland Browns face the visiting New York Jets on Thursday.

Cooper had been bothered by a heel injury and did not practice during the short week. He was officially considered questionable entering the day, but he was on the list when the Browns declared their inactives 90 minutes before kickoff.

Cooper caught 11 passes for a career-high and franchise-record 265 yards to go with two touchdowns in Sunday’s 36-22 win over the Houston Texans. He had a 53-yard reception on the first play of the game and later scored on a 75-yard catch.

The Browns will be missing a four-time Pro Bowler who has recorded a career-best 1,250 receiving yards in his ninth season in the league and his second in Cleveland. Thursday will be Cooper’s first time missing a game in two years with the Browns.

The Browns also made kicker Dustin Hopkins (left hamstring) and punter Corey Bojorquez (left quad) inactive. They are set to roll with Riley Patterson at kicker and Matt Haack at punter after elevating both specialists from the practice squad to the active roster.

The Jets made veteran wide receiver Allen Lazard inactive due to an illness. Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein, who was being monitored for right quad tightness, is active.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) prepares during the warm-up period before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell inactive vs. Vikings

Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell and cornerback James Bradberry were listed as inactive for Thursday’s game against the visiting Minnesota Vikings.

Gainwell, who is nursing a rib injury, led Philadelphia in carries (14) and rushing yards (54) in its 25-20 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Bradberry, a second-team All-Pro last season, remains in concussion protocol.

The Eagles (1-0) also listed safety Reed Blankenship, offensive lineman Tyler Steen, defensive tackle Moro Ojomo, tight end Albert Okwuegbunam and quarterback Tanner McKee as inactive for Thursday’s game.

The Vikings (0-1) listed center Garrett Bradbury, tight end Nick Muse, outside linebacker Andre Carter II, defensive lineman Jaquelin Roy and quarterback Jaren Hall as inactive.

–Field Level Media

Oct 16, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) runs with the ball during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire inactive for Super Bowl LVII

Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was among the Kansas City Chiefs’ inactives for Super Bowl LVII on Sunday evening.

The decision came as a surprise after the Chiefs activated him off injured reserve Monday, swapping him onto the active roster in favor of placing wide receiver Mecole Hardman on IR.

Edwards-Helaire had already lost his starting job earlier this season to rookie Isiah Pacheco before suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He missed the remainder of the regular season and the Chiefs’ two playoff games while recovering.

The Chiefs’ running back depth chart for the Super Bowl will be Pacheco No. 1, Jerick McKinnon No. 2 and Ronald Jones No. 3.

Edwards-Helaire, 23, finished the season with just 71 carries for 302 yards and three touchdowns and 17 receptions for 151 yards and another three TDs in 10 games (six starts). The 2020 first-round pick has 1,622 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns, 577 receiving yards and six receiving scores in his three-year NFL career.

The Chiefs’ other inactives are quarterback Shane Buechele, tight end Blake Bell, offensive linemen Darian Kinnard and Austin Reiter and defensive ends Malik Herring and Joshua Kaindoh.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ inactives are quarterback Ian Book, running back Trey Sermon, wide receiver Greg Ward, linebacker Kyron Johnson, cornerback Josiah Scott, safety Anthony Harris and punter Brett Kern. Punter Arryn Siposs is healthy and will handle punting duties for the Eagles, letting Kern be inactive.

–Field Level Media

Dec 17, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) is tackled by Buffalo Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (92) in the first quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Bills starting DT DaQuan Jones inactive vs. Bengals

Buffalo Bills starting defensive tackle DaQuan Jones was listed as inactive for Sunday’s AFC divisional round playoff game against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals.

Jones, 31, was limited in practice all week and listed as questionable for the game with a calf injury.

He recorded 38 tackles, two sacks and one fumble recovery in 16 games (all starts) this season.

Fellow defensive tackle Jordan Phillips is active for the game after he sat out last week’s win against the Miami Dolphins due to a shoulder injury.

In addition to Jones, the Bills listed the following players as inactive: cornerback Christian Benford, offensive lineman Ike Boettger, tight end Tommy Sweeney, linebackers Terrel Bernard and Baylon Spector and safety Jared Mayden.

As for the Bengals, right guard Alex Cappa (ankle) and left tackle Jonah Williams (dislocated kneecap) were ruled out on Friday due to their respective injuries. Max Scharping is expected to start in place of Cappa, while Jackson Carman will get the nod at left tackle.

Running back Chris Evans, cornerback Tre Flowers, defensive end Jeff Gunter, defensive tackle Jay Tufele and tight end Nick Bowers are inactive for Cincinnati.

–Field Level Media

Dec 11, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) is sacked by New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports

Giants OLB Azeez Ojulari listed as active vs. Eagles

New York Giants outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari is listed as active for Saturday night’s NFC divisional round playoff game against the host Philadelphia Eagles.

Ojulari initially was listed as questionable to play due to a quad injury he sustained in New York’s 31-24 victory over the Minnesota Vikings last week.

The 22-year-old totaled 5 1/2 sacks in seven games (five starts) this season for the Giants.

While Ojulari will play on Saturday, the Giants listed the following players as inactive: cornerbacks Rodarius Williams and Zyon Gilbert, inside linebacker Micah McFadden, guards Wyatt Davis and Jack Anderson, wide receiver Makai Polk and defensive lineman Henry Mondeaux.

The Eagles listed quarterback Ian Book, cornerback Avonte Maddox, running back Trey Sermon, safety Anthony Harris, linebacker Kyron Johnson and guard Josh Sills as inactive for Saturday’s game.

–Field Level Media

Dec 17, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan (2) looks to pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Colts QB Matt Ryan inactive for ‘MNF’

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan is a healthy inactive for Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, with Sam Ehlinger pegged to back up new starter Nick Foles.

Nick Foles was tabbed last week to be the Colts’ starter for the final three games of the season. However, it wasn’t known until Monday who would be QB2.

In addition to Ryan, the Colts’ other inactives for the game are CB Kenny Moore II (ankle), LB Cameron McGrone, OL Wesley French, TE Kylen Granson (ankle) and DL Chris Williams.

For the Chargers, QB Easton Stick, RB Sony Michel, S JT Woods, RB Isaiah Spiller, T Storm Norton and WR Michael Bandy are inactive for the game.

The move to Foles comes after the Colts squandered a 33-0 halftime lead in Week 15 and lost in overtime to the Minnesota Vikings.

Foles, 33, has appeared in just one game this season, taking two snaps. He hasn’t attempted a pass.

Indianapolis acquired Ryan in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons in the offseason, hoping he’d lead what was perceived as a playoff-ready team deep into the postseason. Instead, he’s being benched for the second time this season.

Former coach Frank Reich announced on Oct. 24 that Ehlinger would start the rest of the season, but that didn’t last long. Reich was fired Nov. 7, and interim coach Jeff Saturday put Ryan back in the starting lineup.

In the epic 39-36 loss to the Vikings, Ryan threw for 118 yards in the first half but only 64 in the second half and overtime.

The No. 3 overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2008 draft, Ryan is 4-7-1 as a starter this season. He has completed 67 percent of his passes this season for 3,057 yards with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Now 37, Ryan was the league MVP in 2016 with the Falcons. He is in the fourth year of a five-year, $150 million deal he signed with Atlanta and is being paid $24.7 million, per Spotrac.

–Field Level Media

Sep 19, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;  Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) blocks Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat (94) at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw active vs. Colts

Minnesota Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw will return from a three-game absence Saturday afternoon to face the visiting Indianapolis Colts.

Darrisaw has been sidelined since sustaining his second concussion of the season in the Vikings’ 40-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 20. He suffered his first in Minnesota’s 33-30 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 13.

Darrisaw, 23, has started all 10 games in which he’s played this season and 20 of 22 since being selected by the Vikings with the 23rd overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.

While Darrisaw is active for Saturday’s game, the Vikings (10-3) ruled the following as inactive: starting center Garrett Bradbury, cornerbacks Kalon Barnes and Parry Nickerson, linebacker Patrick Jones III and defensive lineman Ross Blacklock.

The Colts (4-8-1) listed cornerbacks Kenny Moore II and Brandon Facyson, defensive end Ben Banogu, quarterback Sam Ehlinger, center Wesley French, wide receiver Mike Strachan and defensive tackle Chris Williams as inactive.

–Field Level Media