The Raiders are reportedly set to place Chinn on IR due to a back injury, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chinn has been dealing with a back issue for most of December, but to this point the injury hasn't caused him to miss any games. With the Raiders tied for the league's worst record (2-13) and in the driver's seat for the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, the team appears to be shutting Chinn down. If that's indeed the case, he'll finish his first season in Las Vegas with 114 tackles (including 1.0 sacks), two forced fumbles and two defensed passes over 15 contests.

Carolina designated Hunt (biceps) for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hunt can now practice for the first time since he tore his biceps Week 2 against Arizona. The veteran offensive guard is technically eligible to be activated any time and could return to game action as soon as Sunday against Seattle, though that's unlikely to happen since coach Dave Canales has said that Hunt will need some time to ramp back up following his long absence, per Gantt. If Hunt is able to play again this season, it would be a big boost to the Panthers' offensive line considering that he's coming off a Pro Bowl 2024 campaign.

The Raiders plan to place Bowers (knee) on IR ahead of Sunday's game against the Giants, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bowers has been managing a knee injury since Week 1, and with the Raiders out of playoff contention, the team has evidently decided to shut down the star TE, with an eye toward him being 100 percent ahead of the 2026 season. With Bowers' placement on IR in line to occur at some point Wednesday per Pelissero, Michael Mayer is slated to lead Las Vegas' TE corps in Weeks 17 and 18, with Ian Thomas and Carter Runyon also in the mix.

The Bengals designated Lee (knee) for return from IR on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Lee landed on injured reserve Oct. 28 due to a knee injury. He's now eligible to practice and can be activated any time within a 21-day window, though with the Bengals eliminated from playoff contention, there anre only 12 days left until their season ends. Lee had logged all of his snaps on special teams prior to getting hurt.

The Colts designated Dulin (hamstring) for return from IR on Wednesday, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dulin landed on injured reserve Nov. 25 due to a hamstring injury. He's since missed the required four games and, with his designation to return, is eligible to be activated at any time. Indianapolis has 21 days to decide whether to activate Dulin, but he could play as soon as this Sunday against the Dolphins. Prior to getting hurt, he had a minor role in the passing game and was also serving as one of the team's top kick returners.

The Buccaneers designated Kancey (pectoral) to return to practice Wednesday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kancey tore a pectoral muscle Week 2 against Houston and was consequently placed on IR. He was originally expected to be out through the regular season, which may still be the case, though his return to practice Wednesday means he's technically eligible to be activated at any time and could play as soon as this Sunday versus Miami. Kancey recorded 7.5 sacks across 12 regular-season games last year and should provide a boost to the Bucs' pass rush when/if he returns.

The Steelers are signing Johnson to their practice squad, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson most recently had been on Tampa Bay's practice squad before being cut Dec. 15. He's familiar with the Steelers organization, having been with the team last year and playing in three games, catching his only target for nine yards. Johnson's signing comes in the wake of DK Metcalf being suspended by the NFL for two games following an altercation with a fan this past Sunday. Johnson will provide organizational depth at wideout but isn't likely to garner a major role on game days.

Sampson (hand) is in line to practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Browns will release their first Week 17 practice report later Wednesday, when it will be known whether Sampson was a limited or full participant. Sampson was unable to practice in any fashion last week before sitting out this past Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Bills, but if the rookie running back is able to move past the hand injury this week, he could be primed to handle a lead role out of the Cleveland backfield. Quinshon Judkins (ankle/fibula) underwent season-ending surgery and was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, leaving Sampson, Trayveon Williams and Raheim Sanders as the available backs on Cleveland's 53-man roster.

Njoku (knee) isn't in line to practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Njoku hasn't played in either of the Browns' last two games while managing the knee injury, and his continued absence from practice to kick off Week 17 prep doesn't bode well for his chances of playing Sunday against the Steelers. The Browns will see if Njoku is able to do anything on the field Thursday and Friday before deciding on his status for the weekend. If Njoku ends up missing another game, rookie Harold Fannin would continue to be locked into a high-volume role at tight end, and more snaps would be available for blocking specialists Blake Whiteheart and Brenden Bates.

Alie-Cox caught both of his targets for 16 yards in Monday's 48-27 loss to the 49ers.

EDGE Analysis

Alie-Cox continued his depth role at tight end Monday, playing just 13 of the Colts' 60 offensive snaps behind rookie Tyler Warren (53). The veteran's two grabs were his first catches since Week 12, bring him to seven receptions for 75 yards on the season. Barring an injury to Warren, Alie-Cox remains far off the fantasy radar as the Colts prepare to host the Jaguars in Week 17.