NFL news, injury updates: George Kittle, Trent Williams questionable for 49ers; Lamar Jackson to play with AFC North title up for grabs in Week 18

Watt has yet to be a full participant in practice with the Steelers since returning from surgery to repair a partial collapsed lung.

Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said on Wednesday that the team likely won’t know if Watt will play until Sunday right before their AFC North title clash with the Ravens.

San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams, tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall are questionable in Saturday Night’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Williams is dealing with a hamstring injury that he suffered in Week 17’s game against the Chicago Bears. Williams did not return after suffering the injury in the first drive.

Kittle missed the Bears game with an ankle injury. Kittle also missed multiple games earlier this season with a hamstring injury.

Pearsall has missed multiple games this season with a knee and ankle injury. Pearsall was able to play through the injury last week, catching five passes for 85 yards.

The winner of Saturday’s game will secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who missed three games last month while recovering from a procedure on both shoulders, has popped back up on the injury report, this time with a hip issue.

The Eagles have already won the NFC East, and they’re reportedly prioritizing rest this week against the Washington Commanders.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is still dealing with a right foot injury that he first suffered during a Week 16 win over the Cleveland Browns and then aggravated last week in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Allen’s X-rays remained negative after the Eagles game on Sunday, which marked his second straight game without a passing touchdown.

Since, Allen has sat out the first two practices this week. With the Bills already locked into a wild-card spot, it’s possible Buffalo rests the reigning NFL MVP this week against the New York Jets.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said he will play on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jackson missed the Ravens’ last game with a back injury he suffered in Week 16 against the Patriots. Jackson said he will wear extra padding to protect his back.

Jackson has also dealt with hamstring, toe and knee injuries this season. He missed three games earlier this season with a hamstring injury.

Sunday Night’s Game against the Steelers will decide who wins the AFC North. The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday the team is planning to open the 21-day practice window for safety Quentin Lake Thursday.

Also on Thursday, the Rams inked him to a three-year contract extension. Lake carried over an impressive 2024 campaign to the start of this season, during which he had 61 tackles, 10 passes defended, 1 interception and 1 sack through Week 11.

An elbow injury landed him on injured reserve, but the Rams are hoping he’ll be back for the playoffs.

The Packers cannot improve their playoff situation in Week 18 as they are set in the NFC’s No. 7 seed and will face either the Bears or Eagles in the first round. With that being the situation, Jordan Love will get a week or rest after clearing concussion protocol and Clayton Tune will start against Minnesota.

The 26-year-old Tune played got into one game this season, going 1-for-4 with 8 yards passing and one interception.

The New Orleans Saints won’t have their top target against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 18. Chris Olave will miss the contest after a blood clot was discovered in his lung, per reports.

While the issue sounds serious, it was detected early, and Olave should be OK.

The 25-year-old Olave was in the midst of a breakout year. The former first-round pick has already set new career-highs in targets, receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns in 2025.

The Green Bay Packers are signing quarterback Desmond Ridder to their practice squad, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Ridder could be elevated for Sunday’s game versus the Minnesota Vikings, considering that both Jordan Love and Malik Willis are still dealing with injuries. Regardless of its Week 18 outcome, Green Bay will be the No. 7 seed in the NFC.

Love remains in concussion protocol, but Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said his QB1 will practice again Wednesday. Willis will be limited with his right shoulder injury.

With the playoffs on the line, things are looking good for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Despite missing all of last week due to a back injury, Jackson is expected to return to practice Wednesday, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

That would be a significant boost for Baltimore, who had to play without Jackson in Week 17.

Despite Jackson’s absence, the Ravens managed to defeat the Green Bay Packers, setting up a win-and-in situation in Week 18. If the Ravens beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore would secure a postseason spot.

Having Jackson would make that task much easier for the Ravens.

A rest day at the start of the practice week isn’t atypical for San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams. But this time, the veteran is dealing with a hamstring injury that’s putting his status for the regular-season finale up in the air.

The 12-time Pro Bowler suffered the injury while trying to catch up with Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards on his game-opening pick 6. Austen Pleasants replaced Williams the rest of the way.

Kyle Shanahan told reporters Tuesday, though, that there’s a shot Williams plays versus the Seahawks on Saturday, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle was a limited participant in practice on Tuesday as he’s still dealing with an ankle injury. Kittle missed the team’s Week 17 win over Chicago.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey did not practice on Tuesday due to a back injury. The back injury was an issue McCaffrey also dealt with earlier in the month of December, but did not force him to miss any games.

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall has been reinstated following a suspension by the NFL for unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct resulting from him stepping on a Rams player after a play in Week 16. Hall missed the Seahawks Week 17 win over the Panthers.

The Seahawks also signed Amari Kight from the practice squad and placed wide receiver Cody White on injured reserve due to a groin injury he suffered during Sunday’s win over Carolina. Seattle also waived safety D’Anthony Bell.

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle was listed as DNP in practice on Tuesday with a toe injury. Dowdle needs just seven yards in Week 18 to earn a $1 million bonus in contract incentive money.

The Panthers play the Buccaneers on Sunday in a battle for the NFC South title and spot in the playoffs.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have listed quarterback Baker Mayfield on the injury report with a right shoulder injury that limited him in practice on Tuesday. Mayfield was on the injury report a few weeks back with a left shoulder injury.

The Dallas Cowboys have released cornerback Trevon Diggs, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. Diggs had dealt with injuries dating back to last season and had been in the dog house with the team for the better part of the 2025 campaign.

This season, Diggs appeared in eight games last playing on Christmas in the Cowboys’ win over the Washington Commanders. Should he clear waivers, Diggs would become a free agent and able to sign with any team.

The Pittsburgh Steelers could get back their best player at the perfect time. Pass rusher T.J. Watt has apparently made progress in his recovery from a lung issue and could play in the team’s Week 18 game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he felt “optimistic” about that possibility.

Watt missed the team’s last three contests after undergoing a procedure to repair a collapsed lung.

The Steelers desperately need Watt’s help. With a win over the Ravens in Week 18, the Steelers would make the playoffs. A loss, however, would result in the team missing the postseason.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washinton will miss some time after undergoing forearm surgery, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Washington will miss the rest of the season, including any possible playoff games, after having surgery to correct a broken forearm.

Washington sustained the injury during the team’s Week 17 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Despite the loss, the Steelers still have a shot to make the playoffs, though will have to beat the Baltimore Ravens to make that happen.

Washington, 24, was in the midst of his best season. Through 16 games, Washington had 31 catches for 364 yards and a score.

The Buffalo Bills have re-signed wide receiver Mecole Hardman to the practice squad after cutting him on Monday. Due to kicker Michael Badgley’s release, a spot opened up for Hardman.