NFL injury updates, latest league news from Monday, Jan. 10

The Philadelphia Eagles' banged-up backfield could return to full strength prior to the start of the postseason.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters Monday that the team is "hopeful" Miles Sanders (hand) will be able to play against the Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon. Sirianni also stated the team expects to have Jordan Howard and Boston Scott back for the matchup.

Philadelphia finished the 2021 campaign with the No. 1 rushing attack in the NFL (159.7 rush YPG).

Sanders, who's dealt with a number of ankle injuries in recent months, missed the last two games of the regular season due to a broken hand. Howard and Scott missed Week 18 after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Scott anchored the running game in the Eagles' Week 17 win over Washington with Howard, a spot starter throughout the year, serving as his backup. Rookie Kenneth Gainwell made his first career start on Saturday with Sanders, Howard and Scott sidelined.

Howard and Scott were later activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, along with the following players: LB Genard Avery, DT Fletcher Cox, S Marcus Epps, TE Dallas Goedert, G Nate Herbig, CB Avonte Maddox, S Rodney McLeod, LB Alex Singleton, and TE Jack Stoll.

The team also placed WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, TE Tyree Jackson, and T/G Brett Toth on IR; signed RB Jason Huntley from the practice squad to the active roster, and released K Matt McCrane and RB Kerryon Johnson from the practice squad.

Injuries/COVID-19

• The Arizona Cardinals activated linebacker Tanner Vallejo from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• The Cincinnati Bengals activated the following players from the reserve/COVID-19 list: S Vonn Bell, DE Trey Hendrickson, DT B.J. Hill, C Trey Hopkins, RB Joe Mixon, DT Larry Ogunjobi and G Quinton Spain.
• The Cleveland Browns activated running back Dexter Williams from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• The Dallas Cowboys activated cornerback Anthony Brown from the COVID list. Quarterback Will Grier was placed on injured reserve.
• The Detroit Lions activated linebacker Austin Bryant from the COVID list.
• Green Bay Packers linebacker Za’Darius Smith, who has been on injured reserve since Sept. 17 with a back injury, is expected to practice this week, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Good Morning Football. Barring a setback, Smith should be ready for Green Bay's Divisional Round game in two weeks; he has not played since Week 1. Offensive lineman Billy Turner was activated from the COVID list.
• Kansas City Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill is dealing with a sore heel, but the team expects him to be OK, NFL Network's James Palmer reported.
• Las Vegas Raiders interim coach Rich Bisaccia told reporters defensive tackle Darius Philon suffered a "significant" knee injury Sunday. Philon is currently undergoing further evaluation.
• Los Angeles Rams safety Jordan Fuller is out for the remainder of the season as he might require ankle surgery, head coach Sean McVay told reporters Monday. Fuller started 16 games this season for the Rams with 113 tackles. Fuller was injured in Sunday's loss to the 49ers. McVay also said quarterback Matthew Stafford injured his toe against San Francisco but should be fine for the team's Monday playoff game against the Cardinals.
• Miami Dolphins defensive backs Noah Igbinoghene and Sheldrick Redwine were activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore's MRI came back clean, confirming that he did not suffer a major knee injury after being carted off the field Sunday, according to Rapoport. Patriots defensive back Shaun Wade was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list; he is one of only two players, per the transaction wire, placed on the reserve/COVID list Monday, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported.
• New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton announced quarterback Taysom Hill is expected to undergo surgery to repair the Lisfranc injury he sustained in his left foot on Sunday. Hill will also need a smaller surgery later on to remove the hardware; there is no timetable for his return. Defensive tackle Albert Huggins was activated from the COVID list.
• San Francisco 49ers practice squad quarterback Tyler Bray was placed on the practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list. The team also activated cornerback Deommodore Lenoir from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams (torn labrum) and running back Chris Carson (neck) are expected to be ready for the start of training camp, per coach Pete Carroll. Adams underwent season-ending surgery last month; Carson has been on IR since October but also underwent surgery last month.
• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers expect RB Leonard Fournette (hamstring, IR) and LBs Shaquil Barrett (MCL/ACL sprain) and Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder) to be back for the start of the playoffs, per coach Bruce Arians. The status of LB Lavonte David (foot, IR) is still to be determined, Arians noted.

Roster moves

• The Arizona Cardinals released defensive lineman Zach Kerr and linebacker Nate Hall from the practice squad.
• The Carolina Panthers signed quarterback P.J. Walker and fullback Giovanni Ricci to one-year extensions.
• The Cincinnati Bengals waived linebacker Austin Calitro.
• The Denver Broncos claimed defensive back Essang Bassey off waivers Monday, Pelissero reported. The claim is deferred until after the Super Bowl and Bassey is ineligible to play in the postseason. Denver also signed six players to reserve/future contracts, including former Eagles wide receiver Travis Fulgham.
• The Detroit Lions claimed defensive back JuJu Hughes off waivers Monday, Pelissero reported. The claim is deferred until after the Super Bowl and Hughes is ineligible to play in the postseason.
• The Green Bay Packers released guard Ben Braden and practice squad receiver Chris Blair.
• Defensive end Shaq Lawson, who was waived by the New York Jets, cleared waivers on Monday, Pelissero reported via the transaction wire. Lawson is now a free agent eligible to be signed and to play for any team in the postseason.

Front office moves

• The Carolina Panthers are expected to ask permission to speak to Texans passing game coordinator Pep Hamilton for their vacant offensive coordinator job, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
• The Chicago Bears fired head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace. The Bears requested an interview with Bills DC Leslie Frazier and former Eagles head coach Doug Pederson for their head coaching job, Pelissero reported.
• The Denver Broncos requested to interview Patriots LB coach Jerod Mayo and Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, NFL Network's James Palmer reported. Denver also requested an interview with Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy and Cowboys OC Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, per Rapoport.
• The Jacksonville Jaguars will interview interim coach Darrell Bevell on Tuesday for their head coaching vacancy, per Pelissero. Bevell replaced Urban Meyer for the final four games of the season. The Jags are also planning to interview Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett this week, per Rapoport. The interview will likely happen Friday and can be done in person because Green Bay is on a bye, he added.
• The Miami Dolphins fired head coach Brian Flores after three seasons.
• The Minnesota Vikings parted ways with head coach Mike Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman.
• The New York Giants requested an interview with Bills executive Joe Schoen for their vacant GM job, Pelissero and Rapoport reported. New York also requested interviews with Titans VP of player personnel Ryan Cowden and Titans director of player personnel Monti Ossenfort, per Rapoport. The team also requested to speak with former Cardinals safety and current Cardinals Vice President of Pro Personnel Adrian Wilson, per NFL Network's Peter Schrager.

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