Steelers LB Kwon Alexander tore his left Achilles' tendon in Sunday's win over the Packers, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. That marks the second straight week Pittsburgh has lost a starting LB to a season-ending injury. It's the second career Achilles' tear for Alexander, who suffered the injury to his right leg back in December 2020. The veteran's on a one-year contract and will be 30 when next season begins. So this injury has a chance to end his career. We'll keep an eye on Alexander's comeback. But, unfortunately, he won't be worth keeping even in dynasty formats. Elandon Roberts should now emerge as the position's playing-time leader for Pittsburgh.

Steelers LB Cole Holcomb left in the first half of Thursday night's game against the Titans with a left knee injury. He needed to be carted off. Afterward, play-by-play man Al Michaels called it an injury that didn't need to be shown again. Pittsburgh quickly ruled Holcomb out for the game, and this seems likely to be a season-ender. We'll watch for more details. Kwon Alexander and Elandon Roberts would lead the position if Holcomb is out. Roberts has topped 44% playing time just once through seven games. Alexander has played more, with five games of 54% snap share or more. But he has yet to reach 70% in a game. Alexander looks like the better bet for more playing time while Holcomb is out.

The Dolphins on Monday released LB Benardrick McKinney. The move is somewhat surprising, after Miami traded for him in the offseason. But the Texans had already traded away the other player in the deal, DE Shaq Lawson. McKinney's departure leaves Elandon Roberts as the team's #2 off-ball LB, starting alongside Jerome Baker.

Dolphins LB Kyle Van Noy (hip) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots. He missed last week's game with the same injury. Van Noy progressed to 3 limited practices this week after getting on the field just once last week, so he's clearly at least closer to being ready. We'll check his status Sunday morning. LB Elandon Roberts (chest) is also questionable after missing last week's game. He looks unlikely to play. The absence of either would raise the IDP floor for Miami LB Jerome Baker.

Dolphins LB Kyle Van Noy (hip) and LB Elandon Roberts (chest) are inactive for today's game against the Chiefs. That raises the IDP floor for LB Jerome Baker, who has seen inconsistent playing time throughout the season. The matchup keeps him from being a strong option, but Baker now sits inside the top 40 of our Week 14 LB rankings.

The Dolphins have activated LB Kyle Van Noy off the COVID list, which puts him back in line to play Sunday against the Chargers. We've got him back in the Week 10 LB rankings.

The Patriots on Tuesday activated LB Dont'a Hightower off the PUP list. He had been sitting out with a right knee injury. New England re-signed him in the offseason to a multi-year deal, however, which included $19 million in guarantees. According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, Hightower was always believed to be on track for Week 1. His return coincided with LB Elandon Roberts returning to practice after missing a few days with a rib injury. Roberts had been calling the plays and wearing the green-dot helmet on defense recently, but Hightower's the more likely candidate for that role if he's at full health. We'll see what the playing time looks like in the 3rd preseason game this weekend. Neither makes for a strong IDP candidate, but Hightower carries a high weekly ceiling when fully healthy.