The Falcons announced Wednesday that Cousins will take over as their starting quarterback beginning with Sunday's game at New Orleans after a second opinion confirmed that Michael Penix (knee) will require season-ending surgery to address a partially torn left ACL, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.

Cousins already looked to be in line to start at least four games after the Falcons relayed Monday that Penix would be headed to injured reserve, but now that the 25-year-old quarterback has been confirmed to need season-ending surgery, Cousins' run atop the depth chart will be extended. Per Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com, head coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that Easton Stick will be signed to the 53-man roster to work as Cousins' backup, while Kyle Trask will replace Stick on the team's practice squad. Cousins hasn't been productive in limited opportunities this season, as the Falcons have scored just one touchdown across the 17 offensive drives he's led so far (not counting kneel-downs). Though he draws a favorable matchup for his second start of the season against the 2-8 Saints, Cousins will have to make do without one of his top pass-catching options in Drake London (knee), who is week-to-week with a PCL injury.

With Gabriel still in concussion protocol, per Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, Shedeur Sanders will draw the start at quarterback for the Browns on Sunday against the Raiders.

When asked what the Browns' QB plans are after Week 12, coach Kevin Stefanski noted that at this stage he won't look beyond Sunday's contest. In any case, Gabriel is not in line to practice Wednesday, while Sanders is poised to make his first career regular-season start this weekend.

The Falcons confirmed Wednesday that Penix sustained a partially torn ACL in his left knee during the team's Week 11 loss to Carolina, and he will require full reconstructive surgery to address the injury, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports. Atlanta officially placed Penix him on injured reserve.

Penix will face, at a minimum, a nine-month recovery upon going under the knife. As a result, Penix is unlikely to be a full participant in the Falcons' offseason program, and his status for Week 1 of the 2026 campaign could also be in jeopardy. In addition to damaging his ACL, Penix also aggravated the pre-existing bone bruise in the knee. Even before going down with the injury Sunday, the 2024 first-round pick already had a checkered medical history, as he required surgeries to repair the ACL in his right knee in 2018 and 2020, and he also had college seasons end early in 2019 and 2021 due to shoulder injuries. Kirk Cousins will lead Atlanta under center for the remainder of the 2025 season, and the team will likely enter the offseason with additional incentive to secure a capable backup option behind Penix. The 25-year-old will finish his second professional campaign having completed 166 of 276 pass attempts (60.1 percent) for 1,982 yards (7.2 YPA), nine touchdowns and three interceptions to go with 70 yards and another score on 21 carries over his nine starts.

Sanders will draw the start at quarterback for the Browns on Sunday against the Raiders, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Per Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, coach Kevin Stefanski noted Wednesday that Dillon Gabriel remains in concussion protocol, which sets the stage for Sanders -- who stepped in at QB after Gabriel exited the Browns' Week 11 loss to the Ravens -- to make his first career NFL regular-season start this weekend. When asked whether Sanders might hold on the the starting assignment beyond Week 12, Stefanski said that he won't look beyond Sunday. In any case, Sanders represents a lineup option for those in need of signal-caller help, especially with four teams on bye.

Dart (concussion) is in line to participate in Wednesday's practice, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Dart didn't practice in any capacity en route to being ruled out for the Giants' loss to the Packers in Week 11, so it will represent a notable step in the right direction if he's able to handle even limited reps Wednesday. Of course, to be eligible for a return to action Sunday versus the Lions, the rookie first-round pick would need to gain full clearance from the concussion protocol, including from an independent neurologist. Jameis Winston will be in line to draw another start in the event that Dart isn't cleared in time to suit up Week 12.

Zappe could serve as the backup quarterback for Cleveland in Sunday's game against Las Vegas, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Cleveland's quarterback carousel took another turn last week when then-starter Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion and was replaced by Shedeur Sanders. The practice week begins Wednesday with Sanders expected to take reps with the first-team offense while Gabriel remains in the NFL's concussion protocol. That means Zappe could be in line for his second activation from the practice squad and become the No. 2 to Sanders.

Sanders will get his first practice reps with the first-team offense Wednesday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

This news was expected in light of Dillon Gabriel landing in the NFL's concussion protocol. Sanders' only work through the spring, training camp, preseason and in-season practices had come with other backups and young players. That was even the practice when Sanders was elevated to the No. 2 quarterback. That he'll practice with the starting offense this week indicates Sanders will make his first NFL start against Las Vegas on Sunday. Gabriel would need to practice by Thursday to alter that plan.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans said that Mills will serve as the Texans' starting quarterback for Thursday's game against the Bills, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Though C.J. Stroud is in line to practice in some fashion Tuesday for the first time since sustaining a concussion in the Texans' Nov. 2 loss to the Broncos, he's not on track to clear the five-step protocol before Thursday. As a result, Mills will direct the Houston offense once again after he completed 53 of 86 passes for 566 yards, three touchdowns and one interception to go along with five carries for 34 yards and another score in wins over the Jaguars and Titans the past two weeks. Stroud could be in position to reclaim starting duties in the Texans' Week 13 game against the Colts.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans ruled Stroud (concussion) out for Thursday's game against the Bills, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Stroud's headaches and sensitivity to light have subsided since he exited the Texans' Nov. 2 loss to the Broncos due to a concussion, but he remains in the five-step protocol and won't be cleared prior to Thursday. As a result, Davis Mills will draw a third consecutive start. Stroud is slated to practice in some fashion Tuesday, and if all goes well he would be on a path to getting cleared ahead of the Texans' Week 13 game at Indianapolis

The 49ers signed Martinez to the practice squad Tuesday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Martinez was cut from the 53-man roster over the weekend after Brock Purdy was cleared to return from his toe injury. Martinez will continue to provide organizational depth at quarterback behind Purdy and Mac Jones.