NFL Player News

The Chiefs listed Mahomes (concussion/toe) as a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

An earlier report suggested Mahomes was a limited participant, but he apparently showed enough to get a full designation on the Chiefs' official practice report. He's off to a good start in his bid to be cleared for Sunday's AFC Championship Game, with his participation Wednesday suggesting he may have already made it to the fourth step of the NFL's five-step concussion protocol. Head coach Andy Reid said Thursday's practice will be the important one for evaluating his injured players -- a list that includes Mahomes, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) and wideout Sammy Watkins (calf).

Mahomes (concussion/toe) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

Mahomes reportedly took all the first-team snaps, though the Chiefs' first practice of the week reportedly wasn't a physically demanding one. He's off to a good start in his bid to be cleared for Sunday's AFC Championship Game, with his participation Wednesday -- even in a limited capacity -- suggesting he may already be on the fourth step of the NFL's five-step concussion protocol. Head coach Andy Reid said Thursday's practice will be the important one for evaluating his injured players, a list that includes Mahomes, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) and wideout Sammy Watkins (calf).

Sudfeld completed five of his 12 pass attempts for 32 yards and an interception in his lone appearance during the 2020 season.

Sudfeld didn't see the field until the regular-season finale versus Washington, when Carson Wentz was a healthy inactive for the contest. Head coach Doug Pederson then elected to bench an ineffective Jalen Hurts for the second half of that contest, allowing Sudfeld to get some snaps in the final two quarters. The 27-year-old is due to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and the fact that Pederson has since been dismissed could hurt Sudfeld's chances of sticking around in Philadelphia after he had been with the organization as a backup for the past four seasons.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that he's "totally certain" the Ravens will sign Jackson (concussion) to an extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

While his 2020 campaign wasn't nearly as impressive as his MVP effort in 2019, the 24-year-old quarterback led Baltimore to the playoffs for a third straight year, improving his record to 30-9-0 as a starter in the regular season. Jackson's status as a first-round pick allows the Ravens to extend his rookie contract through 2022 with a fifth-year option, which means the extension Harbaugh is promising may not actually get done until next year. Rapoport relays that the team will at least start those conversations this offseason.

Mahomes (concussion/toe) handled all the first-team snaps during the Chiefs' practice session Wednesday, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

It isn't clear if the Chiefs will list Mahomes as a full or limited participant on their first practice report of the week, which will be released later Wednesday. Either way, Mahomes' availability for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bills will depend on his ability to clear the concussion protocol, rather than his practice participation throughout the week. He's also listed with a toe injury, but it isn't believed to threaten his availability for Sunday.

Mahomes (concussion/toe) is expected to practice Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.

Schefter notes that Mahomes cleared "some big steps" Monday, but the quarterback -- who is also dealing with a toe injury -- is still in the NFL's concussion protocol at this stage. While Mahomes' toe issue is being downplayed by head coach Andy Reid, the star signal-caller's status for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bills has yet to be solidified. If Mahomes isn't cleared for the contest, Chad Henne would start at quarterback for Kansas City in his place.

Siemian signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints on Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Siemian served as the emergency backup quarterback for the Titans and Saints in 2020. The Northwestern product last played meaningful snaps in 2017 when he completed 59 percent of his passes for 2,285 yards (6.5YPA), 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions over 11 games with the Broncos. With Drew Brees set to retire, Siemian could secure a backup role behind Taysom Hill (knee) or Jameis Winston in 2021.

Though Mahomes cleared "some big steps" Monday, he remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

While that's a step in the right direction for the star QB, Schefter notes that "it's too early to say" that Mahomes will "definitely" be cleared to play in Sunday's AFC Championship game. Further context with regard to Mahomes' progress will arrive no later than Wednesday, once Kansas City re-takes the practice field.

Brissett and fellow Colts QB Philip Rivers both can become unrestricted free agents this offseason, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports.

With Rivers healthy for the entire 2020 campaign, Brissett's main contribution to the Colts was subbing in for some short-yardage plays. He scored three short rushing TDs and attempted just eight passes, never really getting a chance to rebound from his disappointing performance over 15 starts in 2019. While he's unlikely to find a team that wants him in a starting role, Brissett should at least be recognized as one of the better backup QBs, and he might even be a fallback plan for the Colts if Rivers isn't brought back.

Mariota could be released this offseason, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Mariota is scheduled for a non-guaranteed $10.625 million base salary in 2021 in the second season of his two-year contract. The Raiders might be interested in keeping him around as a backup QB, but probably not at that price. Mariota played well in his one 2020 appearance, piling up 226 passing yards, 88 rushing yards and two total TDs in a 30-27 loss to the Chargers in Week 15. He otherwise spent the season on the bench behind Derek Carr, who threw for 300 yards four times in the final five weeks.