NFL Player News

Allen (ankle) should be healthy by April, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Allen dislocated and fractured his ankle in Week 9, requiring season-ending surgery. He made four starts (but played only two full games) prior to the injury, completing 69.0 percent of his passes for 7.0 YPA, with four TDs, one interception and one lost fumble. Allen isn't scheduled for free agency until 2022, but his future in Washington appears uncertain, as the team recently signed backup Taylor Heinicke (shoulder) to a two-year extension and now figures to pursue upgrades for the starting spot. It isn't clear how Allen and Alex Smith (calf) fit into Washington's picture for 2021, but both should at least be healthy if they're still around come training camp.

Stafford's injuries in 2020 included a partially torn UCL in his right thumb, a torn UCL in his left elbow, torn rib cartilage, an ankle sprain and a left knee injury, Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Stafford was removed after one series in the Lions' Week 16 loss to Tampa Bay, but he otherwise played at least 80 percent of offensive snaps in each of Detroit's games in 2020, continuing to gut it out long after the team was eliminated from the playoffs. The Lions have since agreed to trade Stafford to Los Angeles, where he'll team up with coach Sean McVay to lead an offense that has Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Tyler Higbee and Cam Akers as its top returning playmakers. It isn't necessarily a better group of pass catchers than what Stafford is accustomed to working with, but the coaching and overall quality of the roster will be an upgrade compared to Detroit. Despite the long list of injuries, there hasn't been any report of Stafford needing offseason surgery.

Mahomes underwent successful surgery Wednesday to repair a torn plantar plate in his left foot, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Mahomes battled a severe case of turf toe over the Chiefs' final two playoff games after initially picked up in the injury in the divisional-round win over the Browns. Though he played every snap in the AFC Championship Game win over the Bills and the Super Bowl LV loss to the Buccaneers, the injury clearly limited his mobility. According to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star, the All-Pro quarterback is expected to be 100 percent by training camp after he experienced no complications with the procedure, which was performed in Green Bay by renowned foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson.

Boyle appeared in eight games in 2020 but didn't attempt a pass. He officially recorded 13 carries for minus-nine yards.

Boyle spent the entire season as the backup behind Aaron Rodgers, but he was primarily a "human victory cigar," either handing the ball off or taking a knee on all but one of the plays he took the field. He spent the last two seasons in Green Bay, and he could hang onto a roster spot while 2020 first-round pick Jordan Love continues his development. However, the Packers will no doubt be hoping Love secures the backup role in his second season, and it remains to be seen if the team will carry more than two signal-callers into the 2021 campaign.

Heinicke (shoulder) agreed Wednesday with Washington on a two-year, $8.75 million extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Heinicke signed with the team in December and ended up starting in the wild-card round of the playoffs in place of an injured Alex Smith (calf). His solid performance (352 total yards, two touchdowns) in that loss to Tampa Bay seemingly convinced the Washington brass that Heinicke can be a solid backup for the next couple years. He'll turn 28 in April, and it's unlikely his extension prevents the team from seeking upgrades at the top spot on the depth chart. Heinicke suffered an AC joint sprain during the team's playoff game, but he should be ready for the offseason program -- if there is one -- and training camp.

Gabbert completed nine of 16 passes for 143 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions across four games during the 2020 regular season. He also rushed nine times for 16 yards and committed a fumble that was recovered by the offense.

All of Gabbert's passing production came in a Week 16 evisceration of the Lions, when Tom Brady took an early seat and the veteran backup took over in the second half. Gabbert only attempted one other pass all season, an incompletion in Week 6 against the Packers. The 31-year-old played 2020 on a one-year deal, but given his familiarity with coach Bruce Arians' system and the reasonable salary he'd command, it's likely Gabbert returns to the Buccaneers' fold in 2021.

The Giants appear committed to Jones as their starting quarterback for 2021, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan.

A few NFL teams appear ready to give up on first-round QBs they drafted in recent years, but the Giants are expected to stick with Jones, hoping he'll play better if he has more help around him. To that end, the team could stand to add a solid blocker and another reliable pass catcher, in addition to the potential benefit from getting Saquon Barkley (knee) back on the field. While Jones figures to be the Week 1 starter, it is possible he'll be on a shorter leash in 2021, especially if the Giants find a better backup than Colt McCoy.

Mahomes will have surgery Wednesday to repair a torn plantar plate in his left foot, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Mahomes apparently had a severe case of turf toe, though he claimed he was approaching full strength the week before the Super Bowl. He limped through parts of Kansas City's three playoff games, often escaping pressure despite being unable to run at full speed. Mahomes isn't likely to participate in offseason practices if the Chiefs have them, but the team does expect him to be ready for Week 1 of the 2021 campaign. Foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson will perform the surgery Wednesday.

Mahomes completed 26 of 49 passes for 270 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in Kansas City's 31-9 loss to the Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV. He also carried five times for 33 yards.

The first double-digit loss of Mahomes' career came with the context of Tampa Bay's pass rush feasting on an O-line without both starting tackles. He also battled a number of dropped passes, including two would-be touchdowns -- to Tyreek Hill and Darrel Williams -- the combination of which simply proved insurmountable. Mahomes also was hobbled by the turf toe injury he suffered during the divisional round against the Browns. Despite the lopsided loss to the Bucs Mahomes put together yet another outstanding campaign in 2020, compiling 4,740 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and six interceptions, in addition to 308 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. Nor, of course, can it be discounted that Mahomes has now led the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. With top offensive weapons Hill and Travis Kelce both returning next season, and his offensive line set to get back to full health, Mahomes once again will be in the mix as as the first quarterback off the board in fantasy drafts come 2021. He should be back to 100 percent for training camp, but his status for OTAs may be in question after Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported earlier Sunday that Mahomes will undergo offseason surgery to address the injured toe.

Prescott underwent a second ankle surgery in December but is expected to be ready for training camp in late July, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The second ankle surgery wasn't considered a setback. Instead, the procedure strengthened his right ankle following October surgery that repaired a compound fracture and dislocation. The 27-year-old quarterback remains on track for camp, but it's uncertain whether he'll be back with the Cowboys. Prescott will earn $37.6 million if he plays under the franchise tag for a second straight season, but he'd like the security of a long-term contract, specifically a four-year deal to allow for another contract while he's in his prime. The Cowboys still are an ideal situation for Prescott, as the team features an elite arsenal of offensive weapons, including Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and CeeDee Lamb.